Connecting the Diocese

Connecting the Diocese
  • 5.0 (3)
  • 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. APR 4

    Easter Hope, the Paschal Mystery, and Making Disciples

    This week on “Connecting the Diocese”, Father Sam Martin interviews Bishop Battersby on the topic of Easter, reflecting on the Paschal Mystery, discipleship, and the Church’s mission to “go and make disciples.” The bishop shares highlights of his first two years as ordinary, explains his coat of arms featuring the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the Immaculate Heart of Mary, and the Chaste Heart of St. Joseph, and describes how Holy Week liturgies—especially the Chrism Mass and veneration of the cross—move him. He recalls faith influences from praying grandparents, discusses the challenge of living charity, and offers theological reflections on suffering, atonement, and resurrection hope. 01:14 Bishop Arrives in La Crosse 03:24 Easter and Cathedral Symbols 04:37 Three Hearts Coat of Arms 09:17 Holy Week as Bishop 14:02 Faith from Family Roots 17:23 White Castle Charity Lesson 20:58 Cross and Resurrection Explained 25:02 Hope in Suffering and Atonement 27:42 Easter Humor and Book Picks 31:44 Tolkien and Eucatastrophe 32:55 OCIA and Conversion Surge 33:43 Church as Beacon 35:32 Favorite Saints 39:31 Confirmation Trail Graces 42:28 Easter Reset New Episode 43:27 Paschal Mystery Readings 44:13 Mary Magdalene Witness 46:19 Easter Sequence Glory 48:06 Les Mis Easter Shock 50:36 Mercy and Conversion Story

    1 hr

  2. MAR 28

    Holy Week & the Triduum Explained: Worship, Rubrics, and the Paschal Mystery

    Father Sam Martin hosts" Connecting the Diocese” with guests Chris Carstens, Director of the Office of Sacred Worship, and Jacob Zepp, the bishop’s master of ceremonies, to discuss Holy Week and the Triduum, emphasizing how the Church’s prayer shapes belief, the purpose of rubrics, and the ars celebrandi. They explain the Triduum as a unified three-day liturgy from the Mass of the Lord’s Supper through Good Friday and the Easter Vigil, highlighting key symbols such as light and darkness, processions, the Easter fire and candle, and the Good Friday solemn intercessions and adoration of the cross. They also describe the Chrism Mass, the blessing of oils, priestly renewal, and encourage families to participate fully. A second segment with Father Steven Weller reflects on Palm Sunday’s two Gospels, Matthew’s Passion, and themes of sin, mercy, and conversion. 01:13 Sacred Worship Office Explained 02:35 Common Liturgy Questions 03:44 Master of Ceremonies Role 04:39 Lex Orandi Lex Credendi 08:36 Why Symbols Matter 10:58 What Triduum Means 12:54 Cathedral Sets the Standard 14:15 Chrism Mass and Holy Oils 20:33 Rubrics and Praying as One 24:32 Triduum as One Liturgy 25:42 Good Friday Highlights 29:21 Praying for All Peoples 29:56 Holy Thursday Body of Christ 31:20 Learning the Liturgy 36:47 Easter Vigil Overview 37:32 Fire and Procession Symbols 40:59 Rehearsing with Reverence 42:25 Ars Celebrandi and Beauty 44:04 Triduum Emotional Journey 47:28 Holy Week Invitation 49:50 Palm Sunday Readings 51:21 Matthew Passion Themes 55:10 Barabbas and Participation 56:40 Moved by the Passion

    1 hr

  3. MAR 21

    Called & Gifted Workshop + 5th Sunday of Lent Reflection

    This week on Connecting the Diocese, Father Sam Martin interviews Ann Lankford, Director of the Office of Catechesis and Evangelization for the Diocese of La Crosse, about the upcoming Called & Gifted workshop (March 21, Saturday, at Our Lady of Peace in Marshfield) sponsored by the St. Catherine of Siena Institute. They discuss St. Catherine of Siena, intentional discipleship, and discerning baptismal spiritual gifts (charisms) for serving others, including the workshop’s process (teaching on charisms, a spiritual gifts inventory, a one-on-one interview, and small-group sessions) and how charisms bring joy, confidence, and help avoid burnout in parish life. Lankford shares her conversion story and path from Missouri to diocesan service beginning in 2002, and highlights catechesis trends like Catechesis of the Good Shepherd and family-based catechesis. The episode closes with Father Steven Weller and Father Martin reflecting on the 5th Sunday of Lent readings, especially John 11 and the raising of Lazarus. 00:48 Meet Ann Lankford 01:49 St. Catherine Spotlight 04:05 Institute and Discipleship 07:46 What Is Called and Gifted 11:07 Charisms in Parish Life 13:39 How to Discern Gifts 17:45 Joy and Mission in Church 23:57 Catechesis and Evangelization 25:29 Fires in Catechesis Today 29:53 Evangelization Made Simple 30:48 Everyday Evangelization 32:40 Small Signs Big Impact 34:01 Ann Lankford's Conversion Story 38:32 Called Into Ministry 41:53 Diocesan Role And Charisms 43:35 Workshop Invite And Signoff 44:42 Lent Reflection Begins 45:48 Lazarus And Resurrection Hope 47:52 Gods Patience In Suffering 56:43 Untie Him And Keep Going

