St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church has stood at 2316 East Fourth Street in Superior, Wisconsin, since 1854, when it became the third parish established in the Diocese of Superior. Today it remains a busy downtown parish with three weekend Masses, a parish-run food shelf, an active Altar Society, a Sunday choir, and a cemetery with a newly completed second columbarium, all served by a pastor who marked his fortieth anniversary of ordination in 2024.
Founded in 1854 as the Third Parish of the Diocese
The parish dates to 1854, when the area that would become the city of Superior was still very young. St. Francis Xavier was the third parish founded in what is now the Diocese of Superior, and it carries the name of the sixteenth-century Jesuit missionary to the East. The current church building on East Fourth Street hosts the parish today, and a virtual video tour of the building is available. Recent stewardship projects include new bells, a paved parking lot, a defibrillator, and accessibility work completed in just the last few years.
The Mission Statement
The parish mission statement is read aloud at every Pastoral Council meeting. It reads in part:
We, the Roman Catholic community of St. Francis Xavier Parish pledge: To open wide the doors to Christ, and welcome all in our midst; To embrace the good news of Jesus through the sacraments, Scripture and prayer; To unite as parish community to teach and model the Christian life to our youth; To share time, talent and treasure in ministering to all God's people; and To give example of our unity by gathering with our pastor at the table of the Lord.
Saturday at Four, Sundays at Nine and Ten-Thirty
Saturday evening Mass is celebrated at 4:00 PM. Two Sunday Masses follow at 9:00 AM and 10:30 AM. Weekday Masses have historically been offered at 9:00 AM, with Father Tobolski also celebrating Mass at St. Mary's Hospital Chapel, Twin Ports Health Services, and New Perspective Senior Living on various days of the week. Daily Masses are currently canceled until further notice.
The Sacrament of Reconciliation is heard each Saturday from 3:15 to 3:45 PM in the Reconciliation Room.
Adoration in Advent and Lent, Rosary on First Fridays
Eucharistic Adoration is held during Advent and Lent. The Rosary is prayed before the 9:00 AM Sunday Mass by the Altar Society during the months of May and October. A communal Rosary is recited on the first Friday of each month at 6:00 PM in the Garden Room, with a social to follow.
Baptism, Marriage, and Anointing
Baptisms are celebrated on weekends after the 4:00 PM Saturday Mass and after the 10:30 AM Sunday Mass. Parents are asked to contact the parish office to arrange a pre-baptismal interview with the pastor and to attend a baptism preparation session. Sponsors are expected to lead lives in harmony with the Catholic faith and the role of godparent.
Couples planning to marry are asked to meet with the pastor at least six months before the wedding and before reception arrangements are finalized.
The Anointing of the Sick is offered to those who are seriously ill or facing serious surgery. Anointing Masses are celebrated quarterly in parishes across the city, and the parish's permanent deacon makes regular and first-Friday home visits to those who cannot come to church for anointing or reception of the Eucharist.
Religious Education on Sunday Mornings
The Faith Formation Program (Religious Education) provides Catholic formation for children in public or private schools. Classes for students in kindergarten through fifth grade meet on Sunday mornings at the St. Francis Religious Education building, beginning in early October. First Penance and First Holy Communion preparation is a one-year program offered in the second grade. Amanda Marin serves as Coordinator of Religious Education and can be reached through the parish office.
Confirmation is celebrated in the eleventh grade and requires a two-year preparation program. Older students in grades six through eleven attend the Cathedral program on Wednesday evenings at the Cathedral of Christ the King.
For families seeking a Catholic school, Cathedral Elementary School offers education in the Catholic faith from pre-K through eighth grade. Three- and four-year-old programs are also offered, with half-day and full-day options.
The Altar Society: Funeral Lunches, Fundraisers, and Crafts
The St. Francis Xavier Altar Society is one of the most active organizations in the parish. It meets the first Thursday of each month, September through May, in the Parish Hall, with all parishioners welcome. The Altar Society runs three signature fundraisers each year: the This 'n That Sale in September, the Cookie Stroll in December, and the Salad Bar Luncheon in February. Together these events have brought in more than $12,000 in a single year, supporting donations to the parish for items such as furnace repair, new handrails, and utilities. The Altar Society has also made substantial gifts to the parish for one-time needs.
The group ministers in other ways as well. Members cook funeral lunches when families need a meal after a service, and on Wednesdays a group of crafters gathers in the parish hall to make wheelchair bags, walker bags, hat and mitten sets, lap robes, fidget blankets, and other items that are donated to residents of Dove Health Care (formerly St. Francis Nursing Home). They welcome donations of craft supplies and ideas for residents.
Current officers are Arlene Osterlund (President), Mary Jo Uhlenkott (Vice President), Kathy Johnson (Secretary), and Judy Kuehn (Treasurer).
A Choir That Rehearses at Ten
The parish choir leads the music at the 10:30 Sunday Mass and rehearses at 10:00 AM, before Mass. All are welcome to join; those interested should speak with Choir Director Rachel Inselman. The choir has been sounding beautiful, with as many as twenty-five singers at the larger liturgies. The parish has also welcomed Shawne Sass back as organist following his surgery.
Feeding Douglas County Through the Food Shelf
The St. Francis Food Shelf serves residents of Douglas County. It accepts requests for food on Wednesdays from 9:30 AM until noon. Those seeking assistance are asked to call the parish office at 715-398-7174 ahead of time with their name, address, and number of adults and children in the household. The food shelf is supported by regular monetary donations, food drives, and contributions from local businesses such as A-1 Movers. Judy LeMieux and her sister Nancy Lund continue to shop for items as they are needed.
The parish is also home to a Society of St. Vincent de Paul conference, which operates a free store in the area and welcomes additional volunteers, particularly on Wednesday afternoons. Tax-deductible contributions may be mailed to SVdP, P.O. Box 98, Superior, WI 54880.
St. Francis Cemetery and a New Columbarium
The parish maintains St. Francis Cemetery, where a second columbarium has recently been completed and is now in place. Each niche holds two containers of cremains. The cost of $2,000 per niche includes the initial engraving.
Bells, Parking Lot, and Defibrillator: Caring for an Older Building
Recent stewardship projects include a new bell system installed after a $30,000 grant from the City of Superior and a thorough cleanup of more than 400 pounds of bat and pigeon feces removed from the bell tower. A defibrillator has been installed on the east side of the church. The 5th Street parking lot was repaved at a cost of roughly $110,000, and donations marked "Blacktopping" continue to be accepted toward the parking project. A hand railing near the lectern was added, built by maintenance supervisor Ernie Harker, and a ramp into the Garden Room is being planned as part of broader accessibility efforts.
The parish has also taken steps to engage younger and newer parishioners through an Evangelization and Discipleship committee, which has been researching Bible study programs and planning a Coffee and Conversation gathering for new members.
Becoming a Parishioner
New parishioners are asked to call the parish office to register; registration forms are also available on the table in the gathering space. Registered members receive the parish bulletin, contribution envelopes, and other parish mailings. For adults preparing for Baptism and full initiation in the Catholic Church, the parish takes part in a city-wide OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) process.
Parish Office
The parish office is at 2316 East Fourth Street, Superior, WI 54880, and can be reached at 715-398-7174 or by email at mary@stfrancisxavier.us. Office hours are Monday through Thursday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM and Friday from 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM. Prayer requests are also accepted by telephone at 715-392-5876.