| 25225 Code Rd., Southfield, MI 48033 
| 248-356-8787
We are a Franciscan Body of Christ embracing all people through liturgy and service.
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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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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
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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
- Nov 12 2024 10:30 am - Reconciliation
- Nov 12 2024 12:30 pm - St. Anthony Devotions-following the Tuesday Noon Mass
- Nov 19 2024 10:30 am - Reconciliation
FLOCKNOTE ACCESS
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