Bernadette St. James has earned degrees in Theology and Philosophy from Loyola Marymount University and a post graduate degree in Psychology from Trinity College of Graduate Studies that emphasized the healing arts of Christian spirituality integrated with the skills of Counseling Psychology.  She holds a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology and recently earned a second Master of Arts in Theology from Loyola Marymount University.

She is certified in Psychoanalytical Psychology, Spiritual Direction, and Christian Spirituality. Due to the positive influence of those who were anointed by Agnes Sanford’s ministry of healing, Bernadette became a member of the Association of Christian Therapists currently known as ACTheals, recognizing a call to participate in Christ’s work of inner healing, integration and wholeness.

As a lifetime Catholic educator, Bernadette has been a dedicated high school instructor of theology. She enjoyed the enthusiasm, inquiry and goodness that she experienced with the youth and was inspired by their desire to seek truth. Drawn to matters of social justice and ministry to the incarcerated, Bernadette claims that the Gospel message of Christ’s mercy is incarnated among the population of incarcerated and paroled women seeking to rehabilitate their lives. In addition, interfaith and ecumenical work is among one of her interests.  She has organized many interfaith events through her parish at St. Andrew Russian Greek Catholic Church.

Inspired by the works of Teresa of Avila and John of the Cross, Bernadette became a lay Carmelite in 1995 and has pursued contemplative prayer for many years. She has attended five 10-day silent retreats and has organized contemplative retreats for over 15 years.  Currently, she leads a contemplative prayer group and book study at her parish.

According to Bernadette, God is encountered in dialogical relationship where the inner-self is continuously unfolding in the dynamism of wisdom and love.    

Rt. Rev. Alexei Smith  earned his degree in the field of International Relations from the University of Southern California. Father Alexei worked for several years in private industry prior to his entering Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology in Boston, MA, in 1983.  Awarded a Master of Divinity Degree, with High Distinction, in 1987, he was ordained a Greek Catholic Priest of the Eparchy of Newton, MA, that same year, and assigned as Pastor of Saint Andrew Russian Greek Catholic Church in El Segundo, CA, and also Administrator of Saint Paul Melkite Greek Catholic Mission in the same city.

In November of 2000, Cardinal Roger Mahony appointed Father Alexei to a five year term as Ecumenical and Interreligious Officer of the Archdiocese, and reappointed him to a second five year term in July 2006. Father Alexei is currently serving as National Vice President of Catholic Association of Diocesan Ecumenical and Interreligious Officers and also as its Liaison to Christian Churches Together which is a growing Ecumenical movement.

Father Alexei taught a course entitled “Interfaith Dialogue Since Vatican II” at Mount Saint Mary’s College, as well as a course entitled “Current Trends in Ecumenical and Interreligious Thought” as part of the International Institute of Tribunal Studies in Los Angeles. Father is currently teaching an Ecclesia Certification Course at Mount Saint Mary’s College entitled “Ecumenism and Interreligious Relations:  A Catholic Ministry.”

Father Alexei acts as a bridge between traditions, cultures, religions, and people offering acceptance, hospitality, tolerance and opportunity for authentic spirituality, growth and inquiry.  In the long standing historical light and wisdom found in the teachings of the desert fathers, St. Andrew Church is a unique parish that offers an experience of the contemplative tradition of the Christian east to be rediscovered by spiritual seekers of diverse backgrounds.

Science of the Heart is a contemplative ministry that has been inspired by the spiritual knowledge and leadership of Aloysius Michael Pattian who is a published author, practitioner of meditation, and Professor Emeritus from Mt. St. Mary’s University in Los Angeles. He is known for his ability to inspire struggling meditators to remain steadfast in their practice in order to undergo the necessary transformation of the mind and heart. In addition to teaching theology for over 30 years, he demonstrates a profound example of a contemplative life lived in the ordinary world in a commitment to fierce independence and reliance on God alone.

The greatest of his gifts is in facilitating retreat experiences for people searching for a more meaningful, rich and intimate spiritual life that connects them to the divine gift of God discovered in the interiority of their soul. Teaching from the wisdom of the mystics such as John of the Cross, The Cloud of Unknowing, and from simple lessons of life, Aloysius Michael, also known as Fr. Michael, has a uniquely felt grace and presence that leads others into deeper silence and communion with God. His expertise is grounded in the spiritual phenomenon of an experiential encounter with God, leading one by a heart-centered approach into their own transpersonal depths, that offers a gateway to healing, wisdom and unitive knowledge.