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Father James Kurzynski introduces himself as a new monthly host of Connecting the Diocese and interviews St. Olaf Parish staff members Dennis and Michelle about their 10-day mission trip to Casa Hogar Juan Pablo Segundo in Lurin, Peru, a diocesan-sponsored children’s home modeled on the Boys Town family-unit system. They discuss motivations for going, expectations versus realities, experiences of poverty and hospitality, relationships with children, and the idea of “reverse mission,” where residents minister to visitors. They describe visiting homes, a local funeral, daily Mass, and faith growth, including a visit to St. Martin de Porres’ tomb. The episode highlights support for Project Milk and closes with prayers for Pope Leo after lung cancer surgery, followed by a separate segment reflecting on All Saints readings, the Beatitudes, and holiness through the Eucharist. 01:26 Opening Prayer 02:27 Meet The Guests 06:45 Why Peru Mission 10:43 Expectations And Reality 17:38 Casa Hogar Family Model 19:41 Surprises And Stories 27:35 Dennis' Memorable Moments 30:51 Translate Like a Local 31:31 Faith Growth in Peru 32:40 St Martin de Porres Visit 34:17 Rose Bud Thorn Reflections 36:20 Inspired by Forgiveness 38:23 Support Casa Hogar Mission 39:52 Project Milk Impact 41:31 Life at Casa Hogar 42:49 Tsunami Path Rock Project 46:27 All Saints Readings Overview 50:37 Communion of Saints 52:45 Eucharist Makes Saints 56:00 Everyday Holiness Story

Father Sam Martin and Father Steven Weller reflect on the universal call to holiness and how fear, wounds, and self-consciousness can keep people “on the edge of the dance floor” rather than fully alive in Christ. They discuss preaching from the heart, the Sacred Heart, and an image of incense as sap drawn from a wounded tree, relating it to how Christ dwells in human lowliness and heals hardened hearts. The conversation touches on vulnerability, beauty that “wounds” the soul, worship and Mass as transformative, and how screens can numb wonder. They share anecdotes about dancing, serving Mass mistakes, and encountering the homeless as persons. They close with the 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time readings (Exodus, Thessalonians, Matthew 22) emphasizing love of God and neighbor, especially care for the poor. 00:54 Called to Holiness 01:25 Preaching From the Heart 02:15 Incense and Wounded Hearts 04:31 Marriage as Leap of Faith 06:00 Dance Floor Vulnerability 07:03 Made for Love 09:04 Prom Fear and Courage 10:33 Heaven and Holy Longing 13:08 Beauty That Wounds 17:49 Childlike Freedom and Mistakes 21:00 Worship Breaks Paralysis 23:40 Spontaneous Service Heals 24:20 Wonder Worship And Mass 26:02 Liturgy Mishaps And Humility 28:27 Heaven As Acquired Taste 29:02 Breaking Screen Numbness 32:22 Imagination Over Easy Media 33:26 Teaching Wonder In Schools 37:31 Dance Floor Invitation 39:47 Sunday Readings Breakdown 43:38 Loving Neighbor And Poor

Erik Archer introduces an episode first aired last October during Respect Life Month, highlighting Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day and the often-hidden grief from miscarriage, stillbirth, infant loss, or past abortion. Clint Berge interviews Amy Mulhern and Jennifer Fisk of Rachel Ministries in the Diocese of La Crosse, explaining Project Rachel’s confidential spiritual and emotional support, referrals to counselors and priests, and the Catholic-based Rachel’s Vineyard retreat focused on God’s mercy and trauma-sensitive healing for women, men, and families. They reflect on the Mass of Hope and Healing, where participants honored lost children with candles and a book of remembrance, emphasizing ongoing healing, accompaniment without judgment, and the Church’s call to support all affected. Contact: 608-860-6698; [email protected]. 01:30 Meet Rachel Ministries 03:41 Personal Journeys to Serve 08:15 Why Healing Matters Now 11:48 Who Its For and Confidential Help 16:20 Respect Life Month Reflection 19:29 Testimonies and Healing Prayer 25:17 Mass of Hope and Healing Highlights 33:17 How to Reach Project Rachel 41:44 October Rosary for Peace 47:09 Rachel Vineyard Retreat Explained

Father James Kurzynski introduces himself as a monthly host of Connecting the Diocese while Father Sam Martin takes on expanded curial work and canon law studies, shares his background (ordained 2003, former teacher/chaplain, now pastor of St. Olaf in Eau Claire), and offers a Catholic approach to artificial intelligence: avoid fear and anthropomorphizing AI, treat it as a tool that can be used for God’s glory or for harm, engage it practically in ministry and work without replacing human dignity, and support moral guardrails, noting concerns about developers not fully understanding AI’s effects and comparing the moment to “splitting the atom.” The script also includes a Relevant Radio segment with Father Martin and vocation director Father Steven Weller previewing the 28th Sunday of Ordinary Time readings (Isaiah 25, Psalm 23, Philippians 4, Matthew 22), emphasizing Christ’s salvific power, baptismal living, vigilance, and St. Paul’s “secret” of strength in Christ amid anxiety and suffering. 01:03 Priesthood Journey 03:06 AI Fears and Hype 05:00 AI as a Tool 07:16 Phones Knives and Holiness 10:33 Engage AI in Ministry 13:23 Practical AI vs Superintelligence 15:06 Work Dignity and Catholic Teaching 19:16 Nephew Coder Warning 23:25 Split the Atom Moment 28:23 Responsibility and Vigilance 30:14 Try AI and Stay Grounded 32:29 Future Topics and Guests 36:50 Prayer and Blessing 40:47 Relevant Radio Intro 41:46 Sunday Readings Overview 43:27 Gospel Wedding Garment 47:32 The Secret of St Paul

