NWI Catholic Stories

hands illustration
Webinar discusses foundation and tools of Catholic Social Teaching to empower young people
Turning Faith Into Action
Char Reynolds, recipient of the 2026 Dr. John Kelly Founder’s Award, carries a bouquet and plaque among guests at the Lake County Right to Life banquet hosted on April 24 at Avalon Manor in Merrillville. The 53rd annual fundraising banquet featured keynote speaker Doctor George Delgado, a San Diego, California-based physician who pioneered an abortion pill reversal treatment that has saved the lives of more than 8,000 babies. (Anthony D. Alonzo photo)
Pro-life advocates gather at Lake County Right to Life Banquet
Culture of Life
Jordan Al-Akel and his son, Alek distribute their raffle tickets, hoping to win a prize, at the Spirit of Spring Fashion Show hosted by the Parish Life Committee at Our Lady of Grace in Highland, on April 26 at Andorra Banquets in Schererville. Alek, a fourth grader at Southridge Elementary School in Highland, modeled the tuxedo he is wearing. (Marlene A. Zloza photo)
Parish revives fashion show to bring OLG faith community together
The Spirit of Spring
A display about organ donations was set up in the lobby of Franciscan Health Crown Point on April 21 for the annual Donate Life Celebration hosted by the hospital. Reading the Messages of Hope posted by employees and visitors are Katrina Hejnowski, chief nursing officer, and visitor Troy urtis, of Lacrosse. (Marlene A. Zloza photo)
Organ donations provide the precious gift of life for thousands
Donate Life Celebration
Kristine Coronado ( from left) , co-executive director for Right to Life of Northwest Indiana, explains the work of her organization in Porter and LaPorte counties, to Stephanie Valdovinos, of Valparaiso, and Destinie and Jose Alcantar, of Chesterton, guests at the “Evangelizing Reality: Science & the Culture of Life” program at Journeyman Distillery in Valparaiso on April 15. Both Valdovinos and Destinie Alcantar are registered nurses at Franciscan Health Michigan City who came at the invitation of speaker
Fertility management teacher explains how scientific advances help couples
Facing Reproductive Issues
Mary, Mother of Mercy image
Michigan City parishes now united under new parish name
Kouris family
Each family who adopts has its own unique story
Diocese to Host Adoption and Foster Care Seminar
Franciscan Health Crown Point
Franciscan Alliance to bring osteopathic medical school to Crown Point
Beginning in 2030
Baby Shower at St. John Bosco
Baby showers provide fun way to support mothers in the community 
Sharing Smiles, Supporting Families in Need
Father Kozak
Priest remembered as gentle and kind, ready to serve 
Father Richard Kozak (1941-2026)
Jo Brown (right) explains to (from left) Cathy Bartczak and Ruth Palis, as well as others attending the Diocese of Gary’s semi-annual Prolife Meeting on April 13 at the Pastoral Center in Merrillville, how the Walking With Mothers in Need group at St. Michael the Archangel in Schererville was recently able to help its first mother in need with diapers and other baby needs after she reached out to the group. “She’s the first mom who saw our sign in the church’s gathering place and called us,” said Brown. “We
Meeting brings together Respect Life leaders from throughout the diocese
Building a Culture of Life
St Mary Byzantine
Community shows support for Whiting parish and ministry hub
Caring for Community Together
The St. Benedict Hospitality Team for the Diocese of Gary discusses plans for the Friday, June 12 Dedication to the Sacred Heart of Jesus during an April 9 meeting at the Pastoral Center: (clockwise from left) Lisa Curley, Jan Sypnieski, Suzie Hartman, John and Diane MacDonald and Maria Lopez. (Marlene A. Zloza photo)
Hospitality team joyfully serves Diocese of Gary at special events
Using Your Gifts
Vine & Branches women’s ministry members listen to co-leader Debbie Revor pose a discussion question about King David’s relationship with God during the April 7 meeting at St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Student Center in Valparaiso. To the left of Revor is Linda Phillips, the other co-leader of the group. (Marlene A. Zloza photo)
Women’s ministry thrives on prayer and discussion at St. Teresa of Avila
priest assignments
New clergy assignments announced in the Diocese of Gary
From the Chancery
Indiana Dunes
Bishops of Indiana release new pastoral letter
Integral Ecology: A Sacramental Vision
Pamela and Paul Thomas, parishioners at St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Student Center in Valparaiso, listen to staff members from Bartholomew Funeral Home discuss the benefits of advance planning when it comes to funerals. They were among a standing-room-only crowd attending the End of Life Planning program hosted at St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Student Center in Valparaiso on April 1. (Marlene A. Zloza photo)
Catholic teaching, legal and practical issues about funerals explained
End of Life Planning
Bishop at Easter Vigil
Bishop celebrates Christ’s Resurrection at Easter Vigil Mass
Baptism Highlights Service
Bishop McClory on Easter Sunday
Bishop: ‘Gift of baptism is renewed during the Easter season’
A Joyful Day
Bishop McClory at The Shrine of Christ's Passion
Bishop McClory leads Stations of the Cross at The Shrine for the fifth year
Reflecting on Jesus's Final Hours
Bishop at Easter Mass
Hope is Alive
Chrism Mass
Chrism Mass: Liturgy reflects on the love and mercy of Jesus
Chrism Mass
pinwheels
Pinwheels are a reminder of diocese’s commitment to keep children safe
Child Abuse Prevention Month
Caption: Dozens of local faithful walk in a procession, followed by those in automobiles along Seventh Avenue as they journey to the Cathedral of the Holy Angels in Gary on Palm Sunday, March 29. The Steel City Catholics joined in a procession marking 1.3-miles from Ss. Monica and Luke to the cathedral, representing the triumphal entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem, as a five-year tradition led by Franciscan friars concluded. (Anthony D. Alonzo photo)
Gary-area faithful join Palm Sunday procession amid change 
Road to Jerusalem
Emmaus Conference 2025
Good music ministry helps people pray better
Emmaus Conference 2026
Gianni DiTola
Understanding language can help you understand others
From the Seminary
Nash Joseph Cooper, son of Barbara J. Cooper and Tyler A. Maciejewski of Crown Point.
