It has been, and will continue to be a year of celebration for Saint Cletus Parish in La Grange as the community celebrates 75 years since its founding. It was established in 1951 when the archbishop of Chicago directed Father Morrissy to establish a new parish in La Grange Illinois to serve a growing suburban population.  The original church was built first and now serves as the backup gym and this was soon followed by the school, convent for the nuns who taught there, the existing church and the rectory for the priests.  Years later, the new parish center was added to complete this beautiful parish campus.

     While the parish has commemorated milestone anniversaries in the past, the 75th, its Diamond Jubilee, has inspired an especially meaningful and wide ranging series of events.  The recognition of this occasion started in July of 2025 with a patriotic concert and mass to honor service members and first responders.  The late Rev. Charles Gallagher, former pastor of St. Cletus, started the 4th of July Mass and it has continued ever since. The annual Fall Fest brought the community together with a carnival, nightly concerts and an outdoor mass.  Throughout this jubilee year, the parish has also hosted a volunteer appreciation event, the sold out Diamond Jubilee Concert, a wedding vow renewal ceremony, alumni reunion, parish wide day of service, and a ministry fair weekend centered around volunteer possibilities that the parish offers including one of the biggest food pantries in the western suburbs serving more than 600 families each month.  January brought a wonderful semi formal Gala held at the new Allium in downtown Chicago where many former clergy joined a large gathering of parishioners and current priests for a fabulous evening in a beautiful new setting. June featured a special Mass celebrated with Cardinal Cupich, followed by a festive outdoor gathering with catered dinner, live music, and rides plus face painting for the young ones.  The jubilee year will conclude in July with another patriotic concert and announcement of a Rome pilgrimage raffle winner.

     Beyond these celebrations, what truly defines St. Cletus Parish is its vibrant and diverse community.  The parish continues to grow and evolve, welcoming families of many backgrounds and fostering a spirit of belonging.  Its school is a cornerstone of that vitality, offering a strong academic and religious foundation that prepares students to thrive in an increasingly interconnected world.

     For 75 years, St. Cletus Parish has been a place of worship, education, and service, a community rooted in tradition yet forward looking in its mission.  The energy and dedication seen throughout this anniversary year reflect a parish that is not only honoring its past, but actively building its future. With strong leadership, engaged community, and a commitment to faith and service, St. Cletus is well positioned to remain a vital presence in La Grange for generations to come.  The community now looks ahead with anticip0ation to its next milestone, eager to celebrate 100 years of faith and fellowship.  

     Saint Cletus has remained a vibrant center for education and spiritual enrichment and the vitality that is displayed on a daily basis shows that it will remain so into the future. We can’t wait to celebrate it’s 100th!