At the Michigan Area’s February 7 First Saturday, the Church and the Area welcomed a new daughter to the Body of Christ: Little Emma Shriner, daughter of Sean Shriner, KM, and Auxiliary Jenna Shriner.

Emma was baptized by Michigan Area chaplain Msgr. Michael LeFevre, ChC, during the Area’s First Saturday Mass at St. Owen Catholic Church in Bloomfield Hills, where Msgr. LeFevre is pastor. Looking on were proud grandmother Andrea McKenna, an Associate in the Michigan Area, and big brother Noah, who was also baptized at a Michigan Area First Saturday.

See, “A Family Affair: Son of Michigan Area members baptized at Area’s First Saturday“. Michigan Area Chair Andy Smith, KM, and Andrea Smith, DM, are the godparents.

The Michigan Area’s First Saturdays include the opportunity for the Sacrament of Reconciliation, recitation of the Rosary, and Mass, followed by Lectio Divina.

Concelebrating Mass with Msgr. LeFevre was Fr. John Maksym, ChD, who also heard confessions before Mass. Marcia McBrien, DM, led the recitation of the Rosary. Readings at Mass were proclaimed by Sean Shriner and Andrea Smith.  Jenna Shriner offered the Prayers of the Faithful. Andy Smith led the group in the Daily Prayer of the Order at the end of Mass. A breakfast was provided by the Shriner family – and included a large cake for Emma’s baptism!

Another Sacrament was recently celebrated by Michigan Area members: Auxiliary Jane and James McGrail were married on January 10. They attended the First Saturday with Jane’s sisters, Auxiliaries Grace and Molly Modes,

After breakfast, Msgr. LeFevre led Lectio Divina, focusing on Mt. 5:13 – 16. He asked participants to contemplate who in their lives “has been that salt and light” for them and how they can do that for others.

After Lectio Divina, attendees assembled packets with vials of Lourdes water and prayer cards for the February 15 Mass with Anointing of the Sick at the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Detroit. The packets will be given to congregants who come for the anointing. As in past years, members of the Michigan Area will assist priests with the anointing and participate in the Mass.

Associate Lisa Juriga also demonstrated how to make “plarn” – plastic yarn – from plastic grocery bags. “Plarn” is used to make sleeping mats for the homeless. Lisa and her husband, John Juriga, KM, are active in the Area’s “Into the Fire”ministry to the homeless. See “‘Into the Fire’ ministry braves dangerous cold to serve homeless in Detroit.”

The Area will hold its next First Saturday on March 7 at Old St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Detroit’s Greektown neighborhood; Fr. Maksym is pastor of that parish.

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