NWI Catholic Stories

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
Pope Leo XIV greets visitors and pilgrims from the popemobile as he rides around St. Peter's Square at the Vatican before his weekly general audience Sept. 3, 2025. (CNS photo/Lola Gomez)
Pope Leo XIV explains why Catholics fast during Lent
St Michael winners
St. Michael Parish Celebrates Record-Breaking Super Raffle  
Top Winners
Dome at the University of Notre Dame
Bishop Rhoades calls on Notre Dame to reverse new director's appointment over abortion advocacy
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
Ken Bohling
Alumnus of St. Michael School reflects on Catholic upbringing
Catholic Schools Week Bishop Noll
Diocesan schools celebrate their Catholic identity
Catholic Schools Week
Vicky Hathaway
Leadership formation takes a deep dive into today’s young Church
Understanding Gen Z and Gen Alpha
Reviewing the schedule for the Prayer Service for Christian Unity in the sacristy at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in Valparaiso on Jan. 22 are (second from left} Father Michael Kopil, pastor, and guest celebrants (from left) Father Michal Buchko of St. Michael Byzantine Catholic Church in Merrillville, Father Lev Holowaty of Descent of the Holy Spirit Orthodox Church in Schererville, Pastor Esta Rosario of Chesterton United Methodist Church and Father Douglas Mayer, pastor of St. Paul Catholic Church in Valpara
Ecumenical prayer service seeks to bring religions together
Christian Unity Week
Father Jon Plavcan
Christian feast marks the Presentation of Jesus
Candlemas
Bishop McClory
Happy New Year! In November?  
Tom Hocker of Tree of Life Imports displays crosses, stoles and tote bags that he imports from El Salvador and Guatemala as part of his fair trade business. All are handmade and embroidered by local artisans. (Marlene A. Zloza photo)
Import business supports fair trade and fosters mutual respect
Social Justice Teaching
St Michael Schererville
Parishes and schools ready to host events during NFL championship weekend
A 'SUPER' Weekend
Catholic Charities Food Pantry volunteers
Volunteers Needed: Catholic Charities Food Pantry welcomes assistance in feeding the hungry
Bishop Noll Institute senior Kimberly Padilla, of Hammond, received the QuestBridge National College Match Scholarship, a full four-year scholarship to attend Middlebury College.
Noll senior awarded full scholarship to top-tier college
Fulfilling a New Dream
ICC logo
Homelessness, housing issues in the spotlight at the Statehouse
Housing and Homelessness Legislation
Sister Virginia Kampwerth PHJC
Sister remembered for love of education and the German language
Sister Virginia Kampwerth PHJC (1942-2026)
Catholic Schools Week
Diocesan schools ready to welcome families during open house events
Kicking Off Catholic Schools Week
Father Mike Surufka
Order of Friars Minor reassigned, preparing to leave Gary in June
‘Missionaries are Meant to Eventually Leave’ 
Chris and Linda Padgett
Diocesan retreat creates time for couples to grow together 
EMBRACE!
Seminarian Gianni DiTola
Seminarians receive Ministry of Lector in Rome
PNAC 2026 Lector Installation