NWI Catholic Stories

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
ICC logo
Firing squad as new execution method draws serious concerns
Senate Bill 11
Father Jon Plavcan, pastor of St. Patrick Catholic Community, and Susan Hadenfelt, St. Patrick School principal, pose together with Father Plavcan’s certificate he received after the pair completed Chesterton Police Department’s Citizens Police Academy. (Deacon Bob Wellinski photo)
Citizens police academy allows pastor and principal to experience police life  
Walking In Their Shoes
Maria Sanchez (left) and Beatrice Chavez, both from Lake Station, place incense crystals on one of several plates set out at the foot of the altar during Solemn Vespers on Jan. 4 at the Cathedral of the Holy Angels in Gary. Worshippers were invited to incense the monstrance holding the Holy Eucharist as the Diocese of Gary officially closed the Jubilee Year of 2025, as Pope Leo XIV did at the Vatican earlier in the week. (Marlene A. Zloza photo)
As jubilee year closes at cathedral, message of hope continues
Pilgrims of Hope
Getty Images/Kara Gebhardt
As new year starts, priests encourage faithful to make spirituality a resolution
Building a Closer Relationship with God
Father Michael Hoffman
St. Paul celebrates life of former associate pastor
Father Michael J. Hoffman (1942-2025)
The leading throng of mainly Catholic youth carry a pro-life banner near Monument Circle during the Indiana March for Life on Jan. 22 in Indianapolis. The state march, in its eighth year, is a localized version of the National March for Life, which, since 1974, has brought together millions of concerned Americans who wish to publicly proclaim the Gospel of Life – to establish legal protections for the unborn from abortion and promote a womb-to-tomb respect for human life. (Anthony D. Alonzo photo)
Faithful to rally for sanctity of all human life at various events throughout January
Praying for an End to Abortion
Adam White of the Music Ministry at St. Maria Goretti in Dyer, leads children on a musical procession to teach them about movement during the Christmas Vacation Bible Day on Dec. 29. They also sang “Go Tel It On The Mountain,” “Silent Night” and “Joy to the World” to celebrate Jesus Christ’s birth. (Marlene A. Zloza photo)
Children celebrate Jesus’ birthday by learning to shine their light
Christmas Vacation Bible Day
Indiana Hoosiers running back Roman Hemby (1) runs to score a touchdown against Alabama Crimson Tide defensive lineman London Simmons (90) in the second half of the 2026 Rose Bowl and quarterfinal game of the College Football Playoff on New Year's Day at Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, Calif. The Hoosiers defeated Alabama 38-3. (OSV News photo/Mandatory Credit: (OSV News photo/Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images via Reuters)
Indiana University running back carries Catholic values with him into playoffs
Jacob Robert Patrick Kelly Jr. was born to Mattie Tengdin and Jacob Kelley of Crown Point at 1:29 a.m. at Franciscan Health Crown Point, making him the first baby born at the hospital in 2026.
Franciscan Health welcomes first babies of new year
Happy New Year!
Faithful from across the diocese gather for an indoor procession leading to the baptismal font at the Cathedral of the Holy Angels in Gary on Dec. 29 to celebrate the anticipation of the Jubilee Year 2025. The Catholic Church recognizes the 2,025th anniversary of the Incarnation of Our Lord and dioceses around the nation will commence efforts of "great spiritual, ecclesial and social significance in the life of the Church," according to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. (Anthony D. Alonzo ph
Cathedral will host special solemn vespers to conclude the jubilee year
Hope Continues
Father Ivan Alatorre and Father Jeff Burton filled 500 holy water bottles and then volunteers stuffed Home Blessing Kit bags the week before the Feast of the Epiphany. (Provided photo)
Diocese to celebrate Epiphany with Mass, food and home blessings
The Visit of the Magi
The Serra Club made sure that the two Diocese of Gary seminarians studying in Rome had a presence at its annual Seminarian Christmas Party on Dec. 26 at St. Bridget in Hobart. Before they took their places at their dinner tables, cutouts of Gianni DiTola and Ryan Pierce were “greeted” by Father Ivan Alatorre (left) and Deacon Will O’Donnell. (Marlene A. Zloza photo)
Serra Club hosts annual Christmas party to support vocations
Dining with Seminarians
Franciscan Father Michael Surufka (center) makes announcements at the conclusion of Mass on Christmas Eve in the Cathedral of the Holy Angels in Gary. The Dec. 24 liturgy, among the earliest offered in the diocese to celebrate Nativity of the Lord, was presided over by Bishop Robert J. McClory and attended by believers from across the Region. (Anthony D. Alonzo photo)
During Christmas Eve Mass bishop implores imitation of Jesus’ vulnerability, faithfulness
Christmas at the Cathedral
Simbang Gabi
Diocese celebrates Simbang Gabi with Filipino community 
'It's Tradition'