NWI Catholic Stories

Distribution Holy Communion and blessings to young people, Father Ivan Alatorre celebrates the new Spanish-language Mass on July 27 at St. John Bosco in Hammond. Without any publicity other than outreach to parish school families and word of mouth, about 60 people have been attending weekly. (Marlene A. Zloza photo)
St. John Bosco serving its community with new Spanish Mass
Father Greg Bim-Merle and Deacon O'Donnell with the statue of St. James the Less before his last Sunday Mass of the summer. (Provided photo)
Seminarians see God working in variety of ministries this summer 
Hallow
5 ways to pray on the Hallow app heading into “Back to School” season
lunch after migrant Mass
Outdoor liturgy celebrates the faith and commitment of migrants 
Mass for Migrant Workers
sale at Our Lady of Consolation
Rummage and garage sales help community, help parishes
Volunteers are Key to Success
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Catechists share love of teaching ahead of religious education session
Echoing the Word of God
Bingo players clap after one of their tablemates won a game during the annual parish picnic at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in Valparaiso on July 20. White elephant prizes were supplied by parishioners, who also brought potluck side dishes and desserts to share. The parish provided hamburgers, hot dogs and brats grilled by volunteers. (Marlene A. Zloza photo)
Friendly parish celebrates decades of welcoming newcomers with picnic
Mass and Picnic
New Volunteer Advocates for Seniors and Incapacitated Adults (VASIA) were sworn in at Lake Superior Court July 21. Pictured are (l-r) VASIA Director LaVonne Jarrett, Sara Ruzycki, Diane Burton-Clair, Julie Ann Mignogna, Brittish Rule, Lake Superior Court Probate Commissioner Ben Ballou, VASIA Volunteer Coordinator Francisca Mendoza, Frank Clair and Vivian V. Ochoa.
Volunteer court-appointed guardians advocate for elderly, incapacitated
Franciscan Health’s latest VASIA class
Presider Bishop Robert J. McClory (center) applauds the service of Discalced Carmelite Fathers (at left) during Mass on July 19 at a gathering for the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Carmelite Monastery in Munster. During the World War II era, Polish-native members of the mendicant order of friars arrived in Northwest Indiana to first minister to other Poles, then expanded their sacramental and educational ministry from a beautiful campus at Ridge Road and White Oak Avenue. (Anthony D. Alonzo photo)
Carmelite Monastery’s faith and family shine into eighth decade
Diamond Anniversary
Jonah Hauer-King, Sarah Pidgeon, Chase Sui Wonders, Madelyn Cline and Tariq Withers star in a scene from the movie "I Know What You Did Last Summer." The OSV News classification is O – morally offensive. The Motion Picture Association rating is R -- restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian. (OSV News photo/Columbia Pictures)
Movie Review: I Know What You Did Last Summer
Bishop Andrew Grutka, first bishop of the Diocese of Gary, blesses the statue of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in front of original Carmelite Monastery building in Munster in 1959, just two years after the diocese was established and nine years after the Discalced Carmelite Fathers arrived in Northwest Indiana. (Provided photo)
Carmelite Fathers to host bishop for anniversary Mass and more
Marking 75 Years
Josh Schultz
Alpha Marriage creates intentional time for couples to refresh relationship
A Space to Reconnect
Guest speaker Leo Marquette (standing), a Diocese of Gary seminarian, chats with the Usdowski family, (from left) Rich, his father Rich, and mother, Shery, and wife Lynne with baby Annie, before the Theology Uncorked program on Pope Leo XIV at St. Michael the Archangel in Schererville on July 10. The younger Usdowski’s St. Michael parishioners, invited the elder Usdowski’s, who attend St. Mary in Griffith, to the evening event featuring food, fellowship and an educational program. (Marlene A. Zloza photo)
First U.S. pope profiled by seminarian for parish crowd
All About Pope Leo XIV
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Wounded Healers helps those coping with grief for more than 30 years
No one Season for Grieving
Zach Zeagaczewski taps the heads of fellow players as he rounds the circle in a game of Duck, Duck Goose during the first day of the Totus Tuus program for grades 1-6 at St. Bridget in Hobart on July 7. Faith lessons and prayer are interspersed with games and crafts during the one-week sessions at Diocese of Gary parishes, with four college-age missionaries leading the daytime schedule for grades 1-6 and the evening meetings for grades 7-12. (Marlene A. Zloza photo)
Young people brought closer to God with Totus Tuus
A Summer of Faith
Bishop emeritus Carl F. Mengeling of Lansing, Mich. greets the faithful at the conclusion of the 150th anniversary Mass of the founding of the parish school at St. Thomas the Apostle in Ann Arbor, on Sept. 8. Bishop Mengeling was part of the Diocese of Gary inaugural ordination class and served as a high school and college instructor and pastor at parishes including St. Mark, All Saints in Hammond, Holy Name, Nativity of Our Savior, and St. Thomas More, before being ordained as a bishop in Jan. 1996. (Antho
Bishop Mengeling remembered as happy warrior for God before Lansing requiem
Native Son's Memorial
 David Corenswet, Rachel Brosnahan star in a scene from the movie "Superman." The OSV News classification is A-III -- adults. The Motion Picture Association rating is PG-13 - parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13. (OSV News photo/Jessica Miglio, Warner Bros.)
