To submit calendar events, email the information to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ; fax it to 219-736-6577; or mail it to the newspaper office at 9292 Broadway, Merrillville, IN 46410. Please remember that the Northwest Indiana Catholic is a bi-monthly newspaper, so give yourself several weeks time before the event to submit the information. Event notices run until the event has taken place.

Benefits

Sept. 16-19

     St. Josephat Ukrainian Church, Munster, Order pierogi made by First Catholic Slovak Ladies Association Branch 81 as a fundraiser for those suffering in Ukraine. Potato, cheese, prune and kraut available. Call 838-9811 by Sept. 19 to order; pick up is 1-3 p.m. Friday, Sept. 23, at the church, 8624 White Oak Ave.

Sept. 23-24

     St. Bridget, Hobart, Parish Wide Rummage Sale sponsoring by the St. Anne’s Confraternity, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Friday and Saturday in parish hall. Drop off donations in school lobby 7 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday and 7 a.m.-noon Saturday and Sunday; no appliances or shoes. Volunteers welcome; call Mary Adams at 942-3922.

Sept. 24

     Society of St. Vincent de Paul, District Council of Gary Inc., 15th annual Friends of the Poor Walk, 9-11 a.m. at Gabis Arboretum, 450 W. 100 North, Valparaiso; call Pam at 241-0973 for details, and 9 a.m. registration and 10 a.m. walk at Lemon Lake County Park, Pavilion 2, 6322 W. 133rd Ave., Crown Point; call Diane at 845-7531. All welcome to fellowship potluck at 11 a.m. at Lemon Lake only. Register at fopwalk.org.

Sept. 28-30

     St. James the Less, Highland, Rummage Sale, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, and 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Friday for bag sale. Drop off donations Sept. 27 and 28 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.; no electronics, large furniture, televisions or baby accessories. Call Pat Monzka at 922-1961.

Oct. 1

     St. Joseph, Hammond, Rummage Sale 8 a.m.-3 p.m. in church hall, with pet blessing at 11 a.m., followed by K-9 Team demonstration. Food sold by the Altar & Rosary Society. Proceeds benefit Catholic education and Hammond Animal Control and K-9 Team. Bring donations to church by Sept 23; no shoes or clothes.

Education

Sept. 23-24

     Diocese of Gary, Diocesan Marriage Preparation Program in English, 6-9 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Valparaiso. Register and pay at dioceseofgary.org.

Sept. 29

     Catholic Theological , Chicago, “Discerning About Women and the Diaconal Vocation” panel discussion, 6-8:30 p.m. in the James and Catherine Denny Center, 5416 S. Cornell Ave. Free to the public, with free parking in the CTU garage. RSVP at ctu.edu/event/discerning-about-women-and-the-diaconal-vocation.

Food and Festivals

Sept. 17

     St. Casimir, Hammond, Car Show and Blessing, 5:30 p.m. Food available for purchase.

     Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, New Chicago, Taco Dinner, 5 p.m. in church hall.

Sept. 18

     Sojourner Truth House, Gary, STH 25th Anniversary Celebration with lunch, cork pull and presentation by Jeremias Alicea of “A Positive Approach to Teen Health,” 12:30 p.m. at Avalon Manor, Hobart. Tickets at sojournertruthhouse.org/anniversary.

Sept. 23-25

     St. John the Evangelist, St. John, 16th Annual St. John Oktoberfest with music, food (including German specialties, biergarten and children’s activities, 6-11 p.m. Friday, 2-11 p.m. Saturday and noon-8 p.m. Sunday. Visit stjohnoktoberfest.com.

Sept. 24

     Sharing Meadows, Rolling Prairie, Fortieth Anniversary Concert performed by LaPorte County Symphony Orchestra for ages 21 and older, 6 p.m. at Sharing Meadows. Tickets at sharefoundation.org or call 778-2585.

     Holy Name of Jesus, Cedar Lake, “Elegant Evening Out,” 6 p.m. in school gym. Dinner prepared by Father Mike Surufka, beverages and silent auction. Tickets discounted in advance at 390-3325 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Sponsorships available at holynamecl.org/elegant. Proceeds benefit youth trips to NCYC in November and World Youth Day in 2023.

