Lent is a period of repentance and spiritual preparation for Easter, a time when Jesus calls us closer in our relationship with Him. A variety of activities throughout the liturgical season within the Diocese of Gary will invite the faithful to go a little deeper in their faith journey this Lent.
Lenten Concert Series
Everyone is invited to the annual 4 p.m. Sunday free concert series (Feb. 22, March 1, 8, 15, 22) at St. John the Baptist Church in Whiting. It has been said that music can heal the wounds that medicine cannot touch. It releases suffering and brings people pleasure. Music is also known as the universal language of mankind.
The five free concerts offer both classical and contemporary music for inspiration and refreshment. Faithful are encouraged to give themselves the gift of an hour each Lenten Sunday to enjoy the melodious sounds of well-trained musicians surrounded by the interior beauty of St. John the Baptist Church.
Now in its 5th year, Marty Dybel has played a key role in organizing the concert series. The parish environmentalist and member of the liturgy committee began the events as a way to move forward after the COVID pandemic.
“We wondered what we could do to get people to start coming back to Church,” he explained. “We wanted to offer something that would make them comfortable, so we came up with the five Sunday Lenten reflections concert series, which are just one-hour concerts. In the late afternoon, they can take an hour out of their busy day and come back to church, and just sit and listen to some good, inspirational music.”
Beginning the season is Tatiana “Tajci” Cameron, a contemporary, Catholic singer. In the weeks that follow, the St. John Evangelist singers and the Whiting Park Festival Orchestra will perform. A classical pianist, Kacper Zaromski from Chicago, is also part of the lineup. And to conclude the series will be Tres Belles Soprano Trio. More details can be found at https://www.stjohnbap.org/parish-news-items/265-lenten-worship-and-music.
Dybel shared that the free concerts have been well attended. The series has kept the same format but tries to keep the lineup fresh each year. He added that the concert series continues to have something for everybody. As in the past, a free will offering is appreciated.
“We hope people are able to come in and put their troubles on the side,” Dybel said. “And have some time for reflection on their lives and with Jesus.”
"The Passion of Christ"
"The Passion of Christ" will be presented by Live Theater Production (led by Cecylia Jablonska and Ulala Michalo) throughout Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana beginning Ash Wednesday. This extraordinary group of actors have presented the beloved Lenten tradition for over 30 years.
The group of actors will return to the Carmelite Fathers Monastery this year with performances set for Sunday, March 15, at 1 p.m. (in Polish) and at 4:30 p.m. (in English) at 1628 Ridge Road in Munster.
Ann Scamerhorn of All Saints parish in San Pierre has attended Live Theater Production’s “The Passion of Christ” performances in Northwest Indiana with fellow members of the Polish-American Cultural Society of Northwest Indiana for approximately 12 years.
"We look forward to seeing this extraordinary troupe of dedicated volunteer actors every Lenten season. The music and special effects are dramatic and astounding!” she said. “The scenes of Christ's scourging and crucifixion – especially the one of His mother Mary singing a heartbreaking solo as she cradles His dead body after being taken down from the Cross – truly compel me to reflect with gratitude on His love for us and willingness to die for our sins."
The prayer-theater troupe will then be off on a tour of Poland to present this beloved Lenten tradition to the faithful in Warsaw, Niepokalanow, and Piastow. For more information, visit https://www.livetheaterproduction.com.
Lenten Vespers
To prove that the best hour of your week could be the one you spend with the Lord, St Paul is hosting Lenten Vespers. The evening featuring candlelit vespers and Eucharistic Adoration will be held at 7 p.m. on Thursdays, Feb. 26-March 26.
In addition, a soup fellowship will take place in Social Hall A starting at 6 p.m. prior to the services.
One-Day Lent Retreat and Pilgrimage
Deacon Robert Gromala and Father Declan McNicholas are leading a One-Day Lent Retreat and Pilgrimage on Saturday, March 14. The Chicago day trip includes a visit to the National Shrine of St. Jude, patron saint of impossible causes, where countless prayers and miracles have been answered. The day continues at St. Mary of the Angels with inspiring talks, Eucharistic adoration, confession and Vigil Mass.
