Recent Rosary Rallies
Our community gathered in prayer throughout May. Thank you to everyone who joined us in faith and witness.
Beginning August 2, 2026, the Sunday 6:00 PM Mass is the only weekend Mass remaining at St. Joseph. The Saturday 4:30 PM, Sunday 8:00 AM, and Sunday 10:00 AM Masses have been discontinued.
This is not a one-time gathering. It is our weekly commitment: come every Sunday, and give in the collection basket. A church that is full and giving cannot honestly be called dwindling — our steady presence, week after week, is living proof that St. Joseph is needed.
St. Joseph Church — 440 Joliet St, Dyer, IN 46311
Join us at these gatherings as we fight to save St. Joseph Church. All are welcome.
Thursday, July 23, 2026 • 7:00 PM
Location: St. John Township Community Center — 1515 W. Lincoln Hwy, Schererville, IN
Learn where our canonical appeal stands and help plan the critical days ahead — including the Masses of July 25–26 and the retreat that follows. Please bring friends, family, and neighbors.
Questions? Call or text Joe Cascone at 708-560-7767.
Saturday, July 25 • 4:30 PM
Sunday, July 26 • 8:00 AM and 10:00 AM
Location: St. Joseph Church — 440 Joliet St, Dyer, IN 46311
This is the last weekend, for the foreseeable future, that these Masses will be offered at St. Joseph. Beginning the weekend of August 1, three of our four weekend Masses will be gone — no more Saturday 4:30 PM, no more Sunday 8:00 AM, no more Sunday 10:00 AM.
Bring your family and neighbors. A full church is the truest answer to those who claim this parish is no longer needed.
Monday–Wednesday, July 27, 28 & 29, 2026 • 6:00 PM each evening
Location: St. Joseph Church — 440 Joliet St, Dyer, IN 46311
Three evening sessions, led by Deacon Daniel Lowery, concluding with Holy Mass on Wednesday, July 29.
These sessions are an opportunity for parishioners to find their voices and to express what St. Joseph means to them. We encourage every supporter of St. Joseph to attend all three evenings. Come and be heard.
Come also so that one thing is said plainly, with charity and respect — because it is simply the truth:
Nothing about the future of St. Joseph has been decided. We grieve what is being taken from us — but we do not accept as settled what has not been settled. We come as people of faith: prayerful, respectful, and united.
Saturday, August 15, 2026 • 3:00 PM
Location: Public property at the corner of Sheffield Ave and Northgate Drive, outside St. Maria Goretti — 500 Northgate Drive, Dyer, IN
On the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we will gather to pray the Rosary on public property at the corner of Sheffield Avenue and Northgate Drive.
We come peacefully and prayerfully, as we always have, to bear witness that St. Joseph remains a living parish whose future has not been decided. Please note: we will gather on public property only. All are welcome — Catholic and non-Catholic alike.
Milestones in our effort so far. Thank you to everyone who has shown up.
Tuesday, April 21, 2026 • 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Location: St. John Township Community Center — 1515 W. Lincoln Hwy, Schererville, IN
We will give a Canonical Appeal Process update, plan strategy, and inform the wider community to “Rally the Troops.” This is a critical meeting — please bring friends, family, and neighbors.
Thursday, May 1, 2026 • 3:00 PM
Location: St. Joseph Church — 440 Joliet St, Dyer, IN 46311
Join us in prayer at our beloved church on the feast of St. Joseph the Worker. We will pray the Rosary together for the preservation of our parish. All are welcome — Catholic and non-Catholic alike.
Tuesday, May 13, 2026 • 3:00 PM
Location: Gary Diocese Office
On the Feast of Our Lady of Fatima, we will gather peacefully at the Diocese office to pray the Rosary and show our support for St. Joseph Parish. A visible, prayerful witness to our faith and determination.
Monday, June 8, 2026
Reaching: The 993 homes and businesses closest to St. Joseph Church in Dyer
We are sending a direct USPS mailing to the 993 homes and businesses closest to St. Joseph Church in Dyer — spreading awareness of our effort and inviting our neighbors to join us in saving the parish.
Thursday–Sunday, June 11–14, 2026
Location: Central Park — Dyer, IN
Visit our booth at the Dyer Summer Fest in Central Park. We will share Community Information Cards and answer questions about the effort to save St. Joseph Church. Stop by to learn how you can help.
Our community gathered in prayer throughout May. Thank you to everyone who joined us in faith and witness.
No decree of closure has been issued. When one comes, our window to respond will be measured in days — which is why the work must be done now. Significant preservation funding also exists, and we intend to pursue it.
Days, not weeks. Under canon law, a decree of closure starts a short clock — first a remonstratio asking the bishop to reconsider, then hierarchical recourse to the Vatican’s Dicastery for the Clergy. Both windows are counted in days. Everything we can prepare in advance, we are preparing now.
Canon law counsel is engaged and advising us. We are assembling the evidence file: a funded maintenance and operations plan, community testimonies, and documentation that St. Joseph is a vibrant, supported parish — the record that answers any claim of “grave cause” for closure.
National Register of Historic Places nomination, through the Indiana DHPA. This has not yet begun, and it matters: listing is the gateway to Save America’s Treasures funding and to the 20% federal historic tax credit.
Jeffris Family Foundation inquiry. Midwest historic preservation planning studies and capital campaign challenge grants. An inquiry must be submitted before any application.
National Fund for Sacred Places application. $50,000 to $500,000 in matching capital grants through Partners for Sacred Places and the National Trust.
Sacred Places Indiana Fund — planning grants up to $25,000 and capital grants up to $500,000, through Indiana Landmarks. OCP Parish Grants — Oregon Catholic Press. Both run on annual cycles we intend to pursue.
Federal & State Historic Tax Credits — 20% each on qualified rehabilitation, both requiring National Register listing. CDBG grants through Lake County and the Town of Dyer.
Register as a Friend of St. Joseph to receive event updates, meeting notices, and progress reports on our canonical appeal.
Register NowContact Joe Cascone: casconejoe@outlook.com