Connecting the Diocese

Connecting the Diocese
  • 5.0 (4)
  • 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

    St. Francis & St. Clare: Vocation, Joy, Poverty, and Peace + 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time Readings

    On a special edition of Connecting the Diocese, host Clint Berge speaks with Bishop Emeritus William Callahan, Father Conrad Targonski, and Sister Sarah Hennessey about how St. Francis of Assisi shaped their vocations and key Franciscan themes: living the Gospel, mission, the San Damiano Cross, the Canticle of the Creatures (its 800th anniversary), providence, joy amid suffering, simplicity, poverty, and being instruments of peace. They discuss Franciscan service at Viterbo University, care for creation in light of Laudato si’, the complementary vocations of priests, sisters, and secular Franciscans, and St. Clare’s pivotal role, courage, and influence on the movement. The episode closes with a blessing and a separate studio reflection on the 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time readings, highlighting Solomon’s request for wisdom, Romans on providence, and Matthew’s parables of the treasure and pearl of great price, emphasizing desire and God’s love. 00:59 Callahan Franciscan Roots 04:34 Conrad Polish Vocation 07:04 Sarah Conversion Story 08:18 Gospel as Franciscan Rule 10:40 San Damiano Cross 13:27 Canticle of Creatures 16:41 Creation and Laudato Si 18:01 Viterbo Service Charism 19:11 Prayer for Peace Today 21:42 Joy and Lady Poverty 23:37 Family and Community Joy 29:03 Beauty and Secular Franciscans 30:32 Marine Story Setup 30:52 Franciscan Among Marines 31:50 Clare and Francis Bond 34:49 Clare Chooses Poverty 36:20 Keeping Original Fervor 38:08 Discernment and Renunciation 40:57 Wolf of Gubbio Story 43:15 Drawn or Driven 44:13 Franciscan Vocations Unite 46:57 Final Blessing and Farewell 48:20 Sunday Readings Overview 49:24 Wisdom and Kingdom Parables 51:24 Desire and the Pearl 53:06 God Desires Us First 54:56 Letting God Love You 57:10 Testimonies of Divine Love 58:28 Oscar Wilde Finds Treasure

  2. Jul 18

    What Is NFP? Faith, Marriage, and God’s Mercy

    Chris Rogers, director of the Office for Family Life for the Diocese of La Crosse, interviews NFP coordinator and registered nurse Kayla Hoecherl as NFP Week approaches (beginning July 19). Kayla addresses misconceptions that NFP is merely the rhythm method, explains that modern methods observe a woman’s unique fertility signs, and describes how NFP supports marriage through shared responsibility, communication, virtue, and an openness to life rooted in Theology of the Body. They discuss NFP as countercultural witness, especially among young families, and emphasize educating priests and laypeople, including clarifying that hormonal birth control is not necessary for issues like acne. The episode then shifts to Father Sam Martin and Father Steven Weller reflecting on the 16th Sunday readings focused on God’s mercy, prayer, and the wheat-and-weeds parable, stressing repentance, patience, and leaving final judgment to God. 00:40 Kayla’s Role and Background 02:04 Life at Camp and New Mom Energy 03:15 NFP Week and Common Questions 03:48 Modern NFP Methods Explained 07:42 NFP and Marriage Spirituality 09:58 Virtues and Abstinence Story 12:38 Countercultural Love and Fertility 16:58 Marriage as Witness and Hope 21:29 Marriage Trends and Cultural Pressures 24:30 Uniqueness of Pregnancy and NFP 26:20 Ministry Patience and Accompaniment 26:55 Family Witness Through NFP 27:51 Educating Clergy and Laity 29:30 Body Literacy Over Birth Control 33:07 Campus Talks and Vulnerability 37:24 Truth That Hooks Hearts 41:53 Authenticity and Domestic Church 44:57 Sunday Readings Wheat and Weeds 53:07 Gods Patience and Repentance

