St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church

04/07/2026

Easter Vigil where we welcomed 3 new members to the Catholic Faith.

04/07/2026

Pictures from Holy Thursday and Good Friday.

04/04/2026

Fr. Denis will be doing the Blessing of Food for Easter at 11:00am.

03/31/2026

Join St. Francis Xavier for Holy Week.

03/24/2026

St. Catherine of Sweden by Benjamin Stenlund⁣
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What would it be like to have saint for a mother? Well, for St. Catherine of Sweden, that’s how it was. Her mother, St. Bridget, is one of the most popular saints in Sweden – in fact, she is the patron saint of Sweden, as well as one of the six patron saints of all of Europe. St. Bridgete also is the foundress of the religious order the Bridgettines that St. Catherine later headed.⁣
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Yet for St. Catherine, it must have seemed normal to follow in her mother’s footsteps. In fact, the two women did nearly everything together for over 40 years, especially after the husbands of each died. They left Sweden when St. Catherine was only eighteen or nineteen years old to go to Rome, where they spent most of the rest of St. Bridget’s life, except for a pilgrimage to the Holy Land right at the end.⁣
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While in Rome, the women did what they could to help the poor who were sadly neglected by the elites, most of whom were spending their time fighting each other. The pope was living in Avignon, France, leaving a spiritual vacuum in the Eternal City. Both women were mystics and devoted hours each day to prayer, especially meditating on the Passion of Jesus. They lived deeply ascetical lives, fasting much, and giving away as much of their money as they could, even wearing their clothes until they were threadbare to save money for charity. They were not afraid to challenge authority, as the two (along with their friend St. Catherine of Siena) were vocal in urging the popes to return to their city.⁣
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After her mother’s death in 1374, St. Catherine became the abbess of the monastery St. Bridget had established at Vadstena in Sweden. She ran the establishment well and faithfully, making occasional trips to Rome to secure papal approval for the Bridgettine order and promote her mother’s canonization. The Great Western Schism was underway, however, with multiple claimants to the papal office, which made things rather difficult; tumultuous and confusing times in the Church are nothing new! And then she died.⁣
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St. Catherine’s legacy is very much bound up with her mother’s, yet she is rightly venerated on her own merits of holiness. She is a powerful intercessor for women who have experience miscarriage. Though she was married young, she and her husband agreed to live together as virgins, so she herself never experienced the loss of a pregnancy; but her years of selfless service to those who were suffering, combined with her deep meditation on Christ’s suffering and death, make her a most compassionate advocate for women and men in grief over the loss of an unborn child.⁣
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St. Catherine of Sweden, pray for us.⁣
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Benjamin Stenlund is a DeWitt‑based woodcarver and married Catholic father of five whose writing and craftsmanship explore faith, culture, and creativity in everyday life. His website is https://www.benjaminstenlund.com/.

03/19/2026

St. Joseph, patron of the Universal Church by Dcn. Gary Perrydore⁣
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The Solemnity of Saint Joseph is an important day in the life of the Church. Guided by the Holy Spirit, the Church has continually reflected on his quiet strength, faithful obedience, and steadfast love, recognizing in him a powerful intercessor and model of holiness.Several Popes have fostered the Church’s devotion to St. Joseph.⁣
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In 1870, Pope Pius IX declared St. Joseph the Patron and Protector of the Universal Church.⁣
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No one lives outside his patronage as fathers, families, workers, immigrants, expectant mothers, those seeking a happy death, those buying or selling homes, and others live under his fatherly care. Pope John XXIII added his name to the Roman Canon. Pope Benedict XVI approved, and Pope Francis formally authorized, the inclusion of his name in Eucharistic Prayers II–IV.⁣
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The Litany of Saint Joseph, approved for public use by Pope St Pius X, honors him with powerful and tender titles; Pure Guardian of the Virgin, Defender of Christ, Servant of Christ, Mirror of Patience, Lover of Poverty, Glory of Family Life, Patron of Exiles, Support in Difficulties, Hope of the Sick, Terror of Demons, and more. Through them, we are reminded that St. Joseph stands ready to intercede for us in every need.⁣
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All this beautifully underscores the Church’s growing awareness of the gift she has in St. Joseph.⁣
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We do well to seek his intercession—not only for the universal Church, but each of us personally. From family life, career issues, and diaconal ministry, I have benefited from his intercession for 36 years since entering the Church and am grateful for his fatherly care and to serve at a parish under his patronage.⁣
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The ancient prayer (below) is with his statue at St Joseph parish in Ypsilanti and serves as a reminder that the one who faithfully protected the Holy Family continues to watch over us today.⁣
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“Oh, Saint Joseph whose protection is so great, so strong, so prompt before the Throne of God, I place in you all my interests and desires. Oh, Saint Joseph do assist me by your powerful intercession and obtain for me from your Divine Son all spiritual blessings through Jesus Christ, Our Lord; so that having engaged here below your Heavenly power I may offer my thanksgiving and homage to the most Loving of Fathers. Oh, Saint Joseph, I never weary contemplating you and Jesus asleep in your arms. I dare not approach while He reposes near your heart. Press him in my name and kiss His fine head for me and ask Him to return the kiss when I draw my dying breath. Saint Joseph, patron of departing souls, pray for us.”⁣
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Deacon Gary Perrydore serves at St Joseph parish in Ypsilanti as the Director of Liturgy and Pastoral Ministry and serves the diocese as Director of Diaconal Formation and Hospital Ministry.

03/17/2026

Please continue to pray for our Elect as they continue to journey to the Easter Vigil.

03/06/2026

03/04/2026

02/26/2026

https://sfxotisville.org/disciple-maker-index-survey/

St Francis Xavier needs your help as we strive to grow as disciples of Christ. The first step is to take the Disciple Maker Index (DMI) survey today to help us assess our greatest strengths and opportunities. Share your perspective to help strengthen our parish and better prepare us for the future – as we strive to understand what would help you in your faith journey.

For the Disciple Maker Index (DMI) survey link, please visit https://survey.catholicleaders.org/dmi/survey/pc5p1p

Please continue to pray for this intention and for the growth and protection of our parish.

Disciple Maker Index Survey February 19, 2026 by Secretary Take the DMI survey at the link below: https://survey.catholicleaders.org/d/pc5p1p St. Francis Xavier Parish is on a journey to know, love, and serve Christ in our parish community. Together we must embrace Christ’s vision for missionary d...

02/18/2026

Take the DMI survey at the link below:
https://survey.catholicleaders.org/d/pc5p1p

St. Francis Xavier Parish is on a journey to know, love, and serve Christ in our parish community. Together we must embrace Christ’s vision for missionary discipleship so our parish can thrive and be a place for others to grow together in faith. The Diocese of Lansing is participating in the Disciple Maker Indexsurvey this year, and provides important information to the priests, parishes, the bishop and the Diocese as a whole.

All responses are confidential. It is important to get as many responses as possible to get an accurate representation of the parish.

Each parish has their own survey and link.

If you prefer a paper copy, you may pick up your survey after any Mass. They will be located in the gathering space. Please drop these off to the box in the gathering space or to the parish office.

02/17/2026