Inspired by religious orders living communally, Michigan Area members have begun coming together once a month for Saturday Vigil Mass, followed by dinner, at different locations throughout southeast Michigan.

The Michigan Area has long met on First Saturday mornings, but the evening activity offers an additional, more informal way for members to share fellowship, explained Michigan Area Chair Andy Smith.

“This particular ministry is inspired by religious communities that live together, pray together, and eat together on a daily basis,” he said.  “While our Order does not live together in that manner, this ministry is a simple way we try to provide this sense of community, by meeting to worship and break bread together.”

Michigan Area members meet once a month for Mass, usually on the third Saturday of each month, choosing a different church each time. Dinner at a nearby restaurant follows. There is no formal program and no requirement to RSVP.

On January 20th, Michigan Area members met at historic Sweetest Heart of Mary Church, a Gothic Revival style church built in 1893 in a predominantly Polish neighborhood and the largest church in the city of Detroit. In keeping with the Polish tradition of continuing the Christmas season until February 2nd (Candlemas), the church was still beautifully decorated. After Mass, Michigan Area members met for dinner at a local restaurant, Amore da Roma.

On February 17th, Michigan Area members attended Mass at the Church of the Most Holy Redeemer in Detroit’s Mexicantown.  The Redemptorist Fathers founded Holy Redeemer Parish in 1880 to serve Irish and German immigrants; Holy Redeemer is currently Detroit’s largest predominantly Hispanic parish.  The current church, the third built on the site, was inspired by the Church of St. Paul in Rome.  Following Mass, the Michigan Area members enjoyed dinner at nearby Los Galanes restaurant.