Northwest Indiana Catholic

09/03/2026

GRIEFSHARE, DIVORCECARE
Local programs offer support during life’s difficult situations

BY DEACON ED BODLEY
NWIC guest columnist

ST JOHN – The parish of St. John the Evangelist will once again be hosting and facilitating the two nationally recognized programs of GriefShare and DivorceCare.

Over the past twenty-five years these two programs have helped well over one million people deal with and recover from some of life’s biggest setbacks; death of a loved one (GriefShare) and marital divorce (DivorceCare).

The journey of grief is unique for each individual. It can become overwhelmingly painful and leave one feeling lost, lonely and confused.

The GriefShare program provides a forum to help one unravel these feelings and better understand the grieving process. It offers scriptural insight into the subject of human death and also provides a safe place for small group discussions for those in the middle of one of life’s most tragic storms.

When participants interact with others who are sharing the same experience, they soon recognize that they are not alone in what they are feeling. This makes it easier to walk this road with others by their side.

In a similar way, divorce or separation can also be a devastating and traumatic event. Often times divorce can leave an individual feeling disoriented, hopeless and alone. Mutual friendships, relations with in-laws, even relationships with your own children have been disrupted.

To view the full column and other local stories, visit https://dcgary.org/NWIC.

09/02/2026

SUMMER OF STORMS
Andrean students return to start new school year

BY ERIN CISZCZON
Northwest Indiana Catholic

MERRILLVILLE – On June 11 a powerful tornado moved through the Merrillville area, causing significant damage to the Andrean High School campus and impacting nearby communities. High school administrators worked quickly with the help of businesses and community organizations to ensure the building would be ready for students.

Two months later, on Aug. 11, another fierce storm with damaging winds caused trees and power lines to topple across Northwest Indiana, leaving many communities without electricity for days. While it seemed as though perhaps Mother Nature was trying to prevent the 59er family from reuniting, the students once again filled the hallways on the first day of classes on Aug. 18.

“Andrean is family and family needs to be together,” said Principal Jaycob Knazur. “From the onset of the storm, we set the goal to be back as soon as we possibly could and honor our existing calendar. I'm grateful for the organization, hard work, and resources that made that goal a reality. Seeing the smiling faces of students on Day 1 made the hard work and long nights worth it.”

Now that the school is heading into week three, Knazur stated it is wonderful to be around a bustling community and feel a sense of normalcy after such a unique summer.

“We look forward to the days ahead and the work that is still to be accomplished,” he said, “but are inspired and convinced to continue to serve our students to make Andrean what God wills it to be.”

To view the full article and other local stories, visit https://dcgary.org/NWIC.

08/29/2026

JOURNEY TOGETHER
Emmaus Conference encourages faithful to walk with purpose

BY ERIN CISZCZON
Northwest Indiana Catholic

VALPARIASO – “Lord, as you walked along the road to Emmaus, you encountered the two disciples walking along. And you broke open the scripture for them. Break open the scripture for us today. Help us come to know you more fully and let our hearts be on fire with your love.

“Lord, we love you so much. We love you. Come, Holy Spirit! Lord, as they then invited you to stay with them. You took the bread. You said the blessing, and you broke it. And with that, their eyes were opened, and they recognized you. Help us recognize you in the breaking of the bread. Help us recognize you in the Word. Help us recognize you in one another.”

Almost 700 Catholics from around the Diocese of Gary heard these words of praise and worship as they arrived at the Porter County Expo Center in Valparaiso for the second annual Emmaus Conference – a day filled with music, speakers, adoration, vendors and the celebration of Mass.

Father Declan McNicholas, director of missionary discipleship and evangelization, shared the story of Emmaus and asked those in attendance to reflect on the theme “Emmaus: Hearts on Fire,” noting that the disciples' hearts were burning after their encounter with Jesus and that they began walking with purpose.

“We don't just walk aimlessly through this world, but we walk with purpose with Jesus,” Father McNicholas said.

Conference-goers heard from two keynote speakers: Jason Evert, who has spoken on the subject of chastity all over the world and runs the Chastity Project, and Liz Kelly, a community leader for Women’s Formation at Bishop Barron’s Word on Fire Institute.

Attendees on the Spanish-track had the opportunity to hear keynotes by Mar Muñoz Visoso, the executive director of the secretariat of cultural diversity in the church for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, and Father Agustino Torres, CFR, a priest with the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal and the founder of Corazón Puro.

Evert delivered a speech on “What’s so Great About Being Catholic?” He stated that he didn’t stand in front of everyone as someone with the strongest faith, but wanted to pose the question to those gathered – “Why are you Catholic?”

Evert acknowledged he never really asked himself that question until he was about 17 years old and was preparing to be confirmed. Later in college, he had some discussions about the Catholic faith with a preacher on a street corner. He started to realize that “because my parents were Catholic” was not a good enough answer for why he was Catholic. He decided to begin reading the Bible and other stories about the saints and martyrs.

