NWI Catholic Stories

Our lady of Guadalupe Statue in Gary
Historic statue finds a new home in Gary
Entering a new era
Palm Sunday
Diocese ready to commemorate the final days of Jesus' life
Holy Week 2026
Zosia Podczerwinski (left) and her sister-in-law Stasia Podczerwinski start preparations for the catered Easter Sunday meals under the watchful eye of Father Irek Bem in the kitchen at the Our Lady of Czestochowa Shrine in Merrillville. Orders for the meals, 10 and up, must be made by April 1. (Marlene A. Zloza photo)
Shrine’s catering team prepares Easter dinners for local families
Polish Food Featured
Father Roque Meraz, associate pastor at St. Paul in Valparaiso, explains the principles of Catholic Social Teaching in relation to civil laws during the Saturday Formation program on “Faith and Politics” at the Pastoral Center in Merrillville on March 21. He taught Spanish speakers while Father Jacob McDaniel simultaneously met with English-speaking attendees on the same topic. (Marlene A. Zloza photo)
Catholic Church sticks to discussing principles, not candidates
Faith and Politics
Ability Inclusion Mass
Mass of Inclusion draws other-abled community together
'They're so Joyful'
John Juscik
Man spreads faith through handmade crosses 
A Symbol of God's Love
Mexico Trip 2025
Diocesan pilgrims ready to return to Mexico
More Than a Trip, It's a Mission
“Renewing the Heart of the Servant” was the theme of the spiritual retreat presented by Father Cesar Cajetan Arras, CR, a priest in the Order of Clerics Regular, in the Diocese of Gary on March 15. Here, Father Arras speaks to Spanish-speaking participants while English speakers spent time in adoration to the Holy Eucharist. The two groups gathered at the end to share a potluck dinner. (Marlene A. Zloza photo)
Ministry leaders urged to serve others with the heart of Jesus
Renewing the Heart of the Servant
Students from Nativity of Our Savior
Nativity students ready to make step forward in faith this spring
CYO Girls' Championships
Hard work, teamwork and determination create champions at basketball finals
CYO Girls’ Basketball Championships
Father John Scott
Healing service invites faithful to allow God’s love to restore their heart
Healing & Penitential Prayer Service
Bishop Robert J. McClory (right) and the faithful approach the Third Station, Jesus Falls the First Time, at the Shrine of Christ's Passion on April 7. The interactive Good Friday service along the prayer trail was broadcast live nationally from St. John on the Relevant Radio Network. (Anthony D. Alonzo photo)
How to live a meaningful Lent
Timothy Shriver, chairman of the Special Olympics, delivers the commencement address at Jesuit-run Fairfield University in Connecticut May 18, 2025. Shriver is the recipient of the 2026 Laetare medal, a prestigious honor given by the University of Notre Dame to American Catholics. (OSV News photo/Fairfield University)
Timothy Shriver, Special Olympics chair, awarded Notre Dame's Laetare Medal
Sharing information about Sojourner Truth House and its annual fundraising Walk for STH on Saturday, June 13 with guest Christian Burks (second from left) from Damar Services, Inc. and She’s Still a Rose are (from left) Director of Client Services Dr. Pam Key, Sister Salem Bisong, PHJC and Executive Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Justine Johnson of the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ. The foursome met on March 9 at one of the regularly scheduled Coffee and Conversation sessions hosted by the Gar
Sojourner Truth House relies on annual walk to fund women’s programs
Offering A Fresh Start
St. Mary Crown Point Float
St. Mary prepares to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with the city
Community Involvement
Father McDaniel
Walking through Lent with Intention
Fourth Sunday of Lent
Living Wax Museum of Saints
Students showcase Catholic identity through confirmation-related activity
Living Wax Museum of Saints
Bishop Robert McClory
Bishop tells students to remain close to God in order to bear good fruit 
Diocesan Shepherd Visits Classrooms
Deacon Edward Bodley
St. John parish ready to begin new sessions of nationally recognized support programs
Grief Share, Divorce Care
Scouts and American Heritage Girls are congratulated by (back row center) Diocese of Gary scout chaplain Father Benjamin Ross and Bishop Robert J. McClory after receiving their religious emblems during the Gary Diocese Catholic Committee on Scouting Mass hosted by St. Bridget in Hobart on March 1. Families were invited to a reception after the annual Mass. (Marlene A. Zloza photo)
Diocesan Mass honors youth for earning religious emblems
Scout Sunday Celebrated
Marla Macadlo
Parishioners engage in small groups to explore themes in Pope Leo XIV's Dilexi Te
Encountering Others
World Youth Day
Diocese of Gary coordinating pilgrimage to Seoul, Korea
World Youth Day 2027
Caption: After her last Sunday Mass at St. Mary Byzantine Catholic Church in Whiting before entering a monastery, Marie Beccaloni took a photo with Father Andrew Summerson and Pani Laura Ieraci. (Provided photo)
Woman discerns lifestyle of self-discipline and abstinence from worldly pleasures
Prayer and Contemplation
The first Leones Christi tournament class hosted a Graduation Mass and Dinner on Feb. 17 at St. Bridget in Hobart. Receiving certificates for completing all assignments for the new men’s ministry are the graduates, led by founder Jason Solivais (back row center wearing cap). (Marlene A. Zloza photo)
New men’s ministry created at St. Bridget graduates first class
Lions of Christ
Cheryl Hale is chairwoman of Bowl for the Cure, which recently celebrated 25 years of raising funds for Franciscan Health Michigan City breast cancer patients.