    1 hr

  4. MAR 14

    Family Life Ministry, Men’s Conference & 4th Sunday of Lent Reflections

    Father Sam Martin interviews Chris Rogers, Director of Family Life for the Diocese of La Crosse, about how the office supports families through marriage preparation and enrichment, natural family planning, youth and young adult ministry, and building fertile ground in homes so parish life bears fruit. They highlight diocesan youth initiatives like Adventure Camp and discuss the Men of the Cross men’s conference on March 21 at Blessed Sacrament in La Crosse, featuring speaker Bart Schuchts, with Mass, adoration, confession, meals, and free admission for high school men attending with a parent or guardian; registration is at menofthecross.org. The episode also includes reflections with Father Steven Weller on the 4th Sunday of Lent (Laetare Sunday) Gospel of the man born blind, focusing on healing, discipleship, and the sometimes disruptive nature of grace. 02:00 Family Life Office Overview 04:47 Youth Camp And Men's Events 05:53 Ministry On Their Level 08:35 Mens Conference Purpose 16:55 Men Of The Cross Explained 19:12 Healing And Confession 22:45 Conference Schedule Registration 26:38 Strengthening Family Habits 29:39 Bus Trips Build Community 32:16 Adventure Camp Magic 34:51 Beauty Outdoors Awakens Faith 39:11 Inviting Others Beats Loneliness 43:26 Mens Conference Details 45:53 Lent Readings Man Born Blind 51:57 Belonging to God

    1 hr

  5. MAR 7

    Servant of God Fr. Joseph Walijewski, Casa Hogar, and the Journey Toward Sainthood

    Erik Archer and Clint Berge of the Diocese of La Crosse host a timely “Connecting the Diocese” episode ahead of the March 15 Anniversary of the Opening of the Cause for Servant of God Fr. Joseph Walijewski, featuring an interview with Noel Furger, Director of Development for the Fr. Joseph Walijewski Legacy Guild. Noel explains the Guild’s mission to promote Fr. Walijewski’s cause and support his works, especially Casa Hogar Juan Pablo II in Lima, Peru, founded after St. John Paul II’s $50,000 gift. The conversation covers Fr. Walijewski’s poverty-filled childhood, ordination and missionary work, founding and hands-on leadership of Casa Hogar, and his death in 2006, as well as the canonization process and how listeners can submit prayer requests and prayers answered. 02:02 Legacy Guild Mission 03:05 Father Joe Early Life 05:30 Called to Priesthood 06:21 Missionary Years and Casa Hogar 07:18 John Paul II Gift 08:47 Life Inside the Orphanage 12:06 Beyond Casa Hogar 12:55 Death and Public Mourning 14:44 Cause for Sainthood 16:13 How the Process Works 18:43 Prayers and Miracles Needed 24:09 Mass and Ongoing Legacy 25:42 Casa Hogar Today 26:40 Maestros Family Model 28:20 Calling of Caregivers 30:47 Longtime Couples Story 31:36 Families Become Maestros 32:24 Sacrifice and Sainthood 33:24 How Kids Are Referred 35:48 Evaluations and Intake 37:14 Day in the Life 40:28 Campus Tour Layout

    1 hr

  6. FEB 28

    Madre Peregrina in Wisconsin

    Father Sam Martin interviews Father Tim Oudenhoven about Marian Messengers and a multi-stop Wisconsin pilgrimage featuring a life-size Pilgrim Mother image of Our Lady of Guadalupe, including what pilgrims can expect and how to participate via guadalupewi.org. Father Tim shares how Our Lady of Guadalupe connects to the New Evangelization, encourages inviting others, and describes collecting prayer intentions to be taken to Tepeyac. The episode closes Father Martin and Father Weller reflecting on the Second Sunday of Lent readings on the Transfiguration and how Lent’s sacrifices point to resurrection hope. 00:53 Marian Messengers Origins 02:05 Pilgrim Mother Comes to Wisconsin 04:43 Our Lady of Guadalupe and New Evangelization 09:39 Pilgrimage Encounter Stories 12:05 Preparing and Participating 14:51 Hispanic Devotion 18:38 Inviting Others to Faith 24:40 Pilgrim Experience Schedule 29:20 Where the Pilgrimage Travels 32:09 Mary Leads to Jesus 32:35 Guadalupe and Marian Dogmas 34:55 A Priest’s Marian Roots 39:45 Family Faith and Motherhood 48:03 Lent Transfiguration Readings

