NWI Catholic Stories

priests
New clergy assignments announced in the Diocese of Gary
From the Office of the Bishop
St. James Festival
Parish festivals create fun and fellowship thanks to volunteers
Summer 2025
St John National Eucharist Procession
Diocesan celebration showcases jubilee year and religious freedom
Father Pat Gaza
Priest remembered for servant’s heart and passion for social justice
Father Pat Gaza (1943-2025)
Following the 12:00 p.m. Mass at Holy Family Parish-St Joseph Church, parishioners, along with the Knights of Columbus Color Guard, joined in a procession on the Feast of Corpus Christi on June 22. The nearly two-mile procession through downtown LaPorte made a brief stop in front of St Peter Church then on to Sacred Heart Church for benediction. Ice cream was available for a cold refreshing treat on a day that saw temperatures well into the 90’s. (Michael Wellinski photo)
Extreme heat doesn’t stop the faithful from taking Jesus to the streets
Feast of Corpus Christi
Volunteer Patrick Sayers (from left), of Valparaiso, demonstrates to volunteer coordinator Jill Stefanski and his mother, volunteer Kristina Sayers, how to wrap a napkin around silverware for diners at Café Manna on June 19 at St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Student Center in Valparaiso. Kristina Sayers said she and her son first volunteered at the weekly meals last Christmas, and returned this summer to help out while Valparaiso University student volunteers are on summer break. (Marlene A. Zloza photo)
Summer volunteers keep Café Manna open to all
Serving Our Neighbors
Jubilee pilgrim sites
Summer provides opportunity to complete a local journey
Jubilee Year of Hope
jubilarians
Diocesan priests celebrate significant anniversaries of their ordination
Bridget Conry, of Schererville, a parishioner at Our Lady of Consolation in Merrillville, gets acquainted with Lorely Mora, a parishioner at St. Mary in East Chicago, during an icebreaker before Sister M Josetta Rose’s talk at St. Joseph in Dyer. A Young Adult Summer Speaker Series is bringing young people through age 39 together to share their faith as well as food and fellowship. (Marlene A. Zloza photo)
Young adults forming a faith community through speaker series
images
Pope Leo XIV sends message to Chicagoland faithful at White Sox park event 
Gianna Marie Gaal wears a big smile as she receives her Bishop Noll Institute diploma from principal Lorenza Jara Pastrick on June 5. One of 123 graduates, Gaal will attend Purdue University Northwest after receiving more than a dozen scholarship offers. (Marlene A. Zloza photo)
Gratitude shines through Class of 2025 
High schools celebrate graduates
Judy Holicky
Simple ways to create a legacy for the Catholic community
What's in Your Heart?
Bishop Robert J. McClory confirms adults at the Cathedral of the Holy Angels on Pentecost.
Adults set forth on Pentecost with the gift of the Holy Spirit
‘Come, Holy Spirit’
Bishop McClory talks with graduating students from Andrean High School.
