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

May 22

        St. John the Baptist, Whiting, St. John Rosary Society bake bale, basket raffle and Share the Pot fundraiser, 7:30 a.m.-noon in the Panel Room (lower level of school). Contact Joyce Wagner at 922-8413 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with questions.

May 28-29

        St. Thomas Aquinas, Knox, Bake Sale hosted by the Altar and Rosary Society, before and after weekend Masses at 4:30 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m.

Sunday, May 31

        St. Matthias, Crown Point, Baby Shower honoring St. Elizabeth in anticipation of the birth of John the Baptist, 6 p.m. in the Parish Center Lobby. Corporal Works of Mercy gift ideas include baby clothes, diapers, baby food and formula, card for homebound parishioner or letter to prison inmate or monetary gift. RSVP in pastorstoolbox.com via link at website homepage, stmatthiasparish.net.

June 11

        Sojourner Truth House, Gary, 23rd annual Walk for STH, 8-11 a.m. at the STH site, 410 W. 13th Ave. For details or to register as a walker or team leader, visit walkforsth.org.

June 16-17

        Our Lady of Grace, Highland, Spring Rummage Sale, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursday and 9 a.m.-noon Friday with bag day sale, in school cafeteria at 3025 Highway Ave.; enter through north cafeteria entrance off large parking lot. Call Phyllis at 923-1281 or Carol at 924-8483 for more information.

Education

May 21

        AVIVA Ministries and Coaching, “The Money & Marriage Workshop,” for couples about finances, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. at St. Mary Byzantine Catholic Church Banquet Hall, 2002 Davidson Place, Whiting. Led by trained financial coach Laura Ieraci, workshop fee includes breakfast, lunch, course materials and a budgeting session. To register, visit bit.ly/3tWuwyT.

Food and Festivals

Multiple dates

        Whiting Historical Museum, 1610 – 119th Street, “A Tale of Two Churches” exhibit celebrating St. Adalbert and St. John the Baptist parishes, noon-4 p.m. Sundays through June 26.

May 13-15

        Bishop Noll Institute, Hammond, BNI Drama Club performs the musical “Xanadu,” 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday in the school auditorium. Tickets at the door.

May 14

        St. Matthias, Crown Point, Spaghetti Dinner hosted by Knights of Columbus Council 16945 in celebration of St. Matthias Feast Day, 4-6:30 p.m. in parish hall. Dine in or carry out.

May 15 and 22

        South Holland Master Chorale, Illinois, “Remembrance, Recollection, Reflection, Rest” Spring Concert, 4 p.m. May 15 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 17951 Dixie Highway, Homewood, Ill., and 4 p.m. May 22 at Christ Our Savior Catholic Church, 880 E. 154th St., South Holland, Ill. Free Will offering gratefully accepted. Visit southhollandmasterchorale.org.

May 22

        St. Matthias, Crown Point, Gary SouthShore RailCats baseball game outing, 2 p.m. at U.S. Steelyard. Limited number of $1 tickets available at parish office.

        St. Matthias, Crown Point, Graduation Mass and Dinner for parish high school and college seniors and their families, 5 p.m. dinner (complimentary for graduates) and 7 p.m. Mass. Graduates may wear caps, gowns not necessary. RSVP required by May 17 via link to pastorstoolbox.com at stmathiaspartish.net.

Gatherings & Classes

Ongoing

        St. James the Less, Highland, Society of St. Vincent de Paul meeting, 6:45 p.m. second and fourth Tuesdays in-person. Contact Jerry McMahon at 227-8318 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with questions.

        Nativity of Our Savior, Portage, Society of St. Vincent de Paul meeting, 6:30 p.m. first and third Mondays in the Cana Room.

        St. Paul, Valparaiso, Respect Life Ministry meeting with faith, fellowship and free pizza buffet, open to all denominations and parishes, 5:

        St. Thomas More, Munster, Seniors of STM group meets at 1 p.m. first Wednesday of every month at Weis Center for age 55 and older.

        St. James the Less, Highland, Women’s Guild meeting, 7 p.m. on the second Tuesday of every month for fun and fellowship. Call Janis Thiel at 742-3004 with questions.

