Church of the Transfiguration

We are a Franciscan Body of Christ embracing all people through liturgy and service.

A Fond Farewell….

I wanted to say a few words of farewell, before my last working day of December 1st for our Family of Parishes ~ I’ve been so blessed to get to know you, work and minister with you, and I thank you all for your gift of friendship :) I will miss you all!

When I interviewed for the position, I did not yet know that I would be diagnosed with cancer – and when Fr. Jeff offered me the role, I felt I had to tell him about my diagnosis, and that I would fully understand if he and the priests decided to retract the offer. He smiled at me and said “no, we want you”! I’ll never forget this, and how the priests in solidum and parishioners welcomed me with open arms!

The support I’ve had from all of you during my cancer journey - your patience with me as we worked together while I recuperated - is something I’ll never forget… I’ve been so blessed in this role, and the Lord brought it to me at a time that was absolutely perfect.

I know everyone says let’s stay in touch when they have to physically part ways – but I truly hope that you will, and that from time to time we can check in and fill each other in on how our lives are going!

May God Bless You All,

Christina Ihlenfeldt

Director of Discipleship Formation

Our Lady of La Salette Parish

December Intention for Use of the Family of Parish

“Family Sent on Mission”

AN ADVENT PRAYER FOR WISDOM

TO OUR LADY OF LA SALETTE:

Queen of radiant Light, Blessed Lady of La Salette,

grant us the grace to realize fully the great truth that God's ways are above our own.

Help us, through your loving example,

to place before God our life and our talents, our time and our gifts.

May we always be ready to be used by God for all good things, great and small.

Grant that, through your loving intercession,

we may be reconciled with God's gracious plan for us.

May your Son open our eyes in faith to see the path God bids us walk

and may we be willing always to follow the Way that leads to life everlasting. Amen.

December Intention and Suggestions for the Universal Prayer:

For our Family of Parishes: that,

For the grace of discernment: that we may have open hearts to hear God’s voice and faithfully say “yes” to the Lord’s call. We pray to the Lord.

For the healing of hearts and relationships during this holiday time: that our commitment to Christ may open paths to reconciliation within families, communities, and nations. We pray to the Lord.

Possible Action Steps:

· Go to confession. Celebrate God’s mercy and forgiveness.

Where do we go from here?

An Invitation from Family Sent on Mission Men’s Discussion Group.

For the past year, a group of men have been meeting monthly on a Saturday morning to share our lives as Catholic men. We have now reached the point where we want to expand participation and help develop a clear mission of “Where do we go from here?”.

All men of our family of parishes are invited to attend the next monthly Men’s Discussion Group scheduled for 9:00AM Saturday January 11th at Transfiguration Parish Hall. We hope to build a greater sense of community among our men and develop a mission for the group through discussion and prayer. These meetings would be a time set aside to share our spiritual journeys, views and experiences. There is no requirement to share. If you just want to listen, that is fine. Please contact Chuck White at 734.635.2598 or chuckwhiteolofsj@gmail.com if you wish to attend so we can plan accordingly.

A SPECIAL ANNUAL EVENT FOR THE WOMEN OF OUR FAMILY OF PARISHES

Advent by Candlelight

Sunday, Dec 8 at 5pm

Our Mother of Perpetual Help

13500 Oak Park Blvd., Oak Park, MI

We invite the women of our Family of Parishes to join us for this special evening. Take some time for yourselves. This is an opportunity for us to set aside the hustle and bustle of the holiday preparations and focus our hearts and minds on the Advent Season.

To help us with planning please RSVP by noon Tuesday, Dec. 3rd, by contacting Barbara Urbiel at 313.595.3054 or (If you have already RSVP’d, please do so again using the following CORRECTED EMAIL ADDRESS) barbara.urbiel@gmail.com

Advent Events at Our Mother of Perpetual Help

Wednesdays, December 4, 11, 18

7pm Advent Evening Prayer

Sunday, December 8

9am—11am Advent Pancake Breakfast—Bradley Hall

In Bradley Hall

$7.00 Adults

$5.00 Children

Under 3 is free

Menu includes original & cranberry pancakes, sausage links, scrambled eggs, pastries, and beverages.

All You Can Eat!

