NWI Catholic Stories

Godparent Karen Kirk of Nativity of Our Savior in Portage places her hand on the shoulder of catechumen Skylar McElheny during the Rite of Election service at the Cathedral of the Holy Angels in Gary on Feb. 18. "They really make me feel like I belong in the Catholic Church," McElheny said of Kirk and other members of the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) team she studied with in preparation for her baptism at the Easter Vigil on March 30. (Anthony D. Alonzo photo)
Nurse finds her family as she places her faith in God
Father Dave Kime, pastor at Queen of All Saints in Michigan City, carries the monstrance in a Eucharistic procession on Corpus Christi Sunday in 2023, one of a number of processions hosted in the Diocese of Gary as the second year of a National Eucharistic Revival continued. This summer, the celebration will climax with a National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis, where a Diocesan Day is planned by the Gary diocese for Saturday, July 20. (Bob Wellinski/file photo)
Gary faithful urged to attend one-day trip to Eucharistic Congress
A U.S. Coast Guard helicopter hovers over the Dali cargo vessel March 26, 2024, after it crashed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge causing it to collapse in Baltimore. Within 24 hours after Baltimore Archbishop William E. Lori asked Catholics throughout the archdiocese to support twin emergency relief funds for those affected by the bridge collapse, nearly $50,000 has been raised in online donations. (OSV News photo/Julia Nikhinson, Reuters)
Catholics donate nearly $50,000 for emergency bridge relief appeal
Bishop Robert J. McClory observed Holy Thursday with the congregation of St. Edward in Lowell, presiding over an evening Mass of the Lord's Supper. The service included the reading of John 13, a Washing of the Feet, a Eucharist Procession around parish grounds and adoration. (Erin Ciszczon photo)
Foot washing symbolizes call to serve one another
Betty Ring (center) of Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in New Chicago discusses the successes and distresses she has experienced in Catholic Church "structure/organization/leadership/life" with tablemates Judy Harrington of St. Paul in Valparaiso (left) and Dorie Little, also of Assumption of the BVM, during a meeting of the Diocesan Pastoral Council on March 14 at Holy Spirit in Winfeld. The meeting was formatted to address Pope Francis' Synod on Synodality. (Marlene A. Zloza photo)
Diocesan council shares ideas on structure and organization of Catholic Church
Court of Appeals of Indiana judges Peter Foley (left), Rudolph Pyle (center) and Elizabeth Tavitas (right) field questions from students as part of the Appeals on Wheels program that held court in the Andrean High School gymnasium in Merrillville on March 14. The educational initiative sponsored by the state court returned to the Home of the 59ers to promote knowledge of the law and the processes of courts. (Anthony D. Alonzo photo)
Andrean students connect to law with Appeals on Wheels
St. Michael the Archangel player Adriana Dabrowski (right) takes three-point shot over St. Mary Catholic Community School of Crown Point defenders during the sixth-grade game of the girls Catholic Youth Organization basketball championships hosted at Andrean High School on March 17. (Anthony D. Alonzo photo)
CYO girls teams clamor for titles, see green
Bishop Robert J. McClory infuses the Holy Spirit, blowing air into a vessel containing chrism held by Aron Aramburo during the Chrism Mass where the diocesan leader also blessed holy oils, joined by priests serving in the diocese, who renewed their vows, at the Cathedral of the Holy Angels in Gary on March 28. Bishop McClory spoke of the healing power of the sacraments and the responsibilities of believers. "We live in a world that needs to know that hearts can be healed. And that the love of God is there f
Chrism Mass draws Catholics to cathedral for oils and promises
Liv Sensenbrenner shops with Violet Johnson, whom she is sponsoring into the Catholic Church, on March 2. They spent the day together and bought Johnson's dress for the Easter Vigil service. (Provided photo)
Sponsors appreciate faith journey of those coming into the Church 
On the Solemnity of St. Joseph, March 19, members of the Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration and guests applaud at remarks during Mass and the Rite of Dedication of an Altar at Franciscan Health in Crown Point. Bishop Robert J. McClory praised the donation of the altar by a construction company executive and a retiree as a fitting way of topping off the medical facility.
