Connecting the Diocese

Connecting the Diocese
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  • Christianity
  • Updated 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

    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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. Sep 5

    Viterbo President Dr. Rick Trietley on Franciscan Spirit, Casa Hogar, and Honoring Msgr. Joe Hirsch

    Father Sam Martin hosts Dr. Rick Trietley, president of Viterbo University, who shares his path from a first-generation student at St. Bonaventure and 22 years as an Army infantry officer to leadership in Catholic higher education, influenced by Sister Margaret Carney and a veterans’ pilgrimage to Assisi with Father Conrad Targonski. Trietley reflects on St. Francis and St. Clare, then describes Viterbo’s renewed partnership with the Diocese of La Crosse through the Casa Hogar mission in Lurin, Lima, Peru, including immersion trips, daily Mass at the orphanage, service to the poor, and Casa Hogar student Rosa studying at Viterbo and graduating next May. He announces Msgr. Joe Hirsch will receive Viterbo’s St. John XXIII Award on Sept. 3, accepted on behalf of Casa Hogar, and highlights Viterbo’s programs and challenges, including servant leadership, nursing, ethics, and fundraising success. 01:16 Rick's Journey Begins 05:49 Franciscan Inspiration 09:22 Casa Hogar Partnership 15:36 Reverse Mission Impact 20:33 Honoring Monsignor Hirsch 28:05 Viterbo New Year 30:40 Faith Reflection 33:17 Higher Ed Headwinds 34:46 Funding And Future Skills 36:13 Faithful Mission Focus 38:31 Signature Viterbo Programs 42:25 Campus Life And Formation 44:22 Campaign Gratitude And Impact 46:51 Sunday Readings Overview 50:01 Fraternal Correction In Love 52:46 Service Stories And Soft Hearts

  6. Aug 29

    The Domestic Church Movement & 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time Readings

    This week on Connecting the Diocese, Father Sam Martin of the Diocese of La Crosse welcomes Jeff and Alice Heinzen and Brian and Karen Kostka to discuss the Domestic Church Movement as a couple-centered movement to deepen sacramental marriage through prayer and family spirituality. They share their own marriages, how the movement began locally, and its roots in Polish priest Franciszek Blachnicki, whose conversion in Auschwitz led to the Light-Life Movement and later Domestic Church, brought to the U.S. through Louisiana. The episode outlines entry through an evangelization retreat or six meetings, ongoing “circles,” and seven commitments including individual, couple, and family prayer, monthly couple dialogue, a rule of life, and annual and family retreats. A second segment features Father Steven Weller reflecting with Father Martin on the 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time readings from Jeremiah, Romans, and Matthew about thirst for God, renewal of mind, and carrying the cross. 01:02 Meet the Guests 02:10 Heinzens Marriage Story 03:22 Domestic Church Discovery 07:11 Kostkas Testimony 09:22 Why Marriage Matters 11:24 What Is Domestic Church 12:04 Origins in Poland 15:44 Movement Comes to US 19:09 Modern Marriage Challenges 19:50 Prayer Habits and Vows 28:18 Retreat Overview 30:20 Couple Dialogue Purpose 31:31 Dialogue Script Tips 32:26 Family Check In 33:02 Rule of Life Examples 34:52 Retreat Oasis Rhythm 37:23 Vulnerability Come and See 38:08 Circles Support Formation 39:58 Marriage Peace Grit 41:34 Partner Priest Presence 44:02 Readings Jeremiah Fire 46:56 Gospel Cross Discipleship 48:22 Priesthood Stories Desire 54:55 Thirst and Carry Cross

  7. Aug 22

    Fraternal Correction & Identity in Christ

    On Connecting the Diocese with Father Sam Martin and Deacon Patrick Connelly, the conversation focuses on admonishing the sinner and fraternal correction as a spiritual work of mercy, stressing charity, prayer, prudence, and face-to-face dialogue, along with the need to receive correction with humility and gratitude. They discuss challenges in families, parishes, leadership, and social media, emphasizing Christian identity as beloved children of the Father and the role of sacrifice, forgiveness, and relationship in building up the Body of Christ, including healing when hurt occurs within the Church. The episode then shifts to a meditation on the 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time readings (Isaiah 22, Romans on God’s wisdom, and Matthew 16 at Caesarea Philippi), highlighting Peter’s confession, the keys of the kingdom, stewardship, humility, and the Church’s need for leaders and unity. 01:01 Meet Deacon Patrick 01:34 Why Correct in Love 03:09 Marriage as Training Ground 04:44 Pray and Choose Timing 06:03 Face to Face Matters 06:36 Receiving Correction Well 09:58 Judge Not Misunderstood 11:52 Pastoral Wisdom and Presence 15:17 Fault Lines in Community 16:56 A Small Parish Example 20:28 Approachable Church Culture 23:00 Social Media and Identity 26:51 JPII and True Identity 28:46 Relationship Shapes Identity 30:06 Forgiveness and Abundant Life 31:33 Show Wrap and Follow 31:46 Mirror Narcissus Warning 32:40 Love Casts Out Fear 33:37 Sacrifice And Correction 36:55 Clergy Need Feedback 38:25 Virtues For Admonishing 42:04 Healing Church Wounds 44:32 Saints Amid Scandal 46:28 Sunday Readings Setup 47:42 Peter Keys And Steward 50:05 Who Do You Say 52:18 Eliakim Unworthy Leader 54:46 Humility And The Keys 57:03 Church Belonging Summary

  8. Aug 15

    Fr. Jesse Burish on Serving in Rome & Eastern Catholic Churches + 20th Sunday Readings

    On Connecting the Diocese this week, Fr. Martin welcomes diocesan priest Fr. Jesse Burish, ordained in 2009, who shares his vocation story, parish assignments, and current service in Rome at the Dicastery for the Eastern Churches, including how dicasteries function and what his office work entails, along with reflections on living in Rome, language challenges, and occasionally seeing Pope Leo XIV. The conversation highlights how God redeems gifts like Burish’s architecture background and how dioceses serve the universal Church by lending priests for wider needs. The episode then shifts to 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time readings with Fr. Steven Weller: Isaiah’s promise to foreigners, Romans on God’s irrevocable call and mercy for all, and Matthew’s Canaanite woman whose great faith brings her daughter’s healing, emphasizing evangelization, unity, and welcoming outsiders. 01:37 Vocation Story Begins 03:15 Parish Assignments Journey 04:13 Called to Serve in Rome 05:22 Gifts God Redeems 07:17 Rome Then and Now 12:33 Life in the Dicastery 13:32 Eastern Catholic Churches 101 18:16 Workday Rhythm and Culture 23:30 Do You See the Pope 27:02 Italians View of Pope Leo 28:16 Pope Meets Newlyweds 29:32 Presence and Pastoral Listening 31:00 Rome Pilgrim Tips 33:23 Mission Over Maintenance 34:35 Humility and Asking Help 37:40 Why Priests Serve Away 43:12 Sunday Readings Overview 46:06 Outsiders Welcomed In 51:24 Unity Amid Church Tensions 55:24 Canaanite Faith and Farewell

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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
    292
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Connecting the Diocese
  • Show Website
    Connecting the Diocese

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