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. 12h ago

    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 Lange 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

    1 hr

  2. 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

    1 hr

  3. 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

    1 hr

  4. 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

    1 hr

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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
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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
    230
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Connecting the Diocese
  • Show Website
    Connecting the Diocese

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