NWI Catholic Stories

Bishop Robert J. McClory incenses nativity scene statuary displayed near the sanctuary as Deacon Ivan Alatorre (right) watches at the Cathedral of the Holy Angels in Gary during Christmas Vigil Mass on the evening of Dec. 24. Bishop McClory presided at the Mass, which featured beautiful vocal and musical performances, and reminded believers that Bethlehem means "House of Bread," and that from the place of Jesus' birth to the present, Catholics nourish themselves on the Bread of Life. (Anthony D. Alonzo phot
Longing for the Messiah 
Faith logo
Diocese launches new magazine this Advent
Faith Northwest Indiana
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Crown Point parishes invite all to pause and prepare
Advent Retreat
The Holy Spirit Youth Choir participates in the Eucharistic Procession at the Winfield church on the final day of the 40 Hours of Devotion hosted by the One Catholic Family parishes on the weekend of Nov. 21-23. The services began on Friday at St. Helen in Hebron, continued on Saturday at St. Mary in Kouts, and concluded on Sunday at Holy Spirit. (Marlene A. Zloza photo)
Three parishes host 40 Hours of Devotion to prepare for Advent
Adoring the Eucharist
Andrean High School juniors Bruce Moorhouse (third from left), Brady Quinn (second from right) and Mitchell Myers (right) wave to fans at the conclusion of the Class 2A state football championship game where the 59ers defeated the Braves 7-0 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on Nov. 29. Local fans traversed snowy conditions to see the 59ers earn their fourth state championship and first since 2021, thereby getting bumped up from Class 2A to Class 3A for future football scheduling by the Indiana High Scho
Andrean stops top offense, claims fourth state football title 
59ers Earn Crown
Volunteers at St. Maria Goretti in Dyer collect the angel tree information, help make the tags, distribute the tags, and collect and distribute the gifts. (Provided photo)
Parishes continue to help families through holiday project
Angel Tree Tradition
Deacon Bucheit
LaPorte clergyman had passion for serving God’s people 
Deacon Robert Bucheit (1934–2025)
The congregation at St. Joseph the Worker in Gary serenades a historic statue of Our Lady of Guadalupe on Nov. 30, following the annual procession with the statue from Ss. Monica and Luke to kick off the novena leading up to Our Lady’s feast day on Dec. 12. Most Rev. McClory offered his blessing on those gathered and joined in the singing of “La Guadalupana” after the five-mile pilgrimage.
Winter procession through Gary honors Our Lady of Guadalupe
Parishioners from St. John the Evangelist and Our Lady Queen of Martyrs proportion meals for delivery Nov. 26. (Provided photo)
St. John the Evangelist and Our Lady Queen of Martyrs partner for Thanksgiving meal deliveries
New Joint Ministry
Sam Sorich, a Catholic filmmaker producing a documentary on Catholicism and UFOs, is seen filming a behind-the-scenes segment of an episode of Jesse Michels’ podcast on location in San Oreste, Italy, DATE, 2025. Michels and his production team were given a private tour of the Monte Soratte military bunker, where some people claim UFO technology was studied in the early 20th century. (CNS photo/Robert Duncan)
Catholic filmmaker investigates UFO mysteries at the Vatican
Marquette Catholic High School performing arts students Chris Lawhorn (Oberon) and Ella Crane (Titania) exchange lines during a scene of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” on Nov. 13. (Deacon Bob Wellinski photo)
A broken leg doesn’t stop the show from going on  
'It was Pretty Intense'
Bishop Noll students with Bishop McClory after the Diocesan Mass
Teens hear Pope Leo XIV on Faith, AI, and the present Church
NCYC 2025
A group of candidates and their sponsors from Holy Family Parish in LaPorte and other parishes in the Diocese of Gary participate in the Rite of Call to Continuing Conversion at the Cathedral of the Holy Angels on Nov. 23. Deacon Dennis Guernsey announced each candidate’s name as Bishop Robert J. McClory recognized and accepted their intent to fully join the Catholic Church. (Marlene A. Zloza photo)
Rite of Call candidates welcomed into the Kingdom of God
Continuing their Journey
Father Jaime Perea
Saint was a pioneer in spreading the Gospel in Asia
Celebrating the Feast of St. Francis Xavier
