Ready, set, shop! Several parishes throughout the Diocese of Gary are preparing to host rummage sales during the month of June. These events not only serve as a way for the community to take advantage of some good deals but also provide an opportunity to show support for the local Church.
The parish-wide rummage sale at the Mary Mother of Mercy – Queen of All Saints Campus in Michigan City began in 2022. What started as a parish fundraiser has quickly evolved into a highly-anticipated community event that brings together parishioners, volunteers, and shoppers from throughout the area. Each year, the sale continues to expand in both size and popularity.
Lucia Bim-Merle, pastoral associate, said the rummage sale is hugely successful for several reasons, beginning with the incredible organization and dedication of their volunteers. The parish utilizes the entire school building, including the gymnasium, with each classroom designated for a specific category of merchandise. For example, there are separate rooms for toys, home décor, glassware, collectibles, tools and sporting goods, pet and garden items, electronics, kitchenware and more. The gymnasium is devoted entirely to clothing, purses and shoes, all carefully organized by size and gender to make shopping easy and enjoyable.
“Our volunteers devote countless hours to sorting, cleaning, organizing, and even testing electronics to ensure items are in working order,” said Bim-Merle. “In addition to the shopping experience, we also offer lunch and a bake sale, making it a fun and welcoming community event. The combination of organization, quality items, hospitality, and community spirit truly makes it an extraordinary event.”
Bim-Merle believes the rummage sale offers something for everyone. Shoppers can find high-quality items at affordable prices while enjoying a friendly and welcoming atmosphere. She added that it is not only a great place to discover unique treasures, but also an opportunity to support the parish and connect with members of the community.
“Many people return year after year because of the excellent organization, wide variety of merchandise, and enjoyable experience,” she said.
Proceeds from the rummage sale directly support the ministries, programs and operational needs of the parish. The funds help the church continue serving the parish community through faith formation, outreach efforts, facility maintenance and other important parish initiatives.
Bim-Merle stated, “The success of the sale is a wonderful example of the community coming together to support the mission of the parish.”
It is the first year Lorna Kotlin is leading the rummage sale at St. Edward in Lowell with her husband, Russ.
The St. Edward rummage sale started around 26 years ago when parishioner Patricia Searle organized the first one. She continued chairing it for about 10 years and passed the torch to Sandy Spicer, then to John and June Leader for the last 13 years.
The event has grown from using just the gym at the St. Edward School building to having so many donations that the gym, every classroom, hallway and even adding tents is necessary. The event also includes a bake sale, raffle items and makes lunch meals available for purchase.
Kotlin said, “We have many volunteers that work together to plan, market, accept and organize donations, clean, bake desserts, load purchases and anything else needed.”
Kotlin explained that members of the community look forward to the well-organized sale. Some buyers even come from out of town/state to attend as part of their vacation travel. She noted all items are priced reasonably and fairly to encourage sales, adding that it is the church’s largest fundraiser, which supports all ministries.
The rummage sale at St. Paul in Valparaiso has been an annual event for about 15 years. The parish has traditionally scheduled this event the same weekend as the rummage sale at Immanuel Lutheran Church, also in Valparaiso.
Stephen Schnurr, director of music, said it is not uncommon for customers to drive several counties and even from Illinois for the event. This year, due to construction, Immanuel Lutheran Church will not have its sale.
“They are wonderfully cooperative with their personnel to ensure we have a successful ‘solo’ sale this year,” he said.
In the first few years, the sale was held in the gymnasium of the old school downtown, now demolished. Since the completion of the present school, the sale was relocated and has expanded into the space in the new gymnasium and cafeteria.
“There's always someone else's treasure waiting for a new home,” Schnurr said.
What Schnurr finds truly amazing, however, is that the four-day event includes dozens of volunteers across three generations, including those ages ten and up.
“It is not often this sort of blending occurs for this big of an event,” he said.
The proceeds of this parish rummage sale at St. Paul benefit the parish youth group and the young people's choir. The Life Teen youth group uses its portion of the proceeds to attend the National Catholic Youth Conference. The Junior Choir uses its portion for its annual spring travel tour to a Midwestern city to sing. In April 2026, this group traveled to Cincinnati/Covington. The choir sang for Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption in Covington and visited the Cincinnati Museum Center.
Church Rummage Sale Dates:
St. Edward, June 2-6, 216 S. Nichols St., Lowell
St. Paul, June 5-6, 1855 Harrison Blvd., Valparaiso
St. Francis Xavier, June 11-13, 2447 Putnam St., Lake Station
Queen of All Saints Campus, June 18-20, 606 S Woodland Ave., Michigan City
Photo image: Fedecandoniphoto | Dreamstime.com