  3. Jul 11

    Rural Life, Faith & Vocation: AnneMarie Elwing on Farming, Veterinary Work, Project Milk, and the Seed of the Word

    Join Father Sam Martin on Connecting the Diocese as he talks with AnneMarie Elwing about growing up on a farm, how rural life shapes family, discipline, and prayer, and what it’s really like being a large-animal veterinarian serving farm families. AnneMarie shares how her faith formed her, how Lay Formation Institute helped deepen her Catholic understanding, and how she became involved with the Diocese of La Crosse Rural Life Committee. They highlight Rural Life Day (Sept. 23 near Bangor), including Mass, awards like Century Farm recognition, and the bishop’s blessings. AnneMarie also explains Project Milk, which sends whole milk powder to the diocesan orphanage and community in Lurin, Peru. The episode wraps with a reflection with Father Weller on the weekend readings (Isaiah 55, Romans 8, Matthew 13) and the parable of the sower and “rich soil.” 01:31 Father Sam Farm Roots 02:30 AnneMarie Farm Upbringing 03:26 Faith Through Drought 05:13 Veterinary Calling Begins 06:49 Discovering Rural Life 08:42 Veterinarian Life Stories 11:48 Holy Spirit and Service 15:05 Aquinas Farm Experience 19:10 Rural Life Committee Role 22:11 Project Milk Mission 27:20 Rural Life Day Preview 28:44 Planning and Awards 30:05 Rural Life Day Flow 31:26 Why It Matters 32:15 Saint Isidore Story 32:51 Lay Formation Institute 35:43 Faith Gifts And Charisms 37:26 Rural Isolation Today 41:03 Technology And Loneliness 42:40 Lay Leaders Step Up 44:54 Rural Life Day Invite 46:18 Weekend Readings Preview 48:28 Parable Of The Sower 51:16 Rich Soil And Weakness 53:57 Tilling The Heart 57:53 Final Takeaway Rich Soil

  4. Jul 4

    Friendship with Jesus, ‘Welcome One Home,’ and Finding Rest in the Sacred Heart

    What does it really mean to be friends with Jesus—not just “say prayers,” but actually talk with Him, listen, and let that relationship grow? Father Sam Martin and Ann Lankford (Director of Catechesis and Evangelization for the Diocese of La Crosse) share simple, down-to-earth ways to deepen daily prayer and then let that friendship naturally overflow into evangelization—gently helping others come to know and love Christ through real relationships, kindness, and timely invitations. Ann also introduces the diocesan “Welcome One Home” effort, aimed at reaching out to those who’ve drifted away and making it easier for parishes to invite them back and walk with them. The episode closes with Father Steven Weller and Fr. Martin reflecting on the 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time readings and Jesus’ promise: “Come to me… and I will refresh you.” 00:55 Meet Ann Lankford 03:14 Prayerful Friendship 05:03 Stories That Move 09:13 Discipleship And Calling 14:07 Evangelization Defined 15:42 Everyday Witnessing 17:12 St. Elizabeth Ann Seton And Simple Invite 22:45 Welcome One Home 25:41 Hospitality That Sticks 27:30 Presence Changes Hearts 29:06 Keep It Simple 30:14 Why Invite Them Back 31:27 Loneliness and Simple Presence 33:12 Prayerful Outreach and Warmth 35:19 Personal Invitation Works 37:34 Welcoming Hearts in Parish 40:08 Vulnerability and Humility 41:44 Prayer and Daily Commitment 43:07 Closing Story of Invitation 44:32 Sunday Readings Overview 48:45 Sacred Heart and Rest 50:48 Hope Over Fear 52:31 Faith Hope Love in Community

  5. Jun 27

    Bishop Battersby on his Priesthood Journey, the Holy Spirit, and Living as Witnesses

