St. Theresa School is staffed by the Carmelite Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart of Los Angeles. Their heritage is rooted in the Gospel, the Church and the spirituality of Carmel as lived out through the charism of their foundress, Venerable Mother Maria Luisa Josefa of the Most Blessed Sacrament. The vocation is a grace by which contemplation and action are blended to become an apostolic service of the Church. The Carmelites promote a deeper spiritual life among God’s people through education, healthcare and spiritual retreats.

The Carmelite Sisters are called by God to stand in the presence of the living God, and with Mary, make known to the world the love of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Their mission is of the heart, a mission of service in the fields of education, healthcare and spiritual retreats. Their devoted service to God’s people overflows from each sister’s profound life of prayer. Mother Luisita used this analogy to describe the mission “ . . . the soul of each Carmelite raises herself to Christ, who is her heaven, while her shadow falls in charity upon earth doing good to all people.”

In the field of Education, the Carmelite Sisters provide a Catholic education to elementary and high school students and in the spirit of Carmel. They form our students to encounter the Joy, Love, and Truth Of Jesus Christ.

They do this by providing the following:

• Joyful family atmosphere – We create a joyful family atmosphere in our schools which fosters a genuine love for learning.
• Formation in the Catholic Intellectual Tradition– In collaboration with families, we form students in the Christocentric intellectual tradition of the Catholic Church through the liberal arts. Students develop a love for truth, virtue, and respect for the dignity of every person.
• Personal encounter with Christ – Students personally encounter Christ through prayer, academics, and relationships, thus learning to vibrantly live their Catholic faith.

The Carmelite Sisters work in Catholic schools from California to Miami, Florida. The schools led by the Sisters strive to prepare students with the spiritual and personal development they need to become well-rounded individuals and active members of the faith community.

St. Theresa School is blessed to have the Carmelite Sisters guiding our educational mission.