About Transfiguration · Marietta, Georgia
Transfiguration Catholic Church is a parish of the Archdiocese of Atlanta serving northeast Cobb County from its campus at 1815 Blackwell Road NE in Marietta, Georgia. Founded in 1977 by about 45 families — who initially gathered for retreats in the North Georgia mountains before celebrating their first official Mass in a hotel banquet room on November 13, 1977 — the parish has grown into a large, multi-generational faith community offering five Sunday Masses (including a Spanish-language Mass and American Sign Language interpretation), a parish preschool, an extensive Faith Formation program called 'Our Great Journey,' and a robust social-outreach network led by the local St. Vincent de Paul Conference. Today it is pastored by Father Eric J. Hill, with Father Rafael Ángel Carballo-Arroyo serving as Parochial Vicar and three permanent deacons on staff, supported by a large lay staff and hundreds of volunteers.
- Established
- 1977
- Patron
- The Transfiguration of the Lord
- Rector
- Father Eric J. Hill
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Atlanta
Why belong here
Transfiguration is one of the larger and more intentionally multi-cultural parishes in Cobb County, with five Sunday Masses — including a Spanish-language Mass and American Sign Language interpretation — so almost anyone can find a liturgy that fits their schedule and language. It runs an unusually wide range of programs for every age and stage: a parish preschool, 'Our Great Journey' family faith formation, ChrisTeen youth ministry, adult small groups and Bible studies (Men's, Women's, Centering Prayer, Scripture studies), a permanent Eucharistic Adoration chapel, and a very active St. Vincent de Paul Conference with a food pantry, Third Saturday Dinner for the homeless, and a thrift-store partnership. With three permanent deacons, a dedicated Hispanic ministry, and a mission statement that reads 'In love, we welcome all into our faith family as we joyfully celebrate the sacraments,' it is built for both newcomers and long-time parishioners to plug in.
Mass times at Transfiguration
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Tuesday: 5:00 PM
- Saturday: 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM
- By appointment — call 770-977-1442
Adoration times
- Monday – Friday: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM (Perpetual Adoration Chapel)
- Sunday: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
History of Transfiguration Parish
Transfiguration was officially established by the Archdiocese of Atlanta on September 29, 1977, growing out of twice-yearly spiritual retreats in the North Georgia mountains that drew about 75 families through the mid-1970s. The first official Mass was celebrated on November 13, 1977 in the banquet room of a local hotel, with roughly 45 families in attendance. In its early years the community worshipped in storefronts and in what parishioners affectionately call the 'tin tent' — the Family Life Center. Five pastors have shepherded the parish: Fr. Ray Horan, Fr. Henry Gracz, Monsignor Patrick Bishop, Fr. Fernando Molina-Restrepo, and current pastor Fr. Eric J. Hill. The Parish Center opened on June 22, 1997 and remains the hub for Faith Formation, parish administration, and social events.
- Established September 29, 1977
- First Mass November 13, 1977 in a hotel banquet room (45 families)
- New Parish Center opened June 22, 1997
- Pastors: Fr. Ray Horan → Fr. Henry Gracz → Msgr. Patrick Bishop → Fr. Fernando Molina-Restrepo → Fr. Eric J. Hill
Deacons & Pastoral Staff
Three permanent deacons serve the parish: Deacon David Fragale (ordained 2018, parishioner since May 1986, retired Registered Nurse), Deacon Peter Harris (ordained February 6, 2016 at the Cathedral of Christ the King in Atlanta), and Deacon Paul Franklin (a native Georgian born in Athens). All three serve as Pastoral Associates, assisted by Gloria Nolasco in the Hispanic Ministry office (ext. 123).
- Deacon David Fragale — Pastoral Associate ([email protected])
- Deacon Peter Harris — Pastoral Associate ([email protected])
- Deacon Paul Franklin — Pastoral Associate ([email protected])
- Gloria Nolasco — Ministerio Hispano, Pastoral Assistant
Faith Formation & Religious Education — 'Our Great Journey'
Faith Formation at Transfiguration is structured as 'Our Great Journey,' a family-based, every-other-week program that gathers at church for a shared meal, prayer, and Gospel message before splitting into age-level small groups. Tracks include Seekers (Preschool & K), Travelers (Grades 1–3), Voyagers (Grades 4–5), ChrisTeens (Grades 6–12 with retreats and IMPACT), BRITE, and Sojourners (Adults). Adult small faith-sharing groups meet Sundays (10:00 AM, 12:15 PM Spanish, 6:00 PM), Tuesdays (5:30 PM), and Wednesdays (6:00 PM, English & Spanish). Childcare is provided for ages 8 months through Pre-K. Registration for 2026–27 opens in the spring with fees of $50/student by August 1 ($140 family max).
- Director of Faith Formation: Joyce Guris ([email protected], 678-223-7355)
- Assistant Director of Elementary Faith Formation: Sheila Murray
- Youth Minister: Theresa Brader
- Assistant Youth Minister: Anita Reuben-Lartey
- Confirmation Coordinator: Karen Paonessa
- Administrative Assistant & Registrar: Luciana Kopp
Becoming Catholic — OCI
Transfiguration runs the Order of Christian Initiation for adults (OCI-A), children (OCI-C) and teens (OCI-Teens), as well as Adult Confirmation classes. Adults may attend the Inquiry Class on Thursdays at 7:00 PM in Room 105, with formal OCI-A preparation following the 8:00 AM Sunday Mass. Adult Confirmation is a six-session program celebrated on Pentecost. Children's OCI is a two-year process for grades 3–12 who have not been baptized or who lack formal faith formation.
