NEW AT THE ST. THERESA FAMILY LIFE CENTER: A "MEN'S GROUP"

In early 2021, I started to lead the remodeling of the old St. Theresa/Cross Roads School in my hometown parish in Rhodelia, Kentucky, into a new St. Theresa Family Life Center and the old rectory into a  Guest House for presenters, private retreatants and visiting priests. One of the main features of the project is a museum room and a long hall way (both sides) old historic photo gallery. The project was dedicated October 15, 2022. 

The idea was to build a place where the family life of the community could be celebrated, preserved, strengthened and empowered. A few groups like AA, Sunday Coffee after Mass and Youth Confirmation Retreats have already used the spaces. The parish offices are now located there. Even 30 American Bishops, who visited the grave in St. Theresa's old cemetery of the grandmother of Father Augustus Tolton, first black priest ordained in the US, had drinks and refreshments in the new Family Life Center. 

One of the newest groups to start using the Family Life Center is a Men's Group meeting each Thursday evening. Soon to follow will be a Women's Group. Father Knott had the opportunity to attend the July 2, 2026 Men's Group meeting pictured below. He was asked to present a "Saturday Afternoon Men's Retreat" on October 10 (2:00 to 6:00) followed by the Saturday evening Mass at St. Theresa Church next door. The retreat will be called "Get a Grip on Your Personal, Family and Spiritual Life." 

 BEFORE

AFTER

THE NEW PORCH HAS ROCKERS AND CAN BE USED FOR SHELTERED PICNIC BOOTHS

The old classroom for the 3rd and 4th grades was renovated into a meeting room for discussions. 

25 men of the new Men's Group met on July 2, 2026 filling the above room. 

The new St. Theresa Family Life Center has an extensive hallway photo gallery and museum room celebrating the parish history from its founding in 1818 to the present. It also holds five parish offices, another large meeting room, a beautiful kitchen, a cafe room (below) and two updated restrooms. 

Four of several cases and wall displays in the museum room.

Historic photos fill both sides of this long hallway.

The whole Family Life Center is heated and cooled with an underground geo-thermal system and powered by an above-ground solar panel system pictured below. 

The old rectory (below) has been totally renovated for use as a Guest House for visiting presenters, visiting priests and private retreatants.

The living room has a flat screen TV and several recliners. 

One of the bedrooms (below)

The downstairs has a laundry room and more space for overnight guest use.