The Michigan Area’s popular “First Saturday” events have a new added feature: Making lunch for the homeless.

On Saturday, May 6th, 20 members attended Mass at historic Old St. Patrick Catholic Church in Ann Arbor, warmly welcomed by pastor Fr. Tom Wasilewski, who celebrated Mass ad orientem. Afterwards, members gathered at the parish hall for breakfast and Lectio Divina, focusing on the Gospel reading for the following Sunday, John 14:1-12.

Members also brought 180 homemade sandwiches, plus fruit and snack bags, for the “Into the Fire” ministry, led by Patrick Jones, KM, and John Juriga, KM. “Into the Fire” provides lunch to people living on the streets of Detroit, with 1,000 meals provided this past summer alone. The goal is for each member to provide 10-20 sandwiches, snacks, and fruit at future “First Saturdays”.

Old St. Patrick is the oldest English-speaking Catholic church in the state of Michigan, with parish records dating back to 1831. In addition to the ad orientem Mass, the parish maintains the tradition of Gregorian chant.