Location: St. Thérèse, Little Flower Catholic Church is located at 54191 N. Ironwood Rd., South Bend, Indiana 46635. We are just south of Douglas Road and North of SR 23. 

Entrances: The front entrance to St. Thérèse, Little Flower is located off of our upper parking lot under the overhang and faces north toward Douglas Road.  There is also entrance on the north/west side of the church that leads in by our chapel.  The main parking area is located just off of Ironwood Road.

Seating: You are welcome to sit anywhere! Please note that masks are required in 2 areas: the chairs to the far right of the church and the chapel. 

Lavatories: A single restroom is located at the back of the church near the main entrance. There are additional restrooms located downstairs below the main church (stairs are at the back of the church), including a changing station for babies and small children.

Children of all ages and levels of wiggly-ness are welcome and are regularly in attendence at all of our Masses!

No matter your faith background, we would love to have you join us for the celebration of Christmas! 

During communion, you are welcome to either remain seated or come forward and receive a blessing. To indicate that you would like a blessing, simply cross your arms over your chest (in the shape of an "X"), and the priest distributing Holy Communion will give you a blessing.

Masks are not required to attend Mass, however we do have certain seating areas of the Church that are marked as "masks required" areas for those who are more comfortable sitting near others who are masked. These areas are the chairs to the far right side of the Church and our enclosed chapel. 

As a visitor, you are our guest — please dress as you are comfortable! Some parishioners wear suits and business attire to Sunday worship and many of our parishioners use this great celebration of the birth of Jesus to dress up,  but others dress more casually. 

• INTRODUCTORY RITES
  
  A Catholic Mass starts with the processional of the priest toward the sanctuary of the church. After the entrance procession, there is often a gathering song followed by a Greeting to the assembly, the Penitential Rite (a time of reflection on one's sins and a prayer for God's mercy), concluded with the Opening Prayer.
  
  LITURGY OF THE WORD
  
  This part of the Mass will offer Scripture readings from the following areas:
  
  First Reading
  A scripture reading from the Old Testament
  
  Responsorial Psalm
  A Psalm selected from the Book of Psalms. The congregation interacts by offering a response (usually sung).
  
  Second Reading
  A scripture reading from the New Testament
  
  Gospel Acclamation
  The people praise Christ's presence in the sacred Word of God.
  
  Gospel Reading
  Taken from one of the four Gospels of either Mathew, Mark, Luke or John.
  
  Homily
  The priest or deacon will address the congregation on what has been read.
  
  Prayer of the Faithful or General Intercessions
  A collection of short prayers of petition. After each petition is said the congregation will respond by saying, "Lord, hear our prayer" or something similar.
  
  LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST
  
  The Liturgy of the Eucharist, along with communion, is the most sacred part of the Mass. Catholics will kneel during the Eucharistic prayer, but non-Catholics may remain seated.
  
  Presentation of the Gifts and Preparation of the Gifts
  The bread and wine are brought to the altar along with any monetary offerings for the poor that may have been collected from the congregation. The Offertory hymn may be sung at this time.
  
  Prayer Over the Gifts
  The priest may say or sing this prayer.
  
  Eucharistic Prayer
  At this time the congregation will kneel.
  
  Eucharistic Acclamations
  Includes the Holy, Holy - Memorial Acclamation and Great Amen.
  
  Lord's Prayer
  The reciting of the Our Father.
  
  The Sign of Peace
  The priest will prompt the congregation to offer each other a sign of peace. You will shake the hand of people around you, perhaps saying, "Peace be with you."
  
  Breaking of the Bread / Lamb of God
  
  Distribution of Communion
  People process in lines to the front of the Cathedral, receive communion standing and then return to their seats. After returning to their places, people are encouraged to immediately sit down or kneel in silent prayer.
  
  If you are not Catholic, you may process to the front and cross your hands across your chest to receive a blessing or you may remain seated or kneel in prayer while communion is being distributed.
  
  Never mistake this time of movement of the people to the altar to receive communion as any type of an intermission. This is a sacred time for Catholics. Do not engage in unnecessary conversation during this period of the Mass. There should be no unnecessary trips to the bathroom or other diversions. Please do not let children run in the aisles. Instead, take them to the back of the Cathedral until their needs are met and make sure your cell phone is off.
  
  Prayer After Communion
  
  CONCLUDING RITE
  
  This segment is the conclusion of the Mass and contains the final prayers and blessings. The priest will leave the church in a procession accompanied by a hymn.
  
  Solemn / Final Blessing
  Given to the entire congregation.
  
  Dismissal
  Given by the presider, usually by saying, "The Mass has ended. You may now go in peace."
  
  Recessional
  The priest processes out of the Cathedral during a final hymn.