Archbishop's web site Denver Catholic Register Parishes Catholic Pastoral Center
May 22, 2002
By Roxanne King
Some 150 friends and staff joined the Little Sisters of the Poor to watch Archbishop Charles Chaput, O.F.M. Cap., dedicate a statue of the order's foundress the afternoon of May 6 at Mullen Home.
As the archbishop blessed and censed the bronze depicting a hooded Jeanne Jugan distributing bread from one hand and cradling a basketful in the other, a warm wind blew the white veils and habits of her successors watching nearby.
Scripture readings, songs and prayer were featured in the brief ceremony held outside the front entrance of the home for aged needy at 29th Avenue and Lowell Boulevard in northwest Denver.
Mother Superior Mary Michael, the home administrator, told the crowd that after considering other sites for the statue, which was cast in Barcelona, Spain, the nuns selected the front door spot "so we could see her coming and going."
"We feel she is really present among us," she added later.
The archbishop thanked the nuns for embodying the spirit of their begging founder's hospitality and humble service.
"Sisters, we are grateful for your living witness," Archbishop Chaput said.
The Little Sisters of the Poor were founded in France in 1839 when Jeanne Jugan opened her home to an elderly, poor, blind woman. Thereafter she dedicated herself to serving the aged poor and went begging through the streets to provide for them.
The congregation now serves the needy poor in 30 countries. The sisters operate 32 homes in the United States.
The order arrived in Denver December 1917 and welcomed their first resident three months later. Today a dozen nuns and a staff of 75 care for up to 70 low-income seniors in 19 independent living suites and 44 assisted living units.
"(The home) is filled with spiritual light and we're grateful that it inspires within us a closer association with God," a smiling Jennie Musci, 86, said after the dedication. "All the sisters are wonderful in their kindness, generosity and compassion."
The two-year resident, a former New York fashion designer, said that a plethora of activities —spiritual and recreational — exist for those unable to get out and those who are independent.
"And the cleanliness of the house is superb," the impeccably dressed and coifed resident added.
Agreeing was Kathie Barrett, 50, who attended the dedication and reception with her mother in memory of her late grandmother, a former resident.
"She spent her last four years here, and they were wonderful years," Barrett said, adding that her grandmother, who died last month, liked being able to go to the chapel every day and enjoyed the company of other seniors in the dining hall.
"All the sisters who live here are wonderful — and it's spotless," Barrett said, adding that a second reason she made the drive from Littleton to attend the event was to see a favorite nun.
"Sr. Anne has a special path to God," she said. "Whenever we need prayers we talk to her. We missed her."
When architect Henry De Nicola remodeled the original building and designed the current entrance to the home in the mid-1970s, he sought to imitate Jesus' arms opened in a wide embrace, reflecting the nuns' welcoming hospitality, he explained during a tour of the home. Situated at the top of a hill, the two-story balconied structure mirrors a statue of Christ with outstretched arms that greets visitors.
"With the balconies I wanted to capture the views of Pikes Peak," De Nicola said as he gestured toward windows offering impressive views of the Front Range.
Gleaming floors and comfortable furniture, religious statues and fresh flowers make the home cozy. The home has medical and dental offices and offers rehabilitative and social services, pastoral programs, intergenerational activities and creative arts. It even boasts a country store and an ice cream parlor.
But the nuns'Little Sisters of the Poor dedicate statue of foundress
Archbishop blesses bronze of Jeanne Jugan for nuns who care for needy aged loving care is what makes it special, the residents and their families said.
"We are so blessed to have (mother) here," said Joanne Hector, 65, daughter of the home's oldest resident, Margaret Langer, 104. "She gets such wonderful care and love. This is her family now. She is very happy here."
Residents affirmed that the facility radiates a home-like, rather than a hospital-type, environment.
"I love it here," said Therese Fecher, 70, who was one of many eager to show her independent living suite to visitors: a charming apartment with sitting room, bedroom, bathroom and compact kitchen attractively furnished and affording views of the tree-lined grounds.
The retired respiratory therapist said she keeps busy helping out at the home and finds joy and deepening faith as an associate of the Little Sisters.
"We take an active part in the sisters' life through volunteering," Fecher explained about her associate membership, adding that what she likes best about the home is "the spiritual life."
"Mass is in the chapel just around the corner," she said. "And it's good to be of service to the sisters."
Several rooms were recently remodeled and the heating and air cooling system is undergoing renovations.
"We don't have any air conditioning at all," explained Sister Mary Thomas. "When it's hot, it's too hot."
The independently operated home depends on the generosity of benefactors and the nuns are appealing to foundations to help pay for the project, she added.
"We're just counting on the Lord to help us," Sister Thomas said.
For more information on Mullen Home, call 303-433-7221. To donate, mail contributions to Mullen Home, 3629 W. 29th Ave., Denver, CO 80211.
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