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. 5D AGO

    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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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
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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
    223
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Connecting the Diocese
  • Show Website
    Connecting the Diocese

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