Bishop tells Class of 2025 to be prepared, remain faithful after graduation 
Priest-elect Ivan Alatorre (middle, left) is prayed over by Father Eduardo Malagon and priest-elect Alexander Kouris (middle, right) is prayed over by Father Robert Ross during the laying on of hands at the Mass of Ordination in the Cathedral of the Holy Angels in Gary on June 7. The faithful welcomed two new priests – Father Alatorre and Father Kouris – and transitional Deacon WIlliam O'Donnell, who entered new ministries as "ambassadors of Christ," according to the presider of the Mass of Ordination, Bish
Holy Spirit celebrated as two priests and a deacon join Diocese of Gary
The-Ritual-screenshot
'The Ritual' seeks to portray exorcism respectfully
Christ in the City event at the Cathedral
Neighborhood picnic provides friendship and food for the poor
Encountering Friends on the Street
Paul Jarzembowski
Speaker, author shares messages behind the Jubilee Year of Hope
Hope Does Not Disappoint
Deacon Michael Halas
Deacon Halas answers four key questions on serving with humility 
Coffee & Conversation
Sister Michele Dvorak
Sister Michele Dvorak, PHJC, elected as congregational leader
Paul Jarzembowski, a Dyer native currently working for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in Washington, D.C., offers some ways to reduce stress during the hectic holiday season, straight from his new book, "Hope for the Holidays." He spoke to more than 100 people at a dinner program on Nov. 19, 2023 at Our Lady of Consolation in Merrillville. (Marlene A. Zloza phoio)
Native of Gary diocese to provide understanding of Jubilee Year
Hope Does Not Disappoint
alatorre
Priest candidate feels confident, ready to begin his ministry
Deacon Ivan Alatorre
Kouris
Ordinand feels blessed by God’s mercy
Deacon Alexander Kouris
ODonnell
Meet the newest deacon-elect of the Diocese of Gary
William O’Donnell
Listening to prayers for comfort and an end to suffering, mother and daughters (from left) CeCe, Cris and Luna Mundo, of Winfield, participate in a Healing Mass at Holy Spirit in Winfield on May 21. (Marlene A. Zloza photo)
Healing Mass asks God to provide strength and recovery
Bishop Robert J. McClory (left) and Father Jeffrey Burton distribute Holy Communion to congregants at the Memorial Day Mass hosted by the Diocese of Gary at St. John-St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Hammond on May 26. A sunny but cool day greeted those remembering loved ones and fallen soldiers at the liturgy. (Marlene A. Zloza photo)
Fallen soldiers and beloved families honored at Memorial Day Mass
image
Great speakers form foundation of upcoming Emmaus Conference 
valedictorians and salutatorians
Diocese of Gary salutes this year's top grads
Congratulations Class of 2025!
Father Nathaniel Edquist
New priests ready for ministry, seminarians ready for summer
Vocations Office has reasons to celebrate
Part of the nearly 20 taking part in the rosary/prayer vigil pray the rosary on the eve of the execution of Benjamin Donnie Ritchie at Indiana State Prison. (Deacon Bob Wellinski photo)
Diocese offers prayer service as Ritchie is executed at Indiana State Prison
Following Mass celebrating the Solemnity of the Guardian Angels, members of the diocese marked the feast day on Oct. 2, 2022 with a picnic set up between the rectory and school on the grounds of the Cathedral of the Holy Angels in Gary. (NWIC file photo/Erin Ciszczon)
Diocesan event to provide meal and friendship for neighbors in Gary
Bishop McClory leads Mass on May 18.
Bishop says long live Pope Leo and long live Christ in the lives of couples
!Viva El Papa!
group picture
Diocesan cemetery receives assistance in caring for the dead ahead of Memorial Day
In this 2019 photo, then-Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory of Washington joins students at St. Mary's School in Landover Hills, Md., in planting a tree in celebration of the school's 65th anniversary. In advance of the 10th anniversary of the late Pope Francis' encyclical "Laudato Si'," the U.S. bishops' conference recognized the impact the climate crisis has on young people and encouraged their strong witness and leadership for a better future. (OSV News photo/Andrew Biraj, Catholic Standard)
US bishops urge young people to 'lead the way' on climate crisis
Dr. Claudia Sadowski, intercultural ministry coordinator for the Diocese of Gary, speaks to young adults at Our Lady of Consolation in Merrillville during the 2024 Young Adult Summer Speaker Series. This year’s series begins on Wednesday, May 28 at St. John the Evangelist, with Adam Ayers, pastoral associate of Youth and Worship at the St. John parish. (Provided photo)
Young adults offered five faith enrichment sessions to share
