“Did you know that St Therese Parish in Three Kings is more than just a place of worship? It is a vibrant hub for the Catholic community in Auckland. It has a rich history intertwined with the lives of many parishioners.
Welcome to St Therese Parish. Here we celebrate faith and community. This parish is a significant part of the Catholic landscape in Auckland.
St Therese Parish is led by Parish Priest Fr Arul Arokiam OFM. He guides the community with dedication. Anet Suares is the Parish Secretary. She keeps the parish running smoothly. You can reach her by phone or email. The office is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. The hours are 9.30am to 2.30pm.
Mass times at St Therese Parish vary throughout the week. On Tuesdays, Mass is at 9:15 am. Wednesdays offer a midday Mass at 12 pm. Fridays share the same time as Tuesday at 9:15 am. Saturday evening Mass is at 5:30 pm. Sunday Mass is at 9 am.
The Redemptorists have a long history in New Zealand. They began in 1883 preaching summer missions. Their connection with the communities led to a permanent settlement. Today, they serve three parishes in Auckland. St Therese is one of them. It is also known as the Mangere Catholic Parishes. St Anthony’s Parish and St Pius X are also served. These parishes have a vibrant community of Samoan and Tongan parishioners. They bring distinct cultural traditions.
The Syro-Malabar community is also served by the Redemptorists. This community has grown in New Zealand. The Redemptorists celebrate Mass and participate in faith formation. There are hundreds of families involved. They gather for prayer and community.
St Therese of Lisieux is the namesake of this parish. She was a young French woman with a deep love for Jesus. Therese wanted to enter the Carmelite convent. She was accepted at the age of fifteen. As a nun, she discovered her ‘little way’. She did small things with great love. She treated others with respect. St Therese died at the young age of 24. She was made a saint in 1925.
Just as St Therese did small things with great love we can too. Consider this as you reflect on the history and the community of St Therese Parish.