Sister Catherine Luu, pastoral care coordinator at Our Lady of Lourdes Health, shares her multicultural Asian heritage and what Asian American Pacific Islander Month means to her.
Sr. Catherine has been a part of our ministry since 2015 when she joined the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Sisters, the sponsors of our health system. She provides spiritual support to patients and family members, assists with volunteer activities, helps to prepare for Masses at the Chapel among other duties.
She shares what inspired her to pursue a career in healthcare. “I’ve had a passion to be a missionary and to be a servant to those in need in the healthcare capacity,” Sr. Catherine says. “After graduating from high school, I started as a pre-nursing student but ended up as a Religious Studies graduate from Loyola University in New Orleans upon the request of the needs of the Archdiocese of New Orleans at that time.”
Asian Inspiration
Sr. Catherine feels the most connected to her Asian heritage when she celebrates Lunar New Year, one of her favorite family traditions. Sr. Catherine shares, “We pay special tribute and commemoration to our ancestors, deceased parents, family and friends, in thanksgiving for the benefactors.” As someone with a multicultural heritage, her favorite foods come from many different Asian cultures.
The Importance of Diversity and Different Perspectives
Diversity in the workplace is important to Sr. Catherine because it requires being open-minded, flexible and available and having mutual respect with colleagues and team members.
“My FMOL Sisters, many leaders across our health system and my chaplain team members continue to inspire me through their presence and support,” Sr. Catherine says. Diversity in the workplace also allows her the space to grow intellectually, socially, emotionally, psychologically, sympathetically and empathetically.
Our DEI Commitment
Our ministry’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion supports culturally competent care education for our team members all year long, including during Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month each May.
