The Reverend Matthew Michael Sprouffske, Carmelite Review, May, 2005

The Reverend Matthew Michael Sprouffske

Carmelite Review
May, 2005

The Reverend Matthew Michael Sprouffske, O. Carm., died at the Country West Villa Care facility in Arcadia, CA, on Wednesday, January 19, 2005.

Father Sprouffske was born in Los Angeles, CA, on January 23, 1927, the son of Frank and Mary (Keelin) Sprouffske. The family also included a brother, Robert, and two sisters, Sr. Mary Ellen, CSJ and Pauline.

Visitation for Rev. Matthew Sprouffske O.Carm., took place on Sunday, January 23, at St. Raphael Church, in Los Angeles. A Mass of Christian Burial followed the visitation there. Rev. Augustine Carter, O.Carm., was the homilist. Interment took place on Monday, January 24, at Holy Cross Cemetery, in Culver City, CA.

Michael attended St. John the Evangelist School and Nativity Grade School, both in Los Angeles. He also attended the former Mt. Carmel High School in Los Angeles before joining the Carmelites of the New York Province of St. Elias to study for the priesthood. He made his profession to the Carmelites in Auburn, NY on Sept 8, 1951 and his solemn profession three years later to the day. He was ordained to the priesthood at the Aylesford Priory in Kent, England on July 18, 1954.

His first assignment sent him to his home town of Los Angeles where he served for six years as teacher at Mount Carmel High School there. He also served as teacher and later as Vice-Principal of Crespi High School in Encino, councilor, teacher and fund raiser for Mt. Carmel High School in Los Angeles where he later became Principal there. He also served as pastor of St. Raphael's, in Los Angeles, after which he became the full-time chaplain at St. John of God Retirement Center in Los Angeles. He also engaged in counseling and retreat work.