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

Multiple dates

          St. Thomas More, Munster, Annual Christmas Tree and Wreath Sale hosted by Msgr. Weis Council 10596 Knights of Columbus, 4-8 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturdays and 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Sundays in southeast corner of back church parking lot. Fraser fir and spruce trees, three sizes of wreaths, garland roping and tree and wreath stands. Cash or check only.

Dec. 9

          Franciscan Health Foundations of Northern Indiana and South Suburban Chicago, “Make History and Make a Difference Virtual Gala,” pre-show at 6:45 p.m. and 45-minute broadcast from The Field Museum at 7 p.m. with an auction, raffle prizes, interactive entertainment and trivia and music by the Crown Point High School choir. Register to watch at FranciscanHealthFoundation.org/2021VirtualGala.

Dec. 18

          St. Matthias, Crown Point, Pierogi Sale hosted by Knights of Columbus Council 16945 featuring Alexandra’s Home Style Pierogi, with pre-orders and payment due at parish office by Dec. 11 for six varieties. Pick up from 1-5 p.m. in rear church parking lot. Cash sales on pick up day while supplies last.

Education

Jan. 15

          Andrean High School, Merrillville, Entrance Exam for 2022-23 school year administered, 1-4 p.m. Also Feb. 13, March 12 and April 3.

Feb. 18-19

          Diocese of Gary, Diocesan Marriage Preparation Program in English, 6-9 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday at Sacred Heart, LaPorte. Registration and payment available at dioceseofgary.org. Also available March 25-26 at St. Mary, Crown Point; Aug. 19-20 at St. Joseph, Hammond; and Sept. 23-24 at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Valparaiso.

Feb. 25-26

          Diocese of Gary, Diocesan Marriage Preparation Program in Spanish, 6-9 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday at Queen of All Saints, Michigan City; April 29-30 at St. Francis Xavier, Lake Station; Sept. 9-10 at Queen of All Saints; and Oct. 21-22 at St. Francis Xavier. Registration and payment available at dioceseofgary.org. Also available March 25-26, Aug. 19-20 and Sept. 23-24 at other parishes.

Food and Festivals

Dec. 4

          St. Matthias, Crown Point, Winter Wonderland Market with crafters, vendors and concessions, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. in large parish hall. Free admission.

          Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, New Chicago, Christmas Bazaar with crafts, vendors, gently used décor and baked goods, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. in church hall.

Dec. 4-5

          St. Mary of the Lake, Gary, Christmas Bazaar, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday in Lessard Hall. Local vendors, lunch and baked goods available.

Dec. 8

          St. Thomas More, Munster, Senior Citizen Group Christmas Luncheon, noon-4 p.m. at Teibel’s Restaurant. Advance reservations required.

Dec. 12

          St. Thomas More, Munster, Altar and Rosary Society Christmas Luncheon for all women of the parish, Rosary recited at 11:30 a.m., followed by meeting, lunch and a Christmas presentation. Bring new children’s hats, scarves and gloves. RSVP at the parish office, 836-8610 by Dec. 9; space is limited.

          St. Maria Goretti, Dyer, South Holland Master Chorale Christmas Concert, 4 p.m. Free will donations welcome. Masks required.

Dec. 19

          Sacred Heart, Whiting, Christmas Concert and Sing-A-Long, 2 p.m. in the church, followed by light refreshments.

Dec. 31

          Holy Name of Jesus, Cedar Lake, New Year’s Eve Celebration, Mass at 5 p.m. followed by a champagne toast and finger foods in the church hall.

Gatherings & Classes

Dec. 8

          St. Thomas More, Munster, STMCareer Networking Group ‘open session’ meeting, 7-8:30 p.m. in the main hall of STM Weis Center. Masks are mandatory. Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Health & Fitness

Ongoing

          Diocese of Gary, Natural Family Planning classes begin the third Monday of every month, 6:30 p.m. at the Pastoral Center, Merrillville. Registration and payment available at ccli.org or call 769-9292, x259.

          Holy Name of Jesus, Cedar Lake, Aeroba Low Class, 9-10 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays in church hall. No charge.