Franciscan Health newborns getting into the Spring spirit
Happy Easter!
Our lady of Guadalupe Statue in Gary
Historic statue finds a new home in Gary
Entering a New Era
Palm Sunday
Diocese ready to commemorate the final days of Jesus' life
Holy Week 2026
Zosia Podczerwinski (left) and her sister-in-law Stasia Podczerwinski start preparations for the catered Easter Sunday meals under the watchful eye of Father Irek Bem in the kitchen at the Our Lady of Czestochowa Shrine in Merrillville. Orders for the meals, 10 and up, must be made by April 1. (Marlene A. Zloza photo)
Shrine’s catering team prepares Easter dinners for local families
Polish Food Featured
Father Roque Meraz, associate pastor at St. Paul in Valparaiso, explains the principles of Catholic Social Teaching in relation to civil laws during the Saturday Formation program on “Faith and Politics” at the Pastoral Center in Merrillville on March 21. He taught Spanish speakers while Father Jacob McDaniel simultaneously met with English-speaking attendees on the same topic. (Marlene A. Zloza photo)
Catholic Church sticks to discussing principles, not candidates
Faith and Politics
Ability Inclusion Mass
Mass for People with Disabilities draws other-abled community together
'They're so Joyful'
John Juscik
Man spreads faith through handmade crosses 
A Symbol of God's Love
Mexico Trip 2025
Diocesan pilgrims ready to return to Mexico
More Than a Trip, It's a Mission
“Renewing the Heart of the Servant” was the theme of the spiritual retreat presented by Father Cesar Cajetan Arras, CR, a priest in the Order of Clerics Regular, in the Diocese of Gary on March 15. Here, Father Arras speaks to Spanish-speaking participants while English speakers spent time in adoration to the Holy Eucharist. The two groups gathered at the end to share a potluck dinner. (Marlene A. Zloza photo)
Ministry leaders urged to serve others with the heart of Jesus
Renewing the Heart of the Servant
Students from Nativity of Our Savior
Nativity students ready to make step forward in faith this spring
CYO Girls' Championships
Hard work, teamwork and determination create champions at basketball finals
CYO Girls’ Basketball Championships
Father John Scott
Healing service invites faithful to allow God’s love to restore their heart
Healing & Penitential Prayer Service
Bishop Robert J. McClory (right) and the faithful approach the Third Station, Jesus Falls the First Time, at the Shrine of Christ's Passion on April 7. The interactive Good Friday service along the prayer trail was broadcast live nationally from St. John on the Relevant Radio Network. (Anthony D. Alonzo photo)
How to live a meaningful Lent
Sharing information about Sojourner Truth House and its annual fundraising Walk for STH on Saturday, June 13 with guest Christian Burks (second from left) from Damar Services, Inc. and She’s Still a Rose are (from left) Director of Client Services Dr. Pam Key, Sister Salem Bisong, PHJC and Executive Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Justine Johnson of the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ. The foursome met on March 9 at one of the regularly scheduled Coffee and Conversation sessions hosted by the Gar
Sojourner Truth House relies on annual walk to fund women’s programs
Offering A Fresh Start
St. Mary Crown Point Float
St. Mary prepares to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with the city
Community Involvement
Father McDaniel
Walking through Lent with Intention
Fourth Sunday of Lent
Living Wax Museum of Saints
Students showcase Catholic identity through confirmation-related activity
Living Wax Museum of Saints
Bishop Robert McClory
Bishop tells students to remain close to God in order to bear good fruit 
Diocesan Shepherd Visits Classrooms
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