NWI Catholic Stories

Blue Ribbon School St Paul
St. Paul Catholic School named a 2026 Indiana Blue Ribbon School
Exemplary Academic Performance
Raising the chalice, Father Patrick Gawrylewski, O.F.M., consecrates the Precious Blood during morning Mass on Oct. 2 at Holy Name of Jesus in Cedar Lake, where he has served as administrator for five years. The Franciscan priest is celebrating 50 years since his ordination in Wisconsin, his home state. (Marlene A. Zloza photo)
Franciscan marks 50 years as a parish priest
Listening to the People
Father Ronald S. Zgunda (right), who grew up in Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Hammond, visits with Sister Joyce Diltz, P.H.J.C. And Joyce Oboy, who attended the parish school, as did Father Zgunda, a senior priest from the Diocese of Evansville who has retired to his family home "just a stone's throw" from the church. All three were in attendance for the closing Mass of the parish on Oct. 4. (Marlene A. Zloza)
Bishop implores parishioners of OLPH to keep alive the spirit of their parish during the final Sunday Mass
‘Take The Lady Lady Into Your Home’
Respect Life Month Prayer Service
Music, reflection and prayer featured in Respect Life Month Prayer Service
Live the Gospel of Life
First Anniversary Filipino Mass
Filipino ministry celebrates one-year anniversary with grateful hearts
Maraming Salamat Po!
Bishop McClory receives gift from St. Mary students
Feast day recognizes the constant intercession of guardian angels
Heavenly Protectors Assigned By God
Bishop McClory speaks at Saturday Formation
Bishop outlines diocesan vision for lay leaders
Saturday Formation
Respect Life Poster
Events in the Diocese of Gary highlight the gift of human life
Respect Life Month
Blessed Carlo Acutis
Diocese halfway to goal to start fund supporting parish leaders
Carlo Acutis Endowment Fund
Beatification of Archbishop Fulton Sheen
Diocese celebrates the first American-born bishop to receive the title ‘Blessed’
Archbishop Fulton Sheen's Beatification
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd at St. Joseph in Dyer
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd explores religious values of childhood
Contemplation and Enjoyment of God
Blue Mass at St. James the Less
Blue Mass honors those who serve and protect
What is sacrificial love?
Friends of the Poor
Annual fundraiser supports neighbors in need
Friends of the Poor Walk
Father Jacob McDaniel presents on the topic of "“Being Before Doing: Freedom from Activism in Ministry” at Our Lady Queen of Martyrs South Campus in Merrillville on Sept. 19 as part of the Saturday formation program. Saturday formation events are designed for Lay Ecclesial Ministry (LEM) students and are open to all involved in parish ministry activities to provide sessions on various topics connected to living as missionary disciples. (Cecilia Cicone photo)
Saturday formation brings leaders together to grow as missionary disciples
Freedom from Activism in Ministry
Sandy and Joe Szczerbowski and Cindy and Philip Baumeister of Holy Spirit Parish view art works at the Black Tie White Collar gala on Sept. 18 at Avalon Manor Banquet Center in Merrillville. Hundreds of guests gathered for introductions, games, dining and live and silent auctions at the tenth annual event to benefit priestly vocations. (Anthony D. Alonzo photo)
Hundreds affirm vocations at Black Tie White Collar banquet
Seminarian Support
Rosemary Wojdyla (left), a 1973 graduate of Calumet College of St. Joseph, shows her senior class yearbook to Linda Kalwinski, who wanted to look up her husband, Mark Kalwinski, also a CCSJ alumna, during the Whiting school’s 75th Birthday Bash on Sept. 19. Hundreds of students, alumni, faculty, staff and their families attended. (Marlene A. Zloza photo)
Catholic college celebrates with Mass, tours, history and party
75 Years of Grit and Gratitude
Ss. Monica & Luke Soup Kitchen
Ss. Monica and Luke Soup Kitchen closes, hot meals continue at St. Joseph the Worker
Serving the Community
VU talk on AI
Valparaiso community engages in public conversation on Magnifica Humanitas
AI & The Human Future
