CROWN POINT – As the United States marks its 250th anniversary, the U.S. bishops will consecrate the nation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus next month. The decision was made during a Nov. 11 session of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ fall plenary assembly in Baltimore.
In Northwest Indiana, all local faithful are invited to join Bishop Robert J. McClory in dedicating the Diocese of Gary to the Sacred Heart of Jesus during an event on June 12, which includes a procession and special service, followed by food, music and fellowship.
Father Declan McNicholas said participants can expect a powerful evening of prayer and public witness. The event will begin at St. Matthias at 5 p.m., and participants will process to Bulldog Park, where Bishop McClory will lead the dedication of the diocese to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
“What excites me most is the unity and visibility of the Church,” Father McNicholas said. “This is faith lived not just inside our churches, but in the public square, where people can encounter something beautiful and hopeful.”
Father McNicholas explained that the Sacred Heart reveals Christ’s personal love for each of us. He said it is a heart that is wounded and given completely, pointing to the Cross and the mercy that flows from it.
He said. “This devotion is an invitation to trust in that love and to respond by living it, especially through prayer, mercy, and love for others.”
Deacon Robert Gromala is coordinating the Eucharistic procession from St. Matthias to Bulldog Park and the Liturgy of the Sacred Heart prayer service, particularly the public witness portion of the event. That has included working with the Office of Missionary Discipleship and Evangelization, parish leadership, civic leaders and volunteers to help create a prayerful, welcoming and organized experience for everyone attending.
A large part of Deacon Gromala’s focus has been helping people understand that this is not simply an event, but an invitation for the community to bring Christ into the public square through prayer, adoration and witness.
“There is something deeply moving about seeing people of all ages walking together behind the Eucharist, praying as one family of faith,” he said. “The procession itself will lead us into a time centered on the Sacred Heart of Jesus, reminding us of Christ’s love poured out for the world.”
Deacon Gromala explained that in a time when many people feel isolated, discouraged, or spiritually disconnected, this is a chance for the Church to step outside the walls of the parish and proclaim hope. He shared that his prayer is that people who attend, and even those who simply witness the procession along the streets, encounter the love and mercy of Christ in a real way.
“The Sacred Heart reminds us that the love of Jesus is not distant or abstract,” he said. “It is personal, compassionate and still burning for humanity today. The Heart of Christ reveals a God who walks with us in suffering, rejoices with us in our joys, and continually calls us back to Himself with mercy.”
Deacon Gromala believes it is especially important today for people to understand that devotion to the Sacred Heart is ultimately about relationship. Jesus is not simply asking for admiration; He is inviting His people into deeper trust, deeper prayer, and deeper conversion.
“The Sacred Heart is a reminder that we are loved even in our weakness and called to become witnesses of that same love to others,” he said.
Deacon Gromala stated there is something beautiful about knowing that while the local faithful will gather together, Catholics across the country are also publicly witnessing to their faith and renewing devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
“It reminds us that the Church is much bigger than any one parish or community,” he said. “We are truly united as one Body in Christ. For our Diocese, participating in this national movement is a reminder that evangelization begins locally but connects us universally. We stand together with the wider Church in proclaiming that Christ is present, Christ is alive, and Christ still draws people to Himself. I believe moments like this strengthen not only individual faith, but also our identity as a missionary Church called to bring hope into the world.”
Lisa Curley, coordinator for hospitality and pre-evangelization, is overseeing the activities that will happen at Bulldog Park. The diocese’s St. Benedict Team, which she is part of, is striving to make this portion equal parts “memorable, reverent, family-friendly and fun.”
Curley said there has been a lot of effort put into the many details so everyone can join in this historic moment of the dedication to the Sacred Heart of Jesus for the diocese, but also time for real family fun, including food, kid games and the splash pad.
Multiple churches from around the diocese have loaned items for the event, contributing to the beauty of the altar, a true worship space, and the reverence of the procession. The volunteers represent all four counties of the diocese and all of the vendors are local.
“I think it's important that at the very core, for all of us to focus that the Sacred Heart represents that Jesus laid down his life for us, that he loved us that much,” she said.
Curley noted that what is so beautiful about the event is that the Diocese of Gary looked at this act by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops as so important that the Office of Missionary Discipleship worked with Bishop McClory to move in tandem and bring the diocese together.
“I love that we are doing this for the USA,” added Father McNicholas. “This is a reminder that we are part of something much bigger than ourselves. The Diocese of Gary is joining Catholics across the country in turning to the Sacred Heart of Jesus for the 250th birthday of the USA.”
For more information and to sign up, visit https://dcgary.org/dedication.
