GreatNews.Life Student Voices: Munster gives back to the community

What’s recently happened?

Summer is full of construction in the Midwest. The 45th Street bridge has been in an ongoing construction since April 2025 and is expected to end later this year. 45th Street has been closed between Calumet Avenue and Southwood Drive. The project’s end goal is to construct a tunnel that shifts the train tracks over.  

The Kid’s Fest at Centennial Park took place on July 27. A new addition to the annual fest was a toddler only play area. Kids got to enjoy face painting, balloon artists, pony rides, and more. Free events included a foam party, character meet-and-greet, touch-a-truck, and arts and crafts vendors.

On August 5, Munster Community Pool hosted the 30-year annual National Night Out. A parade ran South on Columbia Avenue in front of Munster High School. There was free swimming for Munster residents, emergency vehicles on display, opportunities to meet first responders and veterans, food vendors, and over 140 different booth participants. The night ended with a firework show.

“National Night Out was a great time that brought together the Munster community with tons of booths passing out free giveaways, bringing awareness to their organizations, and so much more,” said Purdue University Northwest Booth Helper Mary Buksa.

What’s coming up?

Before fall is in swing, Centennial Park Amphitheater will be showing “Inside Out 2” on September 12 at 8 p.m. This free event will let children grasp the feeling of summer while in the school season. Bring blankets and chairs and concessions will be sold on-site. 

Summer is almost over which means less chances to clean. Munster Community Pool is hosting its annual Community Garage Sale, Cash for Clutter, on September 13. Registration gives two parking spaces, one for a vehicle and the other for items being sold. The final deadline to sign up is September 12. 

Community member spotlight:

Father Michael Yadron is the pastor at Saint Thomas More (STM) Church in Munster. He has been a pastor for 39 years and has been at STM for 22 years. When he was first ordained he went to Saint John Bosco Catholic Church as an associate pastor for two years and then to Bishop Noll Institute as a full time instructor. 

Later on, he went to the Carmelite Home for Boys as a chaplain for a year until being assigned to Holy Trinity Catholic Church, becoming a pastor. Yadron then went to Indiana State Prison as the pastor for three years, Saint Maria Goretti for two years, Queen of All Saints for seven years, and finally ending up at STM. 

He has always wanted to be a priest, being able to do all the sacraments and helping people. Being a pastor means being the administrator, dealing with building projects around the Church and more. 

“I prayed a lot. I saw a lot of good priests as examples in which I asked for some to be my spiritual directors,” Yadron said.

Yadron enjoys bringing the sacraments to people, whether it is Mass, Confession, Baptism or visiting the sick. He also likes the sacramental preparations such as the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. 

The thing he loves most about STM is being involved with all the people. To be able to encourage and support the student parishioners to their highest potential in academics or the arts is rewarding.

One of Yadron’s favorite memories of being a pastor was right after a child’s first Confession when the young boy kicked the door open and screamed, “I’m a new man!” It is a highlight because that is what the sacrament is all about. 

Yadron also looks back on being able to watch the sick have drastic turn-arounds with giving them the sacrament of Anointing. He also enjoys seeing the sacraments uniting families back together and seeing it bring people back to the Church. 

Yadron’s favorite liturgical season is Advent because it evokes the preparation of Christ’s coming. His favorite Mass is the Liturgy of Easter, the Triduum.  

In his free time, he can be found listening to podcasts, working on his blog or the STM prayer of the day videos, and reading. His favorite genre to read are murder mysteries or fantasy such as “The Lord of the Rings.” Yadron also likes to go to Walt Disney World or on various cruises. He is always pleased by going on a Transatlantic cruise because he loves sea days. 

“You put things into perspective on how tiny you are. For a week, you never see another ship, just water. I always think about the immensity of God seeing all the stars as constellations at night. It’s a wonderful way to commune with God,” Yadron said. 

Next summer, Yadron is retiring. He plans on moving down south during the winter months, but when he is in town, he will be ready to help any parish that needs help with Mass or hearing Confessions. He’s getting ready for a new phase of his life that brings anxiety and the unknown but he’s looking forward to the transition.