Connecting the Diocese

Connecting the Diocese
  • 5.0 (4)
  • Christianity
  • Biweekly

Connecting the Diocese is one of the ways the Diocese of La Crosse seeks to facilitate encounters with Christ through stories of truth, beauty, and goodness. Produced in conjunction with Relevant Radio, this weekly program helps unite our geographically vast and predominantly rural diocese, ensuring that Catholics across our 19 counties feel connected to the mission and life of the Church.

  1. 2d ago

    Mission Trip to Casa Hogar in Peru & All Saints Reflections

    Father James Kurzynski introduces himself as a new monthly host of Connecting the Diocese and interviews St. Olaf Parish staff members Dennis and Michelle about their 10-day mission trip to Casa Hogar Juan Pablo Segundo in Lurin, Peru, a diocesan-sponsored children’s home modeled on the Boys Town family-unit system. They discuss motivations for going, expectations versus realities, experiences of poverty and hospitality, relationships with children, and the idea of “reverse mission,” where residents minister to visitors. They describe visiting homes, a local funeral, daily Mass, and faith growth, including a visit to St. Martin de Porres’ tomb. The episode highlights support for Project Milk and closes with prayers for Pope Leo after lung cancer surgery, followed by a separate segment reflecting on All Saints readings, the Beatitudes, and holiness through the Eucharist. 01:26 Opening Prayer 02:27 Meet The Guests 06:45 Why Peru Mission 10:43 Expectations And Reality 17:38 Casa Hogar Family Model 19:41 Surprises And Stories 27:35 Dennis' Memorable Moments 30:51 Translate Like a Local 31:31 Faith Growth in Peru 32:40 St Martin de Porres Visit 34:17 Rose Bud Thorn Reflections 36:20 Inspired by Forgiveness 38:23 Support Casa Hogar Mission 39:52 Project Milk Impact 41:31 Life at Casa Hogar 42:49 Tsunami Path Rock Project 46:27 All Saints Readings Overview 50:37 Communion of Saints 52:45 Eucharist Makes Saints 56:00 Everyday Holiness Story

  2. Oct 24

    Get on the Dance Floor: Fear, Worship, Beauty & Loving the Poor

    Father Sam Martin and Father Steven Weller reflect on the universal call to holiness and how fear, wounds, and self-consciousness can keep people “on the edge of the dance floor” rather than fully alive in Christ. They discuss preaching from the heart, the Sacred Heart, and an image of incense as sap drawn from a wounded tree, relating it to how Christ dwells in human lowliness and heals hardened hearts. The conversation touches on vulnerability, beauty that “wounds” the soul, worship and Mass as transformative, and how screens can numb wonder. They share anecdotes about dancing, serving Mass mistakes, and encountering the homeless as persons. They close with the 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time readings (Exodus, Thessalonians, Matthew 22) emphasizing love of God and neighbor, especially care for the poor. 00:54 Called to Holiness 01:25 Preaching From the Heart 02:15 Incense and Wounded Hearts 04:31 Marriage as Leap of Faith 06:00 Dance Floor Vulnerability 07:03 Made for Love 09:04 Prom Fear and Courage 10:33 Heaven and Holy Longing 13:08 Beauty That Wounds 17:49 Childlike Freedom and Mistakes 21:00 Worship Breaks Paralysis 23:40 Spontaneous Service Heals 24:20 Wonder Worship And Mass 26:02 Liturgy Mishaps And Humility 28:27 Heaven As Acquired Taste 29:02 Breaking Screen Numbness 32:22 Imagination Over Easy Media 33:26 Teaching Wonder In Schools 37:31 Dance Floor Invitation 39:47 Sunday Readings Breakdown 43:38 Loving Neighbor And Poor

  3. Oct 17

    Respect Life Month: Hope & Healing After Pregnancy Loss and Abortion | Rachel Ministries

    Erik Archer introduces an episode first aired last October during Respect Life Month, highlighting Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day and the often-hidden grief from miscarriage, stillbirth, infant loss, or past abortion. Clint Berge interviews Amy Mulhern and Jennifer Fisk of Rachel Ministries in the Diocese of La Crosse, explaining Project Rachel’s confidential spiritual and emotional support, referrals to counselors and priests, and the Catholic-based Rachel’s Vineyard retreat focused on God’s mercy and trauma-sensitive healing for women, men, and families. They reflect on the Mass of Hope and Healing, where participants honored lost children with candles and a book of remembrance, emphasizing ongoing healing, accompaniment without judgment, and the Church’s call to support all affected. Contact: 608-860-6698; hope4u@diolc.org. 01:30 Meet Rachel Ministries 03:41 Personal Journeys to Serve 08:15 Why Healing Matters Now 11:48 Who Its For and Confidential Help 16:20 Respect Life Month Reflection 19:29 Testimonies and Healing Prayer 25:17 Mass of Hope and Healing Highlights 33:17 How to Reach Project Rachel 41:44 October Rosary for Peace 47:09 Rachel Vineyard Retreat Explained

