NWI Catholic Stories

Pope Francis greets an elderly woman as he meets with people in Asuncion, Paraguay, in this July 12, 2015, file photo. The pope has chosen the theme, "In old age they will still bear fruit" (Psalm 92:15), for the second World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly July 24. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)
Pope: Visit grandparents, elderly, bring joy to their hearts
Father Seamus Griesbach, center in vestments, leads hundreds of parishioners in a Eucharistic procession through Portland, Maine, on Corpus Christi Sunday, June 11, 2023. The priest is rector of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Portland and pastor of three parishes. The procession helped the Diocese of Portland and other U.S. dioceses launch the parish year of the U.S. bishops' National Eucharistic Revival. (OSV News photo/courtesy Diocese of Portland)
Eucharistic processions on Corpus Christi around U.S. promote devotion to Real Presence
A painting titled, "Dusky Boat" by Father Dave Kime hangs in the Queen of All Saints Legacy Center along with other works by Father Kime, Father Roque Meraz, and Dr. John Wilhelm until the first of July. (Bob Wellinski photo)
Hands of local priests paint beautiful works of art
Festival goers at the 2022 St. Thomas More, Munster, parish festival enjoy activities under the tents and around the church campus. The festival provides a relaxed atmosphere for families to enjoy food, music and neighborly competition. (Provided photo)
Local parish festivals unite successful past experience, new ideas
Students of St. Michael School including Danielle Dimailig, Elizabeth Hillegonds, Braden Bazarko, Jaxon Hadt and Jayden Phan show off their shirts advertising thier business Smoothie Bombs. The group is gearing up for another summer selling refreshing drinks on the weekends at their neighborhood stand in Schererville. (Erin Ciszczon photo)
Students ready to provide community with smoothies for another summer 
Tyler Milby (center), new head football coach at Bishop Noll Institute, in Hammond, explains his enthusiasm for the Warrior tradition and his plans to build it back up thanks to a new "Fielding Our Future" fundraising campaign underway. Milby was introduced at a special event hosted by BNI at St. Mary in Crown Point on May 31. (Marlene A. Zloza photo)
BNI funding campaign aims to rebuild outdoor athletic facilities
Kieran and Mitchell Bolda, parishioners of Holy Spirit in Winfield, celebrated the baptism their daughter Alva Dorothea in April on the Saturday after Easter. Mitchell Bolda said, "It was another great, joyful day in our lives, just having a bunch of family and friends come and be apart of it and welcome her into the family of God." (Provided photo)
New dad excited to watch daughter grow in the faith
Some people have a difficult time talking about themselves, but Diocese of Gary young aduts and their guests from the Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration in Mishawaka had no trouble getting acquainted during an icebreaker at Our Lady of Consolation in Merrillville. Sister M. Regina (from left) learned about Bridget Conry from Schererville, while Grace O'Donnell from OLC shared her story with Sister Karol Ann as the parish kicked off its Summer Young Adult Series of programs on June 1 . "Embracing
Embracing the life given you by God leads to freedom
Sahar Shaaban, 11, an Iraqi girl who provides for her family, collects cans from a garbage area in Kirkuk, Iraq, April 21, 2021. (CNS photo/Ako Rasheed, Reuters)
On World Day of Poor, be poor like those you serve, pope says
Hundreds of people walk along Washington St. as they participate in the Michigan City Corpus Christi procession. (Bob Wellinski photo)
Parishes take the lead as National Eucharistic Revival continues
After the Baccalaureate Mass for Anderan High School, friends (left to right) Jacalyn Roberts, Ryese Evanatz and Isabella Cuadra gather for a photo on May 31 at Our Lady of Consolation Church, also in Merrillville. At the liturgy, Bishop Robert J. McClory spoke to the soon-to-be graduates, as he would at different liturgies for each of the diocesan high schools, weaving in the themes of scripture readings and ideas about students looking at the modern phenomenon of contact tracing less as a health protocol
Baccalaureate Masses offer grads chance to reflect on past, pray for future
