NWI Catholic Stories

With dozens of photos gathered by the St. Michael Parish 150th Anniversary Committee on display, Father Martin Dobrzynski (left), pastor, listens to Father Dominic Bertino, historian for the Diocese of Gary, explain the impact the parish has had on the Town of Schererville since it was established in 1874. Father Bertino's presentation was well-attended by parishioners on Sept. 27 as the parish began its celebratory weekend. (Marlene A. Zloza photo)
St. Michael the Archangel protects growing parish for 150 years
Daniel Mills, Uriel Martinez, Bishop Robert J. McClory, Manuel Eena, Bruce Garwood, and George Boby gather for a photo following the Deacon Jubilee Mass and the Rite of Admission to Candidacy for Holy Orders at Nativity of Our Savior on Sept. 26. (Deacon Bob Wellinski photo)
Five men called to diaconate candidacy, 14 jubilarians honored
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Life of St. Francis continues to inspire diocesan faithful 
Seminarians gather on stage bookended by vocations office officials Father Jacob McDaniel (left), chaplain of St. Teresa Center for Catholic Students in Valparaiso and Father Nathaniel Edquist (right), pastor of Holy Family Parish in LaPorte during the annual Black Tie White Collar gala on September 20 at Avalon Manor Banquet Center in Merrillville. Supporters of priestly vocations prayed, dined, danced, played games, bid on auction items and generally had fellowship with the discerners. (Anthony D. Alonzo
Support for priestly vocations soars at annual gala
St. Thomas More School students react in celebration after viewing the live streamed announcement in the gym of the Munster school indicating that their institution was named a National Blue Ribbon School on Sept. 23. Among only 356 public and private schools nationally, the Home of the Eagles earned the institution's first Blue Ribbon, a prestigious award established in the 1980s by the U.S. Department of Education that recognizes academic excellence and improvement as measured in standardized tests. (Anth
St. Thomas More School family celebrates first Blue Ribbon
Bishop Robert J. McClory (fourth from left) and Sister Jane Marie Klein, O.S.F., (fifth from left), chairwoman of the Franciscan Health Foundation, join other dignitaries, (from left) Franciscan Alliance Northern Indiana Board of Directors Chairman Cal Bellamy, Dean and Barbara White Family Foundation Executive Director Bill Hanna, Dean and Barbara White Family Foundation Board President Craig White, Bishop McClory, Sister Jane Marie Klein, OSF; Chairwoman of the Board of Franciscan Alliance Sister M. Alin
Bishop blesses Franciscan cancer center at groundbreaking
Sue and Bert Bell of Lowell, who have been married for 43 years, had a few tips on how to maintain a happy marriage for Vanessa and Ryan Lochow, of Schererville, who have been married two years, during the Diocese of Gary's Marriage Date Night on Sept. 13 at The Lighthouse in Cedar Lake. "With God you can overcome everything," said Sue Bell. (Marlene A. Zloza photo)
Couple shares journey of overcoming personal trials
Pope Francis is greeted by a group of homeless people and religious Sept. 26, 2024, as he departs the Vatican for his apostolic trip to Luxembourg and Belgium. To a surprise of the pontiff, one of the homeless men had a dog with him, which made the pope laugh as he played with the animal. (OSV News photo/courtesy Dicastery for the Service of Charity) Editors: best quality available.
For this papal trip, homeless group's traditional send-off for pontiff as he departs has twist
Albertine Sisters and friends (standing left to right) Missionary Sisters of St. Benedict Sister Bernarda Krajewska, Sister Teofila Gacalek and Sister Irena Cejnog and Albertines Sister Maksymiliana Szwajnos, Sister Damiana Picket, Sister Jadwiga Szczechowicz, Sister Cecylia Madon, Sister Katarzyna Radczuk, Sister Hiacynta Gronka, Sister Edyta Ksiazczak, Sister Symforoza Kicka, Sister Beniamina Sfentec, Sister Anna Koziol, Sister Joachima Domian, (sitting from left) Sister Zygmunta Wojtusiak, Sister Maria K
Polish native Albertine Sisters celebrate 50 years in U.S.
