NWI Catholic Stories

Alhaja Bola Usman, a Muslim woman who is a retired Nigerian Customs officer, and Sister Agatha Chikelue, a member of the Congregation of Daughters of Mary Mother of Mercy, pictured in an undated photo, are building a movement of women of faith to stand up against violence and search for peaceful coexistence in Nigeria. (OSV News photo/Sister Agatha Chikelue)
Women break stereotypes to encourage interreligious dialogue in violence-torn Nigeria
Among Christian candidates gathered at the Rite of Call, Jeremiah Martin (front, left), stands near his sponsor and fiancé Leah Taylor (front, right), both of Nativity of Our Savior in Portage, on Nov. 26 at the Cathedral of the Holy Angels in Gary. The seekers, presented at the liturgy to Bishop Robert J. McClory, will continue in their conversion with the assistance of sponsors, as they anticipate full communion with the Catholic Church. (Anthony D. Alonzo photo)
Candidates accept the call from God to fully join Catholic Church
ValLimar Jansen speaks with those gathered at the parish mission of Holy Martyrs Parish and Our Lady of Consolation on Nov. 14. Jansen, a university/college professor, leader of worship and prayer and a workshop presenter at conferences across the United States, led the three-day event entitled, "All Our Welcome, All Belong." (Erin Ciszczon photo)
Parish mission brings together music, prayer and storytelling
Clergymen into the Patriarchal Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ in Kiev, Ukraine, June 5, 2017. The cathedral and its curia buildings sustained damage during a massive Nov. 25, 2023, drone attack by Russian forces on Kyiv. (OSV News photo/Valentyn Ogirenko, Reuters)
Russian drone damages Kyiv Catholic cathedral
Miss Nicaragua Sheynnis Palacios points her finger upward after being crowned Miss Universe during the 72nd Miss Universe pageant in San Salvador, El Salvador, Nov. 18, 2023. (OSV News photo/Jose Cabezas, Reuters)
Nicaraguan Catholic Miss Universe wins hearts of fellow countrymen oppressed by the regime 
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Mass pays tribute to Black Catholics of the early Church
Vicki Huelat poses with Zaki outside the hotel Huelat and her pilgrimage tour group stayed at in Jerusalem. Huelat said Zaki claimed her as his adopted mother-in-law and Huelat considers him as her adopted son-in-law. (Photo provided)
LaPorte woman shares details of her Israel pilgrimage as war breaks out
Pope Francis, who is recovering from pulmonary inflammation, shakes hands with Paraguay's President Santiago Peña Palacios at the end of their meeting in the Domus Sanctae Marthae at the Vatican Nov. 27, 2023. (CNS photo/Vatican Media)
Pope's health improving; he keeps some appointments
Hadas, second from left, and Ofer Kalderon, second from right, pose in an undated family photo in Kibbutz Nir Oz, Israel, with their four children, from left, Sahar, now 16; Rotem, 19; Erez, 12; and Gaia, 21. Sahar and Erez along with their father were taken hostage by Hamas Oct. 7, 2023, and Hadar has received no word of their fate. They were not in any of the three groups released by Hamas Nov. 24-26. Her mother and niece have been reported murdered in Gaza. (OSV News photo/courtesy Hadas Kalderon) Editor
For most families with loved ones still held by Hamas, the painful wait continues
God, Mary, cherubs and a Carmelite saint seem to do a cosmic dance in this 17th-century Genoese painting. It's part of the "Faith, Beauty and Devotion" exhibit of 30 paintings from Italian and Flemish masters on display at the Belen Jesuit Preparatory School in Miami until Dec. 10, 2023. (OSV News photo/courtesy Belen Jesuit Preparatory School)
Exhibit of masterworks at Catholic school's art gallery shows how 'beauty is part of faith'
Pope Francis meets relatives of hostages taken by Hamas militants from Israel Oct. 7 in his residence, the Domus Sanctae Marthae, at the Vatican Nov. 22, 2023. Members of the delegation carried posters of their loved ones. (CNS photo/Vatican Media)
Pope holds separate meetings with Israelis, Palestinians at Vatican
Iskali founder Vicente Del Real, left, wearing a long sleeve jacket, smiles next to members of Iskali in this undated photo. Iskali is a Chicago-based Catholic organization that supports young Latinos in their faith formation. (OSV News photo/courtesy of Iskali)
Latino group forms young adult Catholics in faith, creates community, promotes education
Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, left, along with his wife Roslyn Carter, center, and John Hardman, executive director of The Carter Center in Atlanta, listen to participants speak at the center during a "Finding Democracy in the Americas" summit March 17, 2003. Mrs. Carter died Nov. 19, 2023, at age 96. (OSV news photo/Tami Chappell, Reuters)