Friday, December 20

7pm Blue Christmas Service

A Blue Christmas service is a quiet, contemplative service that usually happens on or near the winter solstice. The day, which has the longest night and the shortest day, is symbolic of our darker nights when we find ourselves grieving, lonely, or longing for something better. The Blue service is all about making space during a season that is noisy with celebration, to acknowledge the “both/and” of our emotions. It’s an avenue of making space for beautiful pastoral care and compassionate community for those who are struggling.

Is The Name “Blue Christmas” Connected With The Elvis Song?

Before you continue singing the song, the Blue Christmas service has nothing to do with Elvis, but it does have to do with missing someone or something. This service makes room for sadness, loneliness, or loss during the holidays.

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PARISHES

We are members of the South Oakland Vicariate Family 5

Parish Registration

Registration forms can be found in the Gathering Room and the Parish Office.

Sacraments of Baptism, Eucharist, Confirmation and Marriage

Arrangements can be made by contacting the Parish Office.

Funeral

When a loved one passes away, please contact the Parish Office regarding funeral arrangements.

Church of the Transfiguration

Attend Weekend Mass

Masses are livestreamed

ANNOUNCEMENTS

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New COVID Liturgical Protocols

MARCH 3, 2022 UPDATE

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has announced that Michigan is entering a post-surge, recovery phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. Because this development, as well as recently updated information from the CDC, the Archdiocese of Detroit is making some adjustments to its guidelines for liturgies. We continue to see different levels of risk across the counties within the Archdiocese. Please check the CDC’s COVID-19 by County tool for information on the risk level of your county. In addition, here are some points to consider as you evaluate the best way to serve in your parish at this time:

· The Archdiocese of Detroit encourages Mass-goers, if they are at risk to wear face-coverings and to practice social distancing to reduce the potential of exposure to COVID-19

· The Archdiocese of Detroit recommends that each pastor/In Solidum team of priests should evaluate their location in the Archdiocese and implement the following protocols:

· Establish an area where social distancing may be observed, if needed

· Encourage masking and social distancing for those who are at risk

· Evaluate the need in your parish for those who distribute Holy Communion to wear face-coverings and use hand sanitizer

· Hang signage indicating masking and social distancing are encouraged for those who are at risk

· Ensure that hand sanitizer is available at church entrances

· The faithful are reminded that particular dispensations from the obligation to participate in Holy Mass remain in effect for people who are ill or who find themselves in other specific circumstances.

Particular Dispensation Information

Archbishop Vigneron announced that the general dispensation from the obligation to attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days expired on Saturday, March 13, 2021. In its place, he has granted a number of particular dispensations for the faithful who may find themselves in specific circumstances.

Please read below for information about these specific dispensations and visit aod.org/comehometohope to learn more about how our parishes are working to keep everyone safe at Mass as well as tips and advice for inviting friends and family to attend Mass with you.

Considering the grave obligation we have of being physically present with our brothers and sisters at Mass on Sunday and Holy Days of Obligation for the Eucharist, each of us is asked to make a good and sincere judgement as to whether these circumstances apply or not. Where doubt or confusion persists, consult any priest for clarity.

While the general dispensation is removed, there are specific instances where the dispensation will continue, as well as those circumstances where there is no obligation in the first place. One does not have an obligation to attend Mass on Sunday in the following circumstances:

1. You are ill or your health condition would be significantly compromised if you were to contract a communicable illness (i.e., you have underlying conditions or are in a high-risk category). Please use the dispensation and do not attend Mass.

2. You exhibit flu-like symptoms. Please use the dispensation and do not attend Mass.

3. You have good reason to think you might be asymptomatic of a contagious illness (e.g., you were in recent contact with someone who tested positive for a contagious illness such as COVID or influenza). Please use the dispensation and do not attend Mass.

4. You care for the sick, homebound, or infirmed.

5. You are pregnant.

6. Those 65 years of age or older (per the CDC’s recommendation of high-risk individuals).

7. You cannot attend Mass through no fault of your own (e.g., no Mass is offered, you are infirmed, or, while wanting to go, you are prevented for some reason you cannot control (e.g., your ride did not show up, the church was at capacity).

8. If you have significant fear or anxiety of becoming ill by being at Mass.

For questions about the application of any of these, please contact your pastor.

These categories will be reviewed in due course and revised as needed.

Those within categories #1-8 above must still observe the Lord’s Day and are encouraged to spend time in prayer on Sunday, meditating on the Lord’s passion, death and resurrection; an excellent way to do this is through participating in a broadcast of the Sunday Mass.