Bishop Robert J. McClory (right) presents newly ordained Father Robert Ross (left) gifts of a chalice and communion plate as seminarian Gianni Ditola (center) looks on during the Mass of Ordination to the Priesthood and Diaconate on June 3 at the Cathedral of the Holy Angels in Gary. Also at the liturgy, Steven Caraher, of Munster, and Zachary Glick, of Highland, were ordained as transitional deacons. (Anthony D. Alonzo photo)
Bishop ordains one priest and two deacons for Diocese of Gary
Caren and Ken Jankowski (front) pray along with the program for the 40th Annual Wedding Anniversary Celebration on the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, June 4, at the Cathedral of the Holy Angels in Gary. The Jankowskis marked 55 years of marriage at the Mass where Bishop Robert J. McClory presided and preached about the mystery of the Holy Trinity as a Godly relationship and that couples of faith "with the grace of the sacrament intertwining and flowing through you, you become an expression of the very
Dozens of couples celebrate landmark anniversaries at cathedral
Bishop Robert J. McClory presides over a Eucharistic Holy Hour for youth on June 2 at St. John Bosco in Hammond. The Diocesan Youth Council, made up of teens from around the diocese who help plan faith-related events for their peers, sponsored the event. (Cecilia Cicone photo)
Teens reflect on life of Blessed Carlo and gift of the Eucharist
A statue of St. John Paul II is seen outside of Rome's Gemelli hospital June 8, 2023, where Pope Francis is staying after undergoing surgery to treat a hernia June 7. Because of his frequent visits over his three-decade pontificate, the Polish pope affectionately called the hospital "the third Vatican" after his second "home" at the papal summer residence in Castel Gandolfo outside of Rome. (CNS photo/Justin McLellan)
Pope thanks well-wishers for prayers; Vatican says recovery going smoothly
Mónica Santamarina, president general of WUCWO, poses for a photograph at WUCWO's Vatican offices June 1, 2023. (CNS photo/Lola Gomez)
Don't stop at synod: Continue participating, says Catholic women's leader
Deacon Francis Cuffie is vested by Msgr. Joseph Malagreca during his ordination to the diaconate at St. Joseph Co-Cathedral in Brooklyn, N.Y., May 25, 2019. The estimated number of permanent deacons in active ministry in U.S. was 13,695 in 2022, the lowest amount since 2011, according to results of new CARA survey. (OSV News photo/CNS file, Gregory A. Shemitz)
Survey: permanent deacon numbers in U.S. expected 'to remain stable' but continue slow decline
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Totus Tuus teams set to bring young people closer to Jesus
Pope Francis speaks to the organizers of the Green & Blue Festival during an audience at the Vatican June 5, 2023. (CNS photo/Vatican Media)
Pope: Quick change of course necessary to beat climate change
A woman places flowers among crosses in a memorial set up outside Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, to honor the 19 students and two teachers killed there May 24, 2022, in a mass shooting. People gathered at the memorial May 24, 2023, one year after the shooting. Father Daniel Carson, the pastor of St. Peter's Parish on Capitol Hill in Washington seen at right in the background of this photo, joined people praying there. He was among 14 parish leaders from across the United States who participated in
Trip to Uvalde, Texas, leaves Capitol Hill pastor 'still processing' how deep community's trauma remains
Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, papal envoy to Ukraine, gestures during a meeting in Kyiv with Ukraine's parliamentary commissioner for human rights, Dmytro Lubinets on June 5, 2023. Earlier in the day Cardinal Zuppi visited Kyiv's suburb of Bucha where hundreds of Ukrainian civilians died under Russian occupation in the spring of 2022. (OSV News/courtesy Ombudsman of Ukraine)
Papal envoy meets Zelenskyy in Kyiv amid destruction of critical dam that flooded south of country
Transitional deacons Steven Caraher and Zachary Glick
Meet the newest transitional deacons for the Diocese of Gary
During a parish visit at St. Stephen, Martyr, Bishop Robert J. McClory (right) raises the paten during the Eucharistic Prayer as Deacon Robert Ross raises the chalice, on May 7 at the Merrillville church. During the liturgy, the bishop blessed sacred vessels and vestments that Deacon Ross will use after he is ordained in June. (Anthony D. Alonzo photo)