Fifty-five years after they were married on May 16, 1970 at the Cathedral of the Holy Angels in Gary, Alejandro and Maria Corazon Manahan returned on May 18 for the annual Anniversary Mass hosted by the Diocese of Gary. As newlyweds, “we lived just across the street from the cathedral,” said the bride, “and worked at St. Mary Hospital down the street,” added the groom. The couple now lives in Schererville and attends St. Michael church. (Marlene A. Zloza photo)
Couples mark milestone wedding anniversaries at annual Mass
Collaborating on a craft project at the Sacred Heart Family Fellowship session on May 13 at Holy Name of Jesus in Cedar Lake are (from left) Mary Herbert, 7, and Clare Herbert, 12, siblings from Schererville, and Charlotte Maruszczak, 11, from St. John. “I like being able to spend time with my friends and doing crafts,” said Maruszczak of the Tuesday afternoon program held twice a month. (Marlene A. Zloza photo)
Family Fellowship brings together parents and their homeschooled children
Bishop Robert J. McClory (right) and Father Rick Holy, director of pro-life activities for the Diocese of Gary, lead a group in the rosary followed by a prayer vigil outside Indiana State Prison, Michigan City prior to the execution of Joseph Corcoran, 49, on Dec. 17, 2024. (Deacon Bob Wellinski photo)
Prayer vigil will be visible sign of Church’s pro-life stance
Praying for an end to the death penalty
Father Gregory Bim-Merle distributes Holy Communion to his brother, Michael Bim-Merle, of Michigan City, a member of the Portage Fire Department who attended the Blue Mass hosted by the Diocese of Gary on May 10 at St. James the Less, where Father Bim-Merle serves as administrator. (Marlene A. Zloza photo)
Diocese hosts Blue Mass to recognize sacrifice of first responders
Father Eduardo Malagon (right), pastor, sprinkles holy water on Taki the turtle as his owner Kevin Hernandez, a St. Casimir eighth-grader, holds the reptile at the pet blessing at the Hammond parish on Oct. 4. Prayers reminded the faithful that God is our creator and blesses us with the Earth and its creatures. "May God, who created the animals of this earth as a help to us, continue to protect and sustain us with the grace His blessing brings, now and forever." (Anthony D. Alonzo photo)
Unifying Parish Communities: Parish planning offers pathway forward
: Vivian Kelby turned 100 on May 4 and still volunteers weekly in the Franciscan Health Crown Point gift shop. She’s been a volunteer at the hospital for nearly 50 years.
100-year-old Franciscan Health volunteer still going strong after almost 50 years of service
Vanessa and Ryan Lochow, St. James the Less parishioners, receive a candle from Bishop Robert J. McClory during the Mass of Remembrance for Bereaved Parents. (Mary Wellinski photo)
Mass offers hope and healing for bereaved parents
Diocese of Gary staff watching announcement of Pope Leo XIV
Local bishop, faithful respond to Chicago native named pope
Pictured in this group photo are Griffith Chief of Police Greg Mance (now retired), Pastor Bill Jones of the United Methodist Church, Marlene Starcevich, Father Theodore Mens, Father Greg Bim-Merle, Lt. Paul Sines and Commander Curt Burrow also of the Griffith Police Department.
First responders share how religion has impacted their life 
Sunday morning light illuminates the Immaculate Heart of Mary, a stained-glass window at St. Bridget, Hobart. (Angela Hughes photo)
Seven ways Catholics can honor Mary this May
caption
Eastern and Western Churches join in celebrating the success of St. Mary’s Byzantine 
Bishop McClory
Diocese begins revealing plans for Catholic schools with support from Big Shoulders Fund
A photo taken in the spring a few years ago shows one of the locations on the churchgrounds of Nativity of Our Savior in Portage that is maintained by the parish's Garden Angels group. (Provided photo)
Parishioners ready to make places of worship beautiful this spring 
Fran Callahan (right), of DeMotte, and Kathy DeGuilio Fox, of Highland, lead the assembly line of Notre Dame Club of Northwest Indiana members and friends filling Ben's Blue Bags with items for autistic and other special needs youth and adults who need calming in a crisis. The service project for the Crown Point nonprofit was part of the 12th annual ND Global Day of Service. (Marlene A. Zloza photo)
Notre Dame alumni and parents help autism group reach out
Representing the Precious Blood Ministry of Reconciliation, Sister Donna Liette, C.PP.S. (second from left) and Father David Kelly, C.PP.S., are presented with the Calumet College of St. Joseph Corporate Leadership Award by student Josh Morris (left) and college president Dr. Amy McCormack. The honor was announced at the 60th Annual Board of Trustees' Scholarship Gala on April 11 at the Hard Rock Casino in Gary. (Marlene A. Zloza photo)
College honors students, alumni and supporters at scholarship gala