NWI Catholic Stories

Sister Solana Voegsel, OSF, chats with Andrea Fortier, of Merrillville, before the Sister of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration presented a talk on the Sacred Heart of Jesus on June 10 at Fortier’s parish, Our Lady Queen of Martyrs South Campus in Merrillville. She urged the young people to find time for Eucharistic Adoration to grow closer to Jesus. (Marlene A. Zloza photo)
Eucharistic Adoration encouraged as a way to receive the Sacred Heart
Devoted to Jesus
Laura Roeske (left with back to camera) leads a discussion on the first few chapters of “The Art of Living” by Edward Sri at the first night of Summer Gazebo Reflections at St. Helen in Hebron on June 8. The 6:30 p.m. study sessions continue biweekly through Aug. 31, rain or shine. (Marlene A. Zloza photo)
Book explains how the four cardinal virtues can lead to ‘The Art of Living’
Summer Gazebo Reflections
Parking Lot Lunch
Missionaries spend summer finding Christ in city
The Poverty of Loneliness
ordination
Newly-ordained priest and deacon called to embrace Christ’s Eucharistic Heart
Trusting in Jesus
BNI GRADS
BNI grads sent out to be the hands and feet of Christ
Class of 2026
teacher retirees
Diocese of Gary thanks teachers for time, dedication to Catholic education
Entering into Retirement
Bishop McClory blesses painting at Franciscan Health
Franciscan Health enthrones itself in Sacred Heart of Jesus, blesses new painting
Workplace Enthronement
With fellow “defense attorneys” and the real attorneys who mentored students watching, seventh-grader Annabella Chase of Brittany LaMere’s class at St. Mary School, Crown Point, cross examines the victim in a mock trial held in Judge Julie N. Cantrell’s Lake Superior Court on May 20 at the Lake County Courthouse in Crown Point. The trial was the culmination of a year-long program teaching junior high students about the legal system, sponsored at St. Paul School in Valparaiso and St. Mary School by Big Shou
Catholic students stage mock trials after studying court system
Their Day in Court
St. Mary Catholic Community School eighth graders in Deborah Shea’s class in Crown Point, top investors in the Big Shoulders Fund Stock Market Program that involved 63 schools in the Diocese of Gary and Archdiocese of Chicago, await the start of a capstone award ceremony last month at Harris Theater in Chicago. (Provided photo)
Investments in classroom program earn cash and experience for students
Playing the Stock Market
Bishop McClory
An Invitation to Prayer and Mercy  
Priests retiring
Priests to retire from active ministry, but not from priesthood
Granted Senior Priest Status
Discipleship Journal
Discipleship Journal to be unveiled during diocesan event
Dedication of the Diocese to the Sacred Heart 
Andrean Commencement 2026
Andrean graduates encouraged to make the world a better place after graduation 
Commencement Exercises 2026
Nick Emsing
Meet the newest deacon-elect of the Diocese of Gary
Totus Tuus at Camp Lawrence
Missionaries are prepped and ready to spread faith this summer
Totus Tuus
People from throughout northwest Indiana gather to pray during a Holy Hour for LaPorte County deputy Jon Samuelson on May 26 at St. Joseph Catholic Church. (Michael Wellinski photo)
Holy Hour held for heroic officer shot three times at local hospital
Power of Prayer
Deacon Will O'Donnell
Deacon looks forward to priesthood, continuing ministry in his home diocese
Being An Example of Christ to Others
Members of Clara Ann Martin Chapter 39 of the Knights of Peter Claver, Gracious Ladies Auxiliary, Fourth Degree, an international Catholic fraternal service order, gather for a last photo after the closing Mass at SS. Monica and Luke in Gary on May 24. The group, which includes three members from Gary and others from throughout the Chicagoland area, has been meeting at SS. Monica and Luke for years, and will now move to the Cathedral of the Holy Angels, also in Gary, to meet at 10 a.m. on the first Saturday
Congregation celebrates Ss. Monica and Luke at closing Mass and dinner
A Place of Worship, A Lifetime of Memories
Pentecost Sunday Adult Confirmation
Bishop encourages newly confirmed to fan the flames of the Holy Spirit 
Pentecost Sunday
Choir members from St. John the Baptist
Faithful gather to pray, honor those who have died
Remembering Loved Ones
Enchanted Backpack drop off at St. Casimir
Enchanted Backpacks, Big Shoulders provide support to diocesan schools
Investing In Students' Success
Fallen Officers Memorial
Cathedral hosts annual Gary Police Department remembrance service
Fallen Officers Memorial
rummage sale illustration
Church rummage sales benefit communities and parish ministries  
Volunteers Make the Difference
Book club bible study at St. Mary Otis
Book club and bible study is right combination for parish in Otis
The Catholic Communities
Santacruzan at St. Michael
Santacruzan honors saints, connects Filipino community
A Tradition of Pageantry and Faith
Top Grads 2026
Diocese of Gary salutes this year's top grads
Congratulations!
