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. 1h ago

    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

    1 hr

  2. May 30

    Why Catholic Schools Matter

    Father Sam Martin hosts Connecting the Diocese with guest Tom Reichenbacher, Superintendent for Catholic Schools, to discuss what makes a Catholic school distinct: a focus on God and helping students build a relationship with Jesus through prayer, Scripture, and especially staff witness across all roles. They note academic expectations being pushed to earlier grades, technology’s impact on information and critical thinking, and a reassessment of one-to-one devices after a major tech disruption. The conversation highlights how Catholic schools support students in both celebrations and crises, aiming to form graduates marked by prudence and love, and explains the Bishop’s Medalist as a model of faith and servant leadership. The episode then shifts to Trinity Sunday reflections with Father Weller on the readings and the mystery of believing “into” God. 01:31 What Makes Schools Catholic 04:29 Witness and Relationships 07:36 Role Models and Conversion 09:06 How Education Has Changed 12:29 Why Choose Catholic Schools 14:05 Faith in Crisis and Grief 18:46 Marks of Exemplary Schools 22:03 Mission and Sacraments 23:25 Technology and Discernment 27:58 Wonder Over Screens 30:17 Graduation and Virtue Goals 30:41 Choosing Love and Prudence 31:33 Hope in a Redeemed World 32:23 Bishops Medalist Explained 35:06 Holiness and Servant Leadership 37:32 Bears Helmet and Competition 40:18 Eight Minutes or Less 41:49 Mosaic of Salvation Story 43:07 Trinity Sunday Readings 46:03 John 316 and Trinity Love 47:10 Aquinas Through Flannery 49:50 Believe Into and Trust 53:34 Universe Made for Others 54:54 Belonging to the Trinity

    1 hr

  3. May 23

    Adventure Camp

    This week on Connecting the Diocese, Father Martin talks with Chris Rogers (Director of Youth Ministry and Family Life) and Father Steven Weller (Vocation Director) about Adventure Camp, a longstanding summer program in Mason, Wisconsin. They describe four Sunday-to-Friday weeks featuring outdoor adventures (rock climbing, rappelling, kayaking, ropes courses) alongside daily Mass, catechesis, small groups, adoration, and frequent confession, emphasizing community, healing, and countercultural face-to-face connection away from phones. They share traditions like open-mic faith sharing, “Stump the Priest,” talent shows, and water wars, plus testimonies of lasting impact, vocations, and leadership paths like SOGs (Servants of God). The episode also includes a Pentecost discussion of Acts 2, 1 Corinthians, and John 20, focusing on the Holy Spirit’s role in renewal, sonship, and hearing God’s voice. 00:49 Adventure Camp Origins 02:42 Camp Details Schedule 03:54 Sacraments Faith Life 05:47 Why Camp Heals 08:10 Long Term Impact 13:46 Sharing Faith Open Mic 15:51 Stump the Priest 18:09 Bonding Games Talent 21:55 Camp Memories Culture 24:22 Countercultural Connection 28:26 How to Invite Skeptics 31:10 Parents Not Fixers 32:19 Relationships Over Sales 34:42 Unexpected Joy Stories 35:36 Creation And Grace 37:07 Sign Up And Scholarships 38:03 Canoe Fails And Growth 41:37 Wildlife And Farewell 43:12 Pentecost Readings 48:15 Spirit Like The Wind 54:23 Hearing God Personally