May 22

        Interfaith Action Network, Gary, “Help Not Handcuffs/Treatment Not Trauma” community meeting on bringing Mobile Mental Health Teams to Gary, 3-4:15 p.m. in Lessard Hall, St. Mary of the Lake.

June 18

        St. Michael the Archangel, Schererville, GEMS day trip for all 51 and older to European Market in Chesterton. Meet in church parking lot at 9 a.m. Call Carol at 736-5085.

Health & Fitness

May 16

        St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Student Center, Valparaiso, American Red Cross Blood Drive, 1-7 p.m. in Avila Hall. Reservations recommended; visit RedCrossBlood.org or call (800) 733-2767.

May 17

        Knights of Columbus Council 14240, Rolling Prairie, American Red Cross Blood Drive, 1-6 p.m. at St. John Kanty Parish Hall. Reservations recommended at (800) 733-2767 or RedCrossBlood.org.

May 24

        Franciscan Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE), Michigan City, Open House with senior service providers and presentations on Medicaid, Medicare and estate planning, 2-8 p.m. at PACE Center, legacy campus at 301 W. Homer St. Call (800) 931-3322 to register.

June 4

        St. Stanislaus Kostka, Michigan City, 10th Annual St. Stanislaus 5K Run/Walk, 8 a.m. at Nelson Park in Trail Creek. Unique plaques will be awarded in eight age divisions, top overall runners and walkers. Online registration available at RunSignUp.com by entering ‘Trail Creek, In.’ Day of race entry from 6:30-7:30 a.m.

June 19

        Knights of Columbus Good Shepherd Council 10811, Merrillville, Father’s Day Blood Drive with Versiti Blood Center, 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m. in Parish Activity Center at Our Lady of Consolation.

Respect Life

Ongoing

        St. Paul Respect Life Ministry, Valparaiso, Porter Hospital Abortion Policy Protest, noon-1 p.m. every Tuesday at Valparaiso Courthouse. Contact Pat T. at 246-3763 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

        Office of Pro-Life Activities, Diocese of Gary, Outreach at Planned Parenthood, Merrillville, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Thursdays. Visit prolifegary.org.

Spirituality

Ongoing

        St. Joseph, Hammond, Morning Prayer recited through Zoom meeting, 6:30 a.m. Monday-Friday. To join group, send email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for link.

        St. Michael the Archangel, Schererville, Men’s Breakfast with scripture reading, reflection and fellowship, 6:45 a.m. third Saturday of every month at Sophia’s Restaurant, Schererville, followed by 8 a.m. Mass at church.

        St. James the Less, Highland, Our Lady of Guadalupe Society meeting, 6 p.m. on the third Thursday of every month in Room 3. Call 644-5319 (after 5 p.m.) with questions.

        St. John Bosco, Hammond, Cursillista Gathering open to all who have made a Cursillo, 9 a.m. first Saturday of every month in the church, preceded by Eucharistic Adoration from 7-8:15 a.m. and Mass and Anointing of the Sick at 8:15 a.m. Reconciliation available from 7-8 a.m. Light refreshments. Contact SanDee at 545-5144 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

        Immaculate Conception Grotto, Whiting, Weekly Outdoor Rosary (weather permitting), 2 p.m. Wednesdays Bring a chair.

Multiple dates

        St. Joseph, Hammond, Scripture Studies for Easter/Pentecost, 9:30 a.m. (after 9 a.m. Mass) and 6 p.m. Mondays in the Education Building.

        St. Matthias, Crown Point, Bible Study on Romans facilitated by Linda Todd, 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays for eight weeks through June 14. Sign up on pastorstoolbox.com via link on website stmatthiasparish.net.

        St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Student Center, Valparaiso, “Words of the Risen Christ” Bible Study, 7-8 p.m. Mondays, May 16-June 6 in the Antioch Room. RSVP to Kris Conrad at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to ensure adequate books.

May 15

        The Shrine of Christ’s Passion, St. John, “The Great Lady and Our Lady of the New Millennium” May Crowning, 1 p.m. procession begins at St. John the Evangelist church and proceeds down the prayer trail to the Our Lady statue at the Shrine of Christ’s Passion.