Sept. 30

     Monsignor Weis Council 10596 Knights of Columbus, Munster, Annual Oktoberfest with bratwurst, baked beans, potato salad and pretzels, 4:30-7:30 p.m. at Weis Center, St. Thomas More. Discount for children; hot dogs available. Beverages available for freewill offering.

Oct. 2

     St. Matthias, Crown Point, Parish Picnic and Carnival, noon-3 p.m.

Gatherings & Classes

Sept. 18 or 19

     Holy Name of Jesus, Cedar Lake, Generations of Faith discussion on Synod on Synodality called for by Pope Francis, open to all ages and faiths, 10:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Sunday or 6-8 p.m. Monday in school gym. Snacks provided.

Sept. 28

     St. John the Evangelist, St. John, Boomers & Beyond meeting for seniors, 12:30-2 p.m. in Trinity Hall. Game Day with desserts provided. Bring board or card game or join others. Call co-chairs Sue Castagna (312) 502-5968 or Melba Earnest (708) 672-4364 with questions, ideas, feedback and help.

Health & Fitness     

Sept. 24

     Franciscan Health, Michigan City, Free child car seat safety clinic hosted by Franciscan Health with Geminus Regional Health Systems, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at Franciscan Health legacy campus at 301 W. Homer St. Car seats free to qualifying Indiana residents, installed by a certified technician while supplies last. Child must be present for safe fit. To schedule required appointment and determine eligibility, call (800) 931-3322.

Sept. 25

     Holy Name of Jesus, Cedar Lake, Personal Safety/Self-Defense Workshop and Luncheon hosted by Holy Name Health and Safety Ministry and presented by police, fire, security and medical professionals, noon-2 p.m. Free, but registration requested to Cindy at 232-2781 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Outreach

Sept. 20

     St. Mary, Otis, Free Soup Bowl Dinner, 4:30-6 p.m. Open to all.

Sept. 22

     Holy Name of Jesus, Cedar Lake, Mobile Food Pantry sponsored by Catholic Charities, 2-3 p.m. in church parking lot. Indiana driver’s license or state ID required. Call 696-9506 for information.

Sept. 25

     Holy Name of Jesus, Cedar Lake, Holy Name Farm Stand offering fruits from local gardens and homemade baked goods, 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m. in front parking lot.

Sept. 29

     St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Student Center, Valparaiso, Food Bank of Northwest Indiana's Mobile Market pick-up from noon-2 p.m. To volunteer, contact Christine at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 464-4042.

Oct. 8

     St. Thomas More, Munster, Free Dinner and Clothing Giveaway organized by STM parishioner Lucy Perz, open to all at Hammond Civic Center. To donate clothing or nonperishable food items, or to volunteer, call Perz at 838-6602 or 381-4670

Respect Life

Oct. 1

     St. Stephen, Martyr, Merrillville, Respect Life Mass, 9 a.m., followed by Luminous Mysteries Rosary service outdoors at grotto. Reconciliation at 8:30 a.m.

Oct. 2

     Whiting Catholic Community, Rosary for Life, 2 p.m. at Immaculate Conception Grotto on White Oak Avenue. Bring a rosary and seating. In case of rain, meet at St. Adalbert, 121st and Indianapolis Blvd., Whiting.

Oct. 15

     Miscarriage, Mothers & Others, Crown Point, Pregnancy & Infant Loss Candlelight Vigil, 7-8 p.m. at Calumet Park Funeral Chapel, 7525 Taft St., Merrillville. To receive a free candle and include a child’s name in the memorial, contact 730-9199 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Spirituality

Multiple dates

     Queen of All Saints, Michigan City, Tapped In fall series on “Popes Through the Ages,” 7 p.m. Wednesdays in October at Dunes #75 FOP Lodge, 416 U.S. 20. Featuring Father Jerry Schweitzer on Oct. 5, Father Roque Meraz on Oct. 12, seminarian Nick Emsing on Oct. 19 and Father Bill O’Toole on Oct. 26. Food and beverages available for purchase; buffet only on Oct. 12. RSVP for buffet to Eileen at 861-3825 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

     St. James the Less, Highland, Alpha Faith Exploring Series begins, 6-7 p.m. Tuesdays beginning Sept. 20 in Room 2. No fee.

