Over 75 benefactors joined the Little Sisters on October 2 for a fundraising event, our first Wine Tasting. Several friends of the Home generously assisted the Little Sisters and development staff in the preparations. The Home looked beautiful as those attending enjoyed a variety of wines and cuisine from several different countries where the Congregation has a Home. Thank you to all who helped make this event a lovely evening for all.

 

 

As Mother’s Day was fast approaching, we wanted to celebrate this day in a very special way, even in the midst of the COVID-19 restrictions. This year, since we would not have our annual ‘Mother-Daughter Tea’ we started planning the day with some splendid ideas.

A few days before the 10th, we began signing beautiful homemade Mother’s Day cards which had been crafted and prepared by a Little Sister. Another Little Sister was busy in the kitchen preparing the menu for the dinner on Sunday, which would be topped off by delicious ice cream puffs.

On Saturday evening, we converted our dining room into an international floral shop! In an assembly line we prepared corsages for our Residents and our employees who would be on duty.

The awaited day arrived with several surprises to unveil, beginning with a nicely arranged individual place setting with a floral arrangement, beautiful card and a corsage for each Resident (always being faithful to proper social distancing). Following Mass, celebrated by Fr. Ron Cattany, he shared a touching prayer for all our Mothers, living and deceased.

After Mass, the patios on the different floors were turned into small Barbecue Restaurants hosted by the Sisters and the staff.

We had received an Ordinance on Friday that said we could no longer have visitors on the property but that didn’t stop us from finding ways for family visits. Many of the Residents were able to FaceTime with their families.

Although at the end of the day we were tired, it was a work of love and we knew our Residents were Happy and that is all that counts.

By Mary W., Augustine Institute, Class of 2010

“Be kind, especially with the infirm.  Love the well… Oh yes!  Be kind.  It is a great grace God is giving you.  In serving the aged, it is He Himself whom you are serving.” These words of St. Jeanne Jugan illustrate the path to God that she shows us, so it is no great surprise that the community at the Little Sisters of the Poor Mullen Home is a family, all being children of God. The Christian unity of the home comes from this single purpose–to serve God by washing the feet of our fellow men and women, especially the aged. Each one’s experience shows the fruit of Christ’s love being lived, so please enjoy these reflections shared by cherished employees of various faith backgrounds, and by the son of a non-Catholic Resident.

Kevin W. Larkins, Housekeeping Supervisor

I’ve been here just over two years, and I truly see and feel the passion the Sisters have in caring for our Residents, ensuring they have the best care, love and spirit of our Lord and Savior. You have to have a passion for the elderly to care for them properly, and the spirit the Sisters bring trickles down to all of us. I’m proud to be a part of something so true and great. God bless the all the Little Sisters of the Poor at the Mullen Home for a job well done in the name of Jesus.

Cindy Beal, RN, Restorative Nurse

I was born into, raised and baptized by the Baptist church community. I admittedly know very little about the Catholic faith and its practices. In the family of St. Jeanne Jugan, I have observed lives changed by demonstration of love from the staff and the Little Sisters who have taken these children of God into their care. In the beginning of my employment here, we admitted a lady that, at first, I thought these ladies have taken on too much! Over the course of the next couple of months, I watched closely to see how we as a family would handle this challenge.

The prayers and outpouring of love that was directed to this woman overpowered the fears, anger, and distrust she may have harbored at her admission. Presently, she is a cherished member of our family. She is obviously happy to be here with us. This is a miracle repeated over and over with each member of our family. To me, this is the greatest witness of Christ’s love that lives in us all. The power of love and prayer really can overcome great obstacles. The message of St. Jeanne Jugan, clearly demonstrated to care for all the children of God’s family, is a mission that touches the lives of members in all walks of faith.

Irvin Rice, Security Guard

I have always been treated with kindness and respect in the 18 years I have worked here.

