About Karla

Hi! I’m a lead retreat organizer, I’d be happy to support your organization’s, parish’s, or group’s spiritual and theological growth!

ABOUT:

Karla lived as a contemplative-active consecrated missionary for over 24 years.  She is a seasoned retreat leader and presenter on theological, spiritual, and canonical themes.

The pandemic led her to develop outdoor retreats as a response to the saturated online life and anxiety many experienced.  The positive experience of those who attended these retreats led her to combine traditional retreat formats with a touch of adventure. 

In August 2022, she created the first international retreat in Valladolid, Yucatán, Mexico. Its success led to developing a second retreat in Mexico in 2023. Karla is fluent in Spanish.

Karla works as a Judge for the Diocese of Sacramento’s Ecclesiastical Tribunal, is an Adjunct Quarterly Lecturer for the Graduate Program for Pastoral Ministry at Santa Clara University, and a canonical advisor for the Stockton Diocese and their Charismatic Lay Movement. She supports her diocese’ Permanent Diaconate Formation Program by teaching and directing the spirituality sessions for the wives of deacon-candidates in formation. When called upon, she helps religious men and women with canonical issues.

Karla holds a Masters of Divinity from the Jesuit School of Theology in Berkeley, a Licentiate in Canon Law from the Catholic University of America, and is taking psychology-spirituality courses with the Jesuits.

Reach out if you have any questions or creative ideas you’d like to develop together!

ABOUT KARLA’S SPIRITUALITY:

From the age of 13, Karla’s spirituality was primarily formed by the Scripture-focused contemplative spirituality of the Verbum Dei Missionary Fraternity. For nearly 30 years, Karla was trained to create and guide contemplative Scripture-based retreats, provide spiritual accompaniment, and develop formation programs for ministers.

Karla’s academic education has also contributed to her understanding of Christ’s mission in the world and discipleship. Karla attended Mercy High School in Burlingame, CA, which engrained deep values of leadership and service towards the marginalized. Her undergraduate and graduate education at Jesuit universities familiarized her with Ignatian Spirituality. She has done multiple spiritual exercises (Ignatian & non-Ignatian).

As a lay woman, Karla inevitably brings years of spiritual formation into every retreat, workshop, class, or event that she guides.

It is her desire for her and all who participate in retreats to grow in intimacy with the Triune God and live authentically.

As a final note:

This website is called “Spirituality & Adventure” because Karla has an adventurous heart 🙂