Sister Louise Rhéaume

“I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit,
fruit that will last.”  Jn. 15: 16

February 9, 2012, Sister Louise Rhéaume,
in religion M.-Luce-Monique,
went home to God.
 
She was 71 years old and had been professed for 48 years.
 
Born in Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, Quebec, she was the elder of the two daughters of Jean-Paul Rhéaume and Lucienne Galarneau.

Raised with her aunts, her maternal uncles, her grandparents and borders, Louise told us that she learned “openness to others, respect for differences and housework”.  “As a pupil she was studious, devoted and disciplined.”  She attended the schools of her municipality and then attended the Normal School in Valleyfield.

At the age of 21, Louise entered the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary with whom she had studied. There she received the name Sister M.-Luce-Monique. She taught for 14 years at the primary level and a few years in special education.

Sister Louise was 40 years old when she became involved in pastoral work in parishes and schools. She carried out this mission  for  23 years, with exceptional competence, especially in the parish in which she had been baptized: "Immaculée-Conception" de Bellerive.  While there, she was asked to become the local animator at Résidence Albani.

At the age of 66, because of illness, she was forced to give up her active life. 

The testimonies which speak very highly of Sister Louise at the different stages of her life are numerous. We have quoted here a few paragraphs from the chaplain who knew Louise during the last years of her life:

“Sister Louise was a seeker of God; she did her very best and wanted to make God known to others through her knowledge of catechesis and pastoral work.”

“She was a charismatic woman through her presence, her outlook, and her passion even when she was ill; I will never forget her smile while suffering. (We remember) her success with her students. Because of her ease in dealing with people, she knew how to help the sisters who were living with her. As a tree that was pruned, she knew how to bear fruit and fruit in abundance.”

“Sister Louise experienced the desert: a four-year journey, a degenerative illness... she needed manna... bread for each day...purification took hold with no advance notice, and above all with no warning and without invitation.”

“She is resting in peace and in complete serenity in the love which she experienced in this world and which will continue for eternity.”