NWI Catholic Stories

First graders in Catherine Rusin’s class open the school day with prayer at St. Michael School in Schererville, which is celebrating its 125th anniversary this year. A gala dinner, expected to reunite firmer students, parents and teachers, is planned for Friday, Sept. 26, at Innsbrook Country Club in Merrillville. (Marlene A. Zloza photo)
St. Michael School celebrates 125 years of education and community
Family Atmosphere Lauded
Bishop McClory
Feast day serves as reminder of the connection between loving God and loving each other
In Honor of St. Teresa of Calcutta
Headed to Mexico on a mission trip with Hope for the Poor in 2024 was this group from Northwest Indiana, including from left in front row) Norbert Lee Lewandowski, Father Declan McNicholas, Diocese of Gary director of Missionary Discipleship and Evangelization and associate pastor at St. John the Evangelist in St. John; and Katherine Carlson Lukas, pastoral associate for discipleship at SJE. The Diocese of Gary is hosting another mission trip to M3xico City in September. (Provided photo)
Faithful will carry prayers from the diocese to Mexico
Preparing to Serve Others
CRS Ghana Trip
Trip to Ghana gives witness to Church’s efforts around the world
CRS Delegation Participants Return
Our Lady of Consolation
Merrillville parishes unite under new name honoring Blessed Mother and patron saints  
Our Lady Queen of Martyrs
Mary Lick, Bishop Noll math teacher
Teaching proves hereditary for newest BNI math instructor
It All Adds Up
Ava Skinner, Triffin Ploutis, Michael Gonzalez, Adriana Borozan, and Kyra Martinez display book choices and cafe signs at the close of the book tasting event in Mrs. Wong’s classroom. (Provided photo)
New 'Starbooks' shop opens at St. Mary Catholic Community School
For the Love of Reading
Bishop Robert J. McClory receives the gifts from Marquette students during Mass at St. Mary the Immaculate Conception on Aug. 27. (Deacon Bob Wellinski photo)
Bishop McClory celebrates Mass with MQ students/faculty to kick off the new school year
'Lord, I Want To Go Deeper'
Father Jacob McDaniel, chaplain of St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Student Center in Valparaiso, visits with the Quirante family on Aug. 24 at the annual Back to School Picnic held in the parking lot just off the University of Valparaiso campus. Cecilia (left) and Eugene (right) Quirante enjoyed lunch with their daughters, fifth-grader Bernadette, 11, and fourth-grader Claire, nine, while Father McDaniel invited the girls to an upcoming meeting for prospective altar servers. (Marlene A. Zloza photo)
Mass and picnic hosted for college students and families
Back to School
Dr. Jorge Peña
New school assistant superintendent focused on academic excellence with Catholic identity 
Meet Dr. Jorge Peña
The Way Back graphic
Diocese continues partnership with Hallow through new prayer challenge 
The Way Back
Diocese of Gary Cursillo alumni, including spiritual guide Father Thomas Mischler (right), listen to a comment at their Aug. 12 Ultreya about a fellow member’s spiritual achievement during the past month. The group also spent time planning for upcoming weekend retreats, which many of them will participate in as presenters and team members. (Marlene A. Zloza photo)
Cursillo movement remains strong in Diocese of Gary
Focusing on Faith
Baby Lezlie Lovetta Collins was born one month early at 12:01 p.m. on her Mom Kayla Harper’s birthday, weighing 5 pounds 5 ounces and measuring 18 inches long. (Provided photo)
Mom gets unexpected birthday gift with premature birth of her daughter
Hammond woman praises Franciscan Health Dyer NICU
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5 things to consider when encountering those interested in Catholicism 
What draws people to the Catholic faith?
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Andrean students celebrate the Assumption at Our Lady of Czestochowa Shrine
First School Mass of the New Year
golf caddies
BNI offers congratulations to students, staff members attend leadership conference
Bishop McClory
Emmaus Conference speakers send forth faithful to be missionary disciples
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Conference attendees encounter Jesus on the Road to Emmaus 
Past and present parishioners from as close as across Carey Street to as far as California gathered to fill Holy Trinity Croatian at the East Chicago parish’s closing Mass on Aug. 10. “Our churches are windows into our eternal homeland, heaven,” Bishop Robert J. McClory, celebrant, told the gathering. (Marlene A. Zloza photo)
Closing Mass honors legacy of Holy Trinity Croatian community
The Lord Leads Us
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Two Diocese of Gary youth leaders join national delegation to Ghana
Learning about their Peers
Honorng legendary Hobart High School football coach Tom Kerr (second from right) at the Tailgate Party hosted by St. Bridget in hobart on Aug. 2 were several of his assistants from past Brickie teams, (from left) Don Rogers, Craig Buford and Chrlie Boston. (Marlene A. zloza photo)
St. Bridget starts new tradition with Tailgate Party
Honoring a Legend
Father Mikolaj Markiewicz, outgoing superior of the Salvatorian Fathers at Our Lady of Czestochowa Shrine, blesses motorcyclists and their bikes at the order’s campus in Merrillville on May 5, 2024. At the end of this month, the priest affectionately called “Father Nick” will return to his native Poland to work in an administrative capcity for his order. He served more than a decade in the Region, ministering to Polonia and Diocese of Gary faithful. Anthony D. Alonzo photo
Polish Marian pilgrims to be greeted by new Salvatorian leader, Australian bishop
Stepping Out in Faith
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Parish offers two nationally recognized programs to help families through difficult situations
Grief Share and Divorce Care
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Youth and young adults provide hope for the Church
Everyone Has Gifts
The circa 1950 St. John's Parochial Center section of St. John the Baptist Catholic School is shown in Whiting. (Anthony D. Alonzo photo) 
Pen pal project to create relationships between alumni and students
Connections Across Generations
Franciscan Alliance Chairwoman of the Board of Trustees Sister M. Aline Shultz, OSF and Franciscan Health Crown Point Director of Spiritual Care The Rev. Tony Janik listen as The Dean and Barbara White Family Foundation Executive Director Bill Hanna speaks during the topping off ceremony Tuesday for The Dean and Barbara White Cancer Center. (Provided photo)
Franciscan Health, partners celebrate final beam placement in new Dean and Barbara White Cancer Center
Facility made possible in part by $30 million donation
Distribution Holy Communion and blessings to young people, Father Ivan Alatorre celebrates the new Spanish-language Mass on July 27 at St. John Bosco in Hammond. Without any publicity other than outreach to parish school families and word of mouth, about 60 people have been attending weekly. (Marlene A. Zloza photo)
St. John Bosco serving its community with new Spanish Mass
Spanish Spoken Here
Father Greg Bim-Merle and Deacon O'Donnell with the statue of St. James the Less before his last Sunday Mass of the summer. (Provided photo)
Seminarians see God working in variety of ministries this summer 
Hallow
5 ways to pray on the Hallow app heading into “Back to School” season
lunch after migrant Mass
Outdoor liturgy celebrates the faith and commitment of migrants 
Mass for Migrant Workers
sale at Our Lady of Consolation
Rummage and garage sales help community, help parishes
Volunteers are Key to Success
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Catechists share love of teaching ahead of religious education session
Echoing the Word of God
Bingo players clap after one of their tablemates won a game during the annual parish picnic at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in Valparaiso on July 20. White elephant prizes were supplied by parishioners, who also brought potluck side dishes and desserts to share. The parish provided hamburgers, hot dogs and brats grilled by volunteers. (Marlene A. Zloza photo)
Friendly parish celebrates decades of welcoming newcomers with picnic
Mass and Picnic
New Volunteer Advocates for Seniors and Incapacitated Adults (VASIA) were sworn in at Lake Superior Court July 21. Pictured are (l-r) VASIA Director LaVonne Jarrett, Sara Ruzycki, Diane Burton-Clair, Julie Ann Mignogna, Brittish Rule, Lake Superior Court Probate Commissioner Ben Ballou, VASIA Volunteer Coordinator Francisca Mendoza, Frank Clair and Vivian V. Ochoa.
Volunteer court-appointed guardians advocate for elderly, incapacitated
Franciscan Health’s latest VASIA class
Presider Bishop Robert J. McClory (center) applauds the service of Discalced Carmelite Fathers (at left) during Mass on July 19 at a gathering for the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Carmelite Monastery in Munster. During the World War II era, Polish-native members of the mendicant order of friars arrived in Northwest Indiana to first minister to other Poles, then expanded their sacramental and educational ministry from a beautiful campus at Ridge Road and White Oak Avenue. (Anthony D. Alonzo photo)
Carmelite Monastery’s faith and family shine into eighth decade
Diamond Anniversary
Jonah Hauer-King, Sarah Pidgeon, Chase Sui Wonders, Madelyn Cline and Tariq Withers star in a scene from the movie "I Know What You Did Last Summer." The OSV News classification is O – morally offensive. The Motion Picture Association rating is R -- restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian. (OSV News photo/Columbia Pictures)
