Northwest Indiana Catholic | Diocese of Gary

Local Stories

Father Ben Ross, pastor at St. Bridget in Hobart, talks with (left) Sister Benita Maria, C.M.C. and Sister Serene Jacob, C.M.C., both members of the Congregation of Mother of Carmel. St. Bridget hosted the annual luncheon hosted by the Serra Club of Northwest Indiana for religious sisters on Oct. 25. (Marlene A. Zloza photo)

Serra Club thanks religious sisters at annual fall luncheon

For All They Do

Homeowner Bill Greenfield, the 100th recipient of a lifechanging ramp from the St. Michael Wheelchair Ramp Ministry, thanks the three ministry volunteers, (from left) Deacon Tom Kubik, Rick Besich and ministry leader Jim Koeling. “This ramp gives my wife and I freedom, the ability to get out of the house, and offers us safety in case of a fire or other emergency,” said Greenfield. (Marlene A. Zloza photo)

Wheelchair ramp ministry helps families access their homes

Luxury Bingo

Fundraiser brings together games, prizes and fun for women in need

Luxury Bingo

Deacon Edward Jule Shultz

Deacon known for unwavering faith and gentle leadership

Deacon Edward Shultz (1947–2025)

Maria Janes, an artist, paints the face of three-year-old Ezra Aguilar, son of Joel and Nicole Aguilar, of Crown Point, during the Dia de los Muertos celebration on Oct. 18 at Holy Name of Jesus in Cedar Lake. According to information exhibited at the event in Sacred Heart Hall, “face painting turns the living into joyful symbols of the dead.” Wearing a “calavera” design shows that life and death are forever joined. . (Marlene A. Zloza photo)

Parish celebrates Dia de los Muertos with artwork, exhibits and altar

Day of the Dead

Baby Kristal Ann Davis of Hobart dressed as Snow White.

Nurses help families mark holiday milestone with costumes, photos

Franciscan Health babies in Halloween spirit

Nation & World

People receive Communion during an outdoor Mass in the Broadview section of Chicago Nov. 1, 2025, observed by interfaith leaders, community members, and volunteers, outside the Broadview ICE facility, after U.S. President Donald Trump ordered an increased federal law enforcement presence to assist in crime prevention. The Mass was led by Chicago Auxiliary Bishop José María Garcia-Maldonado. (OSV News photo/Leah Millis, Reuters)

ICE bars Chicago bishop from giving detained Catholics holy Communion on All Saints

A newspaper with an article reporting U.S. President Donald Trump's message to Nigeria over the treatment of Christians hangs at a newspaper stand in Ojuelegba, Lagos, Nigeria. Nov. 2, 2025. Trump said Oct. 31 he would designate Nigeria as a "country of particular concern" in response to violence in that country perpetuated against predominantly Christian communities. On Nov. 1, he threatened military action if that country's government didn't "move fast" to respond. (OSV News photo/Sodiq Adelakun, Reuters)

Nigerian church leaders have mixed reaction to Trump threat of action to protect Christians

A mother and a child dressed as a Catholic saint celebrate Holywins festival in the Sanctuary of St. Juliana of Cornillon, better known as Juliana of Liege, in Belgium, Oct. 29, 2023. Across Europe, Catholic families are turning Halloween into a celebration of light, life and holiness with "Holywins" -- a play on "Holy" and "Halloween." The movement began in Paris in 2002 and has since spread to Poland, Belgium, Italy, Spain and beyond. (OSV News photo/courtesy Holywins Liege)

It's Holywins: European Catholics offer a joyful alternative to Halloween