Thanksgiving meal prep boxes for families
Franciscan Health provides Thanksgiving meal prep boxes for families facing food insecurity
In Giving, We Recieve
“People came up the Missouri River Valley as a conduit from Missouri and Kentucky … and through Indiana in a separate move headed to Detroit,” Dr. Larry McClellan, the lead project historian of the Midwest Underground Railroad Network, told Boomers and Beyond members and their guests at St. John the Evangelist in St. John on Nov. 19. He made a plea for local residents interested in history to assist the project research. (Marlene A. Zloza photo)
Northwest Indiana residents helped Freedom Seekers escape slavery
People Helping People
Pope Leo XIV wears a Chicago White Sox baseball cap during his weekly general audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican June 11, 2025. The new co-owner of the Chicago White Sox calls meeting Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican Nov. 19 "a really wonderful experience and one that I won't forget." News reports said he asked for a papal blessing on a future new stadium he hopes to see one day. (OSV News photo/Remo Casilli, via Reuters)
White Sox co-owner says pope told him he'd 'love to' throw a season opening pitch in future
Father Mike Yadron (center), pastor of St. Thomas More, raises a host during the Eucharistic Prayer at Mass in the Munster Church on Nov. 16. Parish leaders opted to gather for an 80th anniversary celebration of the church’s founding with the recent Mass and brunch, waiting five years after pandemic protocols would have affected a diamond anniversary event. (Anthony D. Alonzo photo)
Long-awaited anniversary celebrates life of St. Thomas More parish
Diamond Anniversary Plus Five
Hallow logo
Diocese of Gary to expand partnership with Hallow
Simple Daily Prayers For Advent And Beyond
Mass for Black Catholic History Month
Diocese remembers heroes of faith, saints of the past, in special liturgy
Black Catholic History Month
Conference '25
Liturgical ministers receive message of hope during diocesan two-day event
Conference '25
During an intermission between his two presentations on Nov. 8, Catholic ethicist Father Tad Pacholczyk, Ph.D., talks with attendee Jeffery Wozniak, a member of Parishioners for Life at St. Patrick in Chesterton and sexton of the parish cemetery. “Sacred Decisions on Life and Death,” was sponsored by the Diocese of Gary at Our Lady Queen of Martyrs South Campus in Merrillville. (Marlene A. Zloza photo)
Ethicist shares Catholic positions on infertility and end-of-life issues
Sacred Decisions On Life And Death
Veterans Day Program at St. Thomas More
Diocesan parishes and schools show appreciation for veterans
Honoring Those Who Served
64th Annual Spaghetti Supper at St. Mary
Italian dinner benefits school, promotes community 
64th Annual Spaghetti Supper
St Adalbert Hall
Hall continues to foster special memories after nearly 100 years
A Place Of Community, Faith and Joy
Friends of the Foundation Reception
Friends of the Foundation celebrates growth, honors Mercy Grant recipients
Listen to Your Heart
Mass for Migrant Workers in 2025
Bishop asks local Church to remain a beacon of hope for migrants
Supporting Our Migrant Brothers and Sisters
Deacon Martin Brown
Three Black Catholics who paved the way in faith
God's Men of Color
Bishop McClory
God Is Near
A man bows his head in prayer among the hundreds of worshippers at the one-year anniversary Mass for Vietnamese Catholics at St. Michael the Archangel in Schererville on Nov. 2. Coordinated by those sharing the Southeast Asian heritage, the liturgy presided over by Bishop Robert J. McClory was part of an evening that included an ethnic dinner and customary entertainment in celebration of the establishment of a monthly Vietnamese language Mass at the parish. (Anthony D. Alonzo photo)
Vietnamese Catholics cherish local bilingual Mass gatherings 
A Common Language
Josh Hale
School supporters visit classrooms, see the impact of their investment
Lend A Shoulder Day
Ss Monica and Luke
Parish celebrates 98th anniversary of liturgy celebrating Black Catholics
Small But Strong
Father Tom Mischler
Churches invite all to pray before Blessed Sacrament for vocations
Pope St. John Paul Monstrance Visits Diocese
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)
Conference ‘25 to bring diocesan liturgical ministers together to celebrate hope
Register Now!
