Dominican Sister of Peace Clara (Hoang Thi) Luu, OP, (89), a native of Ha Nam Ninh, Vietnam, went home to God on September 21 at Sansbury Care Center in St. Catharine, KY. 
 
Sr. Clara, born to Le Thi Hoa and Viet Han, felt a deep call to God from a young age and entered religious life in Vietnam at just 10 years old. Her journey took her from North to South Vietnam, then from Vietnam to Malaysia and eventually to the United States. Through the many challenges of her life, she remained steadfast in her faith. She made her religious profession in 1960 and devoted more than six decades to serving God’s people.  
 
Sr. Clara earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in Bien Hoa, Vietnam. She began her ministry as a nurse at St. John of God Hospital in Vietnam before transferring to the United States. In the Archdiocese of Louisville, she served in various roles with Catholic Charities of Louisville and St. John Vianney Church, including as a childcare worker and translator. In 2017, she moved to Sansbury Care Center, where she continued her ministry through prayer and presence. 

Sr. Clara also dedicated herself to the Vietnamese community in Louisville, giving generously of her time and energy to support families and nurture faith among children and young people. In her funeral reflection, Sister Maidung Nguyen, OP, recalled Sr. Clara’s many years of service, saying, “She poured her energy into helping the Vietnamese community in Louisville, especially on weekends: teaching catechism, training altar boys and girls, preparing for sacraments, and many other unnamed tasks.” 

Sr. Clara’s life was marked by a deep hunger for God and a heartfelt desire to share God’s love with others. She found joy in life’s simple gifts, gave generously of herself, and had the courage to speak honestly, even with God, through the struggles she faced.  

Sister Clara is survived by several cousins and her Dominican Sisters of Peace community. 
 
Visitation was held on Oct. 5 at the Sansbury Care Center Chapel. The Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Oct. 6 in the chapel. Burial followed in the St. Catharine Motherhouse Cemetery. 

Memorial gifts in Sister Clara’s memory may be submitted securely online or sent to the Dominican Sisters of Peace, Office of Mission Advancement, 2320 Airport Dr, Columbus, OH 43219.

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