“You hear these stories of the saints, reading souls, and miracles, and stained glass windows, and it can kind of feel so detached from the imperfection and the messiness of our day-to-day lives,” he said. “It's like, okay, that's them, this is me. How did they get there? Well, it's through the same sacraments we've been given. They didn't have an eighth one. They just took advantage of what they were given.”

To view the full article and other local stories, visit https://dcgary.org/NWIC. More photos can be viewed at https://www.flickr.com/photos/dioceseofgary/albums/

08/28/2026

A YOUNG ADULT EVENING
Talk brings young adults together for discussion on Theology of the Body

BY ERIN CISZCZON
Northwest Indiana Catholic

MERRILLVILLE – Young adults were invited to a special evening of community, faith, and formation on Aug. 21 as part of the events planned for the weekend of the Diocese of Gary’s Emmaus Conference.

As those 18-39 arrived at the Pastoral Center for “Hearts Burning: A Young Adult Evening,” they were welcomed and joined by a handful of diocesan clergy including Bishop Robert J. McClory, Father Declan McNicholas, Father Terry Bennis and Father Ivan Alatorre.

Melissa Canelo, a summer intern with the Diocese of Gary, also greeted participants at a sign-in table as they entered. She shared that an estimated 75 registered to attend. Familiar with Indiana University in Bloomington and the FOCUS (Fellowship of Catholic University Students) group there that organized activities, she was happy to be a part of an event that likewise was geared toward young adults.

“I’m glad the Missionary Discipleship and Evangelization Office is doing something similar where it’s bringing all the young adults together, letting them get to know one another so we can keep lighting each other on fire (in faith),” she said.

Emily Ortiz, of Cedar Lake, who works for Franciscan Health, was invited by a woman religious, a member of the Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration. She became further interested in coming when she learned the event was specifically for her age group.

“I've never really seen something for young adults at all,” she said. “It was either for older adults, or children but never anything in between, so I thought I'd like to give it a chance to see what it was about.”

To view the full article and other local stories, visit https://dcgary.org/NWIC.

08/27/2026

HEARTS ON FIRE
Storytelling priest brings miracles of Jesus alive for young people

BY MARLENE A. ZLOZA
NWIC correspondent

VALPARAISO – A large group of teenagers and young adults gathered on Friday night, Aug. 21, but they weren’t at St. Paul to play video games, watch a new Marvel movie or listen to a local hip-hop band.

Instead, they were there to develop a closer relationship with Jesus through prayer, adoration, music, teen testimony and an animated presentation on how to become “on fire for Christ.”

It was the eve of the Diocese of Gary’s Emmaus Missionary Discipleship Conference, and the young people were kicking off the inspirational weekend with an Emmaus Youth Encounter Night titled “Hearts on Fire! Walking with Purpose.”

Led by keynote speaker Father Agustino Torres, a Franciscan Friar of the Renewal (CFR) who also spoke at the Emmaus conference itself, the young adult program focused on how to grow closer to Christ.

Bishop Robert J. McClory, reminded the attendees that the Diocese of Gary was recently consecrated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and led them in a prayer “to be totally set aside to love Jesus . . . with hearts open to God, you will have a special experience.”

Vicky Hathaway, diocesan coordinator for youth and young adults, added that, “Tonight is a beautiful night for us to remember that the Lord is always with us, every step of the way” as she introduced Aiden Sandilla, of Crown Point, a sophomore at Crown Point High School and a member of the Diocesan Youth Council. Offering a teen testimony, he spoke to his peers about how they can encounter Christ in ordinary moments.

“A lot of speakers talk about how they encountered Christ at a retreat or at the National Catholic Youth Conference, during big moments,” he said, but his experience is different.

To view the full article and other local stories, visit https://dcgary.org/NWIC.

08/27/2026

HEALING THE PAIN
Parents of aborted children can grieve and find peace confidentially

BY ERIN CISZCZON
Northwest Indiana Catholic

Hurting from a past abortion? There are two opportunities available this fall within the Diocese of Gary for those affected by abortion to find healing within confidential, non-judgmental and Bible-based programs.

Save One, a 10-week support and healing group for women, will start Sept. 3 and continue to be held on Thursdays, from 6:30-8 p.m., at St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Student Center in Valparaiso until Nov. 19. In addition, a Rachel's Vineyard Retreat is scheduled for Sept. 25-27 in Michigan City. It’s open to any woman or man who has been affected by abortion.

Debora Revor attended her first Rachel’s Vineyard retreat three years ago. Even though her abortion was more than 40 years ago, and she had been through a post abortion healing Bible study, she realized at the retreat she still needed healing.

“My goal was to experience that healing and then transition into helping at future retreats,” Revor said. “I assisted at a retreat this past spring, which brought even deeper healing.”

