Denver Catholic

15 DENVER CATHOLIC | SEPTEMBER 9-22, 2017 7825 W. Alameda Ave Lakewood, CO 80226 Monday-Saturday: 9:00am - 5:00pm Sunday: By Appointment When It Comes to Senior Support, It Takes a Village A Locally Owned and Operated Premier Senior Living Community offering Independent Living, Assisted Living, and Memory Care. Call us today for a free tour and be inspired by our passion for seniors. 303.351.5455 villageatbelmar.com just smiling all the time with these won- derful people around you." Ten-year resident Leona "Lee" Scheapner, 80, agreed, saying, "I'm blessed to be here." "It's a beautiful place," she said taking in the homey furnishings and gazing out the expansive windows overlooking the manicured grounds dotted with fl ow- ering pots, religious statues, a patio, a Blessed Mother grotto and a Stations of the Cross path. "The sisters are fantastic," she added. "We get wonderful care — and there's many, many activities so we can't get bored!" Their praise would gladden the heart of St. Jeanne Jugan, who began the Little Sisters when she lifted an elderly, blind, infi rm widow from the streets of Saint-Servan one cold winter night in 1839 and took her home to care for her. She gave Anne Chauvin her own bed and began sleeping in the attic. Soon, other elderly were taken in and young women inspired by Jugan joined in her work. Currently, nearly 2,400 Little Sisters run homes for the elderly in 31 countries. In the tradition of Jeanne Jugan, they support their homes by begging for alms. "She would say to people, 'If you can take care of them materially, I can take care of them physically and spiritually,'" said Mother Patricia Mary. "Right from the start there was a dependence on God's Providence through other people; she brought everyone into that family spirit of caring for the other." For the last 10 years, Little Sister Mary Emilie Simon has begged alms for Mullen Home. She did the same at other homes the previous decade. "It's not only for material support, but also to share our mission," she explained. "Many people who donate may not even go to church, but when we arrive we give them an opportunity to do an act of worship by supporting the elderly and helping the sisters. The work we do is God's work." The Little Sisters will mark their 100 years of loving service in Denver with a gala set for 5-9:30 p.m. Sept. 16 at the Marriott Hotel Denver Tech Center. The evening, emceed by Rocky Moun- tain PBS news anchor/managing editor John Ferrugia, will include a cocktail hour, dinner, entertainment marking the decades, recognition of the home's history and honorees, and dancing. Attendees may wear attire represent- ing their favorite era of the last century. Special guests include Cardinal J. Francis StaŠ ord and Auxiliary Bishop Jorge Rodriguez. "It's a celebration of a century of serv- ing and receiving from beautiful people — all those we have touched through our work and all they have done for us," said Mother Patricia Mary, listing the residents, staŠ ers, volunteers and benefactors. Adding to the joy of the milestone mark is the fact that Mother Patricia Mary and Sister Mary Augustine Wood- ruŠ of the home are both marking golden jubilees this year, while fellow Sister Carolyn Pessartic is marking her silver anniversary. "And it's the centennial of Our Lady of Fatima," Mother Patricia Mary noted. "It's really a jubilee year here!" Mullen Home is celebrating 100 years of service in Denver. FILE PHOTO PROVIDED

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