  4. Oct 10

    Father James Kurzynski on AI as a Tool for Holiness + 28th Sunday Readings

    Father James Kurzynski introduces himself as a monthly host of Connecting the Diocese while Father Sam Martin takes on expanded curial work and canon law studies, shares his background (ordained 2003, former teacher/chaplain, now pastor of St. Olaf in Eau Claire), and offers a Catholic approach to artificial intelligence: avoid fear and anthropomorphizing AI, treat it as a tool that can be used for God’s glory or for harm, engage it practically in ministry and work without replacing human dignity, and support moral guardrails, noting concerns about developers not fully understanding AI’s effects and comparing the moment to “splitting the atom.” The script also includes a Relevant Radio segment with Father Martin and vocation director Father Steven Weller previewing the 28th Sunday of Ordinary Time readings (Isaiah 25, Psalm 23, Philippians 4, Matthew 22), emphasizing Christ’s salvific power, baptismal living, vigilance, and St. Paul’s “secret” of strength in Christ amid anxiety and suffering. 01:03 Priesthood Journey 03:06 AI Fears and Hype 05:00 AI as a Tool 07:16 Phones Knives and Holiness 10:33 Engage AI in Ministry 13:23 Practical AI vs Superintelligence 15:06 Work Dignity and Catholic Teaching 19:16 Nephew Coder Warning 23:25 Split the Atom Moment 28:23 Responsibility and Vigilance 30:14 Try AI and Stay Grounded 32:29 Future Topics and Guests 36:50 Prayer and Blessing 40:47 Relevant Radio Intro 41:46 Sunday Readings Overview 43:27 Gospel Wedding Garment 47:32 The Secret of St Paul

  5. Oct 3

    OCIA in the Diocese of La Crosse: Conference Preview & 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time Readings

    This week on Connecting the Diocese, Father Sam Martin talks with Christopher Carstens (Director of the Office for Sacred Worship) and Ann Lankford (Director of the Office for Catechesis and Evangelization) about OCIA (formerly RCIA), emphasizing it as a non–cookie-cutter process of conversion into Christ and the Church through catechesis, liturgical rites, prayer, and communal accompaniment. They preview a diocesan OCIA training conference on Saturday, October 24, at the Holy Cross Diocesan Center in La Crosse (9:30–3:30), featuring Father Derek Sakowski, Mass with Bishop Battersby, practical walk-throughs of key rites, pastoral sessions for new and experienced leaders, and a Q&A with Father Alan Guanella. The episode then shifts to a reflection with Father Steven Weller on the 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time readings (Isaiah 5, Philippians 4, Matthew 21), focusing on bearing fruit, peace through prayer, and the rejected stone becoming the cornerstone. 00:48 OCIA Conference Overview 02:10 RCIA to OCIA Explained 05:28 Why OCIA Matters 06:50 Prophet Priest King Formation 13:13 OCIA Nuts and Bolts 19:18 Parish Renewal and Growth 25:30 Conference Schedule Preview 26:17 Day Program Details 28:45 Liturgical Practica and Pastoral Tracks 31:05 Walking With Seekers 31:31 Meet The OCIA Team 32:43 Why Liturgy Forms Us 33:35 Conference Details And Invitation 35:12 Prayer And Hunger For Truth 36:53 Stories Of Conversion 39:26 OCIA Is Always New 40:19 Gospel Hope And Wrap Up 45:28 Sunday Readings Preview 46:25 Vineyard Parables And Peace 49:07 Harvest Fruits And Anxiety 51:34 Prayer In The Chapel 53:23 Rejected Stone Consolation