Deacon Gromala, who serves St. John the Evangelist and diocesan director of the Pontifical Mission Societies, said the hope is that the one-day pilgrimage creates intentional space for prayer, silence, the sacraments and community. Which are things that are often difficult to prioritize in daily life.
The day’s central reflection will draw from the words of Jesus: “I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing!” (Luke 12:49)
“Pilgrims will be invited to reflect on how Lent is not only about sacrifice, but about allowing God to rekindle the spiritual fire within their hearts,” Deacon Gromala said.
He stated there is something powerful about stepping onto a bus as strangers or acquaintances and returning home as a community of pilgrims who have prayed together, shared intentions and encountered Christ along the way. It is truly a day for everyone – for those who feel strong in their faith and those who feel distant or burdened.
“Just like St. Jude is the patron saint of impossible causes; no situation is beyond God’s grace,” Deacon Gromala said. “We simply invite people to come, bring an open mind and their intentions, and let the Lord do the rest.”
For more information, visit https://stellamaristours.us/lenten-one-day-pilgrimage-march-14-2026/
or email marcie.stellamaristours@gmail.com.
Soup and Psalms
Faithful are invited to join the St. Mary Catholic community in Crown Point for “Soup and Psalms” each Wednesday evening during Lent for a light supper followed by a prayer service and presentation. It will begin on Wednesday, Feb. 25 in Hammes Hall from 5 to 8 p.m. and conclude on March 25, allowing faithful to participate in all Holy Week services.
Suzie Hartman, parish life director, noted the idea for the series was that of their pastor, Father Peter Muha. It will be the first year for such an activity. Father Muha joined the parish in 2025 and helped the congregation navigate the completion of renovations at the church. The church needed to continue with small groups at parishioners' homes during Lent last year, so Father Muha wants to start a new Lenten series this year to encourage a sense of community.
“Enjoying a meal and fellowship is a wonderful way to grow friendship within the church,” Hartman said.
Prior to the COVID pandemic, St. Mary offered various opportunities throughout the Advent and Lenten seasons, both large and small groups. It is now hoping to bring back the larger group series, starting with “Soup and Psalms.” Folks will start with a simple meal of soup and bread, followed by a prayer service and then a presentation by Father Muha.
Hartman said, “Father is hoping that folks find these evenings will offer a time to pray, reflect and spend some time with others in the St. Mary's community.”
Since the church reopened on Palm Sunday 2025, Hartman said staff has seen the church grow in attendance, prayer and fellowship. “Soup and Psalms” is another way to continue the growth, both spiritually and physically.
To RSVP for “Soup and Psalms,” visit https://www.stmarycp.org/soup-psalms-series.
Parish Lenten Celebration and Brunch
Attendees will enjoy a delicious brunch and fellowship on Feb. 22 at St. Maria Goretti in Dyer. The event will feature a presentation by award-winning author James K.A. Smith entitled “Seeking Rest in a Frantic World: A Lenten Pilgrimage with St. Augustine and Pope Leo.” The author and philosopher will introduce aspects of Augustinian spirituality and how it can be used as a resource for living faithfully in a volatile time. The afternoon will end with children’s crafts and activities for ages 4 and older.
“He will help us consider how Augustine’s vision of the Christian life is a resource for living faithfully in volatile times and how it can help us to encounter each other more intentionally as the Body of Christ,” said Tricia Massa, coordinator of lifelong faith formation.
Massa explained the talk will also complement the parish-wide Lenten faith formation, reflecting on Pope Francis and Pope Leo's apostolic exhortation, Dilexi Te, and its yearlong focus on exploring what “encounter” means in parish life. She added that the parish hopes attendees will enjoy food and fellowship and will be spiritually fed and inspired on their Lenten journey by the presentation and the activities provided for younger parish members.
“I appreciate the season of Lent because it calls us to slow down and open our hearts wider to God's grace and love for us,” Massa said. “I love the many opportunities it offers us to connect with other parishioners and to share the beauty and challenge of the gospel together, particularly as we focus our attention on deepening our prayer life and loving those living on the margins.”
Contact your local parish for more diocesan events or visit https://dcgary.org/calendar.
Photo By Getty Images / azerberber