    1 hr

  4. May 16

    Bishop Battersby’s 2-Year Anniversary

    Father Sam Martin hosts Bishop Gerard Battersby on “Connecting the Diocese” to mark the bishop’s second anniversary as the 11th Bishop of the Diocese of La Crosse. Bishop Battersby recalls being surprised by the nuncio’s call, accepting the appointment with trust in Jesus, and the joy of his installation Mass, early confirmations, and major diocesan events like The Answer and the Eucharistic Procession, which he says deepened Eucharistic awareness and hope in the Diocese of La Crosse. He reflects on leaving Detroit, discovering the rural character and beauty of the region, and the diocese’s interdependence, including Rural Life Days and Project Milk benefiting Casa Hogar in Peru. He emphasizes reliance on Jesus, devotion to the Sacred Heart, prayer, the sacraments, and Marian devotion. The episode concludes with an Ascension-focused scripture discussion on Acts 1 and Matthew 28, highlighting mission despite doubt and Christ’s affirmation of humanity. 01:43 Called to La Crosse 03:13 Installation Day Memories 05:09 Telling Family Goodbye 08:34 New Bishop New Gifts 12:36 Early Events Surge 13:48 Eucharistic Renewal Hope 18:33 Sacred Heart Trust 23:42 Beauty of the Diocese 30:19 Forming Holy Priests 32:13 Jesus Is Enough 33:14 Carmelite Retreat Lessons 33:38 What Makes A Priest 34:13 Trust The Process 35:29 Practicing Gods Presence 37:19 Sacraments And Daily Habits 40:51 Acts And Universal Church 42:51 Great Commission Legend 45:00 Fly Interruption And Collect 46:03 Sticky Hand 48:55 The Eleven And Doubt 50:16 Do It Anyway Depend On God 52:28 Ascension Affirms Humanity 54:10 God Loves Me

    1 hr

  5. May 9

    Father Biju’s Missionary Journey to Wisconsin

    This episode features an interview with Father Biju and parishioner Chris Hollar about Father Biju’s Catholic upbringing in Kerala, India, the influence of his grandparents’ prayer life, his call to the priesthood, and his formation as a Missionary of St. Francis de Sales. Father Biju shares his years of missionary work in Northeast India, challenges like isolation during monsoons, long travel by train, and how the universal Mass connects cultures. He reflects on serving three parishes in Wisconsin, pastoral trust through moments like hearing confession during a storm, and his desire not to lose souls due to priestly attitude. The episode closes with Fathers Sam Martin and Steven Weller previewing the Sixth Sunday of Easter readings focused on the Holy Spirit, discipleship, and hope. 00:29 Father Biju’s Roots in Kerala 02:08 Home and Homesickness 03:41 Why a Missionary Order 05:04 Grandparents and Family Prayer 08:30 Serving Three Wisconsin Parishes 09:41 Belonging and Parish Community 12:28 New Pastor Transition Stories 14:43 Discernment and Seminary Formation 16:13 First Arrival in the US 20:07 Universal Church Across Cultures 23:25 Train Journeys and Mission Life 25:08 Christianity in India and Reverse Mission 27:28 Mission Schools Outreach 28:20 Touring Remote Villages 30:06 Isolation and Monsoon Trials 31:50 Priest Behind the Collar 33:00 Storm Confession Story 35:22 Parishioner Perspective 37:36 Basketball and Community 40:59 Parish Life and Support 42:00 Gardening Green Thumb 42:59 Not Losing Any Souls 46:07 Easter Readings 50:32 Holy Spirit and Saints 58:00 Do You Want the Spirit

    1 hr

  6. May 2

    NFP, Body Literacy, and Easter Hope

    This week on Connecting the Diocese, Fr. Sam Martin interviews Kayla Hoecherl, the diocese’s new Natural Family Planning (NFP) coordinator, about her background as a nurse, camp director at Crossroads Adventure Camp, wife and mother, and how she was called into the role. Kayla explains NFP as learning the body’s language to both achieve or postpone pregnancy, addresses common objections (effectiveness, burden on women), and shares questions from a college women’s retreat about anatomy, cycles, and coming off birth control. She highlights the ways the office currently supports engaged and married couples and is looking to grow into youth education, adoption guidance and other new resources. The episode concludes with a weekly meditation for the Fifth Sunday of Easter, reflecting on John 14, the calling of deacons, the longing for union with the Father, “living stones,” and hope for salvation. 01:07 Meet Kayla 01:28 Faith and Camp Roots 02:25 Nursing to NFP Calling 06:14 What Is NFP 08:09 Common NFP Concerns 14:20 Retreat Questions 19:57 NaPro and Catholic Clinics 22:28 Motherhood and Faith 29:18 Diocesan NFP Office 30:49 Fertility Care Mission 31:20 Adoption Support Path 31:59 Postpartum Help Resources 33:29 Become an NFP Instructor 35:40 When Spouses Disagree 40:16 Adventure Camp Formation 44:37 NFP Segment Wrap Up 47:01 Easter Readings Setup 47:55 Way Truth Life 48:33 Deacons Prayer Word 51:27 Longing for the Father 55:51 Living Stone Church 58:28 Hope of Salvation