    1 hr

  7. FEB 21

    Lent as Listening, Fasting, and Mission: Fatherhood, the Eucharist, and Serving the Poor

    This episode of Connecting the Diocese reflects on Lent. Cathedral leaders Kevin Decker and Dominic Carstens describe their roles in the Cathedral parish in La Crosse. The conversation explores Lent as more than “giving something up,” describing the desert as a place of silence where the Lord can be heard. Dominic discusses fasting from attention-grabbing habits such as work emails and social media, noting the challenge of “middle of the road” goods that can become substitutes for deeper relationship and attentiveness. Kevin discusses almsgiving and outreach beyond writing a check, emphasizing the dignity of homeless neighbors and the importance of relationship. The episode also touches on the Behold conference (“Lambs among Wolves”), including reflection on wolves within one’s own heart such as fear of judgment, pride, and the desire for approval. The conversation closes with encouragement for listeners to be bold in Lent, examine fears, and notice restlessness and boredom as places where God may speak. In the final segment, Father Steven Weller and Father Sam Martin join to reflect on the First Sunday of Lent readings, especially Jesus’ 40 days in the desert and the reality of spiritual warfare. 01:37 Meet the Guests: Kevin’s Mission to Rebuild Cathedral Community 02:42 Dominic’s Role: Sharing the Living Gospel Story at the Cathedral 03:58 Rethinking Lent: The Desert as Silence, Training, and Listening 06:02 Fatherhood & Faith: Learning from the Heavenly Father in the Quiet 09:14 Kevin’s Lenten Focus: Presence, Family, and the ‘Sacramental Grit’ of Dad Life 11:25 The Still Small Voice: Elijah, Attention, and Fasting from Distractions 16:11 Eucharistic Pilgrimage Grit: Finding Jesus in Exhaustion and Suffering 21:25 After the Mountaintop: Bringing Pilgrimage Lessons Back to Ordinary Ministry 26:37 Lent in Action: Almsgiving Beyond a Check—Seeing the Dignity of the Homeless 31:14 Healing Happens in Relationship 32:33 From “Services” to Real Community & Friendship 34:46 Who Inspires You? A Shoutout to Everyday Saints 37:03 Lent: Facing Shame, Distractions & Making Space for Silence 41:12 The “Wolves” Within: Fear of Judgment & Keeping Faith Simple 43:23 Catholic Faith vs Catholic Feelings: Trust on the Ordinary Wednesdays 46:12 Lent Takeaways: Be Bold, Confront Fear, and Embrace Holy Boredom 48:29 First Sunday of Lent Readings w/ Fr. Stephen Weller and Fr. Sam Martin 49:15 Desert Warfare: Baptism, Temptation, and the Reality of Evil 51:38 Original Sin, Human Disorder & Why Grace Is Necessary 55:16 Confession Humility: “You Can’t Do It—That’s Why You Need a Savior” 57:11 Eucharist as the Cure: From Forbidden Fruit to the New Adam

    1 hr

  8. FEB 14

    Behold Retreat: Embracing Faith Amongst Modern Wolves

    Join us for an engaging episode of 'Connecting the Diocese' as we explore the transformative experiences from the 'BEHOLD: Lambs Among Wolves' retreat held at the Diocesan Center. Father Sam Martin hosts special guests, Father Reiter, Jake, and Rebecca, who share their personal stories and profound insights from the retreat. Learn about the importance of retreats, the challenges faced by modern youth, and how the Holy Spirit guides us through moments of silence and reflection. Discover how relationships, prayer, and community play vital roles in deepening our faith and facing life's battles. Whether you're seeking spiritual growth or community support, this episode is filled with hope, encouragement, and actionable insights for everyone. 00:36 Meet the Guests: Father Reiter, Jake, and Rebecca 01:13 Father Reiter's Role and Experience 02:02 Jake's Journey and Role in the Retreat 02:34 Rebecca's Experience and Insights 04:51 The Importance of Retreats 09:21 Understanding Silence and Its Challenges 12:20 Highlights and Graces from the Retreat 17:29 Planning and Theme of the Retreat 20:15 Missionary Work and Evangelization 27:12 Challenges and Wolves in Modern Life 30:01 The Joy of the Pro-Life Movement 31:03 Facing Fear and Loneliness 32:39 Wolves on College Campuses 35:10 The Goal of a Retreat 38:43 The Cheeto Lady and Loving the Difficult 41:08 Reflecting on Personal Graces 44:46 Encouragement for Future Retreats 52:17 The Sermon on the Mount and Righteousness

    1 hr
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

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
    219
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Connecting the Diocese
  • Show Website
    Connecting the Diocese

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