GUEST COMMENTARY: Pope, like saint, marks turning point for church

Pope Francis is the first pontiff to reach into the 13th century and choose the name of a humble Christian called St. Francis of Assisi. How significant for the Catholic Church and for Orthodox and Protestant Christians!

Easter food basket blessing a beloved tradition for many Catholic faithful

The Rev. Joe Pawlowski, of St. Paul's Catholic Church, blesses Easter baskets filled with food, candy and even liquor Saturday at the Valparaiso church. Pawlowski also added a blessing for the children, their Easter treats, and a blessing for the dinner table.

Easter food basket blessing a beloved tradition for many Catholic faithful

A few Easter baskets sit on the altar at St. Paul's Catholic Church in Valparaiso before being blessed.

Nearly 100 people baptized during Holy Saturday services

Nearly 100 people were being baptized in the region during late evening services on Holy Saturday, said Debbie Bosak, communications director for the Catholic Diocese of Gary.

Retired teacher sees election of pope through eyes of children

There are certainly a lot of religion-related news and holidays this time of year.

GUEST COMMENTARY: Is emeritus pope modernization or destruction of tradition?

The recent announcement that Pope Benedict XVI will take the title “emeritus pope” on his retirement surely has his predecessors rolling over in their graves.

GUEST COMMENTARY: Next pope shouldn't be afraid of change

As our cardinals gather to elect our next pope, these are thoughts from a loyal Catholic laywoman:

GUEST COMMENTARY: Catholicism caught between fascination, frustration

With the reign of Pope Benedict XVI having ended Thursday, Catholicism is at a crossroads.

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Photo gallery: A look back at Pope Benedict XVI

Pope Benedict XVI announced Monday that he will resign on Feb. 28. The 85-year-old pope announced his decision in Latin during a meeting of Vatican cardinals. "After having repeatedly examined my conscience before God, I have come to the certainty that my strengths due to an advanced age are…

ANDREA NEAL: Government rules trump Indiana company's beliefs

When the officers of Grote Industries sat down to discuss a possible legal challenge to the contraceptive mandate in the national health care law, the vote was immediate and unanimous. “We decided that it was definitely against our beliefs,” says Chairman and CEO William Grote III.

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Offering perspective on today's issues

Grant will help bring gospel to “always connected” teens

MERRILLVILLE | The Diocese of Gary Office for Youth & Young Adults is the recipient of a $1,500 Communications Grant from the National Catholic Society of Foresters.

St. Bridget will host soup and salad lunch, bazaar Dec. 7

HOBART | St. Bridget Catholic Church will host its semi-annual Soup and Salad Luncheon and Bazaar from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Dec. 7 in the Parish Center, 568 E. Second St.

Church welcomes guests to special Sunday Masses

ST. JOHN | St. John the Evangelist parish will be celebrating its second annual Friends and Family Sunday at the 9:30 and 11:30 a.m. Masses this Sunday at 10701 Olcott Ave.

YOUNG VOICES: Whose city is this anyway?

It seems like whenever I see our Catholic leadership in the news, I'm reminded of the distinction St. Augustine made between the City of Man and the City of God.

Residents rally again against Obama policies

VALPARAISO | Local residents opposed to President Barack Obama administration’s Health and Human Services Mandate gathered in protest for the second time in three months Friday at the Porter County Courthouse.

St. Bridget Catholic Church to host soup, salad lunch Friday

HOBART | St. Bridget Catholic Church, 568 E. Second St., will have a soup and salad luncheon from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Friday.

GUEST COMMENTARY: Debate about evolution vs. Genesis is a non-sequitur

Galileo Gelilei proposed the theory of "heliocentrism" based on his scientific findings. However, Pope Urban VII, as spiritual head the Roman Catholic Church, believed as a matter of faith that the Earth, not the sun, was the center of our solar system. Consequently, Galileo was subjected to…