Thank you, Carmelite Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart of Los Angeles

The Diocese of Tucson has been blessed to have the Carmelite Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart of Los Angeles serving the people of Douglas, Arizona and Agua Prieta, Sonora, Mexico since 1987.  This was the first mission of the Carmelite Community and it came about through the invitation of Bishop Manuel Moreno.  Back in 1987, having experienced demographic changes in the community, Loretto Catholic School was on the verge of closing.  Bishop Moreno felt it was important to keep the school open since it was the only Catholic school in all of Cochise County at the time.  The Sisters tell the story that, even though Bishop Moreno invited them, “It was the children who brought us here.  When we came to visit the school, the children were holding signs saying, ‘Please Choose Us.’  And we did”. 

For the past 33 years, the Sisters, working alongside dedicated faculty and staff, have participated in and spearheaded the spiritual, academic and emotional growth of each of the children at Loretto Catholic School.  It is, therefore, with tremendous thanksgiving and sadness I am announcing that this will be the last school year in which we will have the Carmelite Sisters in our diocese.  I know this decision was not an easy one for their community as they have grown to love the people of our diocese, most importantly, the Loretto community in Douglas.  Their decision was based on a dwindling number of Sisters in their community who are able to maintain the various assignments commissioned to them.  This, sadly, represents a broader need for us to pray fervently for an increase in vocations to the religious life.

In the spirit of their Foundress, Mother Luisita, the leadership of the Carmelite Sisters who served in the administration of Loretto Catholic School - Sister Bernadette, Sister Antonia Teresa, Sister Mary Aloysius, Sister Ines, and Sister Caridad - fulfilled a very fruitful apostolate.  I ask for prayers as we search for the next leadership to continue the work of the Carmelite Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart at Loretto Catholic School.  The Lord’s blessings and providence never fail.

The Sisters currently serving at Loretto, from left to right are:
Sister Mary Joseph (6-8 Religion/Language Arts teacher), Sister Caridad (Principal), Sister Gabriela (3rd grade teacher) and Sister Carla (4th grade teacher).