NWI Catholic Stories

rummage sale illustration
Church rummage sales benefit communities and parish ministries  
Volunteers Make the Difference
Book club bible study at St. Mary Otis
Book club and bible study is right combination for parish in Otis
The Catholic Communities
Santacruzan at St. Michael
Santacruzan honors saints, connects Filipino community
A Tradition of Pageantry and Faith
Top Grads 2026
Diocese of Gary salutes this year's top grads
Congratulations!
Cardinal José Cobo of Madrid poses for a photo while meeting reporters at the Vatican Sept. 29, 2023. (CNS photo/Lola Gomez)
Pope will find a living, growing Church in Madrid, Spanish cardinal says
Father Richard Orlinski
Pastor’s dedication to serving the people showed in his ministry
Father Richard Orlinski (1947-2026)
Rosary
Virtual Rosary brings together many languages united by one faith
"Blessed Mother Around the World"
A combination photo shows Archbishop Paul D. Etienne of Seattle in an undated image and a painting of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is seen during Palm Sunday Mass at Sacred Heart Church in Prescott, Ariz., April 13, 2025. On May 15, 2026, Archbishop Etienne issued a pastoral letter on the Sacred Heart of Jesus, titled "Meek and Humble of Heart." (OSV News photo/Archdiocese of Seattle, CNS/Bob Roller)
Devotion to Sacred Heart 'more timely than ever' as a return to love itself, says archbishop
Students from St. Mary Catholic Community School
St. Mary students experience history firsthand on recent trip
Boston Bound
Young people exchange names and answer three questions about themselves as they mingle before a Young Adult Summer Speaker Series in Dyer on June 4, 2025. Up to 90 participants have enjoyed the Diocese of Gary sessions for the past three years, and a new slate of speakers is scheduled this summer at different parishes each Wednesday. (Marlene A. Zloza/file photo)
Speaker series offers new line-up to engage young Catholics this summer
Faith and Fellowship
Bishop McClory
Themes of change and service punctuate Calumet College graduation
Calumet College of St. Joseph Commencement
Dedication to the Sacred Heart of Jesus
Diocese prepares to be consecrated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus
Eucharistic Procession, Praise Music, Food and More!
St. Stanislaus Kostka Church is delighted to share that the Phase 1 Kickoff Celebration & Brick Blessing took place last Sunday morning, July 27th. This joyful event was held outside in front of the church with approximately 100 parishioners and friends in attendance.
St. Stanislaus Kostka continues capital campaign to care for building
Brick By Brick
Kristy Olsen, community resource supervisor, and Jennie Weer, donor relations officer, water the plants and check the supplies in the kitchen of the former convent at Sojourner Truth House in Gary, which has been converted into a transitional housing center for young women ages 18-24. The Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ, sponsors of STH, has donated the convent, and a former orphanage in East Chicago, to the women’s resource center. (Marlene A. Zloza photo)
Sojourner Truth House welcomes young women as they pursue goals
Transitional Housing Opens
Immaculate Conception Grotto May Crowning
Immaculate Conception Grotto continues to honor the Blessed Mother for close to 100 years
An Exterior Sign of Catholicism
Bishop McClory
Abiding in the Sacred Heart for our 250th Anniversary
BNI Spring Gala
Volunteers, stakeholders and bidders help make BNI Spring Gala a success
A Night to Remember, A Legacy to Continue
Bishop Robert J. McClory comforts parents Julio and Iliana Fonseca, of Munster, as he presents them with a lit candle in remembrance of their son, Julio Camilo Fonseca, who died in 2014, three days after his birth. The couple, with their two daughters, attended the annual Pregnancy and Infant Loss Memorial Mass hosted by the Diocese of Gary on May 3 at St. John Bosco in Hammond. (Marlene A. Zloza photo)
Parents gather as diocese honors young children lost too soon
Mass of Remembrance
Mass for 125th Anniversary of St. Michael School
St. Michael School commemorates milestone with anniversary celebration 
Celebrating 125 Years
Hallow representative talks with students
Hallow representative shares five things that happen when we pray
Developing a Culture of Prayer
Krystal Quagliara
Local podcaster continues to explore the lives of Catholic moms
Messy But Marian
Kris and Jim Kazmierczak
LOSS provides safe, nonjudgmental environment for those grieving
The First Steps in Healing
hands illustration
Webinar discusses foundation and tools of Catholic Social Teaching to empower young people
Turning Faith Into Action
Char Reynolds, recipient of the 2026 Dr. John Kelly Founder’s Award, carries a bouquet and plaque among guests at the Lake County Right to Life banquet hosted on April 24 at Avalon Manor in Merrillville. The 53rd annual fundraising banquet featured keynote speaker Doctor George Delgado, a San Diego, California-based physician who pioneered an abortion pill reversal treatment that has saved the lives of more than 8,000 babies. (Anthony D. Alonzo photo)
Pro-life advocates gather at Lake County Right to Life Banquet
Culture of Life
Jordan Al-Akel and his son, Alek distribute their raffle tickets, hoping to win a prize, at the Spirit of Spring Fashion Show hosted by the Parish Life Committee at Our Lady of Grace in Highland, on April 26 at Andorra Banquets in Schererville. Alek, a fourth grader at Southridge Elementary School in Highland, modeled the tuxedo he is wearing. (Marlene A. Zloza photo)
