Church of the Transfiguration - Archdiocese of SG
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Punggol. A rural estate once known for poultry and pig farming, vegetable plantations, interwoven with narrow roads and multiple dirt-tracks. Fast forward to the present. It is currently undergoing a transformation to become an idyllic residential estate consisting of picturesque waterways, scenic boardwalks, and a landscape of pristine beach. However, another form of transformation is also taking place.
In March 2013, our Archdiocese successfully tendered for a parcel of land to build a new church at Punggol new town. The land area is approximately 2999 sq metres with a tenure of 30 years. The new church is sited along Punggol Central, located between the Punggol MRT station and three other LRT stations. With a distance of 300m from each of these stations to the church, commuting will be a breeze.
With the successful tender of the land parcel, our then Archbishop, Msgr Nicholas Chia, assigned Fr Joachim Chang to head the building project of the new church. A building committee was formed which comprise of members from various parishes, knowledgeable in their respective disciplines, for the development of the new church. 6 architectural firms were invited to submit their design proposal. 4 responded with 1 putting up 2 proposals. The building committee then made a study over each design proposal. After careful deliberation, the design proposal from RSP Architects Planners & Engineers Pte Ltd were recommended to the incumbent archbishop and his consultors for approval.
How the new church came to be named as “Church of the Transfiguration”? A few names were put up for consideration; Church of the Transfiguration, Church of the Ascension, Church of the Holy Eucharist, Church of the Holy Martyrs, Church of St John Vianney. In the initial brief to the 4 architectural firms who responded, a temporal name, “Church of the Transfiguration”, was provided to the architects for them to develop their design concept. This name was also proposed to the Archbishop and his consultors before bringing it to a vote by the presbyterium. It was during the last week of the priests’ retreat where after much prayer and discernment, the name “Church of the Transfiguration” was chosen by the majority of priests. What makes this name “Church of the Transfiguration” even more appropriate to be the name for the new church was its significance relative to our present day. The Transfiguration of Jesus displays His complete obedience to the Father’s will, and the Father’s call for us to obey His Son. Moses represents the Law, the covenantal love of God. Elijah represents the prophets who proclaimed the Truth. We are Peter, James, and John, called to obedience to the teachings of the Church, and to proclaim the Truth. The theme of listening to Jesus can also be seen at the Wedding at Cana when Mary instructed the stewards to listen to Jesus, “do whatever He tells you”.
Each of us will experience the Transfiguration if we obey God’s will. When we obey, we will respond with trust to His call. Then, will we be able to experience the rich wine He has given to be shared.
Let us pray for Fr Joachim Chang, the building committee, architects, and all those who labour in building this wonderful house of God.
DSC_0001 20130922
Punggol. A rural estate once known for poultry and pig farming, vegetable plantations, interwoven with narrow roads and multiple dirt-tracks. Fast forward to the present. It is currently undergoing a transformation to become an idyllic residential estate consisting of picturesque waterways, scenic boardwalks, and a landscape of pristine beach. However, another form of transformation is also taking place.
In March 2013, our Archdiocese successfully tendered for a parcel of land to build a new church at Punggol new town. The land area is approximately 2999 sq metres with a tenure of 30 years. The new church is sited along Punggol Central, located between the Punggol MRT station and three other LRT stations. With a distance of 300m from each of these stations to the church, commuting will be a breeze.
With the successful tender of the land parcel, our then Archbishop, Msgr Nicholas Chia, assigned Fr Joachim Chang to head the building project of the new church. A building committee was formed which comprise of members from various parishes, knowledgeable in their respective disciplines, for the development of the new church. 6 architectural firms were invited to submit their design proposal. 4 responded with 1 putting up 2 proposals. The building committee then made a study over each design proposal. After careful deliberation, the design proposal from RSP Architects Planners & Engineers Pte Ltd were recommended to the incumbent archbishop and his consultors for approval.
How the new church came to be named as “Church of the Transfiguration”? A few names were put up for consideration; Church of the Transfiguration, Church of the Ascension, Church of the Holy Eucharist, Church of the Holy Martyrs, Church of St John Vianney. In the initial brief to the 4 architectural firms who responded, a temporal name, “Church of the Transfiguration”, was provided to the architects for them to develop their design concept. This name was also proposed to the Archbishop and his consultors before bringing it to a vote by the presbyterium. It was during the last week of the priests’ retreat where after much prayer and discernment, the name “Church of the Transfiguration” was chosen by the majority of priests. What makes this name “Church of the Transfiguration” even more appropriate to be the name for the new church was its significance relative to our present day. The Transfiguration of Jesus displays His complete obedience to the Father’s will, and the Father’s call for us to obey His Son. Moses represents the Law, the covenantal love of God. Elijah represents the prophets who proclaimed the Truth. We are Peter, James, and John, called to obedience to the teachings of the Church, and to proclaim the Truth. The theme of listening to Jesus can also be seen at the Wedding at Cana when Mary instructed the stewards to listen to Jesus, “do whatever He tells you”.
Each of us will experience the Transfiguration if we obey God’s will. When we obey, we will respond with trust to His call. Then, will we be able to experience the rich wine He has given to be shared.
Let us pray for Fr Joachim Chang, the building committee, architects, and all those who labour in building this wonderful house of God.