Singing nun thrills Jewish fans in Bronx

A senior community in the Bronx known as The New Jewish Home has a truly heavenly resident — a Catholic nun who sings like an angel.

Sister Martie-Louise Vernimmen was feted this week as the Kittay Senior Apartment’s biggest mensch. The 83-year-old chan neled her inner Bette Midler as she sang “The Rose” during a luncheon honoring her as the community’s 2018 tenant of the year. “Being a tenant here in the New Jewish Home Kittay senior apartment is a gift,” Vernimmen said.

“Let us continue to offer helping hands, listening ears and a caring heart. Then we will know love when we give love.”

Vernimmen is among a substantial sisterhood of 36 nuns residing at the independent living community on Webb Ave. in Kingsbridge.

A registered dietitian, Vernimmen assesses the nutritional value of every meal, sings in the choir, offers comfort to patients in hospice care, packs up medical supplies for shipment to developing nations and even takes care of the community’s pet bird — a cockatiel named Prince.

“He wants a head rub every morning,” said Vernimmen, adding that she also feeds the bird, gives him water and cleans his cage.

Vernimmen said her busy schedule comes easily.

“I do whatever is needed,” the sister explained. “You pay attention to whatever is needed and the awareness of wherever we are. Whatever we do, we do with love.”

Born in Belgium, Vernimmen has dedicated her life to serving others.

Vernimmen arrived at The New Jewish Home in 2015.

“When I came here, this was my new mission,” she said. “I don’t think I’m doing anything special,” she said. “Wherever there is a need,.”