St. Therese

Our Story: A Parish Rooted in Ignatian Spirituality

St. Therese began on January 6, 1946 as the St. Gerard Mission of St. Joseph Church in Kannapolis, when Redemptorist priests first celebrated Mass in the Van Hoy home on N. Church Street. The community became an independent parish in 1956, moved to its current Brawley School Road site in 1988, and was shepherded by the Jesuits of the Maryland Province for nearly five decades beginning in 1970 — first under Fr. Calvert Brown, S.J. The parish returned to diocesan leadership in 2017 and today numbers 2,921 families.

• 1946 — Founded as St. Gerard Mission; celebrated in the Van Hoy home.
• 1949 — Becomes St. Therese Mission; relocates to 761 Main St. (former Camp Lejeune chapel).
• 1956 — Becomes an independent parish.
• 1972 — Included in newly created Diocese of Charlotte.
• 1988, Jan. 30 — Current Brawley School Road church dedicated (310 families).
• 1997, March — Parish split creates St. Mark in Huntersville.
• 2002, September — Lewis Mack Parish Life Center dedicated.
• 2013, Dec. 7 — Groundbreaking for new 1,200-seat church.
• 2014, April 29 — Altar beam blessed; families sign the beam.
• 2015, March 28 — New church dedicated by Bishop Peter Jugis.
• 2017, July 11 — Jesuits depart St. Therese.
• 2017, Aug. 31 — Fr. Mark Lawlor installed as pastor.
• 2021 — 75th anniversary year; 2,921 registered families.

Faith Formation & Religious Education

The parish offers multiple formation pathways for children pre-K through 9th grade, anchored by Catechesis of the Good Shepherd — a Montessori-based, sensorially rich approach for ages 3 to 12 across three levels. Traditional Faith Formation uses the Word of Life curriculum from the Augustine Institute and Ignatius Press, with in-person, Family Catechesis hybrid, and Home Study options. Children typically receive First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion in 2nd grade, and Confirmation preparation is offered through the Foundations of Faith program for grades 3–9.

• Catechesis of the Good Shepherd — Levels 1 (ages 3–6), 2 (ages 6–9), 3 (ages 9–12)
• Traditional Faith Formation (grades 1–7) — Word of Life curriculum
• Family Catechesis — hybrid home + monthly gathering
• Home Study option (grades 3–6)
• Foundations of Faith — First Communion/Confirmation prep (grades 3–9)
• OCIC — Order of Christian Initiation for Children (ages 8–15)
• Children's Liturgy of the Word
• Formation sessions: Sundays 4:00–5:15 PM; Tuesdays 6:00–7:15 PM; Wednesdays 5:00–6:15 PM

Little Way Preschool

Little Way Preschool of St. Therese Catholic Church — named for St. Therese's 'Little Way' spirituality — serves children ages 2 to 5 in a Catholic environment using the Core Knowledge Curriculum. Classes run Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM, with families sending lunch. The school maintains low teacher/student ratios, requires First Aid and CPR training for staff, and integrates Catholic teaching through the Sign of the Cross, daily prayers, the lives of the saints, and Holy Day observances. Director Dayna Auten can be reached at 980-444-2305.

• Two-year-old program: T/TH, M/W/F, or M–F
• Three-year-old program: M/W/F or M–F
• Pre-K: 4-day (M–Th) or 5-day (with Friday 'enhancement' day)
• Core Knowledge Curriculum with individual Activity Books
• Pre-K Spanish instruction through songs and activities
• Summer Camps for ages 3–8 in four week-long sessions beginning June 8

Ignatian Spirituality & Pastoral Lineage

St. Therese explicitly identifies itself as 'rooted in Ignatian Spirituality,' a heritage bestowed by nearly 47 years of Jesuit pastors (1970–2017). The parish mission is to 'Love God, Follow Jesus and Serve All by doing ordinary things with great love' — language echoing St. Therese of Lisieux's 'Little Way.' After the Jesuits' departure in July 2017, the parish returned to diocesan leadership under Fr. Mark Lawlor while continuing to embrace the Ignatian charism.

• 1946–1954 — Redemptorist priests from St. Joseph, Kannapolis
• 1954–1970 — Diocesan priests
• 1970 — Consolata Society priest (brief)
• 1970–2017 — Jesuits of the Maryland Province
• 2017–present — Diocesan clergy (Fr. Mark Lawlor)

Clergy & Staff

The parish is staffed by a pastor and two parochial vicars, supported by faith formation, communications, and preschool staff.

• Reverend Mark Stephen Lawlor — Pastor
• Reverend Huver Ernesto Navarro-Vigo — Parochial Vicar
• Reverend Engelbert Ofon — Parochial Vicar
• Children's Faith Formation Coordinator — listed as [email protected]
• Director of Religious Education — listed as [email protected]
• Dayna Auten — Little Way Preschool Director (980-444-2305)

Outreach & Parish Ministries

St. Therese has more than 70 active ministries. Outreach extends significantly to the surrounding Latino community — roughly 15% of parishioners speak Spanish as their first language — and parishioners are active with FeedNC (formerly Mooresville Soup Kitchen) and other local efforts. The parish life center (2002) provides space for education, music, social events, sports, and holiday Masses.

Facilities & Campus

The parish sits on a campus anchored by the 1,200-seat church dedicated in 2015, with the former 1988 church repurposed as the St. Ignatius Day Chapel. The Lewis Mack Parish Life Center (2002) provides classrooms, music rehearsal space, and a social hall. Little Way Preschool occupies dedicated space on the same campus at 217 Brawley School Road.

• Current church — dedicated March 28, 2015 (Bishop Peter Jugis)
• St. Ignatius Day Chapel — former 1988 church
• Lewis Mack Parish Life Center — dedicated September 2002
• Little Way Preschool classrooms and playground