SFX is a wonderful Catholic Church. The feeling of community is alive & well. Their school is top notch. Where you fortunate enough to grow up in a communtiy where you knew everybody by name? This is that kind of a community. I couldn't and wouldn't want to raise my kids anywhere else. read more

My husband and I were married at St. Francis in June of 2010. The Church, itself, is beautiful. There is a high ceiling with a mural painted at the top, a large organ in the back balcony, and an alter that is minimally decorated but has marble pillars. The church is clean, well lit, and has a superior sound system. We wanted to be married in a Catholic church, even though my husband is not Catholic. This church was very understanding of our religious differences, and did not pressure conversion, pre-marriage counseling (although they recommended it), or a traditional ceremony. They seemed to understand relationships of the present time. The parish staff was wonderful throughout our entire experience. Maureen, who handles the weddings, was friendly and helpful. She responded to all questions (no matter how simple they were) in a timely manner. We also worked with Allen, the parish music director, who was friendly and also willing to help us out by singing some of the songs himself. On our wedding day, the church also provided us with two "day of" helpers. These ladies were also friendly and helpful. St. Francis has three ministers, so my husband and I went to some masses before to see how each of them conducted mass. We decided on Father Hoffman. He was very kind, and had great sense of humor. The mass he conducted on our wedding day was simple but relevant to our relationship. We couldn't have imagined a better ceremony. The only negative to St. Francis is the amount of money for additional instrumentalist, which is a separate professional company recommended by the church. My husband and I chose a violinist and trumpet player for an additional $200 each. Again, though, Allen was willing to do some of the other parts of our songs to save us money. Our wedding day was beautiful and surpassed what I would have possibly dreamed. I highly recommend St. Francis-Xavier if you're looking for a catholic wedding ceremony. read more

St Francis Xavier is a wonderful Catholic Church that seeks to empower it's members to live and teach the words of Jesus Christ. We are called to serve the least among us and the homilies reflect that call and encourage all to be their best selves. "All Are Welcome" is a hymn our choir, ( I am a member) sings quite often and it is the motto that Fr. John Hoffman has emphasized over and over in his humble, quiet self deprecating way. Often I have brought guests from other faiths to share our services and they were inspired by the community and commitment our parishioners have for each other and for those outside our parish. Allen Sterwalt, the Director of Music Ministry, has an encyclopedic knowledge of liturgical music and his technical skills are excellent. As a result of these skills and his buoyant and happy personality, he has attracted a large number of very accomplished musicians, cantors and choir members to enhance our services. Music is no afterthought at this parish, it is integral and goes far to enhance the Masses. The building itself is beautiful too and is about to undergo a large construction project which will enhance it's function as a center of Catholic life for it's parishioners and their guests. I have found my parish "home" here since 2008 when I moved to Chicagoland and was married at SFX to a long time parishioner, and for that I am very grateful. read more

St. Francis Xavier Church in La Grange has 'run -a-muck'! I was taught as a child that when in the House of the Lord, you kept quiet and respectful of where you were... You're in GOD's house! I have been going to SFX since last year and enjoy the tranquil beauty of the church. Each time I attend the noon service at SFX I look forward to arriving :15 minutes early so I could be at peace and meditate in prayer before mass starts. However, as of these past few months, I took a break from SFX. It seemed that each time I went to Sunday mass and sat up front near the alter to see and hear clearly, I began to notice a borage of conversation among fellow parishioners talking amongst each other loud enough to be distracting to everyone else there in prayer. They seemed to be everywhere 'talking' about anything but for the reason that they where in church. I recently returned for Easter Sunday service. And as of today May 8th, I planned on taking my mom to mass for it was Mothers Day. As we arrived, the parking lot was busy with the 10:30 congregation. As we entered the church, the atmosphere was charged with conversation. As my mom and I located ourselves towards the front, there was a couple of young mothers 'talking' and standing at the steps of the alter all the while their children (along with many others) were running and jumping all over the alter and towards the sacristy. The flowers that where positioned around the alter where being manhandled by a 5 year old boy followed by what seemed to be his sister. We sat in disbelief to what we were observing. These mother s were completely oblivious to what their children were doing and seemed to not care. My patients was running thin and I became angry. I told my mom that we could not worship in that kind of setting. As we left, Rev. John Hoffman was coming back inside from greeting other parishioners from the earlier mass. As we past each other, I hesitated but then turned around and ask, 'Father I'd like to call your attention to an issue that's been troubling me for some time now....." and began to tell him what I/we had just observed. And the fact that this total disregard for quiet in his house of the LORD goes on every time I attend SFX services. He accepted no responsibility and replied with, "Well if you don't feel you can pray here maybe you should go somewhere else. I don't see a problem with it" I have to say that was not what I expected to come from him. Just how much money has the Archdiocese spent on their ad campaigns to get people to come back to the church and this is how a man of GOD reacts to a legitimate concern of an adult parishioner? Is this the current code of conduct in which the church sees as acceptable and allows the congregation to 'run-a-muck inside their church? If that's the case I will go back to believing in GOD in my own way in the quiet meditation of my own home! D.C. DuBois/La Grange Park read more

It may be a beautiful church, but it certainly doesn't seem authentically Catholic, which is a shame, as it is the church and school I attended as a child. I haven't belonged in many years, but several times I have gone as I couldn't make it to my own churches masses. I always dread going as it is so trying hard to still be a "Protestant" church with its "feel good" messages, music, greeting each other once in the pews and hand- holding across the aisles during the Our Father. The 70s, 80s and 90s are over. Time to return to a Catholic liturgy and the focus on Jesus Christ. read more