This year, Xavier’s theology department welcomes Sister Theresa Trang, LHC (Lovers of the Holy Cross). She is teaching alongside Kaiti-Lynn Beazley, Gina Iker, Danielle Lambert, Tony DiStefano and Noah Minton.
Trang went to college and has a Ph.D. in theology. Her first time in college was in Vietnam, where she earned her bachelor’s in education and entered the convent soon after.
At Xavier, she is quickly settling in and enjoying the school. She says she can “feel the sense of community” that is present. The community has been welcoming and has made her feel comfortable.
Trang already felt connected to Xavier when she applied. She saw the Xavier community and fell in love with it.
“I already felt connected to the community,” Trang said.
Lambert, who is mentoring her, commented, “She is one of the most thoughtful people I’ve ever met and one of the most Godly people I’ve ever met.”
Beazley also said, “…it has been good for us to have her around to bring joy to our conversations.”
Trang started teaching freshmen for a year at Villanova University, then she taught junior theology at a Catholic high school in Philadelphia.
Xavier is the first school in Arizona where she has taught. She has enjoyed it very much.
She and another sister both moved to Phoenix to teach.
Trang also said that the reputation and the community were reasons she decided to work at Xavier.
She admires the excitement to learn that her students bring to the classroom. She sees a lot of potential in her students and feels comfortable teaching them.
“The students are serious and respectful,” she said.
A fun fact about Trang is that she loves vegetables. She feels connected to nature by growing produce. In her convent, she is nicknamed the “resident rabbit.”
To meet Sister Theresa and welcome her into the Xavier community, go to her classroom in Fitzgerald 202.