Dec. 5

          St. Patrick, Chesterton, American Red Cross blood drive, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Reservations recommended; visit RedCrossBlood.org or call (800) 733-2767.

Dec. 6

          Franciscan Health Fitness Centers, Chesterton, American Red Cross blood drive, 2-8 p.m.. Reservations recommended; visit RedCrossBlood.org or call (800) 733-2767.

Dec. 26

          Knights of Columbus Msgr. Ryder Council 4047, Merrillville, American Red Cross Blood Drive, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. in Ameling Hall at St. Andrew the Apostle, Merrillville. Reservations recommended; visit RedCrossBlood.org or call (800) 733-2767. Sponsor Code standrewmer.

Jan. 2

          Knights of Columbus Good Shepherd Council 10811, Merrillville, American Red Cross Blood Drive, 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. at Our Lake of Consolation Parish Activity Center, Merrillville. Reservations recommended; visit RedCrossBlood.org or call (800) 733-2767. Sponsor code is ladycons. Also Feb. 27, April 24, Aug. 14, and Dec. 4.

Jan. 4

          St. James the Less, Highland, Versiti Blood Centers blood drive, 3-7 p.m. for those who have not donated since Nov. 9.

Respect Life

Dec. 5

          Franciscan Health Michigan City, Annual Love Lights Shine Again tree blessing, 4 p.m. in the hospital lobby with music, prayers, carols and tree lighting. To honor a loved one with a light, donate $3 benefitting mission and community outreach programs. Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 877-1421.

Social Outings/Trips

Sept. 13-24, 2022

          St. Michael the Archangel, Schererville, Alpine European Pilgrimage led by Bishop Emeritus Dale Melczek and Father Martin Dobrzynski, including Passion Play of Oberammergau. For more information, contact Father Dobrzynski at 322-4505, x220 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Spirituality

Ongoing

          St. Patrick, Chesterton, Bereavement Ministry with faith-based approach, 7 p.m. second Monday in Ministry Room, Bldg. 2. 926-1282 or 241-2732

          St. Matthias, Crown Point, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament with the Parish Staff, 9-11 a.m. on the third Thursday every month in the church. All are welcome.

          Diocese of Gary, Ultrea for Women’s Cursillo alumni, after 10 a.m. Mass on the second Sunday of every month at Holy Spirit, Winfield. Contact Lyn Haniacek at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or text to 359-9529.

          Holy Name of Jesus, Cedar Lake, Tuesday Rosary, 11:30 a.m. in the church, followed by Mass at noon.

          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.

Multiple dates

           St. Matthias, Crown Point, “Back to the Scriptures” weekly study group on the upcoming Sunday readings facilitated by Joe Faulstich, 1-2 p.m. Wednesdays in the Parish Library. Open to all; bring a Bible.

          Holy Name of Jesus, Cedar Lake, “Faith & Football” for young adults 18-35 on second Sunday of the month, doors open at 6 p.m. in school gym for a reflection from the Sunday readings, and a football game watch. Pizza provided; bring a side dish share. Babysitting available. RSVP to holynamecl.org/event for pizza order. Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with questions.

          St. John the Baptist, Whiting, Our Lady of Guadalupe Novena, 6:30 p.m. nightly, Dec. 3-12, (except Dec, 8 at 5:30 p.m.). Prayer Service on Dec. 12 will include a children’s play and dance.

          St. Paul, Valparaiso, Our Lady of Guadalupe events: bilingual Rosary at 6 p.m. Dec. 3, 6-10 and at 2:30 p.m. Dec. 4-5 and 11; “Unfolding the Theology & Symbolism of Our Lady” (English and Spanish) at 4:30 p.m. Dec. 10; Folkloric Dance at 11 p.m. Dec. 11, followed by Mananitas/fellowship at midnight; and Bilingual Mass at 1:30 p.m., followed by celebration dinner at 3 p.m. on Dec. 12. Dinner reservations required by visiting saintpaulvalpo.org or contacting Belinda at (773) 401-4296.