Movie Review: I Know What You Did Last Summer
Bishop Andrew Grutka, first bishop of the Diocese of Gary, blesses the statue of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in front of original Carmelite Monastery building in Munster in 1959, just two years after the diocese was established and nine years after the Discalced Carmelite Fathers arrived in Northwest Indiana. (Provided photo)
Carmelite Fathers to host bishop for anniversary Mass and more
Marking 75 Years
Josh Schultz
Alpha Marriage creates intentional time for couples to refresh relationship
A Space to Reconnect
Guest speaker Leo Marquette (standing), a Diocese of Gary seminarian, chats with the Usdowski family, (from left) Rich, his father Rich, and mother, Shery, and wife Lynne with baby Annie, before the Theology Uncorked program on Pope Leo XIV at St. Michael the Archangel in Schererville on July 10. The younger Usdowski’s St. Michael parishioners, invited the elder Usdowski’s, who attend St. Mary in Griffith, to the evening event featuring food, fellowship and an educational program. (Marlene A. Zloza photo)
First U.S. pope profiled by seminarian for parish crowd
All About Pope Leo XIV
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Wounded Healers helps those coping with grief for more than 30 years
No one Season for Grieving
Zach Zeagaczewski taps the heads of fellow players as he rounds the circle in a game of Duck, Duck Goose during the first day of the Totus Tuus program for grades 1-6 at St. Bridget in Hobart on July 7. Faith lessons and prayer are interspersed with games and crafts during the one-week sessions at Diocese of Gary parishes, with four college-age missionaries leading the daytime schedule for grades 1-6 and the evening meetings for grades 7-12. (Marlene A. Zloza photo)
Young people brought closer to God with Totus Tuus
A Summer of Faith
Bishop emeritus Carl F. Mengeling of Lansing, Mich. greets the faithful at the conclusion of the 150th anniversary Mass of the founding of the parish school at St. Thomas the Apostle in Ann Arbor, on Sept. 8. Bishop Mengeling was part of the Diocese of Gary inaugural ordination class and served as a high school and college instructor and pastor at parishes including St. Mark, All Saints in Hammond, Holy Name, Nativity of Our Savior, and St. Thomas More, before being ordained as a bishop in Jan. 1996. (Antho
Bishop Mengeling remembered as happy warrior for God before Lansing requiem
Native Son's Memorial
 David Corenswet, Rachel Brosnahan star in a scene from the movie "Superman." The OSV News classification is A-III -- adults. The Motion Picture Association rating is PG-13 - parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13. (OSV News photo/Jessica Miglio, Warner Bros.)
Movie Review: Superman
Eucharistic adoration is the act of praying before the very presence of the Lord, exposed in the monstrance, a specially crafted stand designed to hold a consecrated host. Many parishes within the Diocese of Gary have adoration hours and most have designated adoration spaces or chapels. Faithful in Northwest Indiana continue to have a variety of opportunities to pray alone in silence or join others during special adoration nights hosted by parishes throughout the diocese.      St. Paul in Valparaiso will ha
Eucharistic adoration opportunities plentiful throughout the summer
In the Presence of Jesus
Father Nathaniel Edquist (left), Diocese of Gary vocations director, Bishop Robert J. McClory (center) and Transitional Deacon Will O’Donnell (right) congratulate seminarians Ryan Pierce (second from left) and Gianni DiTola following the Mass for the Rite of Admission to Candidacy for Holy Orders on July 8 at St. James the Less in Highland. The two seminarians will head to Rome, Italy later this month to continue their studies at the Pontifical North American College. (Marlene A. Zloza photo)
Seminarians headed to Rome after formally declaring call to priesthood
Rite of Candidacy
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Conferencia sobre discipulado misionero ofrece a la comunidad hispana ponentes poderosos
Emmaus Conference
Meeting under the watchful eye of a statue of the Blessed Mother on the church campus, Father Ian Williams (standing), priest-in-residence at St. Helen in Hebron guides the Gazebo Reflections group in a discussion of inspirational saints on June 30. The group is meeting biweekly on Mondays through Aug. 25 to share their thoughts about the book “33 Days to Eucharistic Glory” by Matthew Kelly, with the next session set for July 14 at 6 p.m. book “33 Days to Eucharistic Glory” by Matthew Kelly,
Gazebo Reflections provide chance to find Eucharistic glory
Saints at Your Side
ar Lake Summerfest over the Fourth of July holiday weekend in 2022. Among the volunteers were Lucy Silerio, Eddie Garcia, Olivia Garcia and Alvero Garcia. (Provided photo)
Parishes join in Fourth of July festivities within the community
Building Relationships
A team of Diocese of Gary seminarians (front row), gather near Bishop Robert J. McClory (center) and diocesan priests (back row) after earning a victory over the ordained in the second annual Collars vs. Scholars Classic event hosted by the Office of Vocations at the Andrean High School softball diamond in Merrillville on June 27. In the event to promote vocations and summer fun, the discerners flipped the script from last year's game in which the priests doubled the seminarians’ score. (Anthony D. Alonzo p
Softball diamond hosts priests and seminarians for game
Collars vs. Scholars Classic
Father Rocky Hoffman and Bishop McClory lead Relevant Radio’s “Family Rosary Across America” on June 28 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Plaza at The Shrine of Christ’s Passion as part of the “Pilgrims of Hope and Freedom” Year of Jubilee event. (Cecilia Cicone photo)
Faith provides lens for Catholics celebrating Independence Day