Donated altar dedicated at Franciscan Health Crown Point
Father Robert Ross
Eucharistic Congress hopes to unite Catholics as missionary disciples
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Local Catholics look ahead to National Eucharistic Pilgrimage encounter
Members of the Holy Family Parish pilgrimage group, including Father Nate Edquist, pastor of the parish, tour a mission during the parish’s 2023 pilgrimage to California’s wine country and missions/Holy sites in September 2023. (Photo supplied by Maggie LeRoy)
Pilgrimages offer opportunity for faithful to be renewed in their faith
St. Joseph
Hammond parish celebrates patron of Universal Church
Bishop McClory listens to young adults during a recent synod listening session.
Young adults invited to special listening session with Bishop McClory 
St. Patrick
Mission of saint still found within Chesterton parish
St. Michael the Archangel parishioners and long-time friends Mary Jo Roth, John Roth, Gib Wieser, Eileen Wieser and Brenda Fanno enjoyed the three-day parish mission this month which inspired them to think more seriously about their Catholic faith. They want to find ways to incorporate the messages of speaker Paul Koleske into their lives. (Lynda J. Hemmerling photo)
St. Michael the Archangel’s Lenten mission rejuvenates faithful
Among local faithful, families and friends of individuals with special needs gathered at the Cathedral of the Holy Angels on March 10, there was a palpable sense of care, closeness and, according to Bishop Robert J. McClory, a personification of the kind of love that Jesus exemplified.
Mass for individuals with disabilities fills cathedral with love
 Bishop Robert J. McClory presents a Deus et Familia Mea (God and My Family) religious emblem to Tenderheart Teresa Dustin, 8, of the American Heritage Girls as her mother Mary Dustin (right) follows her and AHG troop shepherd Emily Hackett (left) prepares awards at the Gary Diocese Catholic Committee on Scouting Religious Emblem Mass on March 3 at St. Bridget church in Hobart. American Heritage Girls and Boy Scouts of America members worshipped at Mass presided over by Bishop Robert J. McClory, and later r
Awards emblematic of religious lessons practiced by Patriots and Scouts
Maureen Progar, Amanada Garcia, both of St. John the Baptist, and Karen Kurfiss, of St. Thomas More engage in discussion during the Diocese of Gary Catechetical Conference at St. Patrick parish on March 2. Nearly 150 catechists from across the diocese attended. (Bob Wellinski photo)
Speaker stresses importance of Eucharist during Catechetical Conference
Father Patrick Gawrylewski, O.F.M., administrator of Holy Name of Jesus, engages with parents of young families at Parent Social, held after Sunday Mass on Feb. 18. (Angela Hughes photo)
Fosters faith and connection among young families
The cast of The Bluff rehearses the grand ending to "Ain’t No Business." The Bluff is an original musical, created and written by young adults from Northwest Indiana. Starting off as a fun dream in high school, Matt Kresich and Scott Peters began putting together dialogue and musical notes. As the process gained steam, they enlisted the help of close friends, Deacon Steven Caraher and George Jurincie. Opening night will take place March 22 at Sacred Heart Seminary in Detroit. (Photo courtesy of Drew Langton
The dream project of a diocesan quartet to debut on stage in Detroit
Very Rev. Christopher Stanish
Prayer 101: Stop, and let God find you
column by Father Chris Stanish
Marquette's Laniah Davis drives to the basket past Lanesville's Ava Kerr as Marquette 's Natalie Robinson and Lanesville's Emma Davis battle for position during the IHSAA Class 1A girl's state basketball championship on Feb. 24 in Indianapolis. (Bob Wellinski photo)
MQ girls basketball team uses heartbreaking loss as fuel for next year
Visitors look at a display of 200 relics at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Oratory in Montclair, N.J., Feb. 24, 2024. Nearly 3,500 faithful from as far away as Maine and Maryland waited over two hours to view the relics of Jesus, the Holy Family, various saints, martyrs and blesseds on exhibit. (OSV News photo/Sean Quinn, courtesy Archdiocese of Newark)
