About St. Francis Xavier Parish · Medina, Ohio
St. Francis Xavier Parish is a vibrant, Eucharist-centered Catholic community located in the heart of Medina, Ohio, within the Diocese of Cleveland. From humble beginnings in a log church in 1861, the parish has faithfully served the Medina community for more than 160 years and today is guided by Pastor Father Tony Sejba, two parochial vicars, and three active deacons. The parish operates a school, runs more than 60 active ministries, and is currently in discussions about building a brand-new church. Weekend Masses are celebrated Saturday evening and three times on Sunday (with an additional Life Teen Mass from September to April), and daily Mass is offered every weekday morning.
- Established
- 1860
- Patron
- St. Francis Xavier
- Rector
- Rev. Anthony F. (Tony) Sejba
- Diocese
- Diocese of Cleveland
Why belong here
St. Francis Xavier offers the full rhythm of Catholic parish life — daily and weekend Mass, Eucharistic Adoration (including First Friday Nocturnal Adoration), Saturday and by-appointment Confession, and the full sacramental life from Baptism through Anointing of the Sick. Parishioners of all ages can grow here through Religious Education (PSR, Edge, Life Teen, OCIA/RCIA, Vacation Bible School), serve through more than 60 active ministries including St. Vincent de Paul and Parish Day of Service, and lift up worship through seven music ensembles. It's a community that calls itself pilgrim — 'formed by the Eucharist, guided by the Holy Spirit, and sent forth' — and welcomes newcomers, returning Catholics, and those discerning becoming Catholic.
Mass times at St. Francis Xavier Parish
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday: 3:30–4:30 PM
- By appointment: call the parish office at 330-725-4968
- Advent & Lent: Additional opportunities offered—check the parish bulletin for seasonal times
Adoration times
- First Friday Nocturnal Adoration: 7:30 PM Friday – 7:00 AM Saturday
- Second Thursdays: 8:00–8:45 AM
Parish History
For more than 160 years, the Catholic faith has flourished in Medina under the blessing of St. Francis Xavier. Beginning as a mission station visited by a Sanguinist priest in 1860 and formally organized in 1864, the community grew into Medina's first Catholic parish by 1876. The current church, built largely by volunteer labor and dedicated May 8, 1962, was preceded by a 1908 stone church on West Liberty Street that itself replaced the original 1878 frame church. The 1948 arrival of Father William H. Randel set the stage for the present Spring Grove/East Washington campus, expanded under Father Mark Hollis (1989–2009) with a 1993 gymnasium and 1999 Xavier Room addition.
- 1860 — Father John Van den Broek begins visiting Catholic families around Medina village
- 1864 — Recognized by the Diocese of Cleveland and organized as a mission station
- 1876 — Established as a parish under Father F.X. Nunan
- 1878 — First Catholic church in Medina completed and dedicated by Bishop Richard Gilmour
- 1907 — Cornerstone of the new stone church at 412 W. Liberty St. laid before one of the largest crowds in Medina history
- 1948 — Father William H. Randel appointed; acquires four acres at Spring Grove & East Washington
- 1951 — 10-room school opens, staffed by four Dominican nuns
- 1956 — St. Ambrose Parish in Brunswick founded to relieve overcrowding
- 1960–61 — Present church built largely by parishioner volunteers
- May 8, 1962 — Church dedicated and altars consecrated by Auxiliary Bishop John F. Whealon
- 1989–2009 — Father Mark Hollis serves as longest-tenured pastor (20 years)
- 2009–present — Father Anthony (Tony) Sejba serves as pastor; plans for a new church underway
Pastoral Staff & Clergy
The parish is currently served by Pastor Father Anthony (Tony) Sejba (ordained May 29, 1999), Parochial Vicar Father John Mulhollan (joined June 2022), and Parochial Vicar Father Michael Petkosek. Three active deacons — Bob Cavanaugh, Scott Cerrito, and Mark Tomecko — assist, with occasional help from retired Deacon Paul Kipfstuhl. Lay staff include directors of Religious Education, Music, Evangelization & Discipleship, Stewardship & Communications, and Maintenance, plus a Youth Minister and a Spiritual Direction staff member.
- Pastor — Father Anthony F. (Tony) Sejba
- Parochial Vicar — Father John S. Mulhollan
- Parochial Vicar — Father Michael A. Petkosek
- Deacon Robert A. (Bob) Cavanaugh
- Deacon Scott Cerrito
- Deacon Mark Tomecko
- Deacon Paul Kipfstuhl (Retired)
- Summer Kish — Director of Religious Education
- Dawn Cavanaugh — Youth Minister
- Carissa Young — Director of Music
- Jennifer Webb — Director of Evangelization and Discipleship
- Mike Sweet — Director of Maintenance / Stewardship & Communications
- Spiritual Direction staff
Religious Education & Youth Ministry
Religious Education at St. Francis Xavier serves parish families with children from preschool through high school. Most children celebrate the Sacraments of Reconciliation and First Eucharist in their second-grade year. Programs are open to all parish families and include Sunday School during the 10 AM Mass, weekly PSR for grades 1–5, a middle-school Edge ministry on Wednesdays, a Homeschool PSR track for grades 3–7, and a Youth Ministry for grades 9–12.
