About St. Teresa

St. Therese, "The Little Flower" was a humble servant of God who entered religious life at the age of 15, unheard of in the 19th century. As a Carmelite nun, she defined her path to God and holiness as "The Little Way," which consisted of love and trust in God. She understood that what matters in the Christian life is not great deeds, but great love, and that anyone can achieve the heights of holiness by doing even the smallest things well for love of God. "All is well," she wrote, "when one seeks only the will of Jesus."

In October 1997, Pope John Paul II named St. Therese a Doctor of the Church. She became only the third woman in the Church to be so honored, joining St. Catherine of Siena and St. Teresa of Avila, foundress of the Discalced Carmelites.

Honored to have Therese as our patron saint, St. Teresa became the first church dedicated in the newly formed Diocese of Joliet on October 12, 1949. Beginning with 100 families, the church now ministers to over 750 diverse families. Being a relatively small parish, "family" is the hallmark and many ministries serve parishioners including youth groups, parish nursing, homebound ministry and Catholics for Life, to name a few. St. Teresa's campus includes a labyrinth for reflection and prayer, the Azzarelli clinic and the Lisieux Pastoral Center, which hosts activities and events for the parish and community .

St. Teresa Mission Statement:

We are the Community of St. Teresa Parish, diverse in cultures, but united in faith in our God, in ourselves, and in our neighbors.

We trust in the Spirit of Jesus, our Savior, to guide us in our efforts to worship together, to teach and to serve each other, and to reach out to those in need, both within and outside our Community of faith.

La Mision De La Iglesia De Sta. Teresa:

Nosotros somos la comunidad de la parroquia de Sta. Teresa, diversos en culturas, pero unidos en la fe en nuestro Dios, en nosotros mismos, y en nuestros vecinos.

Confiamos en el Espiritu de Jesús, nuestro Salvador, que nos guiara en nuestros esfuerzos de rezar juntos, enseñar y servirnos unos a otros, y de extendernos hacia los necesitados, tanto adentro que afuera de nuestra comunidad de fe.