Rachel’s Vineyard is a ministry that holds weekend retreats to help women and men come to terms with and heal from their abortions, finding wholeness through Christ. Revor explained that those who attend can expect a beautiful weekend filled with prayer, Scripture stories and journaling.

“They will find community with other individuals who share similar experiences,” she said. “The retreat concludes on the final day with a meaningful Mass and a memorial for their babies.”

To view the full article and other local stories, visit https://dcgary.org/NWIC.

08/23/2026

JESUS WALKS WITH US
Woman witnesses sign of hope as cleanup began at Carmelite Shrine

BY ERIN CISZCZON
Northwest Indiana Catholic

MUNSTER – An EF-1 tornado that hit Munster on Aug. 11 is said to have reached a maximum width of 300 yards. More than a week later, many community members continued to clean debris from around their homes as they waited for power to be restored.

The Carmelite Monastery located along Ridge Road was also affected by the storm that came through Illinois and Northwest Indiana. Like neighboring areas, the monastery’s beautiful gardens no longer looked the same after the high winds impacted the landscape.

The sanctuary complex comprises the Marian Grotto, the Stations of the Cross, the monastery church, the chapel of Our Lady of Mercy and the Highlanders’ Chapel. Hidden among the trees in the serenity of the garden are statues of saints: St. Therese of the Child Jesus, St. Raphael Kalinowski, St. Maximilian Kolbe and St. John Paul II.

The grotto, statues of the Blessed Mother/Our Lady of Mount Carmel, statues of saints and all the Stations of the Cross were left intact and unharmed except for one. The Seventh Station: Jesus Falls the Second Time was destroyed. Only the kneeler remained in place amidst the rubble.

To view the full article and other local stories, visit https://dcgary.org/NWIC.

08/22/2026

COMING TOGETHER IN FAITH
One Catholic Family had head start on planning parish merger

BY MARLENE A. ZLOZA
NWIC correspondent

WINFIELD – While some parishes across the Diocese of Gary are just beginning the process of merging, three churches in the Porter County Deanery have a head start, since they have been working together as One Catholic Family for several years.

Holy Spirit in Winfield, St. Helen in Hebron and St. Mary in Kouts began operating under the leadership of Father Thomas Mischler shortly after the death of longtime St. Mary pastor Father Thomas Tibbs in May 2020. Following the sudden death of Father Frank Torres, associate pastor at St. Helen, Father Ian Williams became a priest-in-residence at St. Helen, celebrating Masses at all three churches and leading several programs in support of Father Mischler, who called him “a godsend.”

The decrees issued by Bishop Robert J. McClory on May 31 confirmed that St. Mary, established in 1921, and St. Helen are merged with Holy Spirit and are acting as additional worship sites. At an appropriate time, and after the required canonical processes, St. Mary will conclude its time as a worship site and the community will be relocated to the other campuses for their spiritual, sacramental and pastoral care.

“After Father Tibbs passed away, we had an all-hands-on-deck staff meeting to figure out how we were going to make this work,” recalled Father Mischler. “We had the financial part covered with our shared business manager, so we worked on combining other staff and our parish councils. We had to come up with a (weekend) Mass schedule that one priest could cover, in case Father Ian was ill, and ended up with a 4 p.m. Saturday Mass at St. Mary and a 6 p.m. Saturday Mass at Holy Spirit. On Sundays, we have a 9 a.m. Mass at St. Helen and an 11 a.m. Mass at Holy Spirit, combining our former 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. liturgies.”

To view the full article and other local stories, visit https://dcgary.org/NWIC.

08/21/2026

BACK TO SCHOOL
After school year delays, principals and staff excited to welcome students

BY ERIN CISZCZON
Northwest Indiana Catholic

This school year within the Diocese of Gary started like no other in recent history. With devastating storms that caused widespread destruction and power outages the afternoon of Aug. 11, school leadership had to assess any property damage and determine when students could safely return following the summer break.

With most delaying the first day of school to the following week, some administrators and teachers were finally able to welcome the students back and are beginning to focus on their goals and themes for the year, perhaps with a greater sense of community after recovering from the storms.

St. John Bosco Catholic School in Hammond opened Monday, Aug. 17, with classes for students in grades one through eight. Preschool and kindergarten families had an orientation session before their first day on Tuesday. Unfortunately, with just 27 minutes left on the first day of school, it experienced a brownout with only enough electricity for some lights.

Father Jeff Burton said he and Principal Nancy Repay had originally discussed further delaying the start of classes, but with the building and teachers ready to welcome students, they felt it would be good to get students back into rhythm – but that would have to wait a few more days.

“Getting the students together will hopefully help them to process the events of the past week and move forward with confidence that we’re all in this together,” Father Burton said.

To view the full article and other local stories, visit https://dcgary.org/NWIC.

08/19/2026