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.

God bless everyone at Mullen Home!