    Director of Communications Erik Archer introduces an interview with Bishop Gerard Battersby as ordination season begins and Kyle Lang prepares for priestly ordination at the Cathedral of St. Joseph the Workman. Bishop Battersby reflects on his late vocation and 1998 priestly ordination, the sacramental bond between bishop and priest, and urges priests to live self-donation in love. He explains confirmation and Pentecost as the start of public witness, describing the Spirit’s gifts and the Church’s mission, and cautions against calling confirmation a “graduation.” He emphasizes encountering Christ through sacraments, Scripture, and authentic disciples, trusting the Holy Spirit in evangelization, and recognizing God’s “winks.” The episode also connects June devotions to the Sacred Heart and Immaculate Heart. A second segment with Fathers Sam Martin and Steven Weller previews the 13th Sunday Ordinary Time readings, focusing on reception, baptism into Christ’s death, and worthiness. 01:29 May Milestones and Marian Devotion 02:56 Late Vocation and Ordination Joy 03:52 Bond With the Ordaining Bishop 04:54 Priestly Life Advice 05:40 Confirmation Through a Bishop 07:45 Bishop Visits and Nerves 09:19 Pentecost and Confirmation Link 10:17 Confirmation Is Not Graduation 13:11 Bringing Confirmed Back 14:32 Pentecost Birthday of Church 17:27 Becoming Credible Witnesses 19:24 Lessons From Pentecost Today 21:24 Letting Spirit Lead Evangelism 22:14 Cultivating Spirit in Parishes 23:30 Daily Prayer to Holy Spirit 24:38 God Dwells in Us 25:54 Loving Difficult People 27:31 Trust and Surrender to God 29:01 Cost of Following Spirit 30:30 How to Encounter Holy Spirit 31:34 Practical Come Holy Spirit Moments 32:39 RCIA and Family Faith Journey 32:47 Spotting Spirit Moments 33:31 God Incidents and Winks 35:04 Recognizing Holy Promptings 36:31 Pentecost as Mission Fuel 37:57 Signs of a Spirit Filled Parish 40:05 Sacred Heart Devotion 41:21 Marys Yes to the Spirit 43:56 Final Blessing and Farewell 45:38 Elisha Romans and Matthew 48:18 Receiving God and Worthiness 51:00 Declared Worthy in Christ 55:14 Ordination Worthiness Reflection

  6. Jun 20

    Newly Ordained Deacon Emilio Alvarez on Vocation, Family, and Prayer

    Father Sam Martin hosts “Connecting the Diocese” from the Diocese of La Crosse with newly ordained Deacon Emilio Alvarez, who shares his background growing up in Aurora, Illinois to Mexican immigrant parents, his Catholic education, meeting and marrying his wife Emily at Loras College, their four children, and his work in campus ministry at Viterbo University after serving with Camp Gray’s SALT team. They discuss discernment, the diaconate, and how marriage and family are central to diaconal life, as well as lessons on unconditional love, healing woundedness, and recognizing God’s gentle, peaceful guidance rather than anxiety or shame. Alvarez describes ministry with youth and college students, emphasizing authenticity, belonging, and being seen, and offers practical prayer tools including making time for daily prayer, Liturgy of the Hours, and the “ARRR” method (acknowledge, relate, reflect, respond). The episode also highlights brotherhood formed in diaconate formation and concludes with Father Martin and Father Steven Weller reflecting on Sunday readings about fear, persecution, original sin, and trusting God’s fatherly love. 01:18 Faith Roots and Family 03:53 Camp Gray and Early Calling 05:21 Childhood Stories and Cooking 07:20 Marriage Discernment 11:25 Formation Strengthens Family 12:39 Discernment and Peace 14:55 Learning Unconditional Love 20:04 Grace Through Emotions 21:27 Wounds and Fatherhood 27:46 Serving Students Today 29:34 Meeting Like Jesus 30:32 Teaching Young Adults 32:13 Presence And Encouragement 35:06 Prayer Tools And ARRR 38:26 Hearing God Over Time 41:45 Brotherhood In Formation 44:55 Handing On The Faith 46:25 Sunday Readings Setup 49:09 Fear And Fatherhood 54:20 Veiling And Seeing Deeper 56:24 Naming Fear And Trust