May 19

        St. Matthias, Crown Point, Women’s Prayer Night held on Zoom, 6 p.m. Sign up on pastorstoolbox.com at stmatthiasparish.net.

May 19-22

        Diocese of Gary, Cursillo in Christianity Women’s Catholic Retreat Weekend at Camp Lawrence, Valparaiso, to embrace a personal journey with Christ. Applications available at cursillogary.com/womens-weekend or contact Dan Sweet at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or leadership group at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

May 20

        Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ, Plymouth, “Men Who Knew God: Henri Nouwen” program about his spirituality, writings and his engagement with the L’Arche Community. 9 a.m.-2 p.m. (CST) at Lindenwood Retreat and Conference Center. Cost. Call (574) 935-1780.

May 22

        The Shrine of Christ’s Passion, St. John, Grand Ceremony dedicating Our Lady of Guadalupe Plaza, 1 p.m. with Bishop Robert J. McClory, live mariachi bands and traditional Aztec dance performances.

May 29

        Immaculate Conception Grotto, Whiting, Annual May Crowning, noon with Bishop Robert J. McClory presiding. Contact Lucille a 659-2949 with questions.

May 30

        Gary Diocesan Cemeteries, Hammond, Annual Outdoor Memorial Day Mass with Bishop Robert J. McClory as main celebrant, 10:30 a.m. on new 10 acres of St. John-St. Joseph Cemetery off of 169th Street, Hammond. Seating available. 844-9475

        Diocese of Gary, Memorial Day Mass, 10 a.m. at Calumet Park Cemetery, Merrillville. Bring lawn chairs.

June 12

        Our Lady of Czestochowa Shrine, Merrillville, Fifth Annual Pilgrimage of Polish Truckers, Polish language Mass at noon, followed by the blessing of trucks (semi-truck tractors only, please) and RVs, followed by a picnic on the grounds Trophies awarded. 884-0714

June 19

        Diocese of Gary, Eucharistic Procession beginning at 2 p.m. on the Feast of the Corpus Christi with prayer and adoration at Our Lady of Grace, Highland, proceeding 1.6 miles to St. James the Less, Highland, for benediction, reposition and a picnic hosted by the Knights of Columbus.

June 25

        St. John the Baptist, Whiting, Parish 125 Year Anniversary Celebration, Mass at 4:30 p.m., followed by cook-out and dance on Lincoln Avenue, with special surprise at 9:30 p.m. Dinner tickets available through June 4 at rectory or after Sunday Masses. Cash bar.

Support Groups

Ongoing

        Diocese of Gary, Merrillville, Loving Outreach to Survivors of Suicide Support Group sponsored by Catholic Charities, meets online 7-9 p.m. third Monday of the month. Call (312) 655-7283 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for LOSS intake.

        St. Michael the Archangel, Schererville, Emotions Anonymous support group led by and for people with emotional health problems, following a 12-step program adapted from AA, 6-7:30 p.m. Mondays. No fee; personal sharing is optional.

Multiple dates

        Franciscan Health Dyer, COVID-19 Long-Hauler Support Group meetings, 3-4 p.m. the first and third Tuesday of every month in the Reginald Ballroom to share stories and provide support to each other. Masks and social distancing are required, and no refreshments are permitted. Space is limited; RSVP to Melinda at 922-7159.

June 6

        Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ, Plymouth, “Day of Rest and Healing” retreat with unstructured time for stillness, prayer, creative reflection, time in nature and optional spiritual direction, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. (CST) monthly on Mondays at Lindenwood Retreat and Conference Center. Cost includes lunch. Also offered July 11. Call (574) 935-1780.

June 19-26

        Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ, Plymouth, Silent Directed Retreat with 4,5 or 6-day options beginning at 3 p.m. (CST) June 19 at Lindenwood Retreat and Conference Center. Cost includes meals and accommodations. Call (574) 935-1780.

Vacation Bible School

June 20-24

        St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Student Center, Valparaiso, “Totally Catholic Monumental: Celebrating God’s Greatness” Vacation Bible School, 9 a.m.-noon daily. Adult, high school and middle school volunteers needed; access volunteer survey at https://rb.gy/cnspsa or contact Dana Winkle at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .