VALPARAISO - On Dec.10, 2025, the Diocese of Gary learned of the passing of Father Michael J. Hoffman.
Father Hoffman was born on Jan. 13, 1942, in Hammond to parents Lawrence J. Hoffman and Mary Jeanette Bohling. He was baptized at All Saints and confirmed at St. Joseph in Hammond.
A young Father Hoffman attended St Joseph School and went on to graduate from Bishop Noll Institute in Hammond. He continued his education at the University of Notre Dame, and later joined St. Mary of the Lake Seminary in Mundelein, Ill.
Father Hoffman was ordained into the priesthood on June 4, 2005, at the Cathedral of the Holy Angels in Gary. His first assignment was at St. Thomas More in Munster, where he served as associate pastor. Three years later, he joined the community of St. Paul in Valparaiso, continuing to serve in the role of associate pastor.
Deacon James Caristi of St. Paul called Father Hoffman a wonderful human being and a good friend.
“He was always smiling and laughing,” he said. “He was always very comfortable to be around. Sometimes you're walking on eggshells because you want to make sure that you say the right thing, but with him, you always knew you were at home. He was very accepting, very nice and always a lot of fun.”
Deacon Caristi recalled Father Hoffman's interest in working with the Divorce & Beyond, Catholics Can Always Come Home and grief ministry programs. He remembered that he spent a lot of time with a group that traveled to Morehead, Kentucky, fixing up porches and building wheelchair ramps for people's houses, and also went on the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage in Portugal and Spain.
Deacon Caristi noted that Father Hoffman took his priesthood very seriously, recalling that he held Mass every day during the mission trips he went on.
“The ministries he was involved with were quite successful because of him – because people would come to those because he was never off-putting,” Deacon Caristi said. “He was an open person and not judgmental in any way. I know for a fact that he was able to bring people back into the Church who'd been away for a long time. And I also know he was extremely effective with his hospital visits and with grief counseling.”
As a senior priest, Father Hoffman spent some time living at the Albertine Home, where he was happy to contribute to the residence by celebrating Mass in its chapel. The retired clergyman said his family members felt he would be in good hands at the Hammond home.
He agreed and was quoted as saying, “I’m very comfortable and the help that I need with my medications and other care is good.”
A Memorial Mass for Father Hoffman is scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 10, at 11 a.m. at St. Paul in Valparaiso.