- Adult Inquiry Class: Thursdays 7:00 PM, Room 105 — [email protected]
- Adult Confirmation: 6 sessions, Pentecost — contact Cindy McFadden ([email protected], 678-223-7329)
- OCI-C & Teens: 2-year process — Sheila Murray ([email protected], 678-223-7349)
Parish Preschool
Transfiguration Catholic Preschool serves Two-Year-Olds through Pre-K on the parish campus, with classrooms entered via the Child Care-Preschool doors near the playground. The program generally follows the Cobb County School Calendar, runs mid-August through mid-May, and integrates Catholic prayer and monthly Preschool Prayer Services. Monthly tuition for 2026–27 ranges from $300 (Two-Year-Old 2 Day) to $370 (Pre-K 5 Day or Pre-K FIVES), with a 10% sibling discount applied to the youngest child. The director is Mindy Johnson ([email protected]); Judy Miranda is the Preschool Office Assistant and Spanish teacher.
- Director: Mindy Johnson ([email protected])
- Tuition 2026–27: $300–$370/month; 10% sibling discount
- Immunization Form 3231 required for enrollment
- Hours: 9:30 AM–1:30 PM (Pre-K); Pre-K release 12:30 PM on Fridays
St. Vincent de Paul & Outreach
The parish's St. Vincent de Paul Conference is the engine of its charitable outreach. Inspired by Blessed Frédéric Ozanam and patron St. Vincent de Paul, the all-volunteer Conference makes home visits, runs a food pantry (with a non-perishable Food Cart in the Narthex and a perishable food drive every other Sunday at 11:00 AM), sponsors the Third Saturday Dinner in partnership with Give Homeless Hope at Shady Grove Baptist Church, and supports the Marillac Moms transitional housing program. Need assistance? Call the helpline at 770-977-1442 ext. 1252 (Spanish: ext. 1253). The Conference meets on the 2nd and 4th Monday at 7:00 PM in the Adult Lounge.
- Conference meetings: 2nd and 4th Mondays, 7:00 PM, Adult Lounge
- Helpline: 770-977-1442 ext. 1252 (en Español: ext. 1253)
- Food pantry: daily drop-off at Narthex Food Cart
- Third Saturday Dinner at Shady Grove Baptist Church (Bells Ferry Road)
- Marillac Moms transitional housing program
- St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store partnership, 2722 Summers Street, Kennesaw
Sacraments at Transfiguration
Transfiguration celebrates all seven Catholic sacraments. Baptisms are scheduled on set Saturdays or at weekend Masses, with parents and godparents required to attend a monthly Baptism Preparation Class (at least one parent and one godparent, with one practicing-Catholic godparent confirmed and, if married, married in the Catholic Church). Marriage preparation begins at least six months before the desired wedding date with an initial session, FOCCUS review, Engaged Encounter, sponsor couple, and a meeting with the presiding priest or deacon; annulments are required for prior marriages that ended in divorce. Anointing of the Sick is offered for those facing surgery, hospitalization, or chronic illness.
- Baptism: monthly classes, Saturdays or at weekend Mass
- Marriage prep: starts ≥ 6 months out; FOCCUS, Engaged Encounter, sponsor couple
- Anointing of the Sick: before surgery or for chronic illness; every 30 days when condition changes
- Vocations discernment resources listed on parish website
- Sacramental Emergency: 770-977-1442, press 1
Getting Involved & Parish Life
Parish staff, both clerical and lay, work alongside hundreds of volunteers across ministries. Beyond Faith Formation and St. Vincent de Paul, parishioners can join Young Adults, Scouting America, B.R.I.T.E., Hospitality, Music Ministry (English or Hispanic — Gustavo Arenas is the Hispanic Music Coordinator, Rod Voss the English Music Coordinator), and a wide range of adult Bible studies and small groups. Adult options include Tuesday Morning Spirituality, Senior Spirituality, Centering Prayer, Pathfinders Scripture Study, Men's Bible Study, Women in Faith, and Sunday-evening small groups.
- Evangelization & Discipleship: Brittney Spilker
- Director of Operations: Chip Oudt
- Music Coordinators: Rod Voss (English), Gustavo Arenas (Hispanic)
- Adult groups meet Sundays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays — including Spanish-language tracks
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Fr. Ray Horan
First pastor of Transfiguration after the parish was established September 29, 1977.
- Fr. Henry Gracz
Succeeded Fr. Horan.
- Monsignor Patrick Bishop
Third pastor listed in parish history.
- Fr. Fernando Molina-Restrepo
Fourth pastor; Fr. Eric Hill attended seminary with Fr. Fernando and Fr. Bill.
- Fr. Eric J. Hill2024–present
Fifth pastor; ordained June 3, 2000; first assignment was at Transfiguration in 2000; returned as pastor July 1, 2024.