Movie Review: Superman
Eucharistic adoration is the act of praying before the very presence of the Lord, exposed in the monstrance, a specially crafted stand designed to hold a consecrated host. Many parishes within the Diocese of Gary have adoration hours and most have designated adoration spaces or chapels. Faithful in Northwest Indiana continue to have a variety of opportunities to pray alone in silence or join others during special adoration nights hosted by parishes throughout the diocese.      St. Paul in Valparaiso will ha
Eucharistic adoration opportunities plentiful throughout the summer
In the Presence of Jesus
Father Nathaniel Edquist (left), Diocese of Gary vocations director, Bishop Robert J. McClory (center) and Transitional Deacon Will O’Donnell (right) congratulate seminarians Ryan Pierce (second from left) and Gianni DiTola following the Mass for the Rite of Admission to Candidacy for Holy Orders on July 8 at St. James the Less in Highland. The two seminarians will head to Rome, Italy later this month to continue their studies at the Pontifical North American College. (Marlene A. Zloza photo)
Seminarians headed to Rome after formally declaring call to priesthood
Rite of Candidacy
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Conferencia sobre discipulado misionero ofrece a la comunidad hispana ponentes poderosos
Emmaus Conference
Meeting under the watchful eye of a statue of the Blessed Mother on the church campus, Father Ian Williams (standing), priest-in-residence at St. Helen in Hebron guides the Gazebo Reflections group in a discussion of inspirational saints on June 30. The group is meeting biweekly on Mondays through Aug. 25 to share their thoughts about the book “33 Days to Eucharistic Glory” by Matthew Kelly, with the next session set for July 14 at 6 p.m. book “33 Days to Eucharistic Glory” by Matthew Kelly,
Gazebo Reflections provide chance to find Eucharistic glory
Saints at Your Side
ar Lake Summerfest over the Fourth of July holiday weekend in 2022. Among the volunteers were Lucy Silerio, Eddie Garcia, Olivia Garcia and Alvero Garcia. (Provided photo)
Parishes join in Fourth of July festivities within the community
Building Relationships
A team of Diocese of Gary seminarians (front row), gather near Bishop Robert J. McClory (center) and diocesan priests (back row) after earning a victory over the ordained in the second annual Collars vs. Scholars Classic event hosted by the Office of Vocations at the Andrean High School softball diamond in Merrillville on June 27. In the event to promote vocations and summer fun, the discerners flipped the script from last year's game in which the priests doubled the seminarians’ score. (Anthony D. Alonzo p
Softball diamond hosts priests and seminarians for game
Collars vs. Scholars Classic
Father Rocky Hoffman and Bishop McClory lead Relevant Radio’s “Family Rosary Across America” on June 28 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Plaza at The Shrine of Christ’s Passion as part of the “Pilgrims of Hope and Freedom” Year of Jubilee event. (Cecilia Cicone photo)
Faith provides lens for Catholics celebrating Independence Day
Eucharistic adoration is held at St. Paul in Valparaiso, but the opportunities for adoration will be increased when the altar in the photo becomes an altar of repose and a new, second altar of sacrifice is added to hold a new tabernacle. Renovations to the chapel is being partially funded by an Eucharistic Adoration Endowment grant through the Catholic foundation for NWI. (Marlene A. Zloza photo)
Endowment awards first Eucharistic adoration grants to parishes
Enhancing Adoration
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New clergy assignments announced in the Diocese of Gary
From the Office of the Bishop
St. James Festival
Parish festivals create fun and fellowship thanks to volunteers
Summer 2025
St John National Eucharist Procession
Diocesan celebration showcases jubilee year and religious freedom
Father Pat Gaza
Priest remembered for servant’s heart and passion for social justice
Father Pat Gaza (1943-2025)
Following the 12:00 p.m. Mass at Holy Family Parish-St Joseph Church, parishioners, along with the Knights of Columbus Color Guard, joined in a procession on the Feast of Corpus Christi on June 22. The nearly two-mile procession through downtown LaPorte made a brief stop in front of St Peter Church then on to Sacred Heart Church for benediction. Ice cream was available for a cold refreshing treat on a day that saw temperatures well into the 90’s. (Michael Wellinski photo)