Exhibit of 200 relics at New Jersey oratory is a special gift during Lent for many faithful
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Six St. Paul teachers share inspirations for a century of service 
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Diocese recognizes teachers committed to school, parish, community
Bruce Garwood, Grand Knight for Queen of All Saints Council 12951, presents newly exemplified third-degree knights with rosaries during an initiation ceremony at St. Stanislaus Kostka parish on Feb. 11. (Bob Wellinski photo)
Knights of Columbus Round Table just the beginning for St. Stanislaus Kostka 
St. John the Evangelist Eagles players celebrate their team's victory in the 8th grade game of the Catholic Youth Organization boys basketball diocesan championships on Feb. 10 at Andrean High School in Merrillville. The Eagles soared past the Wildcats of St. Mary, Griffith, claiming a 48-41 victory and the title trophy to cap off their last year at the St. John school. (Anthony D. Alonzo photo)
Diocesan boys basketball teams vie for championships
Lesley Erpelding rolls the dice as Vicki Bush looks on during St. Edward's Bunco and Blessings event on Feb. 18. About 100 participants enjoyed food and fellowship in the school gym. (Lynda J. Hemmerling photo)
St. Edward’s evangelization is intentionally fun, not just a roll of the dice
"Conjugal spirituality is the relationship between God and spouses, united as one, formed through the Sacrament of Marriage," said Theresa Martin, who with her husband, Peter Martin, address the Diocese of Gary's annual Marriage Date Night attendees on Feb. 17 at Gamba Ristorante in Merrillville. "This real spiritual union can be so profound, Pope John Paul II said, that the spouses have but one interior life." Martin hastened to add that this does not mean she can read her husband's mind, "or that I will l
Married couples coached on strengthening their love and faith
Eighty catechumens and their sponsors gather near the altar as Bishop Robert J. McClory (center) prays over the elect during the Rite of Election for Catechumens on Feb. 6 at the Cathedral of the Holy Angels in Gary. Each person preparing to enter the Catholic Church sacramentally at Easter announced their name before their sponsors and a near-capacity congregation among whom Bishop McClory said, "Today is one step closer to that beautiful day of your baptism - the washing and cleansing of sins - but also y
Catechumens elected by God to prepare for baptism
KEITH BURKE
Almsgiving: Building up our treasures for the Heavens
FATHER ED SHEA, OFM
Prayer: A place of openness and surrender
SISTER MARY ELLEN GOELLER, PHJC
Fasting: Looking at abstinence in a new way
Father Jerry Schweitzer, a senior priest and scripture scholar in the Diocese of Gary, answers a question from the audience during the Women's Lenten Retreat at Holy Spirit in Winfield on Feb. 7. He discussed Women in the New Testament, most specifically Mary the Mother of God, and on the eve of Lent, urged his audience to share the Word of God with others. (Marlene A. Zloza photo)
Retreat prepares women for Lenten journey of discipleship
St. Michael Pastoral Associate Janice Gatons responds to a question on Feb. 5, during a parish program inspired by a series called Lectio Eucharist found on FORMED that is based on the book, “Jesus and the Jewish Roots of the Eucharist." After watching videos, participants had small and large group discussions in St. Patrick's hall of the parish. (Lynda Hemmerling photo)
Program makes connections, answers questions about the Eucharist
Participants listen to Father David Kime, pastor of Queen of All Saints in Michigan City, lead a discussion during the Feb. 5 class on “Six Great Ideas.” The six-session course is based on the book of the same name by Mortimer J. Adler. (Bob Wellinski photo)
Priest leads QAS group through mental calisthenics
Encouraging almsgiving, St. John Bosco principal Nancy Repay (left) and SJB pastor Father Jeffrey Burton (right) praise students Jennifer Loza and Diego Duron for their efforts during a Catholic Schools Week personal care items drive for the needy on Feb. 2 in Hammond. The principal said the successful endeavor, led by the students with a sense of charity, will help assist the growing number of local residents experiencing financial strain. (Anthony D. Alonzo photo)