Former first lady Rosalynn Carter is remembered for life of service guided by faith
Members of The Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem of the Diocese of Gary attend Mass in their formal regalia at St. Thomas More church in Munster on Oct. 21. The knights and dames of the only lay institution tasked by the Holy See to support the charitable, educational and evangelization endeavors of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem met for the liturgy and a conference dinner where discussion about the outbreak of violence around the Holy Land was a prime topic. (Anthony D. Alonzo photo
Knights of the Holy Sepulchre offer life-line to Christians in Israel
Cardinal Miguel Ángel Ayuso Guixot, prefect of the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue, poses for a photograph with a Buddhist dignitary at the Temple of the Reclining Buddha in Bangkok, Thailand, Nov. 16, 2023. The dicastery helped organize the seventh Buddhist-Christian Colloquium in Bangkok Nov. 13-16 to discuss the importance of dialogue for healing humanity and the earth. (CNS photo/courtesy of Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue)
Buddhist-Christian dialogue calls for shared action to spread hope
A woman stands in the sun with arms open, in a joyful expression of trust and surrender. (OSV News photo/Alfonso Cerezo)
7 ways to say 'thanks' to God
At 16, you might expect to find Reagan Klapak playing video games or exchanging social media posts with his friends, but he’ll more likely be found helping with a food drive or fundraising for an organization that matches military veterans with service dogs.      That’s the reason the First Catholic Slovak Ladies Association recently presented him with its National Youth of the Year Award for 2022
Whiting youth devotes his time to helping others
The St. John the Evangelist Men’s Club presented the Sylvester Reising Stewardship Award this year to Jackie Krilich in recognition of her exceptional stewardship. Jackie and her husband of 48 years Deacon Paul Krilich have been members of the St. John parish since they moved to Northwest Indiana in 1986. (Provided photo)
Jackie Krilich receives annual Sylvester Reising Stewardship Award
Dom Geoffroy Kemlin, abbot president of the Benedictines' Solesmes Congregation in France, places a ring on the finger of Benedictine Mother Benedict McLaughlin, abbess of Immaculate Heart of Mary Abbey in Westfield, Vt., during her Nov. 11, 2023, abbatial blessing. (OSV News photo/Cori Fugere Urban, Vermont Catholic magazine)
Head of Benedictine congregation in France gives abbatial blessing to Vermont abbess
Bishops attend Mass Nov. 14, 2022, at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Baltimore at the start of their 2022 fall plenary assembly. The historic basilica was again the worship site for the opening Mass of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' 2023 fall plenary assembly, which opened Nov. 13 with a morning of prayer, reflection and confession, followed by a Mass for peace at the basilica. (OSV News/CNS file, Bob Roller)
US bishops' meeting shows united front on mission
Pope Francis greets families living at "Hospitality Village," an apartment complex that is part of the parish of St. Mary, Mother of Hospitality, on the eastern outskirts of Rome, Nov. 17, 2023. (CNS photo/Vatican Media)
At Rome parish, pope dialogues with priests, meets families in difficulty
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Excitement builds as chaperones and youth prepare for National Catholic Youth Conference
Pope Francis meets with approximately 6,700 children from different parts of the world during the event "Let Us Learn from Boys and Girls" in the Paul VI hall at the Vatican Nov. 6, 2023. (CNS photo/Lola Gomez)
Share joy of God's love, sow seeds of hope in world, pope tells youths
Pope Francis greets Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades of Fort Wayne-South Bend, Ind., Oct. 10, 2023, in Paul VI Audience Hall at the Vatican during the assembly of the world Synod of Bishops. (OSV News photo/Vatican Media/CPP)
Synod at halftime: Bishop Rhoades on synodality and evangelization
A bishop holds a program during a Nov. 14, 2022, Mass celebrated at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Baltimore at the start of the U.S. bishops' 2022 fall plenary assembly. The historic basilica was again the worship site for the opening Mass of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' 2023 fall plenary assembly, which opened Nov. 13 with a morning of prayer, reflection and confession, followed by a Mass for peace at the basilica. (OSV News/CNS file, Bob Ro