- Sunday School — during 10 AM Mass
- PSR — grades 1–5 (public school and home-schooled)
- Edge — grades 6–8, Wednesdays
- Youth Ministry — grades 9–12 (Life Teen)
- Homeschool PSR — grades 3–7
- Vacation Bible School — annual summer week
- First Reconciliation & First Eucharist preparation (typically 2nd grade)
Becoming Catholic (OCIA)
For those considering baptism or being fully received into the Catholic Church, St. Francis Xavier offers the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA, formerly RCIA). The parish walks with inquirers, catechumens, and candidates through the periods of inquiry, formation, and Mystagogia, culminating at the Easter Vigil.
- Inquiry and OCIA process for unbaptized adults
- Full reception for already-baptized Christians
- Sacramental preparation culminating at the Easter Vigil
Music & Liturgical Ministries
Music at SFX is offered through seven ensembles serving all ages — from a Children's Choir (grades 2–6) to an Adult Choir, Bell Choir, Cantors, Resurrection Choir, Instrumentalists, and a Life Teen Band that leads the 5:30 PM Life Teen Mass. The parish emphasizes that 'every server, lector, musician, greeter, and minister is part of this holy offering' and that its goal is 'presence, not performance.' Altar Servers and other liturgical ministers are also vital to weekend and daily Masses.
- Adult Choir (grades 9–adult) — sings Sundays at 10 AM; rehearses Thursdays 7:00–8:30 PM
- Children's Choir (grades 2–6) — rehearses Thursdays 5:30–6:30 PM; sings monthly
- Bell Choir (grades 9–adult) — rehearses Tuesdays 6:30–8:00 PM; rings monthly
- Cantors — lead the assembly in song; audition required
- Resurrection Choir — sings for funerals as available
- Instrumentalists
- Life Teen Band — leads the 5:30 PM Life Teen Mass
- Altar Servers, Lectors, Greeters, and liturgical decorators
Sacraments
The parish celebrates all seven sacraments and presents them as 'powerful, personal encounters with Jesus.' Baptism initiates new life in Christ; Eucharist is the source and summit of parish life; Confirmation seals the faithful with the Holy Spirit; Reconciliation offers mercy and a fresh start (Saturday 3:30–4:30 PM and by appointment); Marriage is prepared with at least six months' notice through meetings with a priest or deacon, Pre-Cana, and ceremony planning; and Anointing of the Sick brings healing, hope and strength.
- Baptism
- Eucharist (First Communion typically in 2nd grade)
- Confirmation
- Reconciliation — Saturdays 3:30–4:30 PM and by appointment
- Marriage — contact 6 months in advance; 330-725-4968; Pre-Cana offsite via Diocese of Cleveland
- Anointing of the Sick
Social Justice & Outreach
St. Francis Xavier runs an active St. Vincent de Paul conference that offers confidential emergency assistance through food, rental help, and utility support. An annual Parish Day of Service sends hundreds of parishioners into the community — yardwork, blanket-making, music at nursing homes. A Rosary Leaders ministry brings the comfort of the rosary to residents of local nursing homes and assisted-living centers, welcoming families and children.
- St. Vincent de Paul Society — emergency food, rental, utility assistance (Rick Niese, 330-764-8952)
- Parish Day of Service — annual parish-wide service day
- Rosary Leaders at Nursing Homes — 45–60 minutes, once or twice a month
- Operation HOMES — outreach hub at the Randel House
- Youth-friendly service opportunities throughout the year
Marriage Preparation & Support
Couples are asked to contact the parish at least six months before their desired wedding date. Preparation includes individual meetings with a priest or deacon, a Pre-Cana retreat (currently offered offsite through the Cleveland Diocese), and ceremony planning rooted in reverence and beauty. The parish also points couples to the USCCB's Seven-Day Virtual Marriage Retreats and foryourmarriage.org resources to keep Christ at the center of married life.
- Six-month notice before desired wedding date
- Individual meetings with a priest or deacon
- Pre-Cana retreat (offsite, via Diocese of Cleveland)
- Wedding Guidelines Booklet available from the parish
- Seven-Day Virtual Marriage Retreats (USCCB)
- Foryourmarriage.org resources
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father John Van den Broek1860–
Sanguinist Father who began visiting Catholic families around Medina village and celebrating Mass in their homes.
- Father Thomas Halley
Early pastor who bought a house in Medina to serve as a worship center.
- Father F.X. Nunan
Mission priest in charge who led the drive to build the city's first Catholic church, completed in 1878.
- Father John R. Kenny1905–
Appointed pastor in 1905; built the larger stone West Liberty Street church (cornerstone 1907, completed 1908).
- Father William H. Randel1948–1959
Died eight days after a minor operation in 1959; envisioned the new school, church and parish complex at Spring Grove & East Washington.
- Father James R. Becherer1959–
Parish's first associate pastor (ordained 1955); assumed leadership after Father Randel's death.
- Father Robert E. Murphy
Pastored construction of the present church; celebrated first Mass in it on May 1, 1961.
- Father Mark Hollis1989–2009
Longest-serving pastor (20 years); left in 2009 to become spiritual director at St. Mary Seminary, Wickliffe. Oversaw 1993 gymnasium and 1999 Xavier Room addition.
- Father Anthony F. (Tony) Sejba2009–present
Current pastor; ordained May 29, 1999; exploring plans for a new church with an architectural team.