The Diocese of Gary has welcomed three educators this fall from the two-year ECHO program through the University of Notre Dame's McGrath Institute for Church Life, (from left) Jacqueline Milkowski at Marquette High School, Gianna Niece at Andrean High School and Dena Neville at Bishop Noll Institute. (Provided photo)
Young teachers earn graduate theology degrees in diocesan schools
Cathy Bartczak is seated before the altar in the Holy Spirit chapel at the Pastoral Center in Merrillville on Sept. 3. The St. Michael the Archangel parishioner is an active senior and volunteer in several church ministries, including one which had a positive impact on her returning to regular Mass attendance: the hospitality group. (Anthony D. Alonzo photo)
St. Michael senior feels at home welcoming believers back
Jim Earnshaw, a parishioner at St. John the Evangelist in St. John, was happy to see the U.S. Capitol when he arrived in Washington DC on Aug. 25 after a 19-day solo bicycle trip from Crown Point. He enjoys long-distance biking, and for the past three years has sought donations for a charity to give his trips a purpose. This year, he is raising money for the Women's Care Center in Merrillville. (Provided photo)
Retired cyclist raises funds and awareness for Women’s Care Center
Students venerate relic at St. Patrick in Chesterton
St. Patrick gifted with relic of Blessed Carlo Acutis 
Melba Earnest and Sue Castagna, co-chairs of St. John the Evangelist's Boomers and Beyond, go over some details of their upcoming events while enjoying God's creation outside the parish, 10701 Olcott Ave., St. John, on Aug. 30. The duo encourage seniors from throughout the diocese to attend their upcoming events, especially an Oct. 2 presentation entitled, "How Clean Is Our Clean Water?" (Lynda J. Hemmerling photo)
St. John the Evangelist seniors are inviting others to join ‘boom time’
Allison and Jim Maciejewski, active parishioners at St. John the Evangelist in St. John, head into the nave for Eucharistic Adoration. The couple have established a new Eucharistic Adoration Endowment fund through the Catholic Foundation for Northwest Indiana to encourage faith in the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. (Marlene A. Zloza photo)
New endowment fund supports Eucharistic Adoration
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Parish comes together to renew and reopen Marian shrine
New principal Maegan Veleeparambil (center) and second graders at Aquinas Community School in Merrillville show by their thumbs up sign that they are ready for a successful 2024-25 school year. (Provided photo)
Principal happy to return to her Catholic education roots
Gabriella Vales, a third-grader at St. Patrick School in Chesterton, stops by the principal's office to congratulate Sue Hadenfelt, her former first-grade teacher, on becoming the new principal. Since Hadenfelt taught first grade for the past 20 years, she has guided all but the youngest students now under her care. (Provided photo)
New St. Patrick principal is right at home as veteran teacher
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Partnership awards scholarships to support future Catholic teachers
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Let God Do the Heavy Lifting
Liturgical composer Sarah Hart leads a parish mission and concert on Sept. 8 at St. Maria Goretti in Dyer. Hart greeted parishioners during a breakfast meet and greet and held a special retreat for musicians leading up to the event. (Erin Ciszczon photo)
Musician delivers message of hope and love of God with humor
PJ Anderson (right), a Nashville recording artist, sings self-penned praise and worship songs with his daughters Elliot (middle), 8, and Claire (second from left), 11, on Sept. 7 during the Let Your Light Shine concert event at Our Lady of Guadalupe Plaza in St. John. The Catholic crooner returned to play at his hometown St. John the Evangelist Church during Mass for the first time since 2010; he had not performed at The Shrine of Christ's Passion since 2019. (Anthony D. Alonzo photo)
PJ Anderson lets his light shine in St. John concert
Ben Nagel receives birthday well wishes from St. Helen parishioners following Mass on Aug. 11. Nagel turned 100 on Aug. 8. (Deacon Bob Wellinski photo)
Parishioner grateful for so much as he celebrates his 100th birthday
At a Mass for the Feast of St. Mother Teresa, Missionaries of Charity Sister Anima Christi reverences a first-class relic of the modern-day saint as Bishop Robert J. McClory holds a reliquary on September 5 at St. Joseph the Worker parish in Gary. Bishop McClory implored the faithful to follow the lead of the modern-day saint, maintaing a close relationship with God and responding with "outstanding charity" to those around them.(Anthony D. Alonzo photo)
Diocesan faithful recognize influential nun who ministered to poor
Bridget Provenzano and Mary Persyn look over historic photos of St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Student Center during the 50th anniversary picnic on August 25. (Deacon Bob Wellinski photo)
Catholic center celebrates 50 years of serving collegians and community
