| The follwing piece was published in Equal Writes, the newsletter of the Southwestern Pennsylvania Women's Ordination Conference in March 1997.
Scripture Reflections(Proverbs31:10-31; Mark 16:7; Hebrews 7:11-17) By Judith A. Heffernan
The Scripture reflections this time are not for a special day; rather, for a special person, one "clothed with strength and dignity--who opened her mouth in wisdom, whose children rise up and praise her."
One late Autumn day in 1967 a friend found me in the halls of Chestnut Hill College. "Did you see the flyer on the bullet inboard? Someone is speaking on women's ordination at Rosemont!" I went home and told my Dad that I had to have the car -- and directions to Rosemont.!
That night I met Arlene Swidler and heard her say everything that had been in my heart since 1953. I left there knowing a personal dream could be a shared reality.
To my delight, over time I would get to know Arlene-- and she kept amazing me. I would learn she had lived in Wisconsin, Pittsburgh,Germany, Japan, and thank God, Philadelphia. She had worked for the NCCW,was an NCR columnist, an English professor, a Religious Studies professor,and co-founder of the Journal of Ecumenical Studies. Arlene was an author,translator, editor and writer -- as well as a daughter, marriage partner,mother and faithful friend. Through the years I would learn that Arlene's answers-- and questions -- were the foundation and driving force of the Catholic women's movement in Philadelphia. In the Gospel we read "Go and tell!"Arlene felt it was very important for all of us to keep speaking, doing,witnessing and writing. I named her "God's Nudger."
Arlene noted that she was much more comfortable behind a typewriter than a podium -- yet, she was invited near and far to address all kinds of groups. She never refused unless she felt it was the right time for someone else to step forward.
Through the years Arlene told us, "Claim your heritage as daughters of God." "Women need to preach." "God is an equal- opportunity employer." "Language is important." "Invite in the protesters (bearing signs against women's ordination) to meet with us, pray with us and eat with us" (And they came in!). To this day her strong, deep, clear, resonating,expressive, soul- touching voice is part of my psyche.
As it was on that day when a woman was called to ordained ministry by her community and Arlene read from Hebrews. "The one of whom these things are said was of a different tribe, none of whose members ever officiated at the altar . . . the law of the priesthood is not determined by physical descent, but in virtue of the power of a life which cannot be destroyed."
Arlene is not well now, but there is a power in her life of working for justice and understanding, a power from her life that will never be destroyed.
Judy Heffernan has a Master of Divinity degree from a Catholic seminary. She is a member of the Community of Christian Spirit and an original member of the Women's Ordination Conference.
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