Church of the Transfiguration

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

REGISTRATION FORM:  Catechesis of the Good Shepard Registration (click here)

We have implemented Family of Parishes catechesis program at the Church of the Transfiguration each Sunday between the 8:30 a.m. and the 11:00 a.m. Mass.  The church is located at 25225 Code Road in Southfield (west of Lahser and north of Ten Mile Road).

This wonderful program is called The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd and has been in place at Transfiguration for several years.

What is the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd?

The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) is a religious formation approach based on scripture and liturgy that uses the educational and pedagogical principles of Dr. Maria Montessori. The CGS roots are in the Roman Catholic tradition. 

The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is framed to where children are encouraged to ask the questions and to discover the answers through work with specially crafted presentations and materials. The content corresponds to the liturgical seasons and the life of the Church.

Learning takes place in what is called the atrium, which is an environment prepared to nurture the already present spirituality of children. Dr. Montessori borrowed the term atrium from the early church, as it was the space where the catechumens were prepared for Baptism. The atrium contains a variety of hands-on materials that are developmentally appropriate for the age range of children that they serve. 

The CGS catechist is the adult who has undergone a personal formational experience with preparation in the Biblical and liturgical themes that correspond with the developmental stages of the children. The adults who work with children are called, not recruited. They take on a servant leadership role, using facilitation instead of direct instruction techniques. In addition to their formation and training, the catechists are vetted with background and security checks.

What are the ages of the children served by the CGS?

Traditionally, children begin the CGS at or around age three. As with the Montessori model, each atrium serves a three-year age span of children up to age 12. Level I includes ages 3-6; Level II includes ages 6-9; and Level III includes ages 9-12.

When is the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd offered?

CGS meets each Sunday during the program year at the Church of the Transfiguration, 9:30 a.m. to 10:50 a.m. Each session includes song, prayer, a presentation, and a work. Moreover, the atrium is a place of prayer; simply put, the children’s work is their prayer. 

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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.