News of the Malta Dental and Medical Clinic’s re-opening was a highlight of the Michigan Area’s First Saturday, which took place on June 7 at St. Owen Catholic Church in Bloomfield Hills.

Mass was celebrated by Msgr. Michael LeFevre, ChD, chaplain to the Michigan Area and pastor of St. Owen’s. Santiago Smith, son of Michigan Area Chair Andy Smith, KM, and Andrea Smith, DM, served at Mass. In keeping with the traditional First Saturday devotion, the event also included recitation of the Rosary and the opportunity for Confession.

Andy Smith led the recitation of the Rosary. The Mass readings were proclaimed by Christopher Rutkowski, KM, and Stephanie Le, DM. Doug Nelson, KM offered the Prayers of the Faithful. Andy Smith led the group in the Daily Prayer of the Order at the end of Mass. The breakfast was provided by Doug Nelson and Donna Nelson, DM, members of the Michigan Area’s Hospitality Ministry.

At breakfast, Andy Smith gave a monthly report of the Area’s activities, including highlights from the May 2025 Lourdes Pilgrimage. In addition, Thomas Larabell, KM, president of the Malta Dental and Medical Clinic’s board of directors, announced that the Clinic has re-opened at its new location, 10301 Woodward Avenue in Detroit, across the avenue from the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament. Clinic services have resumed with temporary walls and moveable equipment while construction proceeds; that work is slated to be completed by autumn. The new space will allow the Clinic to treat more patients, he added. A grand re-opening is planned for June 22, when Detroit Archbishop Edward Weisenburger will bless the new space.

In keeping with the Michigan Area’s First Saturday practice, the group engaged in Lectio Divina, led by Msgr. LeFevre; anticipating the feast of Pentecost, the text was Romans 8:8-17. Discussion focused on what it means to live according to the Spirit of God and how to discern whether we are doing so. Msgr. LeFevre asked participants to ponder “What am I spending my time on? What do I think about most?”

That afternoon, as part of the Area’s “Into the Fire” ministry, Member-in-Formation Sean Shriner, and his wife Auxiliary Jenna Shriner, were joined by Andy and Santiago Smith, and Member-in-Formation Kodah Maida, to distribute bag lunches to people living on the streets of Detroit. The food was provided by the Shriners and St. Edith Catholic Parish, Livonia. A happy surprise: In dropping off the Malta van at the Cathedral afterwards, the group encountered Fr. Ben Schroeder, who had just been ordained to the priesthood at the Cathedral that morning, and received a blessing from him!

The rest of the month presents a full schedule for the Michigan Area: On June 22, Michigan Area members will attend the Feast of Corpus Christi Mass at the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Detroit, and will participate in the Eucharistic Procession that follows. Afterwards, Michigan Area members will attend the grand re-opening and dedication of the Malta Dental and Medical Clinic. On June 28, the Michigan Area will hold its annual Mass in honor of St. John the Baptist, followed by the Area’s annual meeting, at the University of Detroit Jesuit High School and Academy. And a Michigan Area Bible study group, led by Tom Larabell, will continue to meet virtually on Thursday evenings; the group is using Ascension Press’ “Unlocking the Mystery of the Bible” workbook.

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