Bishop McClory officially completes initial diocesan parish tour
EAST CHICAGO and SAN PIERRE – February 11 will mark the two-year anniversary of Bishop Robert J. McClory’s episcopal ordination and the approximate starting point of a journey of countless miles to see the many faces of the faithful and visit each diocesan church.
Noting inspiring first-time meetings, reaffirmed personal connections and the many lessons of Gospel readings shared, the bishop completed his diocesan circuit of parish visits with the celebration of Mass at Holy Trinity (Croatian) in East Chicago on Jan. 30.
Greeted with open arms by Father Terrence Steffens, administrator, and the sounds of the Holy Trinity choir, the bishop later said the hospitality of Northwest Indiana Catholics is second-to-none.
“It’s a warm community; the people are very gracious,” said Bishop McClory as he was welcomed to a reception with food and fellowship. “I’m happy to be here today and experience that from them.”
Bishop McClory recounted that he was able to see the great majority of parishes in his first year at the helm of the diocese. This was despite the arrival of a pandemic in early 2020, when the bishop had just a month of unrestricted visits like people were used to before various mitigation efforts and temporary dispensations for the faithful.
The easing of restrictions, the use of personal protective wear and the availability of vaccines saw the bishop resume, in most cases, a schedule of presiding at confirmations, holy communions and various other sacramental and administrative activities.
“Within the first year, once I completed my cycle of confirmations, I had offered Mass in (almost) every church, but not quite (all),” explained Bishop McClory.
Some smaller parishes did not have their own Confirmation ceremonies or for various reasons had not scheduled a visit from the bishop.
“I reached out to make sure, because I kept track of the parishes I had been to,” Bishop McClory said. “It’s a joy to have now been with every one of our parish communities throughout the diocese.”
On his Jan. 29 visit to All Saints church in San Pierre, parishioners learned about Bishop McClory’s personal connection to the parish.
He shared that Father Terrence Bennis, pastor, was a student in Bishop McClory’s Canon Law class at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit.
“It is a great joy that I had the opportunity to reconnect with him and see him in the setting of his pastoral ministry,” said Bishop McClory.
Father Bennis later confessed to his flock, “One of the things the bishop didn’t share was that I was one of his pesky students who was always asking 101 questions. Sometimes I think I exasperated him,” joked Father Bennis.
While researching the history of the parish founded in 1858, Bishop McClory learned that the second pastor assigned to All Saints was a Missionary of the Most Precious Blood, with whom the bishop’s two uncles, Father Robert Conway and Father Thomas Conway served. “It warms my heart because I feel the spiritual lineage that they were a part in the flourishing of Catholic life in the diocese.”
Parishioners were equally excited to have Bishop McClory visit the small church located in Starke County, in the southernmost part of the diocese.
Larry Rozhon recalled how as a youth when a bishop visited, formalities did not allow for much personal conversation.
“Tonight, it was nice to sit and talk with (Bishop McClory),” said Rozhon. “Even though we’re a small parish, he took time to spend with us and he takes an interest in us.”
Anna Feddler, 16, and her younger sister, Bella, 13, joined the rest of their family for Mass and dinner with the bishop.
Bella stated how when meeting people, like the bishop, one can get “a little starstruck” because they seem larger than life. After meeting Bishop McClory, Bella said, “during the visit, you realize you’re all people and you can have a good time together.”
Gathered in East Chicago after Mass in the school building above the church for fellowship and treats, longtime Holy Trinity parishioners shared stories of the 100-year-old parish. Bishop McClory offered a prayer over the guests, including the members of the Vasquez family who sat nearby.
Mary Ann Tuskan, 94, resided in the Holy Trinity neighborhood for 70 years. Saying she was appreciative of the bishop’s visit and diocesan travels, she makes her own pilgrimage to the East Chicago church.
“I live in Highland, and I still belong here and go to Mass here on Sundays,” said Tuskan. “My two boys went to school here, and I helped out in the library. I like all of my fellow parishioners.”
Longtime parishioner Frank Kresich was conversing with Father Steffens, who joked that the bishop was visiting simply “because he wanted to meet you.”
Kresich joked back that the bishop said to him, “I don’t know about you.”
In a serious moment, Kresich reflected on the decades of faithful association with Holy Trinity parish. Having the bishop visit, he said, was a special point on that timeline.
“It’s nice that the bishop has come here to visit,” said Kresich who was baptized, schooled, confirmed and married in the parish.
The religious expression of the faithful throughout the diocese’s four counties have made an impression on the bishop.
“We have a spectrum from Starke County to East Chicago and beyond, both in terms of languages and cultural expressions,” said Bishop McClory. “It was a real joy for me to see the spectrum and diversity of faith we have in Northwest Indiana.”