Mushora Shashulo, CNA

My personal experience in Mullen Home family is excellent. Where I see the kindness and love of God is in the faces of the people I work for and the people I work with on daily basis. I’m a Christian who belongs to an Ethiopian Evangelical church. I like to say that I have more of a relationship with God as opposed to a religion and here Mullen Home I sense and witness the love of God and the presence of Holy Spirit as much as I do at my home church. I certainly believe that it is due to the love of God I see and experience through the people of God that dedicate their life to serve Him. The true treasure and wealth of my Christian value is to experience God’s presence and his love. The Christian values at Mullen Home Family that are witnessed to me are no different. These values amplify my faith and conviction.

Norma Romero, Housekeeper

I think this is a good place to learn about faith and love. Also, what I like is when I see how much the Sisters care about others, and the Residents who live here. I feel so happy when I come to work because it is so peaceful and a loving place. God bless every one of us.

Heather Barber, RN, Second Floor Charge Nurse

God’s greatest calling to us is to love one another. In Cor. 13:4-8, God tells us: Love is patient, love is kind. It does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes. Always perseveres. Love never fails. This has been my experience with the Mullen Home, as it shines brightly with God’s love!

Many of the Residents express faith and hope in the saving mercy and grace of God. Although I do not share the traditions of the Catholic faith, I too rely on the faith, hope, mercy and the grace of God daily. I am a non-denominational follower of Christ, but we serve the same God.

Nancy Smilinich, Social Worker

I think of Psalm 133, which says, “How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity… for there the Lord bestows His blessing, even life forevermore.” At Mullen Home, I see the beauty of community. We represent different doctrines, cultures, and backgrounds. We are all endowed with different and unique gifts and strengths. But in Christ, we have become one. And we work together for a common purpose, to offer care and hospitality to the elderly poor. We have all caught Jeanne Jugan’s vision, who continues to remind us that “The poor are our Lord.” For that purpose, we care for one another and lift each other up so that we might serve passionately and effectively. Therein lies the blessing of life for all who live and work here.

Craig Sanders, Son of a Non-Catholic Resident

The Mullen Home family—on every level and in every position—provides the most all-encompassing picture of Christian unity I have seen, particularly when it comes to care of the aged.  Clearly, everyone at Mullen has jobs to do, but when those jobs are overlaid with a feeling of love and respect for the Residents, that makes all the difference to both the Residents and their family and friends. It would be difficult to single out a particular example of how this has positively impacted my mother during her stay at Mullen. Staff’s concern for the physical and spiritual well-being of the Residents shows in everything they do. This is what drew me to Mullen in the first place—I knew that my mother would be treated as a member of a beloved family, rather than just a client.

As a Catholic, one of my core beliefs is the intrinsic value and worth of every living person.  I try to live that in my daily existence, to show others that I view them as an essential part of my day, not interruptions to something I may be doing at the moment.  To know that my mother is being properly cared for, dressed, groomed, and her physical needs addressed is certainly important, but to know that she is also surrounded by love, compassion and concern is more than I could have hoped for. I give thanks daily for everyone at Mullen and for all that they have done and continue to do for those most in need.

This year, we were privileged to welcome Bishop Jorge Rodriguez to preach the Resident’s retreat. Despite his busy schedule, Bishop Rodriguez remained with us the entire day beginning at 10 am to 4 p.m. The retreat consisted of two conferences, the celebration of reconciliation and the Eucharistic Sacrifice of the Mass. Bishop Rodriguez also enjoyed dinner with our Resident priests. During the day, he went around and visited each Resident in their room to give them a blessing.

The focus and theme of the Retreat was based on the act of Reconciliation. Bishop reminded us all that we have a greater appreciation for the sacraments when we live as Christians. There is a need to abandon oneself to the Love of Jesus who transforms us through the power of grace. Confession is a Sacrament of Love. We are all lost children, but God wants to welcome us home.

The Association Jeanne Jugan (AJJ) was established in 1998 as a contemporary response to the prophetic intuition of our foundress, Saint Jeanne Jugan. She envisioned hospitality as a humble, charitable service uniting in one family the Little Sisters, the elderly and lay collaborators who wished to serve Jesus Christ in the person of their needy brothers and sisters.