Claudia Sadowski, intercultural ministry coordinator, and administrative assistant for the Office of Missionary Discipleship and Evangelization (center), deliver items to migrant workers at Herr Farm in Lowell. The donations were sorted and packaged as part of the Diocese of Gary's Day of Caring in August. (Provided photo)
Diocese shows support for migrants working in Northwest Indiana
Sisters Laura Lopez-Vera, 22, and Daneysi Lopez, 19, read about the life of Blessed Carlos Acutis, an Italian teenager who compiled a computer database of 155 Eucharistic Miracles from 22 countries that were displayed at their home parish, St. Francis Xavier in Lake Station, last month. Acutis, who died at 15 from leukemia, will become the first millennial saint wen he is canonized, likely early in 2025. (Marlene A. Zloza photo)
Young people inspired by a peer who will soon be a saint
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Catholics urged to share their joy for the Eucharist with family and friends
Christian rock recording artist and St. John the Evangelist School and Andrean High School alumnus PJ Anderson walks through the audience gathered under a tent during the Let Your Light Shine concert event at the Shrine of Christ's Passion in St. John on Aug. 3, 2019. Anderson, who is based in Nashville, returns to the Shrine for a concert on Sept. 7 in support of his new album "Heart Healer." (Anthony D. Alonzo photo)
Recording artist PJ Anderson returns to St. John to lead in song
Diane McKern, vice president, and Mike Martinelli, president, take a look at the new sign that identifies the Society of St. Vincent de Paul District Council of Gary headquarters at 2714 169th St. in Hammond. The building has been rented for about a year, and after moving from the former cramped quarters at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Hammond and settling in, said McKern, the council is ready to have the building formally blessed and host an open house, hopefully later this fall. (Marlene A. Zloza photo)
Help can be found at St. Vincent de Paul Society
Father Stephen Loncar, pastor of St. Thomas Aquinas, and parishioner Bernadette Schonka pose along side the parish’s new solar rose Rosary Garden on Aug. 3. The garden blessing will be part of the Blessed Mother’s birthday celebration on Sept. 8. (Deacon Bob Wellinski photo)
St. Thomas Aquinas to celebrate the Blessed Mother with garden blessing  
The circa 1950 St. John's Parochial Center section of St. John the Baptist Catholic School is shown in Whiting. Inspired by increasing enrollment at the parish school and a greater Mass attendance, yet concerned about urgent campus infrastructure needs, leaders from the 125-year-old church have launched the the St. John the Baptist Capital Project Funding Campaign to address identified structural needs. (Anthony D. Alonzo photo)
Parish on the upswing faces infrastructure challenges
Registered nurse Tony Brunello (left), who chairs the Health and Safety Ministry at Holy Name of Jesus in Cedar Lake, speks to Carol and Ron Zientara after a recent Sunday morning Mass. Carol is a retired nurse and Brunello is hoping to convince her to join the ministry's new first responder mentroring program. (Provided photo)
Health care and law enforcement veterans ready to offer support
At the Missionaries of Charity convent in Gary (left to right) Dolores Little, Elizabeth Ring and Lynda Klekowski pack pinto beans for distribution to food pantries during the diocesan Day of Service on Aug. 17. Dozens of area faithful assisted in charitable endeavors putting faith into action as part of the National Eucharistic Revival implementation. (Anthony D. Alonzo photo)
Outreach event offers opportunities to show God’s mercy
Members of the St. James the Less Women's Guild set up a table of gift baskets for a raffle during the parish picnic on Aug. 18. The guild works together in a variety of activities at the church and assists with fundraising events. (Erin Ciszczon photo)
Women's Guild helps host afternoon of food, entertainment and fellowship 
Father Don Paolo Ravaglia (center) presides over a Mass for St. Patrick Catholic School students on Aug. 14 with pastor Father Jon Plavcan (right) concelebrating and assisted by Deacon Gilbert Sanchez (left). Father Ravaglia, an Italian priest who serves on the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints for the Vatican, talked with the children during the homily about what it means to be a saint. (Erin Ciszczon photo)
Italian priest experiences American Catholic culture in Chesterton
Bishop Robert J. McClory (front) whisks holy water as he offers a blessing before Bishop Noll Institute student-athletes at the Warriors' new football, soccer and track facility in Hammond on the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Aug. 15. Rainy conditions precluded a back-to-school liturgy at the school's new 1,400-seat stadium, so the faithful gathered in the fieldhouse. (Anthony D. Alonzo photo)
New BNI sports facility ushers in spirit of victory
Pictured with school drive items collected at Franciscan Health Munster are Franciscan Health Dyer and Munster Compliance Officer Paula Dailey; Franciscan Health Munster 3 North Manager Kathy Garcia, RN; Franciscan Health Munster Manager of Service Excellence, Patient Advocates, Volunteers and Information Desk Linda Young and Bishop Noll Institute Theology Department Chairman Kevin Driscoll.
