Monsignor Richard Zollinger   By Anthony D. Alonzo Northwest Indiana Catholic         KNOX – From his perspective of 65 years of priestly ministry, Monsignor Richard Zollinger can point to inspiring people from the beginning, middle and senior stages of his religious vocation. As he celebrates the jubilee of his ordination, he is also optimistic...

  Rev. Gerald A. Sroka BY MARLENE A. ZLOZA Northwest Indiana Catholic         MICHIGAN CITY – Throughout his 60 years as a priest in the Diocese of Gary, Father Gerald A. Sroka has been guided by one simple statement from Scripture: “Don’t be afraid, I’ll be with you.” (Isaiah 41:10)       “God has been with...

  Rev. Alphonse Skerl   By Anthony D. Alonzo Northwest Indiana Catholic         WHITING – On May 3, the 65th anniversary of Father Alphonse Skerl’s ordination to the priesthood, his sharp memory brought to mind the people, places and events that have made his “a story that people would not believe.”       Born in Hungary in...

  Rev. Lourdu Pasala   BY MARLENE A. ZLOZA Northwest Indiana Catholic         NEW CHICAGO – Father Lourdu Pasala had always wanted a mission experience, but when he arrived at O’Hare International Airport on Nov. 18, 2000, from his native India, he almost changed his mind about heading for the Diocese of Gary.       “There was...

    Rev. Theodore A. Nordquist   BY MARLENE A. ZLOZA Northwest Indiana Catholic         HAMMOND – It has been 40 years since he was ordained a priest on Aug. 15, 1980 at Holy Angels Cathedral in Gary, and while he could never have imagined that he’d be on the front lines of a global pandemic...

  Rev. Sammie L. Maletta   BY MARLENE A. ZLOZA Northwest Indiana Catholic         ST. JOHN – Pastor of Lake County’s oldest and one of the largest parishes in the Diocese of Gary, Father Sammie L. Maletta was ordained to the priesthood 40 years ago on Aug. 15, 1980, at Holy Angels Cathedral in Gary....