Father Robert Ross steps forward to faithfully serve the Church 
Shia LaBeouf stars in the new drama "Padre Pio.” The OSV News classification is A-III -- adults. The Motion Picture Association rating is R -- restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.(OSV News photo/Gravitas Ventures)
Shia LaBeouf: 'I fell in love with Christ' to portray Padre Pio on screen
Father Nate Edquist, pastor of Holy Family Parish, blesses the new high altar at St. Joseph church in LaPorte during Mass on May 14. (Bob Wellinski photo)
New high altar installed, blessed; part of LaPorte parish’s three church projects
During the final blessing of the Memorial Day Mass at St. John-St. Joseph Cemetery in Hammond, Bishop Robert J. McClory prays over Michael and Gina Welsh on the couple's 35th wedding anniversary. Mike Welsh is chief operations officer of Gary Diocesan Cemeteries. (Erin Ciszczon photo)
Bishop reminds faithful to turn to Mother Mary in times of despair 
acilitator Joe De Frier (standing), coordinator of Adult Faith Formation, presented a skit, "The Bread That Remembered," about two brothers (from left, Michael Croarkin and Gary Peterson) who lost their gentleness and goodness until a woman left a loaf of bread for them, during the second session of a series on "Re-discovering the Eucharist" offered at St. Paul in Valparaiso on May 8, 15 and 22. "They shared (the bread) and found the goodness that the bread remembered," said De Frier of the symbol of the Ho
History and evolution of Eucharist offers deeper understanding
The Cruz-Lay family from Australia poses for a photo in St. Peter's Square in the Vatican May 30, 2023, the day the Vatican announced the launch of the Family Global Compact. (CNS photo/Lola Gomez)
Vatican launches compact for families with pope's support
Chicago Auxiliary Bishop Joseph N. Perry, pictured in a file photo, was named chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' Ad Hoc Committee Against Racism May 10, 2023. Ahead of the U.S. bishops' meeting in Orlando, Fla., June 14-16, Bishop Perry recently spoke with OSV News about his new role. (CNS photo/Gregory A. Shemitz)
New head of bishops' anti-racism committee praises investigations into racist histories, champions Black Catholic saint causes
A record number of 16,000 Catholics participate in the 41st annual traditional Catholic Pentecost pilgrimage from Paris to Chartres, organized May 27-29, 2023, under theme "Eucharist Salvation of Souls." Some 1,500 foreigners from 27 countries participated this year, including a group of Catholics from the U.S., Canada and Australia. (OSV News photo/courtesy Notre-Dame de Chrétienté)
Record number of Catholics walk in annual pilgrimage from Paris to Chartres
People stand outside looking at a partially collapsed apartment building in Davenport, Iowa, May 28, 2023. The Quad-City Times reported that a ninth person was rescued the following day as some residents remain unaccounted for and officials made plans to demolish the remaining structure. (OSV News photo/John Blunk, courtesy The Catholic Messenger)
Victims of apartment building collapse in Davenport, Iowa, turn to nearby Catholic church
The exhumed body of Sister Mary Wilhelmina Lancaster, foundress of the Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles, lies in repose in the church at the Abbey of Our Lady of Ephesus in Gower, Mo., May 21, 2023. (OSV News photo/Megan Marley)
Missouri Benedictine foundress, whose remains have been claimed to be incorrupt, recounted childhood visions of Jesus, Mary
Father Emil Joseph Kapaun, a U.S. Army chaplain, is pictured celebrating Mass from the hood of a jeep Oct. 7, 1950, in South Korea. A candidate for sainthood, he died May 23, 1951, in a North Korean prisoner of war camp. A new 15-minute film from the Knights of Columbus titled "The Magazine and the Miracle: Finding Father Kapaun" traces the journey of Father Kapaun's mortal remains from a shallow grave in the prisoner-of-war camp where he died to their eventual return to his home Diocese of of Wichita, Kan.
Knights' film on chaplain's faith, heroism traces how his remains were returned home 70 years after his death
Pope Francis sprinkles holy water at the beginning of his Pentecost Mass in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican May 28, 2023. (CNS photo/Lola Gomez)
Pope on Pentecost: Synod is journey in the Spirit, not 'a parliament'
Emily Hackett is the director of religious education at St. Thomas More in Munster.