Extreme heat doesn’t stop the faithful from taking Jesus to the streets
Feast of Corpus Christi
Volunteer Patrick Sayers (from left), of Valparaiso, demonstrates to volunteer coordinator Jill Stefanski and his mother, volunteer Kristina Sayers, how to wrap a napkin around silverware for diners at Café Manna on June 19 at St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Student Center in Valparaiso. Kristina Sayers said she and her son first volunteered at the weekly meals last Christmas, and returned this summer to help out while Valparaiso University student volunteers are on summer break. (Marlene A. Zloza photo)
Summer volunteers keep Café Manna open to all
Serving Our Neighbors
pilgrim sites
Summer provides opportunity to complete a local journey
Jubilee Year of Hope
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Diocesan priests celebrate significant anniversaries of their ordination
Bridget Conry, of Schererville, a parishioner at Our Lady of Consolation in Merrillville, gets acquainted with Lorely Mora, a parishioner at St. Mary in East Chicago, during an icebreaker before Sister M Josetta Rose’s talk at St. Joseph in Dyer. A Young Adult Summer Speaker Series is bringing young people through age 39 together to share their faith as well as food and fellowship. (Marlene A. Zloza photo)
Young adults forming a faith community through speaker series
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Pope Leo XIV sends message to Chicagoland faithful at White Sox park event 
Gianna Marie Gaal wears a big smile as she receives her Bishop Noll Institute diploma from principal Lorenza Jara Pastrick on June 5. One of 123 graduates, Gaal will attend Purdue University Northwest after receiving more than a dozen scholarship offers. (Marlene A. Zloza photo)
Gratitude shines through Class of 2025 
High schools celebrate graduates
Judy Holicky
Simple ways to create a legacy for the Catholic community
What's in Your Heart?
Bishop Robert J. McClory confirms adults at the Cathedral of the Holy Angels on Pentecost.
Adults set forth on Pentecost with the gift of the Holy Spirit
‘Come, Holy Spirit’
Bishop McClory talks with graduating students from Andrean High School.
Bishop tells Class of 2025 to be prepared, remain faithful after graduation 
Priest-elect Ivan Alatorre (middle, left) is prayed over by Father Eduardo Malagon and priest-elect Alexander Kouris (middle, right) is prayed over by Father Robert Ross during the laying on of hands at the Mass of Ordination in the Cathedral of the Holy Angels in Gary on June 7. The faithful welcomed two new priests – Father Alatorre and Father Kouris – and transitional Deacon WIlliam O'Donnell, who entered new ministries as "ambassadors of Christ," according to the presider of the Mass of Ordination, Bish
Holy Spirit celebrated as two priests and a deacon join Diocese of Gary
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'The Ritual' seeks to portray exorcism respectfully
Christ in the City event at the Cathedral
Neighborhood picnic provides friendship and food for the poor
Encountering Friends on the Street
Paul Jarzembowski
Speaker, author shares messages behind the Jubilee Year of Hope
Hope Does Not Disappoint
Deacon Michael Halas
Deacon Halas answers four key questions on serving with humility 
Coffee & Conversation
Sister Michele Dvorak
Sister Michele Dvorak, PHJC, elected as congregational leader
Paul Jarzembowski, a Dyer native currently working for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in Washington, D.C., offers some ways to reduce stress during the hectic holiday season, straight from his new book, "Hope for the Holidays." He spoke to more than 100 people at a dinner program on Nov. 19, 2023 at Our Lady of Consolation in Merrillville. (Marlene A. Zloza phoio)
Native of Gary diocese to provide understanding of Jubilee Year
Hope Does Not Disappoint
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Priest candidate feels confident, ready to begin his ministry
Deacon Ivan Alatorre
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Ordinand feels blessed by God’s mercy
Deacon Alexander Kouris
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Meet the newest deacon-elect of the Diocese of Gary
William O’Donnell
Listening to prayers for comfort and an end to suffering, mother and daughters (from left) CeCe, Cris and Luna Mundo, of Winfield, participate in a Healing Mass at Holy Spirit in Winfield on May 21. (Marlene A. Zloza photo)
Healing Mass asks God to provide strength and recovery