A Franciscan Parish in the Archdiocese of Detroit

Church of the Transfiguration

 | 25225 Code Rd., Southfield, MI 48033      | 248-356-8787 

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

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.

Changes at Our Mother of Perpetual Help Parish
As you know, our Family of Parishes includes Our Mother of Perpetual Help Parish with two worship locations, one in Ferndale and one in Oak Park. The following letter from Fr. Paul Chateau was read in both Churches and posted on their website last Sunday.  Let us offer them our prayer and support during this difficult time.
 
Dear Parishioners,
 
I, along with the parish transition team and our family clergy, spent over eight months in prayerful discernment and in close consultation with the Archdiocese of Detroit to determine what is best for the future and sustainability of our parish. There were numerous meetings, parishioner and community input, gathering of facts and information, a town hall, and a meeting to reach consensus within the transition team and our family clergy. As you know, the transition team overwhelmingly reached consensus to close St. James Church. 
 
Despite the transition team’s decision, affirmed by the Regional Moderator, Family Moderator, and priests of the Family of Parishes, some of the parishioners who served on the transition team and dissented from the consensus decision requested time to reverse the declining offertory trends, Mass attendance, and participation in parish activities, and to raise funds to support building maintenance and repairs at the Ferndale worship location. Benchmarks were set by the Archdiocese of Detroit related to raising capital expenditure funds, increasing offertory, and mass participation. While the benchmark process was launched, it was not a guarantee that the church would remain open but rather an openness from all involved to explore the possibility. Benchmarks were set, with an understanding that all of them would have to be met, and progress assessed every two months, for up to eight months. Sadly, the benchmarks were not met after almost three months. Any donations received for the capital expenditure fund have been returned to the donors.
 
It is with a heavy heart that I share that Archbishop Vigneron has issued a decree to proceed with the planned closure of St. James Church in Ferndale. On October 21, 2024, Archbishop Allen Vigneron issued a decree that relegates Saint James Church, Ferndale, to secular but not unbecoming use; that is, the building will no longer be used as a church. The decision takes effect on November 4, 2024. 
 
The closing Mass will be at 11:00 am on Sunday, November 3, 2024.
 
We fully understand that some of you are not happy with the decision to close St. James Church. However, the building is closing, not the parish. As we move forward, we must focus our efforts on strengthening and growing Our Mother of Perpetual Help Parish. It is my prayerful hope, and I encourage and invite all parishioners who have primarily attended our Ferndale location to attend Mass and parish activities in Oak Park as well as our family of parishes activities.  Please keep our entire parish community in your prayers. You may be assured of mine. Our Mother of Perpetual Help, pray for us.
 
Blessings,
Rev. Paul F. Chateau

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GIVING

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PARISHES

We are members of the South Oakland Vicariate Family 5

WEEKEND MASS SCHEDULE

Saturday Vigil Mass: 4:30 p.m.
Sunday: 8:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.

WEEKDAY MASS

Monday - Friday: 12:00 p.m. (Noon)

(Church doors open at 11:30 a.m., except on Tuesday - doors open at 9:30 a.m.)

RECONCILIATION

Tuesday: 10:30 a.m.
Saturday: 12:00 p.m. (Noon)

(Church doors open at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday)

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

November 16 - 17, 2024
33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time
Congratulations!
100th Anniversary of Our Lady of LaSalette Parish
Sunday, November 17
Mass at Sterling Place
Monday, November 18, 1:30 PM
 
Family Leadership Team, 1:30 PM
Family Pastoral Council, 7 PM
Monday, November 18
 
Blood Drive
Tuesday, November 19
 
Family Priest Meeting
November 22
 
Solemnity of Christ the King
November 24
 
Thanksgiving Day
Thursday, November 28
Mass 9 AM
 
Advent Reflection
"Waiting in Joyful Hope"
Tuesday, December 3, 7 PM
Led by Fr. Jeff
 
Advent Evening of Reflection
Tuesday, December 3, 7:00 PM
Church of the Transfiguration
(in Church)
Led by Fr. Jeff
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 barbara.urbiel@gmail.com
 
(If you already emailed, please do so again with this corrected email address.)
Our Mother of Perpetual Help’s November Prayer Intention
That we may be thankful for the blessings we have; 
generous to those in need; 
and hopeful to build a faith community 
committed to peace, justice and love. 
 
Action Steps:
To show gratitude for and acknowledge our blessings 
by giving back and helping others 
by sharing our time, talent, and treasure 
with organizations like St. Vincent de Paul, 
food panties, disaster relief agencies 
and organizations who support the homeless.
Volunteers Needed
Family Picture Book
 
Next Spring, our Family of Parishes 
wants to publish a picture book and directory.
Each parish will have its own section
but all parishes would be in one spiral bound book.
We are looking for someone 
who might like to coordinate for the whole Family, 
and another to work with as coordinator for our parish.
This is a big job, we know,
but it doesn't hurt to ask!
Pray for those on the journey to canonization
during Black Catholic History month!
 
Venerable Pierre Toussaint
Venerable Henriette Delille
Venerable Augustus Tolton
Servant of God Mary Lange
Servant of God Julia Greeley
Servant of God Thea Bowman
Franciscan Listening Session
with young adults, age 20-30
Zoom: Saturday, November 23, 2-4 PM
 
Please join some friars as we listen together 
for the future of the Church 
and reflect on how the Franciscans 
can best accompany and meet the needs 
of your generation.
 
Register:
For our November day of prayer, the friars paid their respects 
to the friars who are buried at Holy Sepulchre.  
We told stories about the ones we knew 
and prayed for their eternal rest.

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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.

Events

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FROM THE DESK OF FR. JEFF....

June 26, 2022

Thanks to all who contributed to the 2021 Catholic Services Appeal (CSA)! Thanks to ... Read More »

June 12, 2022

Fr. Jeff’s Wish List… On Trinity Sunday we remember that our God is Father, ... Read More »

May 29, 2022

Archbishop Vigneron has announced a “Year of Prayer for Priestly Vocations” for the archdiocese ... Read More »