On July 16, a memorial service was held for all of the residents who died of various causes at St. Patrick’s Home in Norwood since March of this year. On Sept. 3, 1929, Venerable Mother Angeline founded the religious order, The Carmelite Sisters for the Aged and Infirm, the Order who run the home. The date is a very important one for all Carmelite Sisters. As they prepare to celebrate the anniversary, known as Foundation Day, the Sisters and staff at St. Patrick’s look back on the history of both the nursing home and the Carmelite Order, and reflect on how its founding principles helped everyone get through an emotional six months.

 

In the words of Mother Angeline Teresa, foundress of the Carmelite Sisters for the Aged and Infirm, “Without love, the apostolate of work with the aged becomes meaningless.”  Looking back, we are sure that Mother Angeline could not have envisioned all that would develop from the small beginning of the first formal foundation of St. Patrick’s Home in 1931.

 

Bridget Teresa McCory, who would become Mother Angeline Teresa, was born on January 21, 1893 in Mountjoy, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. She grew up in an environment of deep faith, love and trust. She had a special love for her grandparents and transferred this affection into a life of dedication to the aged men and women committed to her care.

 

In order for her father to find work, the family immigrated to Mossend, Scotland when she was a young girl, and it was there that Bridget felt the calling to religious life. She became aware of the Little Sisters of the Poor, a religious order founded in France, who would come begging alms for the aged men and women in their care. Bridget entered their congregation on Feb. 2, 1912 in Glasgow, Scotland, eventually becoming Sister Angeline.

 

Three years later, in the middle of World War I, Sister Angeline was missioned by the Little Sisters to America. During the nine years of her first assignment at St. Augustine’s Home in Brooklyn, New York, she fulfilled whatever tasks were required to shelter and support the destitute for whom the Little Sisters were founded.

 

While in America, and working with the people of the local area, she fell in love with their light-heartedness, devotion and independence. Sister Angeline returned to Europe to make her final profession [of vows], including a fourth vow of hospitality, in France in 1925. Following this, after a brief assignment in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, she was named Mother Superior of Our Lady’s Home in the Bronx.

 

Although the Little Sisters of the Poor were founded in France, Mother wanted the homes to become more American including the celebration of holidays like the 4^th of July and Thanksgiving, plus other changes. More than anything, Mother wished for her homes to be full of love and compassion for all. “Most people respond to kindness,” Mother would often say.

 

During an annual retreat in the U.S. in 1927, Mother felt the urge to reach out to do more for the aged people she cared for. She felt that the European way, and many French customs did not meet the needs or customs of the Americans.

 

Mother sought advice and counsel from Cardinal Hays of New York. The cardinal listened and told Mother how he valued the work of the Little Sisters in caring for the destitute aged. However, he was aware of the need to provide for the middle class in keeping with the American way of life. In order to accomplish what she felt urged to do, and with the blessing of Cardinal Hayes, Mother and six other Sisters withdrew from the Little Sisters of the Poor and were granted permission to begin a new religious community in the care of the aged. In the words of Cardinal Hays, “If this be of God, it will prosper.”

 

The Dominican Sisters of Sparkill, whose convent was not far from the Home of the Little Sisters, offered the seven women hospitality during this interim. On Sept. 3, 1929, a temporary residence was provided for the seven Sisters in the vacant St. Elizabeth’s Rectory. As a result, Sept. 3 became the official foundation day for the new order, The Carmelite Sisters for the Aged and Infirm.

 

Advancing forward, the “red brick” building, which was the experimental laboratory for the Radio Corporation of America (RCA), was purchased in 1931, and served for many years to care for the Sisters’ residents, as well as for the formation of the Sisters themselves. Many men and women came to the home and Mother and her small community cared for all of them. However, it was soon realized that they had outgrown the space. In 1989, a new St. Patrick’s Home was built on the same property that could facilitate the care of many more elderly men and women.

 

St. Patrick’s Home would become very well-known as the Sisters lovingly cared for the residents from admission until natural death. St. Patrick’s follows the doctrine of the Catholic Church in all areas of care. Our palliative care program begins at admission and ends when the residents are discharged to their community, or when they are called home to God. Palliative care is not just about adding days to life, but about adding life to days. It provides quality of life for the residents and their families during the difficult times.

 

During these challenging times, it is the love and compassion shown every day by the Carmelite Sisters and our dedicated staff to all of our residents that shines through. We are all aware that there have been some very difficult times during these past few months. There were residents who died and due to COVID-19, they were not able to have a wake or a funeral mass or service. It was so sad, but the staff continued to care for the residents each day. Everyone pitched in to make the days full of love for all. There were many tears and yes, many smiles too.  Each resident is important to us and loved by all of us as well. As we became closer to the residents during these difficult times, we focused on making sure that they were not alone.

 

To continue our remembrance of them, the pastoral care department made a “Memorial Tree” for each nursing unit. The first names of the deceased residents were placed on a heart and were attached to the trees with colorful ribbons, so that each resident was remembered. It was a very solemn time when staff and residents remembered the deceased in such a meaningful way. There were many tears, and again many smiles as stories were shared about each resident. The Memorial Trees remained on the nursing units until the Feast Day of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel which was celebrated on July 16.

 

On that day, all the trees were brought to our chapel and placed in front of the statue of Our Lady. The trees were blessed by Fr. Michael Kissane, and prayers were offered for those who had died. Today, the trees remain in our chapel as a remembrance to all our beloved residents.

 

All of us at St. Patrick’s strive to continue the Ministry that was begun by Mother Angeline Teresa and the small community of six Sisters in caring for the Aged and Infirm. Whatever our role, we can make a difference in the lives of our residents by following the words of Mother Angeline, “The best interest of the old people should always come first.”

 

Sr. Kevin Patricia Lynch is a member of the Order of Carmelites and is the CEO of St. Patrick’s Nursing Home, while Kathy Mayer is Director of Pastoral Care at the home.