Pope Leo XIV is embraced by a member of a delegation from the Special Olympics during a private audience at the Vatican Sept. 19, 2026. (OSV News photo/Simone Risoluti Vatican Media)
Pope Leo tells Special Olympics athletes they 'remind everyone of the true values of life'
Bishop Robert J. McClory hands a ciborium to diaconate candidate Manuel Pena as Father Marty Dobrzynski holds the book during the Deacon Jubilee Mass that also included the Rite of Acolyte for the five diaconate candidates. (Deacon Bob Wellinski photo)
Deacon Jubilee Mass honors 22 for their 457 years of service; 5 men instituted as acolytes
'Hold On, You’re in for the Ride of Your Life'
All ages of women are participating in the new, nine-week program, “She Shall Be Called Woman” that began on Sept. 14 at St. John the Evangelist in St. John. Among the young adults who shared snacks and fellowship before the first video and small group discussion are (from left) Regina Puch of St. John, her sibling Mary Rose Gianotti of Beecher, Ill. and Yesenia Lopez of Lansing, Ill. (Marlene A. Zloza photo)
New spiritual series views women as God’s ‘Masterpieces of Creation’
'She Shall Be Called Women'
Three generations of women, grandmother Lori Sneiderwine, of Merrillville, and daughter Sami Sneiderwine and granddaughter Adalyn Sneiderwine, of Crown Point, pray a decade of the Rosary together in the chapel of Our Lady Queen of Martyrs in Merrillville during a Mother-Daughter Retreat on Sept. 12. (Marlene A. Zloza photo)
Mother-Daughter Retreat offers skills to build self-esteem and resilience
Confident and Connected
Mike Montgomery of the Serra Club talks with nonagenarian Sister Kathleen Quinn of the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ during the annual luncheon hosted by the club for Diocese of Gary religious sisters. The meal, along with games, prizes and gift bags, was held at St. Bridget in Hobart on Sept. 12. (Marlene A. Zloza photo)
Serra Club hosts religious sisters for afternoon of lunch and games
Honoring Their Service
Father Declan McNicholas
Diocese prepares to celebrate life of American archbishop
The Beatification of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen
A U.S. flag is posted in the rubble of the World Trade Center Sept. 13, 2001, in New York, two days after the terrorist attacks. Sept. 11 this year marks the the 10th anniversary of the attacks that claimed the lives of nearly 3,000 people in New York City and Shanksville, Pa., and at the Pentagon. (OSV News photo/Beth Kaiser, Reuters)
Diocese of Gary reflects on terrorist attacks 25 years later
9/11
Father John Kartge, an astrophysicist, biblical scholar and, since 2015, rector/president at the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary, explains how scientist Wilhelm Rontgen (on the screen) pursued a mystery in his 1895 cathode ray tube research that led to the invention of x-rays. “Good scientists don’t ignore a mystery, they stay with it,” said the Bishop Noll Institute alumnus who retired to the Hammond high school on Sept. 2 at the invitation of the Indiana Knights of Columbus to discus
BNI alumnus connects faith and science in talk hosted by K of C
‘Heart Unto Heart’
All Campus Mass at Bishop Noll
Noll students encouraged to be the light in the darkness
All-Campus Mass
Women's Care Center in Merrillville
Women’s Care Center relocates for greater impact
Open the Door to Hope
Blanco family
Father strives to create awareness and reduce stigma surrounding suicide
September is National Suicide Prevention Month
Holy Name of Jesus
Faithful to gather for discussion on document released by Indiana bishops
Generations of Faith
Emmaus Conference collection
Catholic Charities continues providing assistance to residents of Lake, Porter and La Porte counties
Financial Storm Relief
Bishop Robert J. McClory greets students and teachers Marquette Catholic High School’s Back to School Mass at St. Mary the Immaculate Conception Church . (Deacon Bob Wellinski photo)
Bishop McClory celebrates back to school with Marquette students and staff
'Show Me What You Believe'
Members of the Cursillo friendship group that meets weekly at St. Patrick in Chesterton include: (front row from left) Leti Moreno, Debbie Rose, Josephine Martinez, Joan Baruffi, (back row) Anna Sasin, Sharon Duracz, Cathy Schuster and Debbie Pedzinski. (Provided photo)
