We wrote about Franciscan friar Brother Al Mascia last March. The Detroit Free Press had just written an article and made a video of his program of distributing food and supplies by bike.

Brother Al is still doing his good work and now the Detroit News has published an article with a video.

After losing the brick-and-mortar headquarters for his Detroit-based charitable operations earlier this month, the brown-robed Franciscan friar has kept serving the homeless, the elderly and others in Detroit.

Mascia anticipated the closing of the building more than a year ago and raised $4,000 to buy two specially designed tricycles with vendor carts in front and storage trailers in the back so he wouldn’t miss a beat in serving his clientele.

One interesting but not surprising outcome is that switching from a $200K/month storefront to a bicycle has increased the opportunity to serve the community. And they’re expanding.

The tricycle-based Canticle Cafe provides service six times a week at the public bus terminal on Cass Avenue just north of Michigan Avenue. Father Tod Laverty from St. Aloysius Catholic Church on Washington Boulevard and other volunteers operate the mobile help center on the days when Mascia is out raising money. He has already found a benefactor to buy another tricycle.

They do need volunteers if you are interested in helping during the winter months. They can be contacted via email.

And rather than fight the mall crowds tomorrow, why not plan on ordering gifts such as coffee and candles from Brother Al.

Today’s Detroit Free Press has a great story about Franciscan friar Brother Al Mascia and his Canticle Cafe bicycle cart. Brother Al rides around Downtown Detroit offering food and warm clothing.

The idea of the cart came from the Franciscan friar’s memories of growing up surrounded by street vendors in New York. The food cart fits over the bicycle’s front end.

The cart, purchased from California with the aid of a benefactor, was outfitted with foldable countertops insulation and a battery for lighting. It holds Thermos bottles of coffee and hot chocolate. Some days, Mascia dispenses muffins and cookies. On really good days, he has hot homemade breakfast sandwiches donated by church groups.

He said he thinks the cart adds a bit of joy to the act of giving. “It’s not just for the food and clothing we can provide,” he said, “but the whimsy, if you will, of the way we can provide it.”

Whimsy is good.

To donate or help, contact Saint Aloysius outreach ministries at 313-237-5810 or contact Mascia at 313-320-0548 or e-mail alofm@hotmail.com.

You can also purchase their coffee at the Canticle Cafe at 1209 Washington Boulevard in Detroit or by calling their coffee order hot line at 313-309-1276.