By God’s hand: Bishop Olson dedicates long-awaited St. Teresa of Calcutta worship space
Bishop Michael Olson blesses the congregation during the Mass of Dedication and blessing of the new altar at the new St. Teresa of Calcutta Church in Roanoke on November 29, 2025. Hundreds of laity attended the Mass. (NTC/Juan Guajardo)
ROANOKE — “We do not build God’s kingdom by our own strength but by His strength in us.”
Those encouraging words from Deacon Daniel Zavala continue to inspire the burgeoning faith community at St. Teresa of Calcutta Parish as it welcomes members and develops the infrastructure needed to grow the 92nd and newest parish in the diocese.
“We are going to build our parish community and continue to center it around Christ in the Eucharist,” the deacon said, addressing congregants who filled the recently constructed parish hall/worship space for a dedication Mass celebrated by Bishop Michael Olson and concelebrated by Father Mel Bessellieu on Nov. 29 in Roanoke.
“Thank you for being with us tonight and becoming part of something very special.”
Purchased by the diocese in 2004, the 31-acre parish site on Alta Vista Road was formed from the boundaries of Our Lady of Guadalupe, St. Philip the Apostle, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, and St. Francis of Assisi parishes and will serve Catholics in far north Fort Worth.
Responding to the rapid population growth in Tarrant and Denton counties, Bishop Olson announced the establishment of a new parish on August 1, 2022, and, after consultation, named St. Teresa of Calcutta as its patroness.
Founder of the Missionaries of Charity and popularly known as Mother Teresa, the diminutive sister was dedicated to serving the dying and destitute. In 1979, she received the Nobel Peace Prize — an award the humanitarian accepted, “for the glory of God and in the name of the poor.” Pope Francis canonized the Albanian-born missionary, who lived most of her life as a citizen of India, in 2016.
Three Missionaries of Charity traveled from the order’s convent in Dallas to attend the dedication Mass. More than a dozen parishes in the United States are named for the modern-day saint — an honor she would consider humbling, they said.
“She was shy, but if it glorifies God and brings people closer to Jesus, it’s all right,” said one of the Missionaries of Charity in attendance.
Bishop Olson hopes St. Teresa of Calcutta’s patronage of the new parish makes people mindful of seeing Christ in the poor and others who are overlooked.
“The heart of all of this is the love of Jesus Christ in our lives,” he told the North Texas Catholic. “A lot of people, including myself, have prayed for this for a long time. It’s an opportunity to see more growth and development for the life of the Church in the diocese.”
Construction of the 19,062-square-foot parish hall/worship space began in November 2024 under the direction of Dcn. Zavala, St. Teresa’s coordinator of parish life, and Tom Ross, diocesan director of construction and facilities. The structure’s Spanish mission-style design features arched windows and entries, a stone exterior facade in the center of the building with adjacent stucco sides. Upholstered seats with kneelers can accommodate 625 worshippers.
“It’s very striking in appearance,” Ross said, noting the parish experienced tremendous support since its inception. “From day one, people liked the location and started attending services. We rented school facilities to meet their needs and that’s one reason why construction was expedited.”
Thomas and Anna Henz belonged to the youth group and married in Mansfield’s St. Jude Parish before joining St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church in Keller. When St. Teresa of Calcutta opened and began offering weekend Masses, they became members.
“It was closer to home and has a small community feel to it,” explained Henz, the father of two school-age children. “There are a lot of young families, so we’re all growing up together.”
The thriving faith community is ideal for people seeking to engage with their parish.
“Other parishes are bigger and more established and it’s harder to get involved,” he reasoned. “Everyone has a place here. Everyone is trying to find something deeper — something more.”
Before consecrating the recently installed oak altar with holy chrism and sanctifying it with incense, Bishop Olson delivered a homily celebrating the completion of the parish hall/worship space at the same time the Church marks the start of a new liturgical year on the first Sunday of Advent.
“It’s in this space where you truly understand where we are all going together as the Church — in the community of your parish family and under the patronage of St. Teresa of Calcutta,” he said. “It is here in this present moment and in this space where you — His called and elected disciples — will receive the source of love and learn to love each other as Christ loves you and then carry that love outward into the world, especially among the poor.”
In closing, the bishop reminded his listeners of something Mother Teresa said about death and judgment.
“He will not ask, how many good things have you done in your life,” the prelate said, quoting the much-admired saint. “But, rather, how much love did you put into what you did?”
Dcn. Zavala said Mother Teresa’s faith, practicality, and determination inspired him during the construction process. As a young man, the Los Angeles native received a two-year degree in construction and architecture before pursuing a career in aerospace engineering.
“I never thought at this point in my life I’d be doing this,” admitted the deacon, recalling his years rebuilding porches and repairing roofs as a student. “God called me to do this, not because I’m the holiest, but I’m somebody who is driven. Failure is not an option.”
He relied on prayer, discernment, and repurposing to make the project a success. A baptismal font, found in diocesan storage, was cleaned, put back together, and placed in a double-wide trailer, home to the parish’s chapel. Stained glass windows removed from St. Jude Church were placed near the back doors of the new parish hall, and the chapel’s altar came from storage at St. Patrick Cathedral.
“Anytime anyone offered anything, I took it,” Dcn. Zavala pointed out, adding the spirit of frugality is similar to how Mother Teresa lived her life and mission. “We took things people didn’t want anymore and repurposed or reused them, doing the most we could with little or no money.”
The deacon often turns to the parish’s patroness during times of frustration or indecision.
“When something is not going right, I pray to her,” he confessed. “I’ve had a lot of Holy Spirit moments. I see God’s hand in this.”
Parishioners walk into the new St. Teresa of Calcutta Church in Roanoke prior to the Mass of Dedication and blessing of its altar on November 29, 2025. Bishop Michael Olson celebrated the liturgy. (NTC/Juan Guajardo)