U.S. bishops open fall assembly with prayer, reflection and a Mass for peace
Father Anthony Spanley sits in the firehouse of the Hamlet-Davis Township Volunteer Fire Department, where he serves as a chaplain, in Hamlet on Nov. 3. The 81-year-old pastor of Holy Cross and St. Dominic Mission in Koontz Lake was recently presented the Schricker Service Before Self Award by the Starke County Chamber of Commerce for his commitment to volunteerism and concern for his neighbors. (Anthony D. Alonzo photo)
Starke County priest recognized for his altruistic endeavors
Father Matthew Kauth, from the Diocese of Charlotte, North Carolina, signs a book he wrote while Iliana Ortego and Julio Fonseca enjoy the first course of the family-style lunch served during the Diocesan Married Couples Retreat on Nov. 4. In addition to talks by Father Kauth, the day-long event at the Carmelite Shrine in Munster included Mass, adoration and confession. (Lynda J. Hemmerling photo)
Diocesan retreat for married couples encourages prayer and sacrifice 
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Foundation’s Mercy Fund grants boost parish ministries
Bishop Robert J. McClory (center) celebrates a Mass of Remembrance for deceased bishops, priests and deacons from the Diocese of Gary on Nov. 7 at the Cathedral of the Holy Angels in Gary. Concelebrating were Father Michael Surufka, O.F.M. (left), rector at the cathedral and pastor of Ss. Monica and Luke, St. Joseph the Worker and St. Mary of the Lake parishes in Gary, and Father Chris Stanish (right), vicar general and moderator of the curia. (Marlene A. Zloza photo)
Diocese celebrates clergy members as faithful servants
Diocese celebrates clergy members as faithful servants
Pope Francis poses for a photo with members of the Patrons of the Arts in the Vatican Museums during an audience in the Apostolic Palace Nov. 9, 2023. He is seated between Cardinal Fernando Vérgez Alzaga, president of the commission governing Vatican City State, and Sister Raffaella Petrini, secretary-general of the commission and a member of the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist. (CNS photo/Vatican Media)
Art can touch people's souls and bring them together, pope says
Members of Familia Grande Hogar de Cristo hold up a sign on a banner with the colors of Argentina's flag asking Pope Francis to visit his homeland, saying "Your people await you," as they join the pope for the recitation of the Angelus prayer in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican Nov. 5, 2023. (CNS photo/Vatican Media)
Priests who minister to poor, other Argentines urge pope to visit his homeland
Sister Constance Veit, U.S. communications director for the order, the Little Sisters of the Poor, is pictured in a 2016 file photo. In a NOV. 3, 2023, statement written on behalf of members of her congregation in Nice, France, Sister Veit urged supporters join them in prayer for a sister who sustained serious head injuries when a car went out of control and hit her and another sister walking along a sidewalk Oct. 31. One sister suffered less serious injuries and was released from the hospital. Sister Veit
Little Sisters of the Poor serve neediest with care, prayer: Now one of their own needs prayers
Marquette Catholic High School upper-level English instructor Stacey Cassady discusses an assignment with students on October 20. (Bob Wellinski photo)
Poems by Marquette teacher, Cassady, secured in state’s poetry archive for future generations
Father David Kime, pastor of Queen of All Saints, talks about Our Lady of Fatima during the QAS Tapped-In series on October 18. The four week series featured talks on the Blessed Mother. The event was held at Gelsossomo's Pizzaria. (Bob Wellinski photo)
QAS Tapped-In series taps into the mysteries of the Blessed Mother
Connie Salas, owner of Whiting Flower shop, is seen here after Mass on Oct. 8 at St Michael the Archangel in Schererville where she serves as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion. The 77-year-old mother of two and grandmother of two hopes to sell her business to an ideal candidate who loves flowers and serving others. (Lynda J. Hemmerling photo)
Faithful Catholic flower shop owner is retiring and hopes to sell her business
Paint is seen across the front of the Cathedral of the Annunciation in Stockton, Calif., Nov. 5, 2023, in an attack of vandalism that police were investigating as a hate crime. (OSV News photo/courtesy Diocese of Stockton)
