MERRILLVILLE – The contributions and investments of yesteryear continue to bear fruit as 12 ministries within the Diocese of Gary received a financial boost from the Catholic Foundation for Northwest Indiana.
Formally presented at the Friends of the Foundation reception on Nov. 6, representatives from charitable endeavors ranging from food pantries to mental health resources, each celebrated the awarding of a Mercy Fund monetary gift at the Innsbrook Country Club.
Judy Holicky, coordinator of stewardship and development for the foundation, said that the aggregate $18.5 million in endowed assets brings to the present disbursements born of the generous contributions of many who followed the lead of the late Bishop Dale J. Melczek. He established the foundation in 2008 to promote accountability and an ongoing source of beneficence.
“We’ve reached out to the parish and schools, and we’re just amazed at the response,” Holicky said of the 17 organizations that applied for Mercy Fund grants this year. “Bishop Melczek really created a legacy by establishing the foundation ... he had that vision and great support from the financial committee of the diocese.”
In 2016, then-Bishop of Gary Donald J. Hying created the Mercy Fund within the Catholic Foundation for Northwest Indiana. The endeavor got its start during the Year of Mercy, and since then, a growing number of competitive grants have been awarded to organizations whose members perform Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy.
Bishop Robert J. McClory wrote in the foundation’s 2024 annual report to encourage the faithful to contribute and “you will experience the joy of giving and future generations will experience the fruits of your generosity.”
To further devotion to the Eucharistic Lord in the spirit of the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage and Congress, a new endowment was established to help parishes build or furnish adoration chapels and expand related education. The bishop indicated that the grant cycle will include the month of December, with grants expected to be awarded around the Feast of Corpus Christi in 2025.
Announcing the 12 Mercy Fund grant winning organizations to a wave of applause was Holicky, while Father Christopher Stanish, vicar general and moderator of the curia, greeted the recipients.
St. Clare’s Kitchen, a partnership between members of Holy Name of Jesus church in Cedar Lake and Our Lady of Lourdes Secular Franciscan Fraternity provides food and fellowship, “offering not just meals, but meaningful connections.”
“Volunteers make the meals and we get other goodies,” said Father Patrick Gawrylewski, O.F.M. “It’s a collaborative effort.”
The St. Vincent de Paul Holy Spirit parish conference features a dedicated group of Vincentians that share their time, talent and treasure to assist those in need in the Winfield area.
“We have very generous parishioners, and they do a lot for our funding, but if it were not for grants, we would not be able to do the services,” said Judith Kaleta, conference president.
Queen of All Saint’s Preserving Dignity Ministry is under the auspices of the parish Peace and Social Justice Commission and serves more than 250 people. Through Christmas giving trees and a school uniform and supplies drive, members surmount hurdles some may face in being properly prepared for school days.
"With this grant, half the money will go to school uniform shirts,” said Kimberly Rebich of QAS. “This is so the kids can feel the same and carry the same dignity.”
Also in Michigan City, QAS ministry Radiate Truth emphasizes sacramental ministry, promoting missionary discipleship. Students are prepared to reach out to the spiritually hungry, especially drawing other youths to grow in a relationship with Jesus.
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton’s prison ministry helps “bring incarcerated men back to Christ in hopes of assisting them through their transition to the outside world.” The Mercy Fund grant will allow for the purchase of clothes and hygiene products. Accepting the award was ministry member Charlotte Rosta.
Also at the Valparaiso parish, the Respect Life Ministry serves to foster a greater respect for human life at all its stages. Offering spiritual guidance and connections to resources, the initiative makes the pro-life movement active among the family of faith. Barbara Jelinek represented the group.
St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception’s Mercy for the Most Needy is an in-demand pantry ministry, whose members share their compassion for the materially poor. Serving a diverse group of approximately 1,000 Michigan City-area clients per month, members strive to “help reduce food insecurity, the anxiety it creates, and improve the health of our most needy.” Daniel Scannell accepted the grant.
“God’s Groceries” are available to all who come to the namesake ministry at St. Mary in Crown Point. More than 4,500 individuals were served last year, and ministry members said they recently increased the variety of healthier foods available for distribution. Parishioner Elaine Hein represented the charity.
In 2024, an ongoing endeavor by St. Mary of the Lake parishioners included the maintenance of a community garden which yielded more than two tons of vegetables. The ministry in the Miller Beach section of Gary served more than 6,000 people so far this year. Karen Simon accepted the Mercy Fund grant.
St. Michael’s Good Samaritan ministry can expect to offer even more assistance from their Schererville office with this year’s award. Deacon Gary Wolfe hopes to continue to assist the group in helping deliver financial assistance to those burdened by unaffordable rent or high utility costs.
St. Thomas More volunteers have stepped up to build an array of psychological assistance services inspired by a resource fair which showed that many area residents endure stressors from family and work dynamics to financial worries. Dr. Jean Nanos, a clinical psychologist with a practice in Munster, advocated for the support the group earned from the foundation.
“To me, my community is my faith base, and I want to reach out,” said Nanos. “Our money is going to our Rainbows group (for children experiencing loss).”
Among the 12 organizations receiving Mercy Fund awards, Sojourner Truth House has long been recognized as an effective resource in Gary. The ministry of the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ that focuses on advocacy and hospitality for at-risk women and their children serves approximately 2,500 people per month. Holly Cummings represented the agency and was among the many guests who expressed gratitude for the foundation and its grants.
Caption: Gary Bonk (left), vice president of the Catholic Foundation for Northwest Indiana, introduces Elaine Hein (center) of St. Mary, Crown Point, as Father Christopher Stanish (right), vicar general and moderator of the curia, watches at the annual Mercy Fund grants award dinner on Nov. 6 at Innsbrook Country Club in Merrillville. Managing $18.5 million in endowed assets, the non-profit, independent organization provides an avenue for faithful to invest in the future of acamedic, charitable and faith-related causes such as the ministries operated by those groups who received funding at the banquet. (Anthony D. Alonzo photo)