Have you ever been to a 220-year birthday celebration?? I can tell you it’s a great time because I was there! And, not only did the Sisters do our foundress, St. Jeanne Jugan, proud – she just turned two hundred and twenty years old (born in 1792 in Brittany, France), but they put on a wonderful afternoon of appreciation for all the employees! Mother Cornelia started off the event thanking all the employees and then presented nicely framed certificates to employees with certain milestones: 16 were honored with 5 years of service; 5 with 10 years of service; 4 with 15 years; 4 with 20 years; 3 with 25 years; 2 with 30 years; and a special recognition to Juanita Acevedo who has been with the Little Sisters for 35 years! You can see what a wonderful place our Home is to work in – employees stay and stay!
The Residents also joined in on the birthday-appreciation festivities. In fact, Resident Theresita Polzin who we acknowledge as our “Resident Poetess” wrote one of her masterpieces in honor of all the employees (read her lovely poem below). After a big round of applause for Theresita, Resident Helen Reichenbach did a total accounting of a typical day in the “life of a Resident” which recognized practically every employee from nurses to house cleaners!
And what’s a party without ice cream and cake??? Two big cakes – one to honor the employees and one to honor St. Jeanne Jugan – shared a festive table with ice cream, cookies, and a tasty punch. Everyone joined in and helped serve the Residents their celebration treats! Many pictures followed – after the Sisters entertained the group with a song of good will! Mother Provincial Maria Christine Joseph and Sister Therese were special guests.
Thank you Mother Cornelia and Sisters for all your appreciation! And a special thank you to Saint Jeanne Jugan for giving us all reason to celebrate!
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Enjoy the beautiful poem by Resident Theresita Polzin:
THANK YOU TO EMPLOYEES – 2012
Two hundred twenty years ago today
A Baby Star shot through the sky;
A vision of sparks splashed on the earth
Announcing our dear Jeanne Jugan’s birth.
One hit the spot where Mullen Home stands.
And destined Denver for the work of YOUR hands.
We recognize you as the chosen few.
That’s why the response you often hear
As you walk through Mullen Home,
(You’d never guess!) is “Thank you, dear!”
Repeated for the never-ending things
Employees here forever do
For us, and our heart sings:
“Thank you! Thank you very much!”
Then in our silent hearts we add:
“Your work well done does surely touch
Us all who have no home but this!”
Our thanks are scattered everywhere
Because our employees are working there.
So it’s proper, indeed, that we gather today
To show all together in one big way
When you’re all here, that we know your pay
Will only be fair when God heaps His
Blessing on you and yours because of our prayer.
You have that, with our hope that you will
Count the “Thank Yous” every day
And know each one is as important still
As daylight in Mullen Home.
THANK YOU and MAY GOD REWARD YOU ALL
In a special way on St. Jeanne’s 220 Birthday!
AN AFTERNOON OF CELEBRATION & APPRECIATION!