Police investigate vandalism at Stockton, Calif., cathedral as possible hate crime
Bishop Robert J. McClory (center) stands with jubilarian religious (left to right) Sister Maria Jyoti, M.C., Sister Angela Mellady, O.S.F., Sister Julie Marie Oxley, O.S.F., Sister M. Rachel Dinet, O.S.F., Sister Angeline Benz, S.F.C.C., and Sister Gloria Jean Kozlowski, S.S.J.-T.O.S.F. as nuns working in the diocese are gathered at the Eucharistic Liturgy in Thanksgiving for Women Religious on Oct. 25 at St. Matthias parish. Sisters celebrating milestone anniversaries of religious life were presented with
Liturgy gives thanks for service of women religious
Jarzembowski
Dyer native comments on new book, finding peace amid Christmas season
Father Rifat Bader, director of the Catholic Center for Studies and Media, is pictured in a 2016 file photo with Syrian refugee children during a graduation ceremony at the Latin Patriarchate School in Naour, Jordan. Father Bader told OSV News that a Nov. 5, 2023, decision by Jordan's Council of Churches to cancel Christmas festivities amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war shows "solidarity with the people of Gaza." (OSV News photo/Dale Gavlak)
Jordan's Christians cancel Christmas celebrations in solidarity with suffering Gaza
Actor Matthew Perry attending a Policy Exchange conference, "Smarter Justice: Lessons from the American problem-solving court movement." Perry, who died Oct. 28, 2023, openly discussed and wrote about his struggles with substance abuse. (OSV News photo/Policy Exchange, via Wikimedia Commons CC-SA 2.0)
Matthew Perry's surprising prayer reminds us to pray, even for the famous
Pope Francis gestures as he speaks to children from different parts of the world at an event called "Let Us Learn from Boys and Girls" in the Paul VI hall at the Vatican Nov. 6, 2023. (CNS photo/Lola Gomez)
Pope encourages children to speak up, work for peace
Music Ministry members (front row from left) Arlene Biocic, Lorna Nietzel, Mary Cusic and Jan Koble, all from St. Edward in Lowell, pair up to "share their story and their goals for their music ministry during their specific Liturgical Conference '23 session on Oct. 28 at St. Michael the Archangel in Schererville. "We want to share our witness when we sing," explained co-presentor Allson Powell, director of music at St. John the Evangelist in St. John. (Marlene A. Zloza photo)
Liturgical ministers train and renew mission to celebrate the Eucharist
James Wahlberg, producer of "Mother Teresa: No Greater Love" poses with Sister Szymona and Sister Jose Mercy of the Missionaries of Charity at the documentary's premiere in Radom, Poland, Oct. 19, 2023. Wahlberg, brother of Hollywood actor Mark Wahlberg, was serving time in prison as a convicted drug addict when when Mother Teresa paid a visit in 1988 and changed his life. (OSV News photo/Sebastian Nycz, courtesy Knights of Columbus)
It was never about her, but about Jesus, says producer of Mother Teresa film
Killers of the Flower Moon
'Killers of the Flower Moon' Review
Pope Francis arrives to celebrate Mass at the Rome War Cemetery, the burial place of members of the military forces of the Commonwealth in Rome Nov. 2, 2023, for All Souls' Day. (CNS photo/Paolo Galosi, pool)
No one wins with war; each life lost represents defeat, pope says
Father Greg Bim-Merle, guest speaker at the Annual Day of Reflection held by the Seniors of STM on Oct. 18 at St. Thomas More in Munster, plays a piece of classical music to close out his talk on Music in the Ministry. An accomplished musician and singer, Father Bim Merle was ordained to the priesthood six years ago and is administrator at St. James the Less in Highland. (Marlene A. Zloza photo)
Seniors sing and share with talented musician and priest
Dia de los Muertos table
Diocese, parishes remember the deceased throughout the month of November
Terminal cancer didn't stop mom (Pat Wellinski) from continuing to do her job as a bookkeeper from a hospital bed a month prior to her passing. Her son, Greg, sits in a chair beside her. (Bob Wellinski photo)
Son shares final two month of mom’s journey from diagnosis to death
Deacon Chris McIntire, a physician on the staff of Hospice of the Calumet Area, admires photos of organizational events, in Munster on Oct. 25. Known for his gentle but realisitc consultations with patients and their loved ones, the Gary-based deacon said his work and prayer life is inspired by the compassionate charity of St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta. (Anthony D. Alonzo photo)
End-of-life caregivers inspire and are inspired in journey