    1 hr

  7. Apr 25

    Interior Freedom, Discernment, and Trusting Jesus’ Call

    Father Steven Weller, Vocations Director for the Diocese of La Crosse, speaks with Bishop Gerard Battersby about the World Day of Prayer for Vocations on Good Shepherd Sunday, focusing on Christ’s invitation for all the baptized to share in his mission. They discuss humility, sinfulness, and the need for a Savior, emphasizing that God wants sons and daughters, not slaves, and that true conversion brings interior freedom to say yes or no. Bishop shares his vocation story, including years of resistance and a decisive moment in prayer that led him to contact the vocations office and enter seminary. They highlight shared discernment with the Church, the importance of prayer, Scripture, the sacraments, Eucharistic time, and saints such as Carlo Acutis. A second segment with Father Martin reflects on John 10, shepherding with charity, and healing through Christ’s wounds. 00:31 Good Shepherd Vocations 02:25 Saved by the Shepherd 04:05 Need for a Savior 05:24 Confession Breakthrough 06:41 From Slave to Son 10:20 God Provides the Tools 11:15 Bishop Vocation Story 14:13 Freedom to Say Yes 16:41 Interior Freedom Journey 20:00 Discernment and the Church 24:07 Redeeming the Past 28:44 Knowing Jesus Daily 30:25 Saints and Eucharist 33:11 Prayer and Freedom 36:46 Small Steps Practice 39:43 Easter Truth and Mission 42:24 Good Shepherd Readings 44:05 Shepherd Heart Leadership 49:19 Wounds That Heal 53:38 Gate and Discernment

    1 hr

  8. Apr 18

    Monsignor Richard Gilles on Farm Roots, Cathedral Renewal, and the Road to Emmaus

    Father Sam Martin hosts Monsignor Richard Gilles, rector of the Cathedral of St. Joseph the Workman in La Crosse, reflecting on Gilles’ farm upbringing, work ethic, and how working in the soil still grounds him spiritually, especially in the Easter season. Gilles describes accompanying catechumens and candidates through OCIA and the joy of the Easter Vigil, explains his pastoral principle “presence is truth,” and shares ongoing campus improvements, including replacing the plaza’s slippery granite pavers (beginning April 27) and offering more than 400 usable pavers to the public as historic keepsakes. He discusses the cathedral’s growth, emphasis on sacred liturgy, music, and hospitality, efforts to unite a multigenerational parish, downtown outreach with DMI, and devotion to St. Joseph. The episode also previews an 11-day Italy pilgrimage (Sept. 28–Oct. 8) and includes a discussion of the Third Sunday of Easter readings, focusing on the Emmaus journey, Christian “wayfaring,” longing, and recognizing Jesus in the breaking of the bread. 01:11 Farm Roots and Family 03:52 Work Ethic Lessons 04:37 Gardening as Therapy 08:24 Easter and OCIA Joy 11:34 Presence Is Truth 13:58 Plaza Pavers Project 18:24 Why Cathedral Is Growing 22:57 COVID Turning Point 26:37 St Joseph and Downtown Mission 30:42 Upcoming Italy Pilgrimage 32:00 Pilgrimage Expectations 32:24 Why Pilgrimage Transforms 34:22 Italy Highlights and Holy Sites 35:27 Studying in Rome 37:21 Rome City of Saints 38:29 Spiritual Influences 43:19 Cathedral Parish Love 46:09 Easter Readings 47:21 Emmaus On the Way 50:07 Disillusion and Hope 55:41 Hearts Burning Within

    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
    227
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Connecting the Diocese
  • Show Website
    Connecting the Diocese

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