Cold Michigan weather did not deter Michigan Area members from gathering for a First Saturday observance on the morning of February 1 – or from serving those living on Detroit streets later that day.

The First Saturday took place at St. Owen Catholic Church in Bloomfield Hills, where Msgr. Michael LeFevre, ChD, is pastor. In keeping with the traditional First Saturday devotion, the event included Mass, recitation of the Rosary, and the opportunity for Confession.

Marcia McBrien, DM, led the recitation of the Rosary. Msgr. LeFevre celebrated Mass; the readings were proclaimed by Auxiliary Candice Campbell-Wright and David Hocker, Member in Formation. Mike Bonventre, KM, and Sue Bonventre, DM, offered the Prayers of the Faithful. Michigan Area Chair Andy Smith, KM led the group in the Daily Prayer of the Order at the end of Mass. The breakfast was provided by Mike and Sue Bonventre, members of the Michigan Area’s Hospitality Ministry.

In keeping with the Michigan Area’s First Saturday practice, the group engaged in Lectio Divina, led by Msgr. LeFevre; the text was Luke 2:22-40, the Presentation of the Infant Jesus in the Temple. Msgr. LeFevre quipped that the prophetess Anna, who “never left the Temple,” was “the original church lady” – but also the first evangelist, speaking to others about the Child Jesus. Msgr. LeFevre commented that Simeon and Anna are both elderly people who maintained “watchful and prayerful attentiveness” throughout their lives as they waited for God’s revelation. Their example is a reminder that “God is still at work” and that we need to be open to what God is trying to tell us.

That afternoon, as part of the Area’s “Into the Fire” ministry, John Juriga, KM was joined by Michigan Area Hospitaller Kathleen Mastrangelo, DM, volunteer Mary Hoadley, and Associate Andrea McKenna to distribute bag lunches to people living on the streets of Detroit. Andrea is the mother of Sean Shriner, Member in Formation, and is a frequent volunteer with the Michigan Area at St. Leo’s Soup Kitchen in Detroit. The food was provided by John Juriga; Auxiliaries Karla and Tim Dorweiler; Chris Rutkowski, KM, and Auxiliary June Rutkowski; and Dr. Catherine Stark, DM.

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