Since its approval by the Vatican, over 2,000 women and men around the world have joined the Association. They are new graduates and recent retirees, professionals and stay-at-home moms, staff members and faithful volunteers who feel drawn to the person of Saint Jeanne Jugan, who wish to share in our spirituality and to participate in our mission of hospitality to the needy elderly in a committed, ongoing way.

Catholic women and men at least 18 years of age who are interested in joining the Association participate in a yearlong program of formation. Membership is formalized by an annual promise, which the Associates renew together on May 1, the feast of St. Joseph the Worker.

Associates participate in our mission in many ways, each according to his or her talents, interests and family/professional obligations. Providing a valuable and welcome support, forms of service are diverse and include:

• Advocates of hospitality
• Stewards of pastoral activities
• Supporters of recreational events

To find out how you can join the Association Jeanne Jugan, please contact Sr. Mary Augustine via email at [email protected] or by phone at (303) 433-7221.

by, Wendy Macagno, Volunteer Coordinator

Unadorned Christmas trees were scattered throughout the Home early Saturday morning on December 10th.  However, this quickly changed from sparse to decorated, when the Hospitality Club took charge.  Together with a youth group from St. Francis Cabrini parish, these young ladies alongside the residents of the Mullen Home, spent the morning adorning the trees with garland, lights, and various ornaments, with each tree having its own theme.  When all was said and done, the room and hallways once bare now provided the warm and cheer that Christmas brings, thanks to generous hearts and creative hands.

What a way to usher in springtime with all the sights and smells! After a week of wind and a few spring showers, the sunshine over a fired up BBQ grille lifted everyone’s spirits, Staff & Residents alike!

View the slideshow below to take a peek at our afternoon on the spruced up patio. We are blessed to have these Mullen Home gardens to enjoy. Sister Sarah waved to us from the second floor patio where another BBQ grille was preparing additional brats and hamburgers. It was a beautiful day shared with friends.

The rumbling of old-time engines broke the air and kicked off our 6th annual Father’s Day Hot Rods and Hot Dogs.

COVID-19 could not stop the tradition of flaunting what men enjoy, working on and showing off their cars. Instead of our usual car show, our classic car participants drove around the property several times, allowing the Residents to view the cars from afar. All applauded as Larry drove his Studebaker Truck, Joe waived back in his Studebaker Avanti, and Karl and Heather in their Ford Model A.

On the decorated Activity Patio our male guests enjoyed bacon-wrapped filet mignon and cordon bleu; as Teddy, our staff dynamite DJ, provided lively music. Residents, staff and the Sisters got to drive their own remote-controlled cars as well. Let’s just say, the Little Sisters of the Poor will not be offering any drivers to NASCAR in the near future! All men received a wonderful goodie bag and poem reminding them of how special they are to the Mullen Home community.

This week we’ll see how Jesus begins to forge his own way in life, and we’ll empathize with Mary and Joseph as they search for their lost Son in Jerusalem and try to understand his vocation.

Please join us for a few minutes in pondering their faith and praying for young people!

If you’ve missed any videos in the series, click here.

Week 3: Losing and Finding Jesus in the Temple

Click here to read the text of this week’s reflection

    

On Sunday, June 22^nd, the feast of the Body and Blood of Christ, or Corpus Christi, members of St. Dominic’s Parish down the street made a procession to our Home with the Blessed Sacrament.  An altar was set up in front of the Sacred Heart Statue at the main entrance to our Home.  Rose petals were scattered on the walkways and steps in honor of the Blessed Sacrament.  Residents gathered at the main entrance and on the balconies to watch the procession as the St. Dominic parishioners walked up the street while praying the rosary.  Thanks to the intercession of St. Joseph per the request of the Little Sisters, the rain held off until later in the afternoon.  Following Benediction at the altar outside, our Residents joined the procession as it continued to our chapel where midday prayers and another Benediction took place.  Our guests from St. Dominic’s were invited to a picnic on the garden patio afterwards.  The procession, beautiful singing, prayers and community time with St. Dominic’s parish made for a beautiful celebration of the feast of Corpus Christi.  Thank you St. Dominic’s for making this feast day special for our Residents at the Mullen Home.