Laprise, Marie Loma

• Sister Marie Loma Laprise
• Mary Rufina Laprise
• Marie Laprise
• Sister Mary Rufina Laprise
• Sister Marie Laprise

Marie Loma Laprise was born in Pain Court, Ontario on February 14 , 1915, received habit August 16, 1933, made profession: first vows on August 16, 1935 and final vows on August 25, 1938, died March 20, 2013 in London, Ontario and is buried in St. Peter's Cemetery, London, Ontario.

Marie Loma was the daughter of Josephat Laprise (born in Pain Court, ON, died 1978) and Delia Charon (born in Big Point, ON, died 1959). Her siblings were Treffle [Caroline], Sister Cecile RHSJ, Anna [Trahan], Jean [Haslip] and Wilfrid. After leaving school, she entered Sacred Heart Convent, the motherhouse of the Sisters of St. Joseph of London, and took the religious name of Sister Mary Rufina.

Sister Marie served as a cook and housekeeper for fifty-eight years, beginning at St. Joseph's Convent in Maidstone, ON in 1935. She served in Leamington, London, Goderich, Sarnia, Woodstock, Oxley, Chatham and Haney, BC with this ministry until 1980. In Sister Marie's own words, "there were a few years of hardship to endure but on the whole I enjoyed my work and was blessed to serve in many ways." She served as Superior at Holy Family Retreat House while in Oxley from 1950 to 1959. While Sister Marie was at St. Joseph's Convent in Goderich from 1969 to 1971 she also served as Superior. Her final term as a Superior was at St. Joseph's Convent in Haney from 1973 to 1979.

Following her homemaker ministry, Sister Marie went to Mission, BC and worked in the parish from 1980 to 1985. She recalled this time as her happiest, serving as cook and housekeeper to three priests: Rev. John Tritscheler, Rev. Angelo Pinto, and Rev. Paul Thompson who were "good and kind friends and also a wonderful example of fidelity to their calling." Many would echo her words when recalling Sister Marie's fidelity to her ministry that a nurturing environment to so many. Following her time in BC, Sister Marie returned to London, where she spent a year from 1985 to 1986 as an assistant to guest wing residents at Mount St. Joseph. She then served the poor working from Boullee Street in London during the following year, and ministered to refugees at Josephs' House in London from 1987 to 1988.

Sister Marie was the assistant novice mistress at Sacred Heart Convent in 1950, working with Sister deChantal. According to a Sister Kateri, Sister Marie provided a calm yet strict environment for those beginning religious life. Sister Kateri also recalled that when she worked at Oxley with Sister Marie, she learnt how to minister with co-workers in a spirit of joy. As well as serving as assistant novice mistress, Sister Marie was also part of the aspirant formation team.

Ontario, Canada
British Columbia, Canada

Federation of the Sisters of St. Joseph in Canada Biography Database.