The Michigan Area Order of Malta has convened as a family of faith on many occasions. But on November 2 – the Feast of All Souls – a “first”: The baptism of a Michigan Area couple’s child at the Area’s First Saturday. 

The baptism took place during Mass in the Chapel of the North American Martyrs at the University of Detroit Jesuit High School and Academy.

With Dames, Knights, Auxiliaries, and others looking on, Michigan Area chaplain Msgr. Michael LeFevre, ChC, baptized Noah Matthew Shriner, son of Auxiliary Jenna Shriner and Sean Shriner, Member in Formation. The Shriners are active in the Michigan Area’s “Into the Fire” ministry, which brings food, clothing, and other necessities to people living on the streets of Detroit. Also in attendance was proud grandmother Andrea McKenna, mother of Sean Shriner and a frequent volunteer with the Michigan Area at St. Leo’s Soup Kitchen in Detroit.

Barbara Wilson, DM, and Robert Wilson, KM, are the godparents. The Wilsons are the former co-chairs of the Michigan Area. They are also the co-chairs of the 2025 Lourdes Pilgrimage for the American Association.

The Michigan Area’s First Saturdays include the opportunity for the Sacrament of Reconciliation, recitation of the Rosary, and Mass, followed by a light breakfast. The breakfast on this occasion featured a large cake for Noah’s baptism!

Msgr. LeFevre heard confessions and celebrated Mass. Chris Rutkowski, KM, led the recitation of the Rosary. Readings at Mass were proclaimed by Jenna Shriner; Patrick Fabian, KM; and Lisa Juriga, wife of John Juriga, KM. Sean Shriner offered the Prayers of the Faithful. Area Chair Andy Smith, KM, led the group in the Daily Prayer of the Order at the end of Mass. Santiago Smith, son of Andy Smith and Andrea Smith, DM, served at Mass The breakfast was provided by Chris Rutkowski and Auxiliary June Rutkowski, members of the Michigan Area’s Hospitality Ministry.

After breakfast, Msgr. LeFevre led Lectio Divina, focusing on Mk. 12:28b – 34 and the commandment to “love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.” Assigning “heart,” “soul,” “mind,” and “strength” to different table groups, Msgr. LeFevre asked Michigan Area members to contemplate the meaning of each word and what it means to “love the Lord your God” in those ways. 

Following the First Saturday event, the “Into the Fire” ministry distributed a record 200-plus sack lunches to those in need. People living on the streets of Detroit, who have come to recognize the Michigan Area’s Malta van, lined up to receive meat and cheese sandwiches, bottled water, and snack bars, and to pray with the volunteers. At one point, Michigan Area members were praying with a man who was looking for work, when a woman came running up, calling out, “Please, I want you to pray with me too!” Participants included John Juriga, Andy and Santiago Smith, and Dr. Cathy Stark, Member in Formation; Dr. Stark also contributed some of the lunches. Food was also donated by Marcia McBrien, DM; Alan and Angie Wegienka, Members in Formation; and members of St. Edith Catholic Church in Livonia.

The Area will hold its next First Saturday on December 7, with Mass at the Grosse Pointe Academy Chapel. The celebrant will be Archbishop Allen Vigneron, GCChC, the Area’s principal chaplain. 

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