NWI Catholic Stories

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
A worshipper raises their hands as the Blessed Sacrament is displayed on an altar in a large monstrance at Lucas Oil Stadium during a revival and adoration session of the 10th National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis on July 17. Pilgrims at the congress shared memorable moments in communal prayer, private devotion and lively fellowship among expereinces some spoke about as life-changing manifestations of the Holy Spirit. (Anthony D. Alonzo photo)
Attendees share life-changing moments at NEC
Archdiocese of Indianapolis priest Father Jonathan Meyer, a member of the USCCB’s Eucharistic Procession sub-committee, decorates the altar upon which the processional monstrance will be set, in a float parked at Holy Rosary church on July 20. With the help of archdiocesan volunteers, Father Meyer and the crew completed the project that morning for the grand Eucharistic procession where thousands of Catholics walked in downtown Indianapolis to the Indiana World War Memorial Plaza for a benediction and prai
Indy faithful welcome NEC, share blessings
Forty thousand National Eucharistic Congress attendees welcome piligrins "From the Four Corners" of the U.S. into Lucus Oil Stadium in Indiasnapolis for the opening of the NEC on July 17, and after they had all surrounded the alktar, Bishop Andrew Cozzens carried the monstrance in for Eucharistic Adoration. (Marlene A. Zloza photo)
Pilgrims from throughout U.S. arrive to participate in National Eucharistic Congress
Following the National Eucharist Congress in Indianapolis, Judy Wohadlo, Mary Beth Benson and Pam Mizwicki share pamphlets and information July 22 during their prayer group at a friend's home in Crown Point. They are on fire and desire to continue to be courageous witnesses to the Eucharistic Lord. (Lynda J. Hemmerling photo)
Women returning from pilgrimage to National Eucharistic Congress are on fire to share Jesus
135th Jubilee Mass at Sacred Heart
Sacred Heart celebrates 135th jubilee this summer
Flanked by transitional deacons Ivan Alatorre (left) and Alex Kouris (second from right), Bishop Robert J. McClory opens a Diocesan Day Mass at the National Eucharistic Congress by reading from the Order of Holy Mass held by seminarian Will O'Donnell. Five busloads of Catholics from the Diocese of Gary joined hundreds of other Northwest Indiana residents already in attendance for a day at the NEC on July 20. (Marlene A. Zloza photo)
Five hundred NWI faithful gather to adore Jesus Christ
Nearly 100 pilgrims from across the Gary Diocese gathered at St. Patrick Catholic Church for a Commissioning Mass for the National Eucharistic Congress. Pictured are the faithful as they are blessed by Bishop Robert J. McClory. The Mass was held July 15. (Deacon Bob Wellinski photo)
Bishop McClory gives suggested packing list to faithful during Commissioning Mass
Members of the St. Paul Pedallers gets ready to begin their ride in early May. (Photo provided)
Donahue family’s passion for biking changes gears into parish ministry
Dr. Amy McCormack, president of Calumet College of St. Joseph in Hammond, is greeted by Pope Francis as she participates in a private audience with him at the Vatican during a recent visit to Italy with the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities. "It was a once-in-a-lifetime exoerience," said Dr. McCormack, whoconversed with the pointiff about educational issues. (Photo courtesy of Vatican Media)
College president gains perspective through Vatican trip
Totus Tuus missionary Mac Nowalk (center) finds himself covered with various edible toppings, as students from the summer religious education classes continue to pour it on at St. Mary parish in East Chicago on June 21. Since 2016, Sean Martin, of the Diocese of Gary's Office of Office of Missionary Discipleship and Evangelization (Catechesis and Faith Formation), has coordinated the program that offers Totus Tuus sessions at multiple parish locations. (Anthony D. Alonzo photo)
“Totally” dedicated missionaries teach inquisitive youth
Father Christopher Stanish, vicar general and moderator of the curia, slides into third base ahead of the tag by Seminarian Ryan Pierce as fellow discerner Nicholas Emsing (left) and Deaacon Alexander Kouris (right) look on during the inaugural Collars versus Scholars softball game at Andrean High School's baseball field in Merrillville on July 12. The softball contest between diocesan priests and seminarians, where the Collars prevailed over the Scholars 12-6, was a public event sponsored by the diocesan v
Inaugural softball game promotes vocations and pastime
Gathered to sing the closing hymn at the Rite of Admission to Candidacy for Holy Orders Mass at Our Lady of Consolation in Merrillville on July 11 are seminarian Collin Van Waardenburg (from right) his parents, Patrick and Candice Van Waardenbyrg, and his grandmother, Henny Van Waardenburg. (Marlene A. Zloza photo)
