Mullen Home for the Aged’s land to be transferred to Archdiocese of Denver

Right now, the congregation noted that they are already talking and cooperating with the current residents and staff members of the Mullen Home for this ‘difficult transition.’  (Photo by Vlad Sargu on Unsplash)

The Mullen Home for the Aged, an assisted living facility in Denver, Colorado, may soon shut down after the Little Sisters of the Poor withdraw control of the facility. Due to this major change, the Archdiocese of Denver will now have the authority to decide what to do with the land where the assisted facility is currently constructed. 

Little Sisters of the Poor to Move Out From Denver

Catholic News Agency (CNA) recently announced the decision of the Little Sisters of the Poor, an international Roman Catholic congregation, to withdraw its control of the Denver-based Mullen Home for the Aged. As said, the members of the organization had a “lengthy period of prayer” before coming up with their decision. 

Mother Julie Horseman of the congregation said in a statement that the decision was part of their ‘strategic plan’ to dedicate their time and resources to other ministry projects. 

Right now, the congregation noted that they are already talking and cooperating with the current residents and staff members of the Mullen Home for this ‘difficult transition.’ 

As also explained on the formal statement of the Little Sisters on the Mullen Home’s website, the Catholic group is now focused on assisting the residents in finding new accommodations for their different needs. Once all are moved out of the facility, the Archdiocese of Denver will have the right to decide what to do with the building and the land space. 

According to Mother Horseman, the church will be using the Mullen Home’s land space to spread the mission of the church. The Archdiocese also said to them that they would preserve the identity of the Little Sisters of the Poor in Denver, even when they leave the city. 

Due to the closing branch of Little Sisters in Denver, areas of New Mexico, Gallup, and Kansas City, Missouri, will now be the closest cities to Colorado that will accommodate assisted facilities under the Catholic ministry. 

The report detailed that the Mullen Home for the Aged in Denver consisted of several private rooms, apartments, a chapel, and a library. 

Why Will Archdiocese of Denver Get Mullen Home for the Aged’s Land? 

As mentioned, once the Mullen Home is emptied, the Archdiocese of Denver will soon fully control the land where the building is erected. This is because the deed of the land property has a provision. 

Based on the report, the original owners of the property where Mullen Home is currently built were John K. Mullen and his wife, Catherine. They donated the land to the Little Sisters of the Poor in 1917 as part of their philanthropic mission. 

The said provision states that the Archdiocese of Denver will receive the land property once the Little Sisters of the Poor decides to let go of its control. Thus, the church will soon have legal rights on the property. 

Denver Archbishop Samuel Aquila has already offered his gratitude to the members of the Catholic congregation for providing support for the elderly over the past decades. He said that they are “living out of the corporal works of mercy.” 

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