  6. Sep 26

    Voyage Comics, Evangelization Through Comic Books & Catholic Media

    On Connecting the Diocese, Father Sam Martin interviews Voyage Comics founders Phil Kosloski and Mike LaVoy about using comic books to evangelize through truth, beauty, and goodness. Phil shares his path from seminary discernment to marriage, parish work, and discovering a writing charism that led to Catholic publishing and comics; Mike recounts his childhood art dream, military service, return to drawing, and collaboration with Phil to launch Voyage through crowdfunding. They describe their mission to create high-quality Catholic entertainment comparable to major mainstream publishers, early mentorship, and growth into fantasy, superhero stories, and comics about saints and North American causes, including partnerships with Augustine Institute and Ignatius Press. They outline their human-centered production process, reject AI for art, discuss readership ages and popular titles, and preview expansion into animation with Father Otto’s Christmas Special, followed by a segment introducing 26th Sunday Ordinary Time readings on repentance and Christ’s self-emptying. 01:37 Phil’s Faith Journey 03:47 Mike’s Art Calling 06:06 Voyage Comics Mission 08:22 Kickstarter and Quality Bar 11:34 First Stories and Saints 15:34 Growth and Partnerships 19:29 Who Reads and Favorites 23:15 How Comics Are Made 28:04 Where to Buy and No AI 30:34 Big Dreams Animation Next 31:57 Faith in Pop Culture 33:23 Why Not Use AI 34:49 Work Is Holy 36:01 Handcrafted Beauty Matters 37:06 Why Buy These Comics 39:19 Saints Let Light In 40:52 Creators Reflect Back 43:17 Sunday Readings Breakdown 49:06 Kenosis and Mercy 53:46 Little Things With Love

  7. Sep 19

    World Mission Sunday & God’s Mercy in the Readings

    Father Sam Martin hosts Connecting the Diocese with guest Father Woody Pace, Director of the Diocese of La Crosse Office of Missions and pastor in Wausau, to discuss missionary discipleship, how mission trips shape faith, and diocesan mission connections around the world. Father Pace recounts formative experiences in Botswana, Zambia, and a pastoral year in Uganda, the challenges of cultural adjustment, and how his missionary “ache” led to mission-office leadership. They explain the Pontifical Mission Societies, the purpose of World Mission Sunday—celebrated October 18, 2026 as its 100th anniversary—its global prayer and collection supporting mission dioceses, and Fulton Sheen’s role in promoting missions. The episode also highlights missionary saints and closes with a separate segment on the 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time readings (Isaiah 55, Philippians, Matthew 20) emphasizing God’s mercy and “my thoughts are not your thoughts.” 01:07 Meet Father Woody Pace 02:01 First Mission Awakening 05:27 Priesthood and Uganda Roots 11:21 Mission Office Explained 17:34 How Mission Trips Change You 22:45 World Mission Sunday Basics 29:35 Personal Lessons and Dependence 31:26 Nothing Will Ever Turn Out 32:28 Kenosis and New Life 33:09 Jeep as Mobile Monastery 36:56 World Mission Sunday Call 37:49 Missionaries Making Impact 41:59 Favorite Missionary Saints 44:41 Final Blessing and Sendoff 45:53 Sunday Readings Overview 48:21 Mercy Beyond Fairness 50:16 Cordova Confession Miracle 53:00 Thoughts Like God’s 55:55 Parable That Angers and Consoles

  8. Sep 12

    Bishop Battersby on Rural Life Day, Gratitude, and Forgiveness

    Father Sam Martin hosts Bishop Gerard Battersby on Connecting the Diocese to highlight the Diocese of La Crosse’s Rural Life Day on September 23 in Bangor, with Mass at 10:00 AM and an invitation to all. They reflect on rural stewardship, animals, creation, gratitude, and the farmer’s “dying and rising” rhythm as a Eucharistic pattern, along with the need for silence, trust in God’s promise to remain with us, and daily prayer. The bishop shares memories of farm visits, family life, pets, and Wisconsin wildlife, and notes growth in young adult faith, campus ministry with FOCUS, new religious houses, and accompaniment through small groups and movements like the Domestic Church. The episode closes with a blessing and a brief segment previewing the 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time readings focused on forgiveness, healing, and belonging to the Lord. 02:08 Rural Life Day Preview 04:49 City Boy Meets Farm Life 06:32 Stewardship and Creation 09:13 Gratitude and Providence 12:33 Dying and Rising Rhythm 14:18 Hope in Hard Seasons 15:56 Be Still Trust God 19:15 Pets and Animal Lessons 22:09 Wisconsin Wildlife Wonders 26:04 Faith Growing Among Youth 28:44 Spiritual Accompaniment 29:37 What Accompaniment Means 31:27 Faith Learned Together 33:11 School Memories Detroit 34:38 Catholic Education Mission 37:16 Rural Life Day Invite 39:49 Fulton Sheen Beatification 42:34 Weekend Readings Preview 46:05 Forgiveness And Healing 46:51 Let Jesus In Basement 50:38 Vulnerability And Growth 51:46 We Belong To God

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About

Connecting the Diocese is one of the ways the Diocese of La Crosse seeks to facilitate encounters with Christ through stories of truth, beauty, and goodness. Produced in conjunction with Relevant Radio, this weekly program helps unite our geographically vast and predominantly rural diocese, ensuring that Catholics across our 19 counties feel connected to the mission and life of the Church.

Information

  • Creator
    Connecting the Diocese
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2026
  • Episodes
    296
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Connecting the Diocese
  • Show Website
    Connecting the Diocese

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