Franciscan Health Dyer, Munster donate school supplies, cereal for Catholic school children
Participants of the 37th annual Piesza Polonija Pielgrzymka Maryjna (Polish Marian Walking Pilgrimage) approach Munster's Carmelite Shrine to eat, freshen up and later attend Mass celebrated by Bishop Robert J. McClory on Saturday night, Aug. 11. Overnight pilgrims, who walked from Chicago, then began the trek to Merrillville's Our Lady of Czestochowa Shrine in the morning, anticipating arrival for Sunday afternoon Mass. (Anthony D. Alonzo photo)
Polish Marian Pilgrimage is public expression of faith, tradition
Angel Mills, who became a catechist for the first time last year at St. John the Evangelist in St. John, shares some information Aug. 5 with Nathan Puch, a new religious education classroom aide. Parishes throughout the diocese have catechists between the ages of 17 and 82 sharing their wisdom and witness to the Catholic faith. (Lynda J. Hemmerling photo)
Catechists of all ages rock the religious education world
Bishop Robert J. McClory (lower left) gives a high-five to Beth White (second from right), trustee of Dean and Barbara White Family Foundation, at the event announcing the 10-year commitment by the philanthropic organization to donate $150 million to Big Shoulders Fund, on June 12 at the Lighthouse Restaurant in Cedar Lake. In early August, officials from the diocese and Big Shoulders said they have been working on legal documents and crafting a long-range plan for the use of the historic gift within the 2
Big Shoulders continues schools partnership with White Family gift
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Father Lou explains the Assumption, reflects on the Blessed Mother
Seminarians and discerners pray the Rosary while enjoying a hike during the Quo Vadis retreat at Camp Lawrence in Porter County on Aug. 5. The three-day sessions named after the Latin phrase meaning "Where are you going?" afforded the opportunity for young men considering a priestly vocation to interact with diocesan seminarians in prayer, catechesis and recreational activities. (Anthony D. Alonzo photo)
Quo Vadis helps young minds explore priestly vocation 
Frances Vasquez, RoseMary Vicari, Monie Wendlinger (chairperson) and Shirley Manning organize school supplies at Holy Name of Jesus in Cedar Lake. Pastoral Associate Mercedes Austgen said its parishioners are very generous in all collections for peace and social justice initiatives. The church also organizes collections that benefit the Humane Society, Mommy's Haven, Women's Care Center, and a Giving Tree for families in need at Christmastime. (Provided photo)
Parishes help students prepare for another school year 
Leprechaun hunters take off from the starting line as the horn is sounded. (Deacon Bob Wellinski photo)
Thousands turn out for Sharing Meadows’ 30th annual Leprechaun Hunt
Father Jacob McDaniel talks with (from left) parishioners Greg and Megan Brennecke, of Chesterton, and Sara Ehlers, of Valparaiso, after the second session of a three-part series, "Return," at St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Student Center in Valparaiso, July 30-Aug. 1. The series focused on how to prepare yourself to evangelize family members, friends and neighbors who have fallen away from the Church, because the faithful must first have a true relationship with God "before you can share it with other peopl
Evangelization begins with boosting your own prayer life
Diocese prepares to put faith into action through special outreach activities
Diocese prepares to put faith into action through special outreach activities 
On the park grass at Monument Circle, Indianapolis, Father Robert Ross reflects on the profound reaches of God’s grace during National Eucharistic Congress mid-July. “He's radiating his grace, and I felt that at the Congress his ‘UV index’ was higher….The Lord is doing something, and He just wants us to witness it, to absorb it and praise Him for it because this is all His work.” (Provided photo)
Priests reflect and share morsels of Eucharistic Revival experience
Members of the Serra Club of Northwest Indiana gather with Diocese of Gary Bishop Robert J. McClory (front row center) and club chaplain Father Dominic Bertino (to the bishop's left) to celebrate the club's 70-year anniversary with a Mass and luncheon on July 28. (Marlene A. Zloza photo)
Serra Club gaining strength as it celebrates milestone
Church elder Antonio Sparks from Faith United in Dolton, Ill. raises his hand in praise as choir members perform during the Community Hymn & Spiritual Fest at the Cathedral of the Holy Angels in Gary on July 28. The fourth annual event, sponsored by the non-profit arts and education organization Americolor Performing Arts Inc., featured dozens of singers and musicians led by music directors from several Gary churches. (Anthony D. Alonzo photo)
Hymn and Spiritual Fest fills cathedral, hearts with praise