Arlene Clemente

I once read “These three things continue forever: faith, hope and love. And the greatest of these is love.”

As I think of these three words the realization of what I do, how I do something, when I do something should encompass all three…… faith, hope and love.

Being raised in New York and having the chance to attend St. Anthony’s Catholic school my faith journey was strengthened. The Dominican Nuns were such an important part of my life, and for that I will always be grateful.

Forward many years and I find myself with a decision to make. Move to Texas for my position with JCPenney to some place called Plano or figure out a new plan of how to stay in New York. Well, you can guess my decision, and one I am so happy I made.  My husband (Vinny from Brooklyn, New York) loved living in Texas. Then in 1995 we were blessed with our son Nick. Life was great!

May 2009 my husband passed away. My life changed. I was lost, I was angry and my faith was challenged, so I thought. I might have been angry but at least I was talking to God and kept asking – why?

With lots of love from my family and friends, with my faith in God and hope for a future I was on the next journey of my life.

I was fortunate to be able to take an early retirement which would give me time with my son. Then someone very special to me, Angie Laessle, talked me into joining the Seton Women’s Group. Up to this point my Seton volunteer involvement was with Children’s Ministry.

Six years later there has been many avenues of Seton that I have been involved with such as President of the Women’s Club, Membership Secretary and part of the Bazaar Committee and most recently, Seton’s Woman of the Year for the North Texas Deanery.

One step leads to another. 3 years ago I was asked to chair the Seton Gala. This has meant so much to me. By utilizing my strengths that God has molded within me I hope I have made a difference in making the Gala a success. Hopefully that is why I have continued on the Gala committee the following years.

Through Faith and participation I now have such a strong Seton Family!

So you see, God has given me a life filled with Faith, Hope and Love.