  7. Jun 13

    Why Priesthood Ordinations Move Us: Deacon Kyle Lang's Upcoming Ordination, Seminary Formation, and the Sacred Heart

    This week on “Connecting the Diocese”, Fr. Sam Martin speaks with Bishop Gerard Battersby and vocation director Fr. Steven Weller about the meaning and spiritual power of priestly ordination, ahead of Deacon Kyle Lang’s priesthood ordination at the Cathedral of St. Joseph the Workman on Saturday, June 27 at 10:00 a.m. They reflect on key moments of the rite—especially the candidate being declared “worthy” and the prostration during the Litany of the Saints—as signs of dying to self, an exchange of hearts with Jesus, and being conformed to Christ for sacrificial love. The conversation also covers seminary formation as discernment and growth in freedom, the influence of holy priests and saints, the role of families and the Eucharist in nurturing vocations, and concludes with a brief Mass-reading reflection for the 11th Sunday in Ordinary Time. 00:45 Why Ordinations Move Us 02:55 Worthy to Be Slain 06:31 Prostration and Exchange of Hearts 09:57 Families and the Mystery of the Floor 11:43 Degrees of Holy Orders 13:39 Seminary Formation and Discernment 17:34 PPF6 and Freedom in Formation 21:11 Learning You’re Loved 23:45 Mentors and Priestly Eyes 28:29 Seeing with Faith Like Magic Eye 30:29 Deacon Ordinations Update 30:52 Raising Vocations at Home 32:56 Eucharist Forms the Heart 34:48 Saintly Gaze and Love 37:30 Priest Role Models 40:27 Trust God in Weakness 42:11 Mass Readings Reflection 45:30 Remember Who You Are 48:40 Worship Versus Hurry 51:21 Jesus Moved With Pity

  8. Jun 6

    Diaconal Ordination, Deacon Formation, and the Gift of Corpus Christi

    Father Martin hosts Connecting the Diocese for the Diocese of La Crosse, highlighting the June 6 diaconal ordination at the Cathedral of St. Joseph the Workman and the significance of Corpus Christi. Guest Christopher Ruff, Director of Ministries and Social Concerns, describes his 25+ years serving the diocese, his role in restarting and shaping deacon formation and the Lay Formation Institute, and the diaconate’s scriptural roots in Acts as a ministry of humble service and charity. He outlines the five-year formation structure, growth in fraternity, and practical joys and challenges for deacons and their families, emphasizing balance and the importance of saying no when necessary. The conversation also covers St. Vincent de Paul’s home-visit model, humanitarian aid efforts to Ukraine through Chalice of Mercy, and La Crosse’s formation program serving Madison and Superior, concluding with reflections on discerning God’s ongoing call. 01:30 Chris Ruff Background 05:06 Diaconate Origins 07:11 Growth and Formation Path 11:38 Discernment and Diaconate Office 14:57 Program Evolution 19:04 Life After Ordination 22:25 Charity and Parish Collaboration 28:10 Impact and Formation Fruits 32:14 Lay Service Rising 32:48 Vincentian Spiritual Charity 33:27 Home Visits and Growth 35:03 Serving with Joy 36:26 Ukraine Relief Drives 37:15 Deacon Formation Expands 38:31 Hearing Gods Call 41:52 Adventure of Discipleship 43:08 Corpus Christi Readings 45:25 Never Forget the Lord 47:54 Eucharistic Miracle Memory 51:48 Healing of Memories 53:33 Receiving Like Children 56:17 Prepare and Receive

See All (250)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 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
    250
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Connecting the Diocese
  • Show Website
    Connecting the Diocese

You Might Also Like