AIM launched to advocate inclusion of Catholics with disabilities
Pope Francis waves at a participant during a meeting of Scholas Occurentes, an educational initiative, held at the Augustinianum Institute for Patristic Studies in Rome May 25, 2023. Julian Vaqueiro, a Telemundo journalist seen in front holding a microphone, was the event's master of ceremonies, and spoke with Pope Francis in an interview released May 25. (CNS photo/Lola Gomez)
Pope Francis says situation at U.S.-Mexico border is 'serious problem'
U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy delivers remarks during a news conference at the White House in Washington July 15, 2021. Murthy released a 21-page advisory May 23, 2023, that called for "emergency action at all levels over youth social media usage for the sake of their mental health." (OSV News photo/Tom Brenner, Reuters)
Experts hail U.S. surgeon general's social media warning for youth mental health
Bishop Robert J. McClory congratulates Dr. Joseph Majchrowicz and presents him with a Certificate of Appreciation reflecting Dr. Majchrowicz' retirement after seven years as superintendent of schools for the Diocese of Gary. "I want to thank him, especially for his leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic when he very quickly showed himself (to be) a loyal, steady hand,” said the bishop at the diocese’s annual Teacher Retirement and Recognition Banquet on May 3 at Innsbrook Country Club in Merrillville. (Mar
Schools superintendent lauded as he caps 48-year career
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Diocesan educators cherish relationships built in classroom
Bishop John P. Dolan of Phoenix announces the creation of an Office of Mental Health Ministry Sept. 4, 2022, during the Diocese of Phoenix's first Mass of Remembrance for Suicide Victims at Ss. Simon & Jude Cathedral in Phoenix. (OSV News photo/Brett Meister, The Catholic Sun)
Bishop's heroic crusade against America's suicide epidemic is personal
Pope Francis uses incense as he venerates a statue of Our Lady of Fatima during the canonization Mass of Sts. Francisco and Jacinta Marto, two of the three Fatima seers, at the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima in Portugal, May 13, 2017. The Vatican announced the pope will return to Fatima Aug. 5 while in Portugal for World Youth Day. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)
Pope Francis adds Fátima visit to World Youth Day trip
French President Emmanuel Macron, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, and U.S. President Joe Biden, sign a guest book as they visit Peace Memorial Museum with other G7 leaders as part of the G7 leaders' summit in Hiroshima, Japan, May 19, 2023. (OSV News photo/Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan handout via Reuters)
Bishops from U.S., Japan call on G7 leaders to take "concrete steps" in eliminating nuclear weapons
Dr. Mary Soha poses April 24, 2023, next to a statue of Our Lady of La Leche in the chapel in her home adjacent to the Sacred Acre, site of the National Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche at Mission Nombre De Dios in St. Augustine, Fla.
Florida Catholic wife, mom, doctor involved in sainthood causes says Eucharist is central to all she does
Nicole Duque tenderly holds the hand of her precious twins, Maria Theresa and Rachel Clare. (OSV News photo/handout via Detroit Catholic en Español)
A testimony of faith and love: conjoined twins born, baptized and at peace in God's arms
Pope Francis greets Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg during his general audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican in this file photo from April 17, 2019. In a new book, Pope Francis writes that people must learn from young people to care for the poor and for the environment. (CNS photo/Vatican Media)
Join the young in fighting for the poor and the planet, pope says
Veriie Suggs, director of the Ss. Monica and Luke Soup Kitchen, helps Father Mike Surufka, pastor, bless the new commercial grade stove and prep table unveiled on April 30 during the Gary soup kitchen's 30th Anniversary Celebration. Funds from the operations budget, used to purchase the stove, need to be replaced, said Suggs, who noted that about 20 years ago, a small news item in the Northwest Indiana Catholic helped the ministry raise $10,000 for the previous stove. (Marlene A. Zloza photo)
Soup kitchen celebrated for outreach to Gary community
Bishop McClory presided at an all school Mass, visited all the classrooms along with meetings with the school faculty, parish leadership, and pastor Father Jon Plavcan on April 19 at St. Patrick in Chesterton. (Provided photo)
Pastoral visits create opportunities to listen and offer encouragement
Bishop Robert J. McClory presents Lisa Anderson, of St. John the Evangelist in St. John, with a lighted candle in remembrance of a child lost too soon during the annual Remembering the Children Pregnancy and Infant Loss Memorial Mass hosted by the Diocese of Gary on May 7. Families who suffered a miscarriage, or lost a stillborn infant or young child, were invited to St. James the Less in Highland to mark International Bereaved Mother's Day. (Marlene A. Zloza photo)
Families cherish the love they hold in their hearts
A statue of Our Lady of Fatima is pictured outside the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark, N.J., on her feast day, May 13, 2023, where veneration and a Mass were held. The statue is touring the Archdiocese of Newark through June 7 before being flown back home to Portugal. (OSV New photo/Joseph Jordan, courtesy Archdiocese of Newark)
Faithful join in Our Lady of Fatima procession through Newark on her feast day
Meg Bonta receives a standing ovation at Carnegie Hall.
Portage violinist performs 17th-century Rosary Sonatas at Carnegie Hall