          St. John Bosco, Hammond, Candlelight Vespers with Adoration and Benediction, 7-8 p.m. on Wednesdays in December.

Dec. 4

          Lay Missionaries of Charity, Gary, Annual Christmas Retreat, 10 a.m. Mass followed by retreat sessions, reconciliation opportunity, prayer and adoration, ending at 2:30 p.m. A silent lunch will be provided. Free and open to the public. For more information, contact Phillip Weer at 316-3699.

          First Saturday Rosary Traveling Prayer Service for Life, 10 a.m. In case of inclement weather, meet in the church. For location, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

          Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ, Plymouth, “The Gift of Enough: How To Stay Emotionally and Spiritually Hydrated” retreat with author/storyteller Terry Hershey, noon-3 p.m. (CST) at the Lindenwood Retreat & Conference Center. Fee. Register by Nov. 29 at (574) 935-1780 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

          Ss. Monica and Luke and St. Joseph the Worker, Gary, Our Lady of Guadalupe Procession from Ss. Monica and Luke to St. Joseph the Worker, 10 a.m. by foot, or by cars in case of inclement weather. Once statue arrives, Mass and start of Novena to the Virgin of Guadalupe. Food and beverages will be served after the 4 p.m. Mass

Dec. 5

          St Matthias, Crown Point, “Return: How To Draw Your Child Back to the Church,” program, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. in the Parish Center Lobby. Parishioners who sign up in advance will receive a copy of the book. Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 663-2201.

Dec. 5-11

          Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ, Plymouth, “Receiving the World in Stillness: A Silent Directed Retreat with 3-, 4- and 6-day options. Arrive at 3 p.m. (CST) Sunday at the Lindenwood Retreat & Conference Center. Fee includes meals and lodging. Register by Nov. 24 at (574) 935-1780 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Dec. 11

          Sisters of Providence, St. Mary-of-the-Woods, Christmas Fun in the Woods with miniature village, nativity scenes, activities, crafts, wagon rides, Santa Claus and his alpacas, a sing-along and more. Fee, but children 3 and younger admitted free. (812) 535-2952

          Holy Name of Jesus, Cedar Lake, Our Lady of Guadalupe Celebration, 4 p.m., followed by Mass at 5 p.m. and fiesta in the school gym.

          St. John the Evangelist, St. John, Bi-lingual Mass honoring the Virgin of Guadalupe celebrated by Father David Kime, 9 a.m. with mariachi music and folklorico dancers. Bring personal statues to be blessed. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Dec. 12

          St. John the Baptist, Whiting, Caroling at the Outdoor Crib, 119th and Lincoln Avenue, 11:20 p.m. (following 10:30 a.m. Mass)

Dec. 14

          Sisters of Providence, St. Mary-of-the-Woods, Ecumenical Taize Prayer Service returns in person and continues via livestream with prayer, music, readings and quiet contemplation, 6-7 p.m. (CST) every month in the Church of the Immaculate Conception, St. Mary-of-the-Woods. The 2021 theme is “The Spirit Breathes.” For more information or a link to the livestream, visit Taize.SistersofProvidence.org or call (812) 535-2952.

Dec. 19

          Sacred Heart, Whiting, Mass of Thanksgiving celebrated by Father Greg Holicky in recognition of the 50-year jubilee of his ordination, 8:30 a.m.

Dec. 21

          St. John the Baptist, Whiting, Communal Penance Service, 7 p.m.

Support Groups

Ongoing

          St. John the Evangelist, St. John, Retrouvaille of NWI meets at 7 p.m. the third Friday of every month in Trinity Hall. RetrouvailleNWI.org

Vocations

Dec. 6

          St. Bridget, Hobart, Serra Club of Northwest Indiana meeting with Bishop Robert J. McClory as guest speaker, 6:30 p.m. in the school building gym. All are welcome.

Volunteering

Dec. 16

          St. John the Evangelist, St. John, Up to 20 volunteers needed from 6-7:30 p.m. on the third Thursday of every month to fill and decorate care packages for cancer patients at Phil’s Friends in Crown Point. Contact parish office at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .