“And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” -Colossians 3:17
MERRILLVILLE - According to Catholic scripture, every individual is given unique gifts from God, meant to be used for serving others, strengthening the Church and bringing glory to Him, rather than for personal gain or status.
A group of faithful from the Diocese of Gary is using their gifts as members of the St. Benedict Hospitality Team, working behind the scenes at major events to ensure that all runs smoothly.
“Bishop (Robert J.) McClory, Father Chris (Stanish) and Father Declan (McNicholas) were looking for a higher level of hospitality for diocesan events,” said Lisa Curley, coordinator for hospitality and pre-evangelization on the diocesan Missionary Discipleship and Evangelization Team, “and I needed a team to provide that, so the St. Benedict Hospitality Team was established in late 2024.”
The team’s first assignment was Conference ’24, the annual liturgical conference hosted by Nativity of Our Savior, and members bonded immediately. “It’s neat to see how all the Catholics in the diocese can work together; this team is a great way to see how we are one Church,” said Suzie Hartman, parish life director at St. Mary in Crown Point.
“Suzie brings an entire arts and environment team from her parish to add beauty to our liturgies and events,” added Curley, who recruited her after watching Hartman organize an outdoor adoration event at St. Mary. “I was told that she’d do anything we need, and she does.”
Hartman said she most enjoys meeting and working with people from throughout the diocese. “My favorite event was the Chrism Mass in 2025; it was my first Chrism Mass and it’s so beautiful,” she said. “You learn a lot about Catholicism by helping at these events. Joining the team was a no-brainer; as parish life director I handle all the social activities and events for our ministries.”
Jan Sypnieski, team member and executive secretary for Father David Kime at Queen of All Saints in Michigan City, agreed with Hartman about the beauty of the Chrism Mass. “It is the most beautiful way to start the Easter Triduum,” she said. “We hand out programs, welcome people, set up lunch for the priests and serve coffee, whatever they need. In 2025, we were able to carry the sacred oils up to the altar, and that was the epitome of service.”
Sypnieski said she cooks for Father Kime’s Priests Circle Dinners and deanery meetings, and sets up the “green room” for priests at events, which led to her invitation from Curley to join the hospitality team. “It’s fun organizing the food and setting it up, making sure people have what they need and plenty of it. That’s good hospitality,” she added.
Diana Lopez, a tour guide, lector, Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion and Connect Group member at St. John the Evangelist in St. John, is the hospitality team’s bilingual Spanish representative and joined the team with her husband, Edward Lopez, who is taking a break from the team this year to focus on another ministry.
“I wanted to do so much more for the diocese, so when Lisa asked us to join the team after serving as bus captains for the National Eucharistic Conference trip to Indianapolis, my husband and I said yes,” said Lopez. “I love our group, meeting new people and helping people at events. I like giving directions and chatting with people, making them feel comfortable and welcome.”
With 300 chairs rented and pallets of bottled water ordered, the team is preparing for the Night of Dedication of the Diocese of Gary to the Sacred Heart of Jesus planned for Friday, June 12. The event begins with a procession from St. Matthias in Crown Point to Bulldog Park downtown for a service led by Bishop McClory, followed by fellowship. Games and food vendors will be available, and the team is working out parking and busing logistics.
“All of our team members have genuine caring and a wonderful sense of empathy and hospitality,” said Curley, who welcomed volunteers Diane and John MacDonald after talking about the St. Benedict Hospitality Team at a volunteer breakfast they attended. The active St. Bridget couple from Hobart has experience organizing parish events and fits right in with the hospitality group.
“I’m hoping to add 2-3 more members, especially young adults and men,” said Curley. “It would be great if we could get bilingual representatives who speak some of the strongest languages in our diocese, like Polish, Vietnamese and Tagalog.”
For more information about joining the St. Benedict Hospitality Team, contact Curley at lcurley@dcgary.org.
Caption: The St. Benedict Hospitality Team for the Diocese of Gary discusses plans for the Friday, June 12 Dedication to the Sacred Heart of Jesus during an April 9 meeting at the Pastoral Center: (clockwise from left) Lisa Curley, Jan Sypnieski, Suzie Hartman, John and Diane MacDonald and Maria Lopez. (Marlene A. Zloza photo)
