Membership in the Order of Malta is not a good conduct prize, but a permanent commitment to serve the sick and poor, Michigan Area members were reminded at the Area’s First Saturday Mass on November 1, the Solemnity of All Saints.

“That KM or DM after our names is not an honorific; it’s a mandate … a commission,” Fr. John Maksym, ChM, said in his homily.

The First Saturday took place at Old St. Mary’s Catholic Church, where Fr. Maksym is pastor; the parish is located in Detroit’s Greektown neighborhood.

As is traditional for the Michigan Area, the event offered the full First Saturday devotion. Before Mass, Fr. Maksym heard confessions and Marcia McBrien, DM, led the Rosary.

Readings at Mass were proclaimed by Dr. Cathy Stark, DM, and Kathleen Mastrangelo, DM, Michigan Area Hospitaller. Donna Nelson, DM, and Doug Nelson, KM, offered the Prayers of the Faithful. Michigan 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 Donna and Doug Nelson, members of the Michigan Area’s Hospitality Ministry. Lectio Divina followed, led by Dan Frattarelli, KM.

Andy Smith also shared a brief update with the members, including the expansion of the Michigan Area in Grand Rapids. He noted that the following Michigan Area members will be invested later this month in New York:

Rosanne Brugnoni, DM

Noel Closs, DM

David Closs, KM

Chuck Gaidica, KM

David Hocker, KM

Kodah Maida, KM

Rev. John Maksym, ChM

Hon. Michael Riordan, KM

June Rutkowski, DM

Stanley Sedore, KM

Sean Shriner, KM

The Michigan Area thanks Fr. Maksym and the staff at Old St. Mary’s for hosting this very special “All Saints” First Saturday.

Following the First Saturday, Michigan Area members took food, clothing, and other supplies to those living on the street in Detroit. See, “As winter approaches, Michigan Area’s ‘Into the Fire’ takes food, warm clothing to Detroit streets.”

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