Sister Patricia Manning

“Be One with the Earth. Welcome to its beauty and majesty.” These are the initial words written by Sister Patricia Manning as introduction to her book of photographs, but they are also the message offered to her students and friends over the course of her personal and professional life.

Patricia (Patti) Manning was born in St. Albans where she grew up with her twin brother Thomas (Tommy), her older sister Mary and her younger brother John. The Sisters of St, Joseph taught in St. Pascal Baylon School and walked past the Manning home on their way each day. Often, they would stop in to say hello and visit.

By the time Patti and Tommy were ready for high school, St. Pascal Baylon HS staffed by the Sisters of St. Joseph had opened. They became members of its first class. Beginnings were fun and the Manning twins quickly were leaders in activities and Student Council . In 1960, they became proud members of its first graduating class.

Patti had long been impressed by the Sisters and saw them as wonderful women. After graduation, she joined the congregation and became Sister Miriam Patricia.

Her first assignment was to teach 4^th grade at Our Lady of Good Counsel School in Brooklyn. While she was there, the congregation gave her the choice of further education in math or art. Although her Superior at the time favored math, Patti chose art. She was sent to live and teach in Immaculate Conception Parish in Jamaica and to earn the required undergraduate credits in art while attending St. John’s University. After obtaining certification to teach HS Art, S. Pat was sent to St. Angela Hall.

St. Angela Hall was a small school and S. Pat Manning essentially was the Art Department. Although its resources were limited, its educational program was unique and free. S. Pat’s creativity moved into high gear. A closet under the stairs became a dark room and photography was added to the curriculum. A third hand kiln and small potter’s wheel were bought and now Pottery was offered. Calligraphy was added to Drawing and Painting. Art History was an elective. The art room became a place of welcome and the opportunity for students to try all media in the creation of beauty. They were taught how to communicate through art and how involving and fulfilling it could be.

S. Pat was at St. Angela Hall for 14 years during which she earned her advanced degree in art. In 1980 she joined the faculty at St. Joseph College in Patchogue to develop the art department. Again, she was the only full-time person in the department. She put her creative efforts into it and twenty-five years later when it was flourishing, she applied for a sabbatical.

Meanwhile, over the years, S. Patti was very involved in congregational affairs. She worked creating prayer rituals and celebrations, produced cards and formatted publications, and was responsible for the congregational newspaper and magazine. For the congregation, she was present wherever artwork was needed.

The goal of her sabbatical was to travel across this country and Canada photographing hidden natural beauty that was not seen in the usual tourist spots. S. Pat packed her car with camera, computer, printer and assorted equipment and set off. She traveled 22,000 miles and took 15,000 photographs! Her journey took her west across the southern tier of the United States, north to Canada and east back to New York. She left on January 1, 2025 and returned June 30, 2025. Along the way she met many people who became interested in her work and suggested special places in their locations.

The goodness and helpfulness of the average American were impressive. While in Arizona, she received word that her twin brother Tommy was dying. She explained to the motel owners who offered to care for her car and equipment while she traveled home. On her return, everything was perfectly as she had left it. She experienced this type of connection throughout the country.

S. Pat describes this sabbatical as the thrill of her life. She found animals in the wild, hidden spots of natural beauty, seascapes, hidden flowers, trees and insects. She saw their “inner connection to the Creator of all things natural.” All were photographed from her unique perspective with attention to detail and distinctive use of color and tone. The result was a published book of photographs entitled Be One with the Earth.

Her photographs were exhibited at a gallery in Manhattan, in the Hampton Bays library, the Southampton library and in the library at St. Joseph University. Two of her photos werechosen to be used on the Hampton Bays Library calendar for 2022-2023.  She also created cards and sold photographs. Sister Pat Manning had become a published photographer known for her intuitive photos capturing local scenes from across the country.

Now a nominal retiree, S. Pat is using her art in different directions. She has been working as a project manager, helping design chapels for the Sisters of St Joseph. She acts as the person between the architect and the liturgist to create space conducive to worship, welcome and inclusion.

 Sister Patricia Manning feels her life has been an opportunity to share the mission through art. She has tried to show the unity of all creation and expose so many people – students, congregation, partners in mission, the people she meets every day, to its beauty. Her  hope  is that art helps people experience the Creator through making something new, appreciating nature, connecting and integrating experiences and seeing things whole. She is always carrying art with her wherever she goes.