Sister Subha Clare

The Sisters of St. Francis of the Immaculate Conception, also known as the Heading Avenue Franciscans, welcomed Subha Ramesh as a novice during a prayer service on Nov. 10. She is now known as Sister Subha Clare.

Born in Chennai, India, Sister Subha Clare immigrated with her family to the United States, when she was about 4. They lived first in New York City and then Monroeville, Alabama.

Raised as a Hindu, she was baptized as a Christian in 1981 while studying at the University of Alabama. After graduate school, Subha spent 30 years in corporate life, working with retailers around the country.

While in her last position, she entered the RCIA process at St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Manhattan and was confirmed Subha Clare at the Easter Vigil in 2015. She was a member of the RCIA team at St. Francis of Assisi until she moved to Peoria to join the Sisters of St. Francis of the Immaculate Conception, entering the community in November 2017.

Sister Subha Clare will continue to live at St. Joseph’s Convent in Peoria for the next 12 months. During this canonical year of formation she will spend time growing in her relationship with God through prayer and study, exploring religious life and Scripture, the constitutions of the Heading Avenue Franciscans, the Franciscan Rule and their vows.