NWI Catholic Stories

Pope Leo and Bishop McClory
Bishop honored to meet Pope Leo XIV during pilgrimage to Rome
Pilgrims, including religious sisters, priests and laypeople who serve as missionaries around the world, recite the rosary in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican Oct. 4, 2025, as part of the Jubilee of the Missions. (CNS photo/Pablo Esparza)
Mission, migrants make church 'catholic,' cardinal says
Caption: A group of nearly 20 diocesan faithful taking part in the rosary/prayer vigil on the eve of the execution of Benjamin Donnie Ritchie in May 2025 at Indiana State Prison. (Deacon Bob Wellinski photo)
Faithful invited to attend prayer vigil for anticipated state execution 
Praying for an End to the Death Penalty
Father Chris Stanish
We are never alone
Feast of the Guardian Angels
Walk for the Poor 2025
Annual SVDP event promotes awareness of ministry in the diocese
Friends of the Poor Walk
Student following along
Franciscan Health, Diocese of Gary partner for Respect Life celebration
Our Sign of Hope
Father Rick Holy, St. Edward, Lowell, pastor, delivers a presentation in the chapel of Our Lady of Mercy on the campus of the Carmelite Fathers Monastery in Munster on Sept. 25. At the St. Thomas More parish Society of the Holy Name meeting, Father Holy quoted Scripture, saints and the recent diocesan Disciple Maker Index data to paint a picture of a Church whose obligation is to evangelize more. (Anthony D. Alonzo photo)
Holy Name group inspired by evangelism talk
What's in a Name?
Bishop Robert J. McClory (center) celebrates the closing parish Mass at St. Stanislaus in East Chicago, although the church will remain open as a chapel for the adjacent school and for special services. With the bishop on Sept. 21 are (from left) Deacon Micky Henry, St. Stanislaus administrator Father Jeff Burton, Father Peter Muha and Father Tim McFarland, C.PP.S. (Marlene A. Zloza photo)
St. Stanislaus community celebrates anniversary and closing
Parishioners Mark Milestone
St. Stanislaus Kostka
St. Stanislaus Kostka prepares to celebrate feast days during October
Relics, Prayer and Veneration
Members of the Filipino Ministry Team gathered for a photo on the day it was formed.. Pictured are Crescencio “Boboy” Doma, Maureen Germany, Dr. Claudia Sadowski, Leonora Bujna and Evelyn Banzon. The same day the group was also presented the Filipino Catholic History and Mission to Dr. Claudia Sadowski, and met with the intercultural ministry team afterwards. (Provided photo)
Faithful parishioners prepare to celebrate first Filipino Mass 
New monthly Mass beings this month
Diaconate candidate Bruce Garwood receives the book of Sacred Scripture as his is instituted as lector by Bishop Robert J. McClory with Father Marty Dobrzynski looks on. Four other men were instituted during the Deacon Jubilee Mass and Institution to the Ministry of Lector on Sept. 18 at St. James the Less. (Deacon Bob Wellinski photo)
Liturgy celebrates 14 diaconate jubilee anniversaries, 5 candidates instituted lectors
The Center of Everything is Love
Judge Kirsch
Federal judge is breakfast speaker at annual Red Mass
Legal and Finance Community Welcome
Women religious of the Diocese of Gary greet each other prior to the luncheon in honor of sisters
Liturgy celebrates women religious within the Diocese of Gary
Love the One You Will Become
St. Mary receives new statues
St. Mary the Immaculate Conception welcomes two new statues
A Sign of Hope and Forgiveness
Father Nathaniel Edquist (left) and Bishop Robert J. McClory (right) stand with Guardian Angel Award winner Jack Serletic on stage at the Black Tie White Collar Gala on Sept. 19 at Avalon Manor Banquet Center in Merrillville. The dinner benefit to support those called to the priesthood featured introductions of seminarians, silent and live auctions and music. (Anthony D. Alonzo photo)
Faithful attend gala to support those choosing white collar vocations 
Backing Seminarians
Faith Little (front), began her 100-year birthday celebration at a family reunion on July 4, where she was joined by all seven of her children (from left), Bob, Linda Ebert, Terry, Peggy Bushore, Tom, Joe and Jack. The festivities continued through her actual birthday on Aug. 29. (Marlene A. Zloza photo)
Family celebrates milestone birthday with ‘faith’-filled matriarch
100 Years of Faith
Bishop Robert J. McClory stands in St. Peter’s Square before the beatification Mass for Pope John Paul I on Sept. 4, 2022. (Provided photo)
Bishop McClory to bring your prayers and intentions to Rome
Diocesan Pilgrimage to Italy
Very Rev. Christopher Stanish, vicar general and moderator of the curia for the Diocese of Gary, addresses a crowd of approximately 300 members of the faithful on Sept. 10 in the ballrooms at the Harre Union at Valparaiso University for a general session as part of the pastoral planning process for the Catholic parishes in Porter County.
