A movement to establish a Catholic parish in Palatine began in the nineteen twenties, when Palatine experienced a post-World War I boom. At this period in time,

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St. Theresa Parish Grows

      The enormous population growth in Palatine after the war marks the next stage of St. Theresa history. Barely in their new home for ten years, the congregation had already outgrown the church on Wood Street. The newcomers were also requesting a Catholic school and there was no land for expansion at the old location. The challenge of providing larger facilities to meet the congregation's growing needs fell on Father Arthur O'Brien, who had succeeded Father Murray in 1949.  Read More >>>

St. Theresa Parish--Now and Into the Future

      When Father McGlynn died unexpectedly in 1991, Father John P. McNamara became pastor of St. Theresa Parish. Under his guidance, St. Theresa parishioners embraced a long-range pastoral plan which defined ways to meet our parish's future needs. A major portion of the plan included major renovations to the church, Pauline Center and the school. In April, 2000, the first Mass was celebrated in the "new" church. Although the original walls and foundation remain, the extensive renovations created a totally new church, gathering area and a connection to Pauline Center. Read More >>

Our Parish serves the needs of the community in different ways.  We offer preparation for the sacraments, education for children and adults, social activities, assistance to those in difficulty, comfort to the sick and to those who mourn a loss. 

      If you have a Catholic background but have been inactive in the Church recently, please call us if you are interested in updating.  We will help you to get any information you may want.     

      We have an ongoing program for those who wish to join the Catholic Church or for those who may want information about the Catholic Church or St. Theresa Parish.

  If we can be of any service to you, please call our Parish Office in the Pauline Center at 847-358-7760.

History of St. Theresa Parish

Our Patron Saint

  St. Theresa was born  Marie Françoise Therese Martin on January 2, 1873, in Alencon, France. Raised in a family strong  in Christian faith and virtue at the age of fifteen she entered the Carmelite Order of nuns in Lisieux, France, the vocational path three of her older sisters had taken.

    She becameSister Therese of the Child Jesus. Wanting to proclaim and live God's love in some fashion, she accepted God's plan for her instead. Describing herself as "a very little soul, who can only offer very little things to our Lord," she did her best to exemplify His love through her simple day-to-day routine.

    When at the age of twenty-three she became seriously ill with tuberculosis, she realized her true mission would begin after her death. So that others might know and trust in the power and goodness of God's love as she did, she promised, "I will spend my Heaven doing good on earth. I will let fall from Heaven a shower of roses."

    She died September 30, 1897, at the age of twenty-four, and the presence of her "shower of roses" here on earth became apparent soon after, as the fame of her holiness and the power of her intercession quickly spread. She was canonized St. Therese of the Child Jesus in 1925. Her feast day is celebrated on October 1st.

        For more about St. Theresa click here