Fundraiser marks 25 years supporting Franciscan Health breast cancer patients
Bowl for the Cure
pastoral planning
After prayerful reflection, recommendations released to strengthen diocese’s future 
Shared Vision Supports Spiritual Needs
Romaine Ostrowski (second from left), a group leader at Phil’s Friends, directs volunteers (from left) Reny Pearman, Donna Kuhlmann, Donna Parker and Connie Jasik, all parishioners at St. John the Evangelist in St. John, as they fill care boxes for cancer patients during a Feb. 20 service project at the Christ-centered nonprofit agency’s Hope Center in Crown Point. The care packages are sent at no charge to cancer patients of all ages throughout the U.S., offering support and comfort. (Marlene A. Zloza phot
SJE volunteers offer care and comfort to cancer patients
Helping Phil's Friends
Catechumen Michael Shea (center), of Merrillville, a student at Aquinas Catholic Community School, states his name for Bishop Robert J. McClory and the congregation at the Rite of Election service on Feb. 22 at the Cathedral of the Holy Angels in Gary. At left is Father Peter Muha, who held the microphone for the catechumens, and at right is Marie Wilson, Michael’s sponsor and the office manager at the Merrillville school. (Marlene A. Zloza photo)
Catechumens take joyous step forward in journey toward baptism
Rite of Election
My Mental Wellness Toolbox
Online meeting offers tools for walking with others experiencing emotional distress
Staying Healthy In Mind, Body and Spirit 
Father Sammie Maletta
Pastor shares behind-the-scenes story of parish renewal
How Do We Make Disciples?
Superintendent Colleen Brewer
Endowment supporting teacher salaries receives boost in funding
Striving to Be a Model for Others
Ethics of AI presentation
Formation session discusses the role of technology within evangelization
The Ethics of AI
Married just over a year, Nicole McCaffery and Tyler Peters, of Kouts, matched all 34 answers in the Raise the Shoe Game to demonstrate how well they know each other at the Married Couples Retreat hosted by the Diocese of Gary on Feb. 14 at St. Paul in Valparaiso. The questions included “Who is the most religious?” and “Who is the most stubborn?” as well as more humorous queries like “Who has the better fashion sense?” (Marlene A. Zloza photo)
Seven basic principles to cultivate ‘an amazing relationship’ shared by speakers
Married Couples Retreat
Ash Wednesday at St. Mary Crown Point
Faithful share what the liturgical season of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving means to them
What will you do during Lent?
Lunar New Year
Vietnamese community celebrates Lunar New Year with faith, fellowship and food
Running Together
Diocese of Gary teachers
Catholic school educators honored, recognized during professional development day 
Teachers are Superheroes
St Michael winners
St. Michael Parish Celebrates Record-Breaking Super Raffle  
Top Winners
Photo By Getty Images / azerberber
Parishes line up activities to reflect, repent and renew faith
Preparing for Lent
Dr. Claudia Sadowski
Leadership formation focuses on pastoral service within Hispanic communities
See. Illuminate. Act. Celebrate.
CYO
Hard work and good defense prove critical in championship games
CYO Boys’ Basketball 
Rebekah Martin and Sister Benedicta stand by bags containing 1,500 stuffed animals donated to Franciscan Health by The Eva Martin Project, founded in memory of Rebekah’s daughter.
The Eva Martin Project honors memory of 3-year-old Michigan girl
Stuffed Animals for Pediatric Patients
Matt Kresich
Diocesan native asks readers to listen for God's call
The Path of Discernment
ICC logo
ICC, bishops call for ‘humane legislative solutions’ on immigration
Noreen Bickel
Annual CSA campaign kicks off, offers support to important ministries
On the Way With Jesus
St. Paul Men's Club board members present Father Doug Mayer with a $10,000 donation to the church
St. Paul Men’s Club asks students to define their mission
Inaugural Scholarship Program
John and Beverly Crouch, of Hobart, pray before Mass on Feb. 1 at St. Bridget in Hobart, the feast day of the parish’s namesake. Prayer can take several forms, which will be explored in a four-week Catechism Series on Prayer that begins on Wednesday, Feb. 25 in the Diocese of Gary. (Marlene A. Zloza photo)
Diocese to host five-week, in-depth study to enhance prayer life
Catechism Series on Prayer
Andrean High School students at March for Life
Diocesan faithful travel to Indy to participate in March for Life events
Life Is A Gift
Hannah Fagen, 13, takes a turn reading a faith formation lesson on the third beatitude, “Blessed are the Meek, For They Shall Inherit the Earth,” during the Jan. 22 meeting of the new Carlos Acutis Franciscan Youth Group at Holy Name of Jesus in Cedar Lake. (Marlene A. Zloza photo)
Youth group relishes faith formation, prayer and fellowship
The Franciscan Way
Allison M
Emmaus Conference creates opportunity to foster community and connection with Christ
Don't Miss This Chance to Grow In Faith!
ICC logo
Chemical abortion, death penalty among key life issues for ICC
Abortion and death penalty legislation