Cooperation with “divine abundance” was the theme of the Michigan Area’s August 1 First Saturday, held at St. Mary Catholic Church in Royal Oak.

The Michigan Area’s First Saturdays include Mass, opportunity for Confession, the Rosary, and Lectio Divina.

Donna Nelson, DM, and Doug Nelson, KM, led the recitation of the Rosary. Confessions were heard by Michigan Area chaplain Msgr. Michael LeFevre, ChM, who also celebrated Mass.

Readings at Mass were proclaimed by David Hocker, KM, and Marcia McBrien, DM. Chris Rutkowski, KM offered the Prayers of the Faithful. Area Chair Andy Smith, KM led the group in the Daily Prayer of the Order at the conclusion of Mass.

After Mass, breakfast was provided by Chris Rutkowski and June Rutkowski, DM, members of the Michigan Area’s Hospitality Ministry.

Lectio Divina followed, led by Msgr. LeFevre, focusing on Matthew 14:13-21. Msgr. LeFevre reminded the Michigan Area that the material benefits we take for granted – food, shelter, energy – are far from being shared by the rest of the world. “We have all these abundances – for which we will be called to account.”

Matthew 14:13 recounts how Jesus withdrew to a solitary place after hearing of St. John the Baptist’s death, likely to grieve for His cousin, Msgr. LeFevre said. Nevertheless, the crowd followed Jesus and, despite His grief, He ministered to them – including multiplying the loaves and fishes to feed them.

“Notice that Jesus starts by telling the disciples, ‘You feed them yourselves,’ which calls forth a response, the disciples bringing him the five loaves and two fish. That is how our abundance can be transformed into divine abundance. We start by realizing what we already have.”

Monsignor commented that the late Dan Kelly, GCMOb, and Rosemary Kelly, DM, exemplified this approach: “Knowing what you have is the first step of spiritual transformation.” See “‘A partner with the Holy Spirit’: Remembering the Michigan Area’s Dan Kelly, GCMOb, past president of the American Association.”

Many thanks to St. Mary’s pastor Fr. Paul Snyder, Deacon Joseph Lennon, Administrative Assistant Deeann Reeve, and the people of St. Mary’s for hosting the Michigan Area.

Following the First Saturday, Michigan Area members and others visited people living on the streets of Detroit, bringing them food, clothing, and prayer support. Donations of food and clothing were provided by Rosanne Brugnoni, DM; Member-in-Formation David Formosa; Associate Linda Franklin; Associate John Micallef; and Deacon Dom Pastore, KM. St. Edith’s Parish in Livonia also contributed sandwiches. The “street team” distributing supplies included David Formosa, Jamie Heberling and her daughter Louisa McCartney, Member-in-Formation Joshua Nelson, and Sean Shriner, KM.

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