“Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.” (Mt. 25:40)
MERRILLVILLE – How do you find inspiration? How do you pray? How has the Holy Spirit touched your life? Those were just a few questions posed during the Friends of the Foundation Reception on Nov. 5 at Innsbrook Country Club, encouraging those gathered to reflect on what’s in their heart and how they may want to “Give today to serve Christ tomorrow.”
Bishop Robert McClory shared that the diocese recently underwent a process in which its parishes completed the Disciple Maker Index. While he said some areas needed improvement, he was happy to say that the survey showed that those who are coming to Church in the Diocese of Gary are “really engaged and alive and love their parishes.”
“Today’s gathering is an opportunity for us to celebrate that,” he said.
Allison Maciejewski, who serves as first vice chair of the Catholic Foundation, shared her journey in establishing an endowment with her husband Jim in hopes of inspiring others to follow a similar path – “a path that is not difficult, and a path that creates a legacy.”
Maciejewski admitted she didn’t know much about endowments or grants initially, but was invited by Judy Holicky to learn more about the role of the Catholic Foundation. It was explained to her that the foundation was established in 2008 by Bishop Dale Melczek and 16 other like-minded individuals who wanted to put finances in place to build a lasting legacy in Northwest Indiana. She learned about the many endowments that already existed, benefiting schools, seminarians and more.
“There's all these wonderful endowments that exist, and you get to see the fruits of the Catholic faith grow,” Maciejewski said. “And when she explained that to me, how could you not want to be a part of it?”
It didn’t take long before Maciejewski began to think, “Wouldn't it be really awesome to start an endowment for Eucharistic adoration?”
Maciejewski is a perpetual adorer at her home parish, St. John the Evangelist. She has spent an hour with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament each Thursday morning for the past 18 years. She wanted to encourage everyone to seek and find the same joy, love and peace she receives when being in the presence of the Lord.
With the assistance of the new Eucharistic Adoration Endowment Fund that the Maciejewskis created, three local churches – Holy Family, St. Paul and St. Helen – were able to make improvements to the adoration opportunities at their parishes this past year.
“So what I ask for you tonight is to listen to your heart,” Maciejewski said. “I challenge you all to pray on this and see if something's on your heart and then turn those ideas into action, because until we do that, we're not being the disciples that we're called to be.”
Holicky said it’s been a “landmark year” for the Catholic Foundation of Northwest Indiana. Over the past six years, the foundation has grown from a $5 million portfolio to $20 million, and from 32 endowment funds to more than 50.
“That was not accomplished in a vacuum,” she said. “It included the support of our committees and subcommittees and generous donors.”
The foundation also expanded its leadership team in an effort to create a smooth transition and increase productivity. Holicky said the foundation is always looking for high-energy people to join and lead committees – “people with good ideas and who are good listeners.”
“I receive ideas every month about projects that have a great need,” she said. “So, to be able to have the inspiration, share the inspiration, utilize people’s talents as well as your generosity, we really ask you to put that on your heart and consider if you would like to be a part of the work we do.”
Holicky added, “Whether it is an educational scholarship for adults to develop Catholic counselors and spiritual directors or other advanced training for lay leaders, the need is great. We have dozens of food pantries across the diocese and none of them have their own endowment fund.”
Three new funds were added this past year. In addition to the Eucharistic Adoration Endowment, the MaryAnn Pancheri Right-to-Life Fund and the Father Vincent Eckert and Sister Mary Rose Abbick Fund for Outstanding Seniors at Andrean High School were also started.
The evening concluded with the announcement and presentations of checks to the 2025 Mercy Fund grant recipients. The Mercy Fund endowment distributes funds to eligible agencies that serve the poor and vulnerable in Northwest Indiana.
For more information on the funds and grants through the Catholic Foundation for Northwest Indiana, along with details on ways to give, visit catholicfuture.org.
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2025 Mercy Fund Grant Recipients:
•St. Edward Hispanic Ministries – This grant will help cover costs for the priest, music minister and other expenses directly associated with St. Edward Hispanic Ministry.
Deacon Roberto Mendoza said the Lowell faith community has been growing at a rapid rate, and the parish has been blessed to baptize many into the faith recently. He explained the parish has members from Demotte, Chicago Heights, Beecher, Cedar Lake, Lake Village and Crown Point.
“I remember when I started this ministry in 2002, how difficult it was,” he said. “Back then, most folks were baptized one Sunday at a plaza in Mexico, and 20 years later, they showed up not knowing anything about their faith.”
