Biography

Sister Theresa Josephine is a member of the Dominican Sisters of Mary Immaculate Province based in Houston. She holds certifications in Catechesis of the Good Shepherd in level 1, 2, and 3, a bachelor’s degree in theology from the University of St. Thomas, Houston, and a master’s degree in theological studies from St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, Philadelphia. In addition, since 2019 she is certified as a Formation Leader for Catechesis of the Good Shepherd by which she trains adults to be catechists. Currently, she is working on certifications for Formation Leaders in level 2 and 3.

Sister Theresa Josephine was born into a Catholic family of seven children in Viet Nam.  She came to the United States as a refugee at the age of 15 and joined her religious community. As a member of a preaching and teaching religious order, she has a great desire to guide people to Christ, especially children. She has been a catechist serving various levels of youth and children since 1992. In the last 12 years, her focus has been on guiding children to Christ applying the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. Besides teaching ministry, Sister Theresa Josephine has served her religious community on Provincial Council for 12 years and formation for nine years. However, teaching has always been her gift and passion.

In her free time, she likes taking nature walks to discover and contemplate God’s beauty, goodness, and truth in nature. She also likes to make teaching materials using various sources of raw materials, particularly wood. Carpentry, therefore, is her hobby. 

Sister is convinced that Maria Montessori’s method of education is a holistic approach to learning. It serves the whole child - their intellectual, social, physical, and spiritual self - particularly for religious education. Montessori utilizes the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd program, which guides the child to access their whole person, especially their religious potential, to encounter God and develop a profound relationship with Him.