Father Ben Ross, pastor at St. Bridget in Hobart, talks with (left) Sister Benita Maria, C.M.C. and Sister Serene Jacob, C.M.C., both members of the Congregation of Mother of Carmel. St. Bridget hosted the annual luncheon hosted by the Serra Club of Northwest Indiana for religious sisters on Oct. 25. (Marlene A. Zloza photo)
Serra Club thanks religious sisters at annual fall luncheon
For All They Do
Homeowner Bill Greenfield, the 100th recipient of a lifechanging ramp from the St. Michael Wheelchair Ramp Ministry, thanks the three ministry volunteers, (from left) Deacon Tom Kubik, Rick Besich and ministry leader Jim Koeling. “This ramp gives my wife and I freedom, the ability to get out of the house, and offers us safety in case of a fire or other emergency,” said Greenfield. (Marlene A. Zloza photo)
Wheelchair ramp ministry helps families access their homes
Bishop McClory
Bishop celebrates Mass, makes classroom visits at St. Paul Catholic School
Luxury Bingo
Fundraiser brings together games, prizes and fun for women in need
Luxury Bingo
Maria Janes, an artist, paints the face of three-year-old Ezra Aguilar, son of Joel and Nicole Aguilar, of Crown Point, during the Dia de los Muertos celebration on Oct. 18 at Holy Name of Jesus in Cedar Lake. According to information exhibited at the event in Sacred Heart Hall, “face painting turns the living into joyful symbols of the dead.” Wearing a “calavera” design shows that life and death are forever joined. . (Marlene A. Zloza photo)
Parish celebrates Dia de los Muertos with artwork, exhibits and altar
Day of the Dead
Deacon Edward Jule Shultz
Deacon known for unwavering faith and gentle leadership
Deacon Edward Shultz (1947–2025)
Sharon Staley, a member of Miscarriage Mothers & Others, of Crown Point, lights a candle for a friend’s child at the candlelight vigil hosted by the group on Oct. 15 at Calumet Park Funeral Chapel in Merrillville in honor of the World Day of Remembrance for children who died through miscarriage, stillbirth and as infants. The ceremony was repeated at 7 p.m. local time throughout the world as families gathered to mourn their lost members and celebrate their lives. (Marlene A. Zloza photo)
Candlelight vigil helps families remember children lost too soon
Day of Remembrance
cutting ribbon
St. John the Evangelist named a 2025 Blue Ribbon School 
Blue Print for Excellence
Father Marty
Pastor shares meaning behind liturgical vestments
Theology Uncorked
Working on trailer skirting during their mission trip to Pine Ridge Reservation in southwest South Dakota last summer are One Catholic Family parishioners (from left) Rochelle McNamara, Paul Yankauskas, James Yankauskas and Leon Pawlowski. Photos from the trip were shared during a luncheon for supporters hosted on Sept. 14 at St. Helen in Hebron, which organized the trip. (Provided photo)
Mission trip to South Dakota previews partnership with Lakota people
Pine Ridge Reservation
Father Pat Kalich
Pastor will be remembered for service in education, faith and missionary work
Father Patrick Kalich (1949-2025)
New Volunteer Advocates for Seniors and Incapacitated Adults (VASIA) were sworn in at Lake Superior Court Oct. 15. Pictured are (l-r) Francine Gildon, Blanca Aranda, Christopher Mignogna, Lake Superior Court Probate Commissioner Ben Ballou and Lauree Pondinas. 
Commissioner swears in Franciscan Health’s latest VASIA class
Advocating for the Elderly, Incapacitated
Judges take an oath during Red Mass
Liturgy celebrates the divine gifts of wisdom, justice and compassion
Red Mass
Those behind the planning of the Filipino Mass pose for a picture. (Erin Ciszczon photo)Iszczon
Filipino Mass draws people from around diocese, showcases culture and faith
One Faith, One Lord
Deacon Robert Gromala
We are called to share in the Church’s missionary work
World Mission Sunday
Missionaries from the Diocese of Gary gather in front of the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico, where they brought prayer intentions collected from faithful in Northwest Indiana. The group of 40 visited the church in Mexico City during a mission trip Sept. 25-30. (Provided photo)
Missionaries reflect on Mexico mission trip experience
Renewed Spirit