Cardinal José Cobo of Madrid poses for a photo while meeting reporters at the Vatican Sept. 29, 2023. (CNS photo/Lola Gomez)
Pope will find a living, growing Church in Madrid, Spanish cardinal says
Father Richard Orlinski
Pastor’s dedication to serving the people showed in his ministry
Father Richard Orlinski (1947-2026)
Rosary
Virtual Rosary brings together many languages united by one faith
"Blessed Mother Around the World"
A combination photo shows Archbishop Paul D. Etienne of Seattle in an undated image and a painting of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is seen during Palm Sunday Mass at Sacred Heart Church in Prescott, Ariz., April 13, 2025. On May 15, 2026, Archbishop Etienne issued a pastoral letter on the Sacred Heart of Jesus, titled "Meek and Humble of Heart." (OSV News photo/Archdiocese of Seattle, CNS/Bob Roller)
Devotion to Sacred Heart 'more timely than ever' as a return to love itself, says archbishop
Students from St. Mary Catholic Community School
St. Mary students experience history firsthand on recent trip
Boston Bound
Young people exchange names and answer three questions about themselves as they mingle before a Young Adult Summer Speaker Series in Dyer on June 4, 2025. Up to 90 participants have enjoyed the Diocese of Gary sessions for the past three years, and a new slate of speakers is scheduled this summer at different parishes each Wednesday. (Marlene A. Zloza/file photo)
Speaker series offers new line-up to engage young Catholics this summer
Faith and Fellowship
Bishop McClory
Themes of change and service punctuate Calumet College graduation
Calumet College of St. Joseph Commencement
Dedication to the Sacred Heart of Jesus
Diocese prepares to be consecrated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus
Eucharistic Procession, Praise Music, Food and More!
St. Stanislaus Kostka Church is delighted to share that the Phase 1 Kickoff Celebration & Brick Blessing took place last Sunday morning, July 27th. This joyful event was held outside in front of the church with approximately 100 parishioners and friends in attendance.
St. Stanislaus Kostka continues capital campaign to care for building
Brick By Brick
Kristy Olsen, community resource supervisor, and Jennie Weer, donor relations officer, water the plants and check the supplies in the kitchen of the former convent at Sojourner Truth House in Gary, which has been converted into a transitional housing center for young women ages 18-24. The Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ, sponsors of STH, has donated the convent, and a former orphanage in East Chicago, to the women’s resource center. (Marlene A. Zloza photo)
Sojourner Truth House welcomes young women as they pursue goals
Transitional Housing Opens
Immaculate Conception Grotto May Crowning
Immaculate Conception Grotto continues to honor the Blessed Mother for close to 100 years
An Exterior Sign of Catholicism
Bishop McClory
Abiding in the Sacred Heart for our 250th Anniversary
BNI Spring Gala
Volunteers, stakeholders and bidders help make BNI Spring Gala a success
A Night to Remember, A Legacy to Continue
Bishop Robert J. McClory comforts parents Julio and Iliana Fonseca, of Munster, as he presents them with a lit candle in remembrance of their son, Julio Camilo Fonseca, who died in 2014, three days after his birth. The couple, with their two daughters, attended the annual Pregnancy and Infant Loss Memorial Mass hosted by the Diocese of Gary on May 3 at St. John Bosco in Hammond. (Marlene A. Zloza photo)
Parents gather as diocese honors young children lost too soon
Mass of Remembrance
Mass for 125th Anniversary of St. Michael School
St. Michael School commemorates milestone with anniversary celebration 
Celebrating 125 Years
Hallow representative talks with students
Hallow representative shares five things that happen when we pray
Developing a Culture of Prayer
Krystal Quagliara
Local podcaster continues to explore the lives of Catholic moms
Messy But Marian
Kris and Jim Kazmierczak
LOSS provides safe, nonjudgmental environment for those grieving
The First Steps in Healing
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