St. Francis Xavier in La Grange Celebrates 125th Anniversary

By Art Barnum, parish member.

A meteorologist might say that good atmospheric conditions made for a beautiful August 2 Sunday morning at Gordon Park in La Grange, but Father John Hoffman was convinced the sunshine was the product of the parish’s staff and congregation many prayers.

Despite early reports of the possibility of rain on Sunday morning, more than 800 members of the church were able to celebrate the 125th anniversary of St. Francis Xavier in La Grange with an outside 10 a.m. Mass at the site of the village’s annual Endless Summer festival.

“We should do this every Sunday,” Father Hoffman told the audience decked out in wide brimmed hats and summer clothes befitting the temperature as it reached for 90 degrees.

The church choirs filled the park with plenty of cheerful music that honored the anniversary of one of the first Roman Catholic parishes in the western suburbs.

Occasionally a Burlington Northern train blew its whistle as it went by in the background, but the spirit of being outdoors held people’s attention throughout the homily and the sacraments.

After the conclusion of the Mass the parish members took part in a parish picnic on the fairgrounds.

A lot has happened to the parish, the local villages and the country (Benjamin Harrison was president and our flag had 43 stars) in the last 125 years, are we are all looking for the future.

The parish has other anniversary events planned: including an October 17 Mass (the actual 125th anniverary date) with Bishop Manz and a Dec. 6 Mass (the feast day of St. Francis Xavier) with Bishop Cupich.

On Sept. 12 there will be a special Mass honoring the Sisters of St. Joseph, who since the start of the parish have been an integral part of the community from their community down Ogden Avenue.