     Office of Evangelization, Diocese of Gary, Evangelization Training Series for adults, 6-8 p.m. Mondays, Sept. 19, Oct. 3, 17 and 24, Nov. 7 and 21 and Dec. 5, and Jan. 16 and 30, Feb. 13 and 27, March 13 and 27 and April 3 at the Pastoral Center, Merrillville. Fee is $100. To register, contact Sean Martin at 769-9292, x230 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Sept. 22-25

     Diocese of Gary Cursillo Movement, Men’s Cursillo Weekend from Thursday evening to Sunday evening at Camp Lawrence, Valparaiso. Contact Dan Sweet at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Shanona Piegat at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Sept. 22-30

     St. John the Baptist, Whiting, St. Therese Novena, 6:30 p.m. nightly in the church.

Sept. 26

     St. Matthias, Crown Point, “The Rosary Presentation” by Father James Wozniak, pastor, 6-7 p.m. in Parish Center Lobby. Sign up at pastorstoolbox.com, via link, or at stmatthiasparish.net.

Sept. 26-28

     Holy Spirit, Winfield, Parish Mission with Father Bill Rhinehart of Vincentian Parish Missions, 6:30 p.m. nightly, followed by hospitality.

Sept. 29

     St. Michael the Archangel, Schererville, St. Michael Feast Day Mass with Bishop Robert J. McClory as celebrant, 6:30 p.m. Meet at tower door.

Sept. 30-Oct. 1

     Sisters of Providence, St. Mary-of-the-Woods, Art Journaling Retreat, 5:30-8 p.m. (CST) Friday and 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday at Providence Spirituality & Conference Center. No art or writing skills required. Cost includes housing and two meals, materials and refreshments, or one meal without housing. Register by Sept. 23 at Events.SistersofProvidence.org, (812) 535-2952 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Oct. 1

     Holy Name of Jesus, Cedar Lake, Pet Blessing, 10 a.m. near Blessed Mother Shrine. Donations to local pet shelter accepted through Oct. 2.

     Diocese of Gary, Quinceanera Formation/Preparation Class for young women nearing 15, facilitated by Adeline Torres, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at St. John Bosco School, Hammond. Enter through Door A. Cost is $25 for materials, lunch and snacks. To register, contact Vickie Blackwood at 844-9027, x310 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ,

Oct. 3

     Holy Name of Jesus, Cedar Lake, Transitus of St. Francis service, 7 p.m. in the church, followed by a social gathering in the church hall.

Oct. 6

     Catholic Foundation for Northwest Indiana, Merrillville, Annual Red Mass, 8 a.m. at Our Lady of Consolation, followed by CLE seminar on “Life, Death and Taxes” for those in legal and finance community. RSVP by Sept. 23 at catholicfuture.org or 769-9292, x268.

Oct. 7

     Office of Evangelization, Diocese of Gary, Eucharistic Revival 2022-25 Holy Hours in Diocese of Gary, 6:30-8 p.m. at St. Patrick, Chesterton, with Father Leo Patalinghug.

Oct. 8

     Diocese of Gary, Northwest Indiana Catholic Men’s Conference for ages 16 and older, 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m. at St. Patrick, Chesterton. Register at nwicatholicmen.com.

Support Groups

Sept 30-Oct. 2

     Office of Pro-Life Activities, Diocese of Gary, Rachel’s Vineyard Retreats for women and men affected by abortion to facilitate renewal and healing in a supportive environment. Call 552-2944 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to register or visit helpafterabortion.net. All inquiries confidential.

Vocations

Sept. 19

     Serra Club of Northwest Indiana, Eucharistic Holy Hour for Vocations, 6:30 p.m. at St. James the Less, Highland.

Oct. 14-15

     Sisters of Providence, St. Mary-of-the-Woods, Come and See Retreat for women 18-42 discerning religious life, 6 p.m. (CST) Friday to 1 p.m. Sunday. Food and lodging provided at no charge. Learn more or sign up at ComeandSee.SistersofProvidence.org or contact Sister Joni Luna at (361) 500-9505 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Volunteering

Sept. 23

     St. Josephat Ukrainian Church, Munster, Volunteers needed to assist First Catholic Slovak Ladies Association Branch 81 making pierogi as a fundraiser for the suffering in Ukraine. Arrive between 8-10 a.m. at church, 8624 White Oak Ave.

Sept. 28

     St. Thomas More, Munster, Gabriel Project meeting, 7 p.m. in Room 101 of Weis Center to help provide assistance to mothers who need clothing and supplies for their babies. New members welcome.