Pocono News Section

Sister Adrian Barrett will retire

Sister Adrian Barrett will retire - Tuesday, December 23, 2008 at 1:40PM EST

SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY

Sister Adrian Barrett, IHM, will be stepping down as head of Friends of the Poor after the holidays.

Sister Adrian, who is 79-years-old, founded the agency which is devoted to helping low income families and individuals 25 years ago.

She is well know for the annual dinner her agency offers to the poor and homeless at the Scranton Cultural Center each Thanksgiving. It also provides toys to low income families for their children at Christmas each year. Sister Adrian also plans and leads a field trip to Washington D. C. each summer for children from low income families in the greater Scranton area.

Volunteers at Friends of the Poor have high praise for Sister Adrian and her work with the needy. Volunteer Elgin Waiters said 'She's always there to help someone. It dosen't matter what its for. She's there to help them." Another volunteer, Rose Morgan, called Sister Adrian "one in a million. An angel from heaven."

Sister Maryalice Jacquinot, IHM, has been training to take over as head of the agency. She praised Sister Adrian for caring from those in need an offering "unconditional love" to all those she encountered.

Sister Adrian says she hasen't had time yet to consider any future plans.