Seminarian formally declares his intention to serve the Lord
Richard Stith, a St. Paul Catholic Church parishioner, kneels as the Deacon Ivan Alatorre carries the Blessed Sacrament along Campbell St. enroute to St. Paul Catholic Church as part the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage on July 3 in Valparaiso. Hundreds joined in the Eucharistic procession that began at St. Teresa of Avila Student Center. Richard’s wife, Rosemarie is standing next to him. (Deacon Bob Wellinski photo)
Nearly 300 hear Jesus’ calling to ‘follow me’
Day 5 - July 5
A visible display of faith is seen as a Eucharistic procession leads a group of pilgrims to Franciscan Health Michigan City along Frontage Road on July 4. (Angela Hughes photo)
Pilgrims believe that freedom reigns in Eucharistic Lord
Day 4 - July 4
At the Shrine of Christ’s Passion in St. John, seminarians and servers lead the faithful as Bishop Robert J. McClory carries a monstrance holding the Blessed Sacrament near host St. John the Evangelist on July 4. Perpetual pilgrims on the Marian Route of the National Eucharisitc Pilgrimage visited the parish, joining local faithful for Mass, a Eucharisitc procession, praying the Rosary and a patriotic-themed drone and fireworks show. (Anthony D. Alonzo photo)
Eucharistic Pilgrimage participants celebrate, pray in St. John
Day 4 - July 4
Transitional Deacon Ivan Alatorre (right) carries the Eucharist in a monstrance on the last leg of the Eucharistic Procession through Valparaiso on July 3, the third day of the five-day visit in the Diocese of Gary by the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage, headed to Indianapolis for the National Eucharistic Congress, July 17-21. (Marlene A. Zloza photo)
Porter County welcomes Jesus as they become pilgrims for a day
Day 3 - July 3
Father Martin J. Dobrzynski, pastor of St. Michael the Archangel in Schererville, prays with faithful in front of the Blessed Sacrament on July 2 in Redar Memorial Park in Schererville, Ind. Following adoration, pilgrims processed along the Old Savannah Trail, traveling 20 miles to Nativity of Our Savior in Portage, Ind. (Erin Ciszczon photo)
Diocese of Gary faithful celebrate Jesus in the Eucharist
Day 2 - July 2
Bishop Robert J. McClory elevates the monstrance during benediction at Lakefront Park in Whiting as worshippers kneel before the Blessed Sacrament along with members of the perpetual pilgrims contingent traveling on the Marian Route of the National Eucharistic pilgrimage on July 1. Hundreds of diocesan faithful and visitors took part in the day's Christ-centered prayer, presentations, procession, benediction and festivities, which began at St. Mary Byzantine Catholic church and concluded at the Lake Michiga
National Eucharistic Pilgrimage’s Marian Route enters diocese
Day 1 - July 1
Claudia Sadowski, Ph.D., new diocesan Intercultural Ministry Coordinator, stands in the Pastoral Center in Merrillville on April 30. Sadowski worked for the Diocese of Lafayette-in-Indiana before joining the Diocese of Gary staff. (Anthony D. Alonzo photo)
New coordinator blends research and teaching with a strong faith
Bishop Robert J. McClory blesses the faithful during the recessional following the Holy Family Parish’s Mass in the Park at Fox Memorial Park in LaPorte on June 23. (Michael Wellinski photo)
Mass in the park draws hundreds for faith, food, and fun
Visitors gather in St. Peter's Square to pray the Angelus with Pope Francis at the Vatican June 30, 2024. (CNS photo/Vatican Media)
Pope: Heaven is for 'everyone, everyone, everyone'
Mark Gabrione of St. Joseph parish, Dyer, shakes hands with Bishop Robert J. McClory upon receiving his diploma during the Mass with the Conferral of Certificates of Completion for graduating members of the Lay Ecclesial Ministry Program, on June 20 at the Cathedral of The Holy Angels in Gary. The LEM Class of 2024 marked the first group to utilize instruction in Spanish as well as English. (Anthony D. Alonzo photo)
Twenty-three new lay ministers urged to pray and serve
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Love and kindness marked ministry of deacon and his bride
Bob and Jill Sandilla pray the rosary with a group from of parishioners from Nativity of Our Savior and St. Teresa of Avila Student Center on June 19 outside Brickyard Healthcare - Portage Care Center. (Deacon Bob Wellinski photo)
Sandilla family rely on community, prayer, and faith during medical crisis
Volunteers gather near food pantry manager Tina Gunnum (front, second from right) at the Catholic Charities office in East Chicago, where an Ohio-based ministry prepared breakfast from a skillet for guests on June 7. At the Fir Street location, the visit from the Grace to Griddle team was facilitated through a family connection between a Catholic Charities volunteer and one of the attorneys who founded the mobile meals outreach. (Anthony D. Alonzo photo)
Grace to Griddles ministry cooks for Catholic Charities food pantry