Northwest Indiana Catholic | Diocese of Gary

Local Stories

Diocesan faithful Ernie Anderson (left), 22, Mitchell Bolda (center), 25, and Joey Topor (right), 25, savor moments from their military and commercial aviation responsibilities. Anderson, an Andrean High School graduate, recently joined the Air Force; Bolda, a Holy Spirit parishioner, is a pilot for Envoy Air; and Topor, a St. Thomas More School graduate, flies a corporate jet for executive clients. (Composite photo by Anthony D. Alonzo)

Young diocesan pilots bring skills, personality, faith to jobs

Leonard Kulasa displays his original U.S. Army garrison cap and the medals that adorn it more than 50 years after he served in the Vietnam Conflict as a Specialist E4 with the 244th Airborne Company during 1967-68. Active in both the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars veterans organizations, he visited Washington D.C. on July 12 as an Honir Flight visitor. (Marlene A. Zloza photo)

Veteran continues serving comrades throughout his life

Nativity of Our Savior in Portage began its family catechism classes for this school year on Sept. 10. Students report to their assigned classrooms while parents attend a meeting in the school gym monthly. Pictured is catechist Patty Martinez Castro and her aide Diane Belcher leading a lesson for fifth graders. (Provided photo)

Directors of religious education look to engage both children and parents this year

Ninety-seven-year-old Philip J. Schouten (front, second from right) of Schererville is gathered with grandchildren, great-grandchildren and in-laws at the Inspiring Presence event at Bishop Noll Institute in Hammond on Aug. 26. Schouten, a WWII Purple Heart recipient and double amputee, participated at the diocesan conference, which included Mass presided over by Bishop Robert J. McClory, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and presentations by guest speakers including author Dr. Scott Hahn. (Anthony D. Alon

WWII veteran leads family-oriented, faith-filled life 78 years after injury

judges bow heads

Catholic Foundation prepares for annual free seminar for lawyers, judges, financial professionals

Bishop Robert J. McClory blesses the faithful at St. Mary's in Otis during the recessional following mass on Sept. 10. The parish celebrated their 150th anniversary. (Bob Wellinski photo)

First Polish parish gathers for anniversary celebration

Nation & World

Richard Carrillo poses Aug. 9, 2023, in front of the altar in the chapel of St. John Neumann Church, Miami, where he directs the choir. He's organizing a Mass that blends Aztec and European heritages, "Mass of the Americas," by Los Angeles composer Frank La Rocca, and it will have its Miami premiere the evening of Oct. 3 at Epiphany Church, also in Miami. (OSV News photo/Jim Davis, Florida Catholic)

For student, producing 'Mass of the Americas' blends a faith experience with music experience

This is an original copy of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton's "The Following of Christ" (commonly translated as "The Imitation of Christ”). The book testifies to her love of Jesus and the Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill in Pennsylvania agreed to loan it to the National Shrine of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in Emmitsburg, Md., for display in the shrine's new $4 million museum and visitors center opening Sept. 22, 2023. (OSV News photo/courtesy National Shrine of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton)

'The Following of Christ': The 'hidden' book that helped make Mother Seton a saint

Pope Francis receives a stuffed bear, a symbol of Ukraine's suffering, from Andrii Yurash, Ukrainian ambassador to the Holy See, during a meeting in the library of the Apostolic Palace at the Vatican Sept. 22, 2023. The bear survived a Russian missile strike in Dnipro, Ukraine, that killed 46 people, including three children, and wounded 75 others. (CNS photo/Vatican Media)

Ambassador gives pope a stuffed bear as symbol of 'suffering Ukraine'