October 6, 2010 may well go down in the annals of the Franciscan Sisters of the Poor. Not even Sr. Arlene  thought we could do it: Plan a surprise celebration, invite 150 guests, and all the Sisters and Associates without her knowledge. Well, we did, and she really was surprised, saying:.  “I don’t believe you did it! ...You actually planned a party and pulled it off, and I really didn’t know anything about it!”

All of her former direct reports from the hospital, her students, laboratory staff, administrative staff – and each of the six Associates she sponsored were among the guests. Moreover, the Auxiliary of St. Mary’s Hospital in Hoboken, NJ, where Sr. Arlene worked many years ago, donated $500. Mercy Franciscan Mt. Airy  (the former Providence Hospital) donated $10,000 to help Sr. Arlene defray the costs of her latest project: building a shrine to Mother Frances Schervier in the Chapel of St. Clare Convent.

Sr. Arlene was happy – thrilled, in fact – with these donations. Perhaps her most treasured recognition came when Sr. Joanne Schuster presented her with a crystal Star, which she said represented Sr. Arlene in a special way: Sr. Arlene’s tireless efforts and support, her unflagging commitment to the poor, and her love for Mother Frances light the way for all of us – just as the North Star has guided mariners for years!

And in many ways, this is precisely why this party came to be! It was actually sponsored by the Franciscan Sisters of the Poor Foundation. “All of the sisters are important to us, and to our fund raising efforts,” said Linda Christian, Foundation Executive Director. “...and many of the Sisters do a lot to help us...but Sr. Arlene’s efforts are almost all both behind the scenes and vital! She deserved it – and we are so glad we were able to surprise her! We involved many of the Associates – especially Molly Talbot, Anne Cabanas and Maria Ciaudelli-Cholak, who were part of the organizing committee. We couldn’t have done it without them! They filled us in on all the different friends, co-workers, board members and others who should be invited.”

What truly is amazing is that everyone knew about the celebration, and no one said a word to Sr. Arlene about it – for months and months! Sister Arlene has chaired many boards – and served on many more, spearheaded innumerable projects, and worked untiringly for many Area projects (and much of this was after her ‘retirement’ from Hospital Administration...which followed years and years as head of the Laboratory at Providence/Mercy Franciscan). In fact, Sr. Arlene’s many friends, co-workers, students and admirers were almost as thrilled about honoring her as she was to be honored! As Associate Don Rohling said, “She deserves it! She’s earned it! No one could have done more for people, more for the poor, than Sr. Arlene!”

Following the official toast (with champagne, of course), Sr. Arlene and all her guests enjoyed a wonderful meal (Irish, Italian or American cuisine) served in the Sisters’ newly renovated Centennial Barn: a long term project, headed as you may well suspect, by Sr. Arlene!