Area faithful draw closer to God with Lenten practices
A cozy reading nook is available in the Title I reading resource room added last fall at Aquinas Catholic Community School in Merrillville. Taking advantage of it for some quiet reading on Jan. 31 during Catholic Schools Week are eighth graders (from left) Vanessa Ruiz, Vanessa Huizar, Kayla Douts and Yaritza Favela. "It's calmer here," said Huizar, while Favela said the facility allows students to "be connected" as they learn. (Marlene A. Zloza photo)
School thriving with enhanced services offered by new addition
Bishop Robert J. McClory passes by students Queen of Saints students as he randomly picked students to answer questions as part of his homily during the Catholic Schools Week All City Mass in Marquette’s Scholl Center on January 29. (Bob Wellinski photo)
Diocesan students joyfully assemble to reinforce faith
Eddie Limon, Bishop Noll Institute class of 1985, leads a session of the Hammond school’s Freshman Seminar in November. The Texas-based chemical processing company executive was on hand for the get-acquainted initiative to help motivate young students to focus on their education and future opportunities it may create. (Provided photo)
Former quarterback, executive returns to BNI with career advice
"Sometimes I just touch it to make sure it's still here," admitted Heather Williams of the plaque she received last fall as Indiana D.A.R.E. Teacher of the Year. "I'm still shocked," added the fifth-grade teacher at St. Mary Catholic Community School in Crown Point. (Marlene A. Zloza photo)
St. Mary’s Williams named DARE Teacher of the Year
Bishop Robert J. McClory preaches at the fourth diocesan Lenten holy hour, at St. Patrick in Chesterton on March 18, 2021. Many area faithful avail themselves of inspirational and sacramental offerings as they continue with prayer, fasting and almsgiving during the 40-day season of Lent which leads to Easter, or Resurrection Sunday. (Northwest Indiana Catholic file photo/Anthony D. Alonzo)
Local faithful ponder ways fruitful Lent leads to joyful Easter
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Spiritual Direction: Nourishing the soul and noticing subtle ways God speaks
Jackie Martinez reacts as her boyfriend, Joey Bowen, proposes to her in Holy Family Parish - St. Peter Church on Oct. 14, 2023. (Photo provided)
LaPorte man proposes to girlfriend in presence of Blessed Sacrament 
National Marriage Week – February 7-14
More than 2,000 pro-life advocates, led by Mater Dei High School of Evansville students holding the official signage for the Indiana March for Life, pass the Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument and make their way up Meridian Street in Indianapolis on Jan. 22. More than 50 diocesan faithful joined the events, traveling by a chartered bus to attend Mass presided over by Archbishop Charles C. Thompson of Indianapolis in the Indiana Convention Center, followed by the march, which led to the south lawn of the state
Dozens of diocesan faithful participate in pro-life events in state capital
Bishop Noll Institute students select from pasteries during a National School Choice Week Rally at the Hammond school on Jan. 24. BNI's upperclassmen spent part of their day at a motivational presentation about education opportunities delivered by an area pastor and were then treated to sweets from Munster Donut. (Anthony D. Alonzo photo)
Students urged to use opportunity to make education count
Brewer
Catholic Schools Week celebrates thriving vision of diocesan schools
At Bishop Noll Institute, school friends and family gather for a princess brunch coordinated by alumni Dee Dee Buck (seated, left of Santa) and her husband, George Buck (left) in December. During the event to benefit BNI, more than 90 princesses and those they accompanied were part of the storybook meal, an example of recent efforts by BNI graduates to support thier alma mater. (provided photo)
Noll couple celebrities 50 years of Catholic education boosting