After praying and asking God for help, Deacon Mendoza said he finally has folks who are getting involved, including a husband and wife who are in lay ministry formation.
•St. Elizabeth Ann Seton – Funds will provide support to multiple programs: Feeding the Hungry, Respect Life Ministry, Haiti (sister parish), prison and homeless men ministries.
•St. Maria Goretti Food Pantry and Ss. Monica and Luke – The current Dyer food pantry serves 120 families. Their outreach will expand to feed 150 at Ss. Monica and Luke in Gary and provide holiday gifts to seniors and children.
•Catholic Charities – The organization serves four counties with holiday food baskets to meet basic nutritional needs and improve physical and mental well-being at Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter.
•St. Mary, Crown Point, God’s Groceries – God’s Groceries provides balanced nutrition for seniors, homeless individuals, the working poor and seasonal working people.
Elaine Hein said St Mary’s God’s Groceries appreciates receiving the Mercy Grant. Since meat is difficult for families to afford, it wants to help them by providing ground pork that is more economical for them to buy.
“With the Mercy Grant, we can work directly with the butcher to buy the pork,” she explained.
•Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Prison Ministry – The deacons of the Merrillville parish visit the imprisoned. The grant will provide Bibles to the inmates, offering personal contact and care through God’s Word.
Deacon Tom Gryzbek shared that the Catholic inmates at Westville have an admirable desire to obtain a copy of The Catholic Study Bible to learn more about Jesus' teachings from the perspective of their Catholic faith.
“Providing these Bibles will enhance their spirituality and growth in faith and help enable their participation in Bible study groups at the prison,” he said. “These men yearn to grow closer to our loving Lord and will be assisted in this growth through access to these Bibles.”
•St. Stanislaus East Chicago Blessing Box – Students live out the Works of Mercy with a Blessing Box on campus to support the neighborhood and embody the charism of feeding the hungry.
Principal Angelia Foy said the school is grateful for the support of the Mercy Grant, which is helping St. Stanislaus School serve families in East Chicago.
“Especially as our parish food pantry prepares to close, this project gives our students a hands-on way to live out the Works of Mercy by collecting and stocking essential items for anyone in need,” she said. “It’s a simple but meaningful way for them to practice compassion, generosity, and faith in action.”
•St John the Evangelist, FOCUS Scholarship – Scholarship monies for young adults to attend the SEEK conference put on by the Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS) to deepen faith and grow evangelists.
Isaac Cohen shared that he has personally been positively impacted by FOCUS. He was introduced to the Catholic Church by a few missionaries with whom he became friends. They invited him to attend the SEEK conference, where he encountered Jesus in the Eucharist for the first time.
“FOCUS helped me put Jesus in the center of my life and I want that same growth for the young adults at our parish,” he said. “Having this scholarship will make it easier to get students to SEEK who otherwise would not be able to go. This conference, put on by FOCUS, is an incredible opportunity for college students to be set on fire in their faith and become more involved at their parish and school.”
•St. Vincent de Paul, Cedar Lake – The group serves hundreds in Lake County. Payments are paid directly to a utility, landlord or mortgage company. It also supports food pantries, vouchers for grocery stores and gas cards.
•Cafe Manna at St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Student Center – Cafe Manna is a place for all to grow in faith, following the example of Jesus who fed the hungry, welcomed the stranger and served with compassion.
Christine Harsh, director of operations at the parish, said Café Manna continues to be an important ministry of St. Teresa of Avila, providing warm meals and a welcoming space for anyone in need.
“It’s one of the many ways we connect, grow, and serve together in faith,” she said. “The Mercy Fund grant will help us sustain this outreach by supporting food costs and essential supplies, allowing us to continue serving our guests each week with dignity and compassion.”
•Sacred Heart Food Pantry – The pantry serves the citizens of Michigan City who have the greatest need without regard to race, creed, or ethnicity.
Pantry Coordinator Eileen Nelson said the Sacred Heart Food Pantry at St. Mary exists to provide nutritious food, cleaning supplies, personal hygiene items and over the counter medications to those in need.
“SNAP uncertainty is increasing the monthly need and the cost of food is increasing even faster,” she said. “We are very grateful to have received the Mercy Grant Award. The funds will be used to purchase pantry supplies such as peanut butter, canned tuna, cereal, soup, canned fruit and vegetables."
•Nativity of Our Savior Garden Fund – By growing and sharing fresh produce, students serve their neighbors, reinforcing Catholic values of charity, stewardship and community responsibility.