Faithful invited to be open to the Holy Spirit during pastoral planning
Realigning Resources for Mission
Attendees at Formation Saturday spend time in discussion.
Formation Saturdays open to parish leaders and volunteers 
Strengthening Parishes, Recruiting Volunteers
sean martin
Celebrating the 1700th Anniversary of the Council of Nicaea  
The Creed Series
Pilgrims stand outside Aurelio's
Day pilgrimage offers insight into the life of pontiff 
Walking in the Footsteps of Pope Leo
Franciscan Health Munster Environmental Services Associate Diane Sandoval, left, pets Mary Hires’ dog, Molly, during a visit from the Pet Therapy Program earlier this year. 
Franciscan Health Foundation’s new Circle of 1875 benefits Pet Therapy Program
St. John Day Chapel
Celebrating 100 Years of the Day Chapel
A Century of Grace
Father Mike Surufka, O.F.M.
What does the life of St. Francis of Assisi teach us about suffering?
800th Anniversary of Canticle of the Creatures
How to be “Joyfully Creative” in ministry was the topic on Sept. 6 as Vicky Hathaway (left) and Lisa Curley of the Missionary Discipleship and Evangelization Team welcomed lay leaders from several parishes to a Conversations in Hospitality program at the Pastoral Center in Merrillville. Hathaway used images from Sister Corita Kent’s artwork to enhance her presentation. (Marlene A. Zloza photo)
Parish ministry leaders learn how to be “Joyfully Creative”
Coffee and Conversations in Hospitality
First graders in Catherine Rusin’s class open the school day with prayer at St. Michael School in Schererville, which is celebrating its 125th anniversary this year. A gala dinner, expected to reunite firmer students, parents and teachers, is planned for Friday, Sept. 26, at Innsbrook Country Club in Merrillville. (Marlene A. Zloza photo)
St. Michael School celebrates 125 years of education and community
Family Atmosphere Lauded
Bishop McClory
Feast day serves as reminder of the connection between loving God and loving each other
In Honor of St. Teresa of Calcutta
Headed to Mexico on a mission trip with Hope for the Poor in 2024 was this group from Northwest Indiana, including from left in front row) Norbert Lee Lewandowski, Father Declan McNicholas, Diocese of Gary director of Missionary Discipleship and Evangelization and associate pastor at St. John the Evangelist in St. John; and Katherine Carlson Lukas, pastoral associate for discipleship at SJE. The Diocese of Gary is hosting another mission trip to M3xico City in September. (Provided photo)
Faithful will carry prayers from the diocese to Mexico
Preparing to Serve Others
CRS Ghana Trip
Trip to Ghana gives witness to Church’s efforts around the world
CRS Delegation Participants Return
Our Lady of Consolation
Merrillville parishes unite under new name honoring Blessed Mother and patron saints  
Our Lady Queen of Martyrs
Mary Lick, Bishop Noll math teacher
Teaching proves hereditary for newest BNI math instructor
It All Adds Up
Ava Skinner, Triffin Ploutis, Michael Gonzalez, Adriana Borozan, and Kyra Martinez display book choices and cafe signs at the close of the book tasting event in Mrs. Wong’s classroom. (Provided photo)
New 'Starbooks' shop opens at St. Mary Catholic Community School
For the Love of Reading
Bishop Robert J. McClory receives the gifts from Marquette students during Mass at St. Mary the Immaculate Conception on Aug. 27. (Deacon Bob Wellinski photo)
Bishop McClory celebrates Mass with MQ students/faculty to kick off the new school year
'Lord, I Want To Go Deeper'