Upcoming Women’s Cursillo Weekend promises to be a life-changing experience
A Purposeful Journey
St John Bosco sanctuary
New offering sets to create comfortable space for worship
Sensory-Friendly Mass
Calumet College of St. Joseph Mural
Mural on Calumet College campus depicts the life of St. Joseph
A Modern Interpretation
Andrean returns for new school year
Andrean students return to start new school year after building repairs
Summer of Storms
adoration
Emmaus Conference encourages faithful to walk with purpose
Journey Together
Sandwiches and snacks were devoured by young people during a social hour after the “Emmaus Youth Encounter: Hearts on Fire! Walking with Purpose” program on Aug. 21 at St. Paul in Valparaiso. Spending time with keynote speaker Father Agustino Torres, CFR (third from left) are (from left) Vanessa Breshock, chaperone Heather Sandilla, Father Agustino, Victoria Ramirez, Camryn Latham and Elliott Poole, all from Crown Point. (Marlene A. Zloza photo)
Storytelling priest brings miracles of Jesus alive for young people
Hearts on Fire
logs
Local programs offer support during life’s more difficult times
GriefShare, DivorceCare
Young Adult Evening
Talk brings young adults together for discussion on Theology of the Body
A Young Adult Evening
New Franciscan VASIA volunteers sworn in earlier this month seen here with Lake Superior Court Probate Commissioner Ben Ballou (center) are (l-r) Angelique N. Gray Thompson of Gary, Tyler Lucas Rodriguez of Schererville, Bridgette LaShawn Peppers of Hobart and Lexi Nicole Taylor of Orland Park, Ill.
Volunteer court-appointed guardians advocate for the elderly, incapacitated
Franciscan Health’s latest VASIA class
abortion healing and recovery
Parents of aborted children can grieve and find peace confidentially
Healing the Pain
Seventh Station of the Cross at Carmelite Shrine
Woman witnesses sign of hope as clean up began at Carmelite Shrine
Jesus Walks With Us
Smiling as she works, volunteer Sandy Butler helps set up on Aug. 11 at Camp Lawrence in Valparaiso for the Diocese of Gary Priests’ Picnic, which had to be moved from Aug. 12 to Aug. 19 due to the damaging storm that moved through Northwest Indiana as the work continued. Butler will receive this year’s Diocese of Gary Guardian Angel Award at the Vocations Office’s Black Tie, White Collar Gala on Sept. 18. (Marlene A. Zloza photo)
Award recipient is guardian angel to diocesan seminarians and priests
Answering the Call
American Martyr Rother
American Martyr: The Stanley Rother Story to hit local theatres
A Message from the Archbishop of Oklahoma City
St. Mary School Crown Point
After delays, principals and staff excited to welcome students
Back to School
Holy Spirit in Winfield held just one Mass on Aug. 16 at its worship site, St. Helen in Hebron, to welcome new administrator Father Steven Caraher (left), who greets Carol Lee and Judy Fidcher outside the church. The Annual Parish Mass and Picnic drew a large congregation as it also incorporated an official welcome for Father Caraher, who previously served as associate pastor at Our Lady, Queen of Martyrs in Merrillville, another combined parish, following his ordination to the priesthood in 2024. (Marlene
One Catholic Family had head start on planning parish merger
Coming Together In Faith
St. John the Evangelist
Parishes provide outreach as region waits for power to be restored
Community Meal
Local Attorney Andrew Bennett and his staff were among the volunteers assisting with the food delivery at the Portage American Legion Post 260
Catholic Charities rescues food from power-stricken Hunger Relief Center
Storm-Affected Communities
Thousands of faithful are gathered at the Shrine of Our Lady of Częstochowa during Sunday Mass on the second day of the Piesza Polonijna Pielgrzymka Maryjna (Polish Marian Walking Pilgrimage) in Merrillville on August 9. Predominantly Polish Catholics participated in the 39th annual event in which walkers made their way from the South Side of Chicago to Munster and Merrillville in praise and petition. (Anthony D. Alonzo photo)
Pilgrims prayerfully traverse Region in Polish tradition
Walking in Faith