NWI Catholic Stories

Exhibition " Gifts for the Journey- Regalos para el Viaje" demonstrates the important key elements needed in an ofrenda (altar).
Second annual Día de los Muertos event celebrates life, tradition and Mexican culture
Día de los Muertos at Holy Name
saints image
Who’s your favorite saint?
All Saints Day is Nov. 1
Seminarians and discerners take a Rosary walk during the three-day Quo Vadis? Where are you going Discernment retreat at Camp Lawrence on August 3. (Deacon Bob Wellinski photo)
Parishioners invited to nominate those who show signs of holiness through 'Called By Name'
Do you know a future priest or religious?
St. Patrick Grotto
St. Patrick church shows compassion for the departed through restoration work
Before and After
A member of the group taking part in the rosary/prayer service clings to his rosary while praying on the eve of the execution of Benjamin Donnie Ritchie at Indiana State Prison. (Deacon Bob Wellinski photo)
Faithful invited to write governor, join prayer vigil ahead of scheduled execution
Praying for an End to the Death Penalty
Mission Trip to Mexico
Missionaries return with the love, lessons, and grace received in Mexico
Called to Serve
The Journey Beads project was the brainchild of Robyn L. Caban, a licensed clinical social worker in the oncology department at the Franciscan Health Cancer Center Munster.
Franciscan Health Cancer Center Munster pilots Journey Beads project
Beads for every cancer milestone achieved
Sean Martin, coordinator of Faith Formation and Catechesis for the Diocese of Gary, presents a program on the Cardinal Virtues in 2025 at the Pastoral Center in Merrillville. On Nov. 3, his latest four-week program titled "The Catechism Series," will begin, with catechists and other interested Catholics welcome to participate.(Marlene A. Zloza/file photo)
New series welcomes all who want to grow their love for Jesus
Learning Our Faith
Enjoying the Fourth Annual Luxury Bingo fundraiser benefitting the Women's Care Center in Merrillville at a table sponsored by St. Thomas More in Munster are (from left) Tony Kaim of All Souls in Lansing, Ill., Dan Dernulc (standing) of Our Lady of Grace in Highland, Julie Dernulc of Schererville and Our Lady of Grace, Monica Sajn of St. Thomas More, and Ginny Miceli of Munster, who worships at the Carmelite Shrine in Munster. (Marlene A. Zloza photo)
Donors enjoy evening of food and prizes for Women’s Care Center
Bingo For Benefit
Father David Nowak
Listening and understanding were important aspects of priest's ministry
Father David Nowak (1954-2026)
Conference '26
Diocese prepares for Conference ‘26: A time for training and renewal
Faithful To The Call
Brother Shaun Gray, Father Walter Rakoczy, and Bishop Robert J. McClory process in at St. Stanislaus Kostka Church. (Mary Wellinski photo)
St. Stanislaus Kostka celebrates 100th year of current church
'It’s a Trove of Beauty'
Father Jacob McDaniel and Allison Maciejewski
Endowment enriches gift of the Eucharist within the diocese
Source and Summit of Catholic Faith
Dr. Colleen Brewer stands with other Loyola University Chicago School of Education’s 2026 Distinguished Alumni
Superintendent of Schools receives honor from Loyola University of Chicago
2026 Distinguished Alumni Awards
: Representatives from the five Dioceses in Indiana preparing to receive their first-class relic.
Relics of Saint Mother Theodore Guerin offer connection to her legacy
Third Canonization Celebration
The Men's Cursillo Team closes every meeting by sharing a moment of praise and thanksgiving to God with each other. Forming a chapel circle in front of the altar at Nativity of Our Savior on Oct. 11 are (from left) Jon McGinty, Darren Farha, John Stahura, John Cox, Rob Pastore, Louie Gonzalez, Phil Page, Jose Flores (obscured) and Father Thomas Mischler. (Marlene A. Zloza photo)
Men have chance to know and share Christ more deeply at Cursillo Weekend
Spiritual Revitalization
Religious education students, staff and families joined members of the Altar and Rosary Society at the grotto at the front of St. Mary church in Otis to pray the Rosary on Oct. 4. During this Month of the Holy Rosary, they will gather again at 3:15 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 17 to pray the Rosary before the 4 p.m. Mass, followed by a reception with appetizers. (Provided photo)
St. Mary community prays the World Mission Rosary during month of Mary
Gathering in Prayer
Enjoying his final event at Holy Spirit in Winfield, Bob Gorski (center) is joined by his son-in-law and daughter, Josh and Carla Pearson, as he bid farewell to fellow parishioners and prepared to join his family in Colorado. Raised in Dolton, Ill., Gorski spent the first 70 years of his life in Chicagoland before moving to Winfield with his late wife 20 years ago and continuing to serve as an active Catholic. (Marlene A. Zloza photo)
Faithful parish volunteer recalls decades of service with ministries
Salute To Service
Franciscan Health Munster and Dyer COO Sean Leahy, Food Bank of Northwest Indiana Vice President of Development and Communications Dr. Natalie Krivas, Food Bank of Northwest Indiana Emerging Technologies Coordinator Julie Anderson, Franciscan Health Dyer, Crown Point and Munster President and CEO Raymond Grady and Director of Community Health Improvement for Franciscan Health Danielle Crowder in front of the new OrderAhead food locker at Franciscan Health Dyer. 
Franciscan Health Dyer adds OrderAhead food locker in partnership with Food Bank of NWI
Fighting Region Food Insecurity
In Thanksgiving for Women Religious
Diocese holds Mass and luncheon in thanksgiving for women religious
Celebrating Sister Jubilarians
Red Mass 2026
Red Mass event invites professionals to learn about ethical issues surrounding AI
Artificial Intelligence and the Law
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
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