Parish revives fashion show to bring OLG faith community together
The Spirit of Spring
A display about organ donations was set up in the lobby of Franciscan Health Crown Point on April 21 for the annual Donate Life Celebration hosted by the hospital. Reading the Messages of Hope posted by employees and visitors are Katrina Hejnowski, chief nursing officer, and visitor Troy urtis, of Lacrosse. (Marlene A. Zloza photo)
Organ donations provide the precious gift of life for thousands
Donate Life Celebration
Kristine Coronado ( from left) , co-executive director for Right to Life of Northwest Indiana, explains the work of her organization in Porter and LaPorte counties, to Stephanie Valdovinos, of Valparaiso, and Destinie and Jose Alcantar, of Chesterton, guests at the “Evangelizing Reality: Science & the Culture of Life” program at Journeyman Distillery in Valparaiso on April 15. Both Valdovinos and Destinie Alcantar are registered nurses at Franciscan Health Michigan City who came at the invitation of speaker
Fertility management teacher explains how scientific advances help couples
Facing Reproductive Issues
Mary, Mother of Mercy image
Michigan City parishes now united under new parish name
Kouris family
Each family who adopts has its own unique story
Diocese to Host Adoption and Foster Care Seminar
Franciscan Health Crown Point
Franciscan Alliance to bring osteopathic medical school to Crown Point
Beginning in 2030
Baby Shower at St. John Bosco
Baby showers provide fun way to support mothers in the community 
Sharing Smiles, Supporting Families in Need
Father Kozak
Priest remembered as gentle and kind, ready to serve 
Father Richard Kozak (1941-2026)
Jo Brown (right) explains to (from left) Cathy Bartczak and Ruth Palis, as well as others attending the Diocese of Gary’s semi-annual Prolife Meeting on April 13 at the Pastoral Center in Merrillville, how the Walking With Mothers in Need group at St. Michael the Archangel in Schererville was recently able to help its first mother in need with diapers and other baby needs after she reached out to the group. “She’s the first mom who saw our sign in the church’s gathering place and called us,” said Brown. “We
Meeting brings together Respect Life leaders from throughout the diocese
Building a Culture of Life
St Mary Byzantine
Community shows support for Whiting parish and ministry hub
Caring for Community Together
The St. Benedict Hospitality Team for the Diocese of Gary discusses plans for the Friday, June 12 Dedication to the Sacred Heart of Jesus during an April 9 meeting at the Pastoral Center: (clockwise from left) Lisa Curley, Jan Sypnieski, Suzie Hartman, John and Diane MacDonald and Maria Lopez. (Marlene A. Zloza photo)
Hospitality team joyfully serves Diocese of Gary at special events
Using Your Gifts
Vine & Branches women’s ministry members listen to co-leader Debbie Revor pose a discussion question about King David’s relationship with God during the April 7 meeting at St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Student Center in Valparaiso. To the left of Revor is Linda Phillips, the other co-leader of the group. (Marlene A. Zloza photo)
Women’s ministry thrives on prayer and discussion at St. Teresa of Avila
priest assignments
New clergy assignments announced in the Diocese of Gary
From the Chancery
Indiana Dunes
Bishops of Indiana release new pastoral letter
Integral Ecology: A Sacramental Vision
Pamela and Paul Thomas, parishioners at St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Student Center in Valparaiso, listen to staff members from Bartholomew Funeral Home discuss the benefits of advance planning when it comes to funerals. They were among a standing-room-only crowd attending the End of Life Planning program hosted at St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Student Center in Valparaiso on April 1. (Marlene A. Zloza photo)
Catholic teaching, legal and practical issues about funerals explained
End of Life Planning
Bishop at Easter Vigil
Bishop celebrates Christ’s Resurrection at Easter Vigil Mass
Baptism Highlights Service
Bishop McClory on Easter Sunday
Bishop: ‘Gift of baptism is renewed during the Easter season’
A Joyful Day
Bishop McClory at The Shrine of Christ's Passion
Bishop McClory leads Stations of the Cross at The Shrine for the fifth year
Reflecting on Jesus's Final Hours
Bishop at Easter Mass
Hope is Alive
Chrism Mass
Chrism Mass: Liturgy reflects on the love and mercy of Jesus
Chrism Mass
pinwheels
Pinwheels are a reminder of diocese’s commitment to keep children safe
Child Abuse Prevention Month
Caption: Dozens of local faithful walk in a procession, followed by those in automobiles along Seventh Avenue as they journey to the Cathedral of the Holy Angels in Gary on Palm Sunday, March 29. The Steel City Catholics joined in a procession marking 1.3-miles from Ss. Monica and Luke to the cathedral, representing the triumphal entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem, as a five-year tradition led by Franciscan friars concluded. (Anthony D. Alonzo photo)
Gary-area faithful join Palm Sunday procession amid change 
Road to Jerusalem
Emmaus Conference 2025
Good music ministry helps people pray better
Emmaus Conference 2026
Gianni DiTola
Understanding language can help you understand others
From the Seminary
Nash Joseph Cooper, son of Barbara J. Cooper and Tyler A. Maciejewski of Crown Point.
Franciscan Health newborns getting into the Spring spirit
Happy Easter!
Our lady of Guadalupe Statue in Gary
Historic statue finds a new home in Gary
Entering a New Era