Christ’s instructions to his disciples in Luke 10:1-9 was the focus of the Michigan Area’s First Saturday Lectio Divina, held July 5 at St. Peter Catholic Church in Mt. Clemens.

Leading the discussion was Michigan Area chaplain Msgr. Michael LeFevre, ChM. The passage from Luke concerns Jesus’ charge to 72 disciples who were to go ahead of Him to places He intended to visit.

Noting Jesus’ words that “I am sending you like lambs among wolves,” Msgr. LeFevre commented, “That is at the heart of our call … that we don’t fight evil with evil. That gets us nowhere … we stay focused on the mission.”

Lectio Divina is part of the Michigan Area’s First Saturdays, which include Mass, opportunity for Confession, and, typically, the Rosary. However, at the July First Saturday, the group of Dames, Knights, Auxiliaries, and others recited the Chaplet of the Order, led by Michigan Area Chair Andy Smith, KM. The Chaplet is a new sacramental that focuses on the eight Beatitudes, with prayers and meditation on each. For more about this devotion, see https://www.orderofmaltafederal.org/spirituality.

Confessions were heard by Msgr. LeFevre who also celebrated Mass, assisted by server Santiago Smith, son of Andy Smith and Andrea Smith, DM. Readings at Mass were proclaimed by Peggy Stanton, DM, and Dr. Catherine Stark, DM. Stephanie Le, DM and her husband Associate Ky Cam offered the Prayers of the Faithful. Andy Smith led the group in the Daily Prayer of the Order at the conclusion of Mass.

After Mass, breakfast was provided by Stephanie Le and Ky Cam, members of the Michigan Area’s Hospitality Ministry; they were assisted by members of St. Peter’s parish staff. Lectio Divina followed.

Afterwards, Sean Shriner, KM collected sandwiches and other supplies provided by Roseanne Brugnoni, DM and parishioners at St. Edith’s in Livonia, as part of the Michigan Area’s “Into the Fire” ministry to Detroit’s homeless.  That afternoon, Sean Shriner and his mother, Associate Andrea McKenna; Barbara Wilson, DM; and Robert Wilson, KM provided sack lunches and prayer support to people living on the streets of Detroit.

The Michigan Area thanks Fr. Dave Tomaszycki and the staff of St. Peter’s for hosting the group.

Other Michigan Area activities for July include the Area’s monthly Community Mass and dinner on July 19 and the July 26 St. Anne de Detroit Novena Mass.

The Area’s next First Saturday is set for August 2 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Royal Oak. After the First Saturday devotion, there will be an opportunity to join the “Into the Fire” ministry. 

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