As Sr. Carolyn McCormack embarks on her final year of presidency here at Flintridge Sacred Heart, she sat down the Shield to reflect on her beginnings as a sister and her early days on the Hill.
Sr. Carolyn’s journey has intertwined faith, integrity, and truth within the Flintridge Sacred Heart community. Her life story serves as a testament to the enduring impact one person can have on a school’s community.
Born and raised in San Francisco, Sr. Carolyn’s formative education led her to Immaculate Conception Academy (ICA), a sister school of Flintridge Sacred Heart.
“I loved it, I had great friends. I loved the sisters. I love the school,” Sr. Carolyn said.
These years planted the seeds of her early life, guiding her toward a path of faith, service, and leadership. However, Sr. Carolyn’s journey to becoming a sister took time. She first graduated from Holy Names University in Oakland, California with a degree in English. Then she went on to the University of San Francisco for her master’s degree in religious education. She pursued many different careers, finding fulfillment as an executive assistant at Southern Pacific Railroad, an elementary school teacher at St. Elizabeth’s, and her first leadership role at a school in Fremont, California.
“I’ve had lots of leadership roles prior to coming to Flintridge. They’re always stressful. They’re always busy, but I love being a leader,” Sr. Carolyn said.
Though she found her work in education fulfilling, she sensed something was missing. More and more, she found herself returning her to the idea of a religious calling.
“I never lost that sense of, well, maybe that’s what God would like me to do,” Sr. Carolyn said.
Eventually, she summoned the courage to answer that call and entered the Dominican Sisters of Mission San Jose in 1965. Sr. Carolyn joined the convent with 11 other young women, including Sister Celeste, who went on to become the principal of Flintridge Sacred Heart from 2001 to 2022, and Sr. Carolyn Marie, a friend who currently resides in the residential wing of the administration building.
“[She is] confident, deeply compassionate, and patient,” Sr. Carolyn Marie said of Sr Carolyn.
In 2003, Sr. Carolyn became the president of Flintridge Sacred Heart and ushered in a new chapter in her story. Under Sr. Carolyn’s leadership, Flintridge Sacred Heart constructed the $17 million Arts Center, reinforcing its commitment to excellence and the arts.
“The journey of engaging with donors and meeting people and sharing the story of Flintridge Sacred Heart and experiencing their generosity has been amazing for me,” Sr. Carolyn said.
That said, Sr. Carolyn’s impact reaches far beyond academic achievements and state-of-the-art facilities. As the school’s president, she’s emphasized diversity, equity and inclusion, and worked to create a community where every individual is valued and appreciated for who they are.
“She’s a very wise woman with an expansive heart,” Sr. Carolyn Marie said.
As Sr. Carolyn prepares to step down from her role in 2024, she acknowledges the bittersweet feelings of leaving behind a school she loves deeply. She firmly believes, however, that embracing new leadership is essential for Flintridge Sacred Heart’s continued growth and evolution.
“I feel it’s been such a privilege to have been called to do the work that I’ve been able to do. And I feel so grateful for that. So I’m full of gratitude. That’s my feeling right now,” Sr. Carolyn said.
