Northwest Indiana Catholic | Diocese of Gary

Local Stories

St. John Day Chapel

Celebrating 100 Years of the Day Chapel

A Century of Grace

Father Mike Surufka, O.F.M.

What does the life of St. Francis of Assisi teach us about suffering?

800th Anniversary of Canticle of the Creatures

Franciscan Health Munster Environmental Services Associate Diane Sandoval, left, pets Mary Hires’ dog, Molly, during a visit from the Pet Therapy Program earlier this year.

Franciscan Health Foundation’s new Circle of 1875 benefits Pet Therapy Program

Headed to Mexico on a mission trip with Hope for the Poor in 2024 was this group from Northwest Indiana, including from left in front row) Norbert Lee Lewandowski, Father Declan McNicholas, Diocese of Gary director of Missionary Discipleship and Evangelization and associate pastor at St. John the Evangelist in St. John; and Katherine Carlson Lukas, pastoral associate for discipleship at SJE. The Diocese of Gary is hosting another mission trip to M3xico City in September. (Provided photo)

Faithful will carry prayers from the diocese to Mexico

Preparing to Serve Others

First graders in Catherine Rusin’s class open the school day with prayer at St. Michael School in Schererville, which is celebrating its 125th anniversary this year. A gala dinner, expected to reunite firmer students, parents and teachers, is planned for Friday, Sept. 26, at Innsbrook Country Club in Merrillville. (Marlene A. Zloza photo)

St. Michael School celebrates 125 years of education and community

Family Atmosphere Lauded

How to be “Joyfully Creative” in ministry was the topic on Sept. 6 as Vicky Hathaway (left) and Lisa Curley of the Missionary Discipleship and Evangelization Team welcomed lay leaders from several parishes to a Conversations in Hospitality program at the Pastoral Center in Merrillville. Hathaway used images from Sister Corita Kent’s artwork to enhance her presentation. (Marlene A. Zloza photo)

Parish ministry leaders learn how to be “Joyfully Creative”

Coffee and Conversations in Hospitality

Nation & World

Pope Leo XIV slices a cake for his 70th birthday Sept. 14, 2025, as cardinals, Vatican officials and ecumenical leaders look on after a prayer service at Rome's Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls. (CNS photo/Vatican Media)

Thousands of visitors celebrate Pope Leo's birthday in St. Peter's Square

A visitor waves the flag of China in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican in this file photo from May 22, 2019. (CNS photo/Paul Haring

Pope erects new diocese in China, names new bishop

Two women pray at the new St. Pier Giorgio Frassati Chapel located next to the office of Immaculate Conception Parish in Washington Aug. 22, 2025. The new chapel is named for the new saint who was canonized by Pope Leo XIV on Sept. 7, 2025. St. Pier Giorgio, an Italian young adult who died in 1925, was known for his devotion to the Eucharist and service to those in need. (OSV News photo/Mihoko Owada, Catholic Standard)

New saint has special connection to nation's capital with parish's adoration chapel