HIGHLAND – “The Catholic community of faith at Our Lady of Grace parish is committed to making visible His life and ministry through spiritual growth in our lives, worship, community and service to those in need.”
With that mission statement in mind, families and friends of OLG recently took time to reflect on its history as it celebrates 75 years in the Diocese of Gary.
Father Brian Chadwick, pastor, stated that “OLG is a friendly and welcoming place for people of all age groups.”
He described the parishioners as having a prayerful spirit that has been kept alive and strong for 75 years, adding that the chapel with the Blessed Sacrament sees a lot of use with daily Mass, Rosary recitation and other prayer.
“We hope to see continued growth in the parish and school going forward to continue the mission,” said Father Chadwick.
One of the thriving ministries at the parish provides outreach to seniors at a home across the street from the church and school called the Ephesus House. The location provides a sense of belonging, care, support, education, and activities for adults 55 and older. Visitors are welcome to socialize with their peers, participate in the many scheduled activities (Tai Chi, games, medical screenings, etc.) and occasionally attend programs with guest speakers on topics benefiting their age group.
Unique historical aspects of the church, noted by Father Chadwick, include: the parish grade school was tuition-free for many years, the aesthetic of the church building and the fact that the parish has had only four pastors in 75 years.
Beginning on July 7, 1949, Father Albert Jasinski was appointed pastor of a new parish named Our Lady of Grace which celebrated its first Mass on Dec. 25, 1949, in the Town Theater on Kennedy Avenue. Mass continued there until Oct. 29, 1950, when the former Calvary Baptist Church on Jewett Street, newly renovated, welcomed 272 people for Mass.
With continued growth in the parishioner base, a new addition to the church was dedicated on Oct. 28, 1951. Due to church membership expanding, soon totaling 540 families, ground was broken on Feb. 6, 1954, for a one-story church and 10-classroom school on Highway Avenue and Fifth Street. A second story was added to house a library and convent due to increasing school enrollment, then more than 700 students, and parishioner enrollment totaling 728 families.
In 1960, marking the tenth anniversary of the parish with 5,000 members and 1,000 students, Father Jasinski and two assistants and religious from the Sisters of Saint Francis from Mishawaka, were again pressing for expansion. Masses were being said both in the basement church and the cafeteria area.
In April 1963, just 13 years after Our Lady of Grace was established, Father Albert Van Nevel was named pastor. After three years of fundraising, on Sept. 3, 1966, ground was broken for a new church that was dedicated on Dec. 10, 1967.
Growth continued and in 1974 a separate convent was built on the corner of Fifth and Condit streets. This brought about the renovation of the second floor of the school (formerly the convent) to open additional classrooms.
On July 31, 1991, Monsignor Van Nevel retired and Father Edward Moszur was installed as pastor. As the third pastor of Our Lady of Grace, he continued to encourage growth and involvement in the Catholic community of Highland, drawing individuals and families from the town and surrounding communities in Indiana and Illinois.
“I remember OLG as always being welcoming and inclusive in sharing the Gospel of Jesus,” said Father Moszur. “The parishioners were ready to help and witness their faith in whatever they were doing; meeting the challenges through the years.”
Now a senior priest, Father Moszur added that he hopes those at Our Lady of Grace continue to “deepen their lives in the Gospel and be resilient in meeting the parish challenges now and in the future.”
On Oct. 27, the parish marked the 75-year milestone with a Mass presided over by Bishop Robert J. McClory, who reminded those gathered that no matter what challenges they may face personally or as a parish, they can always turn to their patroness, the Blessed Virgin Mary, in prayer.
Bishop McClory said the anniversary presented an opportunity to reflect more deeply on the patroness. He explained that the faithful can look to Mary in two ways: as someone whose virtues are worth imitating and as someone who they can pray to as an intercessor.
“Mary stands before us, wanting those who are living and those who have gone before us, to envelop us in her arms and bring us to her son Jesus,” he said.
Bishop McClory also took time to recognize those priests in attendance who have been involved and supported Our Lady of Grace, including Father Chadwick, Father Moszur, Father Ron Zgunda, Father Mark Peres, Father Martin Dobrzynski and Father John Zemelko, who were concelebrants at the Mass.
Deacon Michael Halas assisted during the anniversary liturgy. He was assigned to the parish in July and said he can best describe the people as a vibrant faith community hungering for the Eucharistic Jesus. Although aware that the coronavirus pandemic brought many activities to a halt, he has witnessed elements of a resurgence.
“The parish is gradually moving forward under the guidance of Our Lady and the inspiration of the Holy Spirit to continue to build the kingdom here and lead others to know Christ through their personal and faith experiences,” said Deacon Halas. “They possess a desire to re-ignite the fire of rebuilding ministries, organizations and even each other in their call to be missionary disciples.”
Parishioner Carmen Escobedo commented that it was good to see a nice crowd to celebrate the parish’s 75th anniversary. A parishioner for 35 years, she recalled times when, “If you didn’t come early, you didn’t get a seat.”
“Everybody was happy to see each other,” she said following the Mass. “One lady told me, ‘It’s so good to see you because I haven’t seen her in a while.”
Victoria Harkenrider, of Hessville, echoed those thoughts on the family atmosphere. “It just feels like home,” she said. “I’ve never been to a place where, as soon as you walk in, it just feels like home.”
Editor’s Note: Details regarding the history of Our Lady of Grace were taken from the parish website olgcatholicchurchhighland.org.