Northwest Indiana Catholic | Diocese of Gary

Local Stories

Sister M. Petra Nielsen, vice president of mission integration for Franciscan Health’s Northern Division, shares a laugh with her younger brother, James Nielsen and the Rev. Tony Janik during a recent reunion in the St. James Chapel at Franciscan Health Crown Point.

Franciscan Health Crown Point priest reunites with preemie he baptized 49 years ago

Zachary Dotson stands near the welcome booth of St. Joseph church in downtown Hammond on April 16. The Elect is set to formally join the Catholic Church on Easter Vigil, April 19, and said his early interest in the faith, then years of agnosticism have opened to his Holy Spirit-filled journey into the Church and a "completely different outlook" to life. (Anthony D. Alonzo photo)

Hammond native fulfilled in the Catholic faith he missed as a youth

Bondi

What is Divine Mercy Sunday?

Bishop Robert J. McClory stands with the three most faithful altar servers at St. Stephen, Martyr during the parish's closing Mass on Feb. 15, (from left) Zak Campbell of Merrillville, Chris Neff of Crown Point and George Perosky of Merrillville. At right is Deacon Rob Litavecz, who trained the young men. (Marlene A. Zloza photo)

People with disabilities display the true meaning of the Mass

Diocese has big plans for Emmaus Conference in August

During Easter Sunday Mass on April 20 at the Cathedral of the Holy Angels, Bishop Robert J. McClory (left) blesses a young celebrant while Father Michael Surufka, O.F.M., distributes the Holy Eucharist. (Marlene A. Zloza photo)

Christ’s resurrection brings hope to a world rocked by despair

Nation & World

A group of pilgrims from Quito, Ecuador, poses for a picture as they approach St. Peter's Square during the Jubilee of Teenagers at the Vatican April 27, 2025. (CNS photo/Justin McLellan)

At Jubilee of Teenagers, grief is mingled with joyful hope for church's future

Undated illustrations of St. Thérèse of Lisieux and St. Teresa of Avila are pictured in a combination photo. St. Thérèse of Lisieux is the patron of missionaries and missions and St. Teresa of Avila was mystic and founder of the Discalced Carmelites, and the first female declared to be a doctor of the church. (OSV News files/Nancy Phelan Wiechec/Crosiers)

The Little Flower and the Great Doctor: Àvila, Lisieux to hold events commemorating Carmelite saints

Cardinal Anders Arborelius of Stockholm and Lutheran Archbishop Antje Jackelen of Uppsala, primate of the Church of Sweden, present Pope Francis with an icon of St. Francis of Assisi following the pope's general audience June 14, 2017, at the Vatican. The artist, Lars Gerdmar, held the icon during the presentation of the gift, which was an expression of gratitude for Pope Francis' visit to Sweden last October. Pope Francis, formerly Argentine Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, died April 21, 2025, at age 88. (

How Pope Francis drew inspiration from his namesake's vision, actions