Father Jacob McDaniel, chaplain of St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Student Center in Valparaiso, visits with the Quirante family on Aug. 24 at the annual Back to School Picnic held in the parking lot just off the University of Valparaiso campus. Cecilia (left) and Eugene (right) Quirante enjoyed lunch with their daughters, fifth-grader Bernadette, 11, and fourth-grader Claire, nine, while Father McDaniel invited the girls to an upcoming meeting for prospective altar servers. (Marlene A. Zloza photo)
Mass and picnic hosted for college students and families
Back to School
Dr. Jorge Peña
New school assistant superintendent focused on academic excellence with Catholic identity 
Meet Dr. Jorge Peña
The Way Back graphic
Diocese continues partnership with Hallow through new prayer challenge 
The Way Back
Diocese of Gary Cursillo alumni, including spiritual guide Father Thomas Mischler (right), listen to a comment at their Aug. 12 Ultreya about a fellow member’s spiritual achievement during the past month. The group also spent time planning for upcoming weekend retreats, which many of them will participate in as presenters and team members. (Marlene A. Zloza photo)
Cursillo movement remains strong in Diocese of Gary
Focusing on Faith
Baby Lezlie Lovetta Collins was born one month early at 12:01 p.m. on her Mom Kayla Harper’s birthday, weighing 5 pounds 5 ounces and measuring 18 inches long. (Provided photo)
Mom gets unexpected birthday gift with premature birth of her daughter
Hammond woman praises Franciscan Health Dyer NICU
image
5 things to consider when encountering those interested in Catholicism 
What draws people to the Catholic faith?
communion
Andrean students celebrate the Assumption at Our Lady of Czestochowa Shrine
First School Mass of the New Year
golf caddies
BNI offers congratulations to students, staff members attend leadership conference
Bishop McClory
Emmaus Conference speakers send forth faithful to be missionary disciples
attendees
Conference attendees encounter Jesus on the Road to Emmaus 
Past and present parishioners from as close as across Carey Street to as far as California gathered to fill Holy Trinity Croatian at the East Chicago parish’s closing Mass on Aug. 10. “Our churches are windows into our eternal homeland, heaven,” Bishop Robert J. McClory, celebrant, told the gathering. (Marlene A. Zloza photo)
Closing Mass honors legacy of Holy Trinity Croatian community
The Lord Leads Us
mugs
Two Diocese of Gary youth leaders join national delegation to Ghana
Learning about their Peers
Honorng legendary Hobart High School football coach Tom Kerr (second from right) at the Tailgate Party hosted by St. Bridget in hobart on Aug. 2 were several of his assistants from past Brickie teams, (from left) Don Rogers, Craig Buford and Chrlie Boston. (Marlene A. zloza photo)
St. Bridget starts new tradition with Tailgate Party
Honoring a Legend
Father Mikolaj Markiewicz, outgoing superior of the Salvatorian Fathers at Our Lady of Czestochowa Shrine, blesses motorcyclists and their bikes at the order’s campus in Merrillville on May 5, 2024. At the end of this month, the priest affectionately called “Father Nick” will return to his native Poland to work in an administrative capcity for his order. He served more than a decade in the Region, ministering to Polonia and Diocese of Gary faithful. Anthony D. Alonzo photo
Polish Marian pilgrims to be greeted by new Salvatorian leader, Australian bishop
Stepping Out in Faith
logs
Parish offers two nationally recognized programs to help families through difficult situations
Grief Share and Divorce Care
altar servers
Youth and young adults provide hope for the Church
Everyone Has Gifts
The circa 1950 St. John's Parochial Center section of St. John the Baptist Catholic School is shown in Whiting. (Anthony D. Alonzo photo) 
Pen pal project to create relationships between alumni and students
Connections Across Generations