Transition To Togetherness


June 14, 2007 - New Name changed
Church of the Transfiguration
Letter from Archdiocese of Detroit

June 3, 2007 - New Name announced
Our Lady, Queen of All Nations

Transition Team Reports
March 19, 2007 - click here -
 February 18, 2007 - click here -
 January 28, 2007 - click here -
 November 27, 2006 - click here -
 October 23, 2006 - click here -
Merging Parish Information

On Saturday, August 12th, approximately 65 people from St. Beatrice, St. Bede, St. Ives and St. Michael gathered in the parish hall at St. Michael to select a name for the new Southfield parish which will merge all four parishes into one at the Ten Mile site. We were a mix of Parish Council members, Together in Faith participants, Commission members and Priests from each parish. The meeting was conducted by Cathy Wagner from the Archdiocese of Detroit.

We started out by listing the strengths and focus of our respective parishes including what we want to preserve in the new parish. With these posted on flip charts for all to consider we narrowed the list down to what came to be the core values that the group felt were important to maintain and expand upon in the new parish. With these values in mind the participants were shuffled into mixed groups so that each group had members of all four parishes at their table. We then spent the next several hours prioritizing the values and discussing potential names that would come to reflect these values. We, as a group, all felt the following values were of significant importance to maintain or have greater focus.
  • Be a welcoming, hospitable community to all
  • Respect and celebrate the diversity of our cultures
  • Have a spiritual atmosphere supported by liturgy, music, homilies, and
     lay participation
  • Educate adults, teens and children: through RCIA, Faith formation, and
     ministries geared to children and young adults among other programs
  • Focus on outreach within our community
  • Evangelization in co-operation with the AOD
  • Have good collaboration with the Pastor and a strong lay leadership to
     foster openness, including financial, to parishioners

While this list does not include all the values it was part of the guiding force behind our final recommendation of three (3) names to be sent to the Cardinal for his consideration. These 3 names came from an original list of 14 names submitted by the group who in turn through prayer and discussion selected the following listed in alphabetical order.
  • Church of the Transfiguration
  • Mary, Queen of All Nations
  • St. Francis of Assisi

The final decision will be made by the Cardinal’s office and will not be known until after September. Thank you to all who participated either through attendance, suggesting names and/or supporting our effort through prayer.

A Closing Prayer

Father in heaven,
You are calling us to grow beyond
our parish life that has become so
familiar and comfortable. As we
form a new faith community,
we want to respond to your call
with generosity and
trust in your loving providence.

Help us to honestly face our
sense of loss. Give us courage
to work through our differences
and open our hearts that we may
embrace our new brothers and
sisters.

Give us one mind and one heart
as we journey together,
building your kingdom,
through Christ our Lord, Amen.
Author Unknow


The Cardinal has accepted the plan submitted
by our Vicariate's Together in Faith Committee.
 The location of St. Michael Church has been selected
as the home of the new combined Southfield Parish.


Introductory letter of June 6, 2005
The Catholic Churches in Southfield

Update letter of February 15, 2006
Latest Together in Faith Update
Available on Website
The review and recommendation phase of Together in Faith has ended.  The Coordinating Committee has sent its final report and recommendations to the Cardinal.  The Cardinal will review the recommendations of  vicariate plans with the auxiliary bishops and vicars.  The last round of dialogues or draft plans between and among the vicariates and the  Coordinating Committee can be found on the web at  www.AODonline.org. 

All parishioners are invited and encouraged to familiarize themselves with this historic strategic planning process. You are invited to e-mail  togetherInFaith@aod.org or call 313-237-5971 with  questions about your vicariate, parish, or school.  Draft of plan

Letter from Cardinal Maida March 28, 2006
St. Michael's Web Site:  www.StMichaelsOfSouthfield.org
St. Ives's Web Site: www.StIvesSouthfield.org
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Revised 6/17/07