I was born in St. Clare’s Hospital on October 10, 1937, baptized Anna Marie Kane and lived in the Bronx. My parents, Patrick and Mary Kane came from County Galway, Ireland. I have one brother, Michael John Kane. I graduated from St. Vincent Ferrer Grammar School and proceeded to Thorpe Secretarial High School. My first working position was for Duvernoy Bakery at Madison Avenue and 65th Street in New York City. As I lived in the neighborhood, I was delighted with my job in serving the people fresh baked goods. While working there, two girls from Thorpe School, Peggy and Catherine, applied for the position and were accepted. They were instruments that God placed in my life as they asked me to volunteer at Mt. Carmel Home, an elderly residence on the West side of Manhattan. Peggy Harding and Catherine Raymond were already volunteering with the aged and through their constant encouragement to volunteer. I went with them to Mt. Carmel Home, and loved it!
I had a full life of enjoying parties, dancing etc. At times I did think about the Police Department but it was fleeting. There always seemed to be a void in my life. I knew God was calling me. Eventually I made the decision to join the Carmelite Sisters for the Aged and Infirm along with Peggy and Catherine. From 1957-1960, I spent my Postulant and Novitiate religious training at Mary Manning Walsh Home in Manhattan and St. Teresa’s Motherhouse in Germantown, New York. In 1960, I professed the Vows of Obedience, Poverty and Chastity and began working with the elderly residents in Sacred Heart Manor in Chicago. I received my training as a licensed practical nurse and graduated from St. Joseph’s Hospital and remained at St. Patrick’s Home in the Bronx. I went to Babson College in Massachusetts and obtained my Administrator’s license in 1972. Throughout my religious life, I served my Community in a variety of roles: Secretary to the Mother General until 1984, Member of the General Council, and Superior/Administrator of St. Patrick’s Home, Bronx, New York. Saint Patrick’s Home is a state of the art facility which is fully air-conditioned and provides long-term nursing care and short-term rehabilitative services in a warm home-like environment. The dedicated Staff offers special attention to the individuality of 264 residents in an atmosphere of love and caring. The Sisters, staff, volunteers and families interact with the residents and bring lasting meaning to the autumn of life.
Being born and working in the Bronx, there is a special place within my heart and home with the beloved residents. I love my religious life and serving God each day in the beautiful work with the elderly and listening to their life stories each day I learn more from them. They are very special in the eyes of the Lord.
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Sister Patrick Michael, O.Carm