This week on Connecting the Diocese, Father Sam Martin talks with Christopher Carstens (Director of the Office for Sacred Worship) and Ann Lankford (Director of the Office for Catechesis and Evangelization) about OCIA (formerly RCIA), emphasizing it as a non–cookie-cutter process of conversion into Christ and the Church through catechesis, liturgical rites, prayer, and communal accompaniment. They preview a diocesan OCIA training conference on Saturday, October 24, at the Holy Cross Diocesan Center in La Crosse (9:30–3:30), featuring Father Derek Sakowski, Mass with Bishop Battersby, practical walk-throughs of key rites, pastoral sessions for new and experienced leaders, and a Q&A with Father Alan Guanella. The episode then shifts to a reflection with Father Steven Weller on the 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time readings (Isaiah 5, Philippians 4, Matthew 21), focusing on bearing fruit, peace through prayer, and the rejected stone becoming the cornerstone. 00:48 OCIA Conference Overview 02:10 RCIA to OCIA Explained 05:28 Why OCIA Matters 06:50 Prophet Priest King Formation 13:13 OCIA Nuts and Bolts 19:18 Parish Renewal and Growth 25:30 Conference Schedule Preview 26:17 Day Program Details 28:45 Liturgical Practica and Pastoral Tracks 31:05 Walking With Seekers 31:31 Meet The OCIA Team 32:43 Why Liturgy Forms Us 33:35 Conference Details And Invitation 35:12 Prayer And Hunger For Truth 36:53 Stories Of Conversion 39:26 OCIA Is Always New 40:19 Gospel Hope And Wrap Up 45:28 Sunday Readings Preview 46:25 Vineyard Parables And Peace 49:07 Harvest Fruits And Anxiety 51:34 Prayer In The Chapel 53:23 Rejected Stone Consolation

On Connecting the Diocese, Father Sam Martin interviews Voyage Comics founders Phil Kosloski and Mike LaVoy about using comic books to evangelize through truth, beauty, and goodness. Phil shares his path from seminary discernment to marriage, parish work, and discovering a writing charism that led to Catholic publishing and comics; Mike recounts his childhood art dream, military service, return to drawing, and collaboration with Phil to launch Voyage through crowdfunding. They describe their mission to create high-quality Catholic entertainment comparable to major mainstream publishers, early mentorship, and growth into fantasy, superhero stories, and comics about saints and North American causes, including partnerships with Augustine Institute and Ignatius Press. They outline their human-centered production process, reject AI for art, discuss readership ages and popular titles, and preview expansion into animation with Father Otto’s Christmas Special, followed by a segment introducing 26th Sunday Ordinary Time readings on repentance and Christ’s self-emptying. 01:37 Phil’s Faith Journey 03:47 Mike’s Art Calling 06:06 Voyage Comics Mission 08:22 Kickstarter and Quality Bar 11:34 First Stories and Saints 15:34 Growth and Partnerships 19:29 Who Reads and Favorites 23:15 How Comics Are Made 28:04 Where to Buy and No AI 30:34 Big Dreams Animation Next 31:57 Faith in Pop Culture 33:23 Why Not Use AI 34:49 Work Is Holy 36:01 Handcrafted Beauty Matters 37:06 Why Buy These Comics 39:19 Saints Let Light In 40:52 Creators Reflect Back 43:17 Sunday Readings Breakdown 49:06 Kenosis and Mercy 53:46 Little Things With Love

Father Sam Martin hosts Connecting the Diocese with guest Father Woody Pace, Director of the Diocese of La Crosse Office of Missions and pastor in Wausau, to discuss missionary discipleship, how mission trips shape faith, and diocesan mission connections around the world. Father Pace recounts formative experiences in Botswana, Zambia, and a pastoral year in Uganda, the challenges of cultural adjustment, and how his missionary “ache” led to mission-office leadership. They explain the Pontifical Mission Societies, the purpose of World Mission Sunday—celebrated October 18, 2026 as its 100th anniversary—its global prayer and collection supporting mission dioceses, and Fulton Sheen’s role in promoting missions. The episode also highlights missionary saints and closes with a separate segment on the 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time readings (Isaiah 55, Philippians, Matthew 20) emphasizing God’s mercy and “my thoughts are not your thoughts.” 01:07 Meet Father Woody Pace 02:01 First Mission Awakening 05:27 Priesthood and Uganda Roots 11:21 Mission Office Explained 17:34 How Mission Trips Change You 22:45 World Mission Sunday Basics 29:35 Personal Lessons and Dependence 31:26 Nothing Will Ever Turn Out 32:28 Kenosis and New Life 33:09 Jeep as Mobile Monastery 36:56 World Mission Sunday Call 37:49 Missionaries Making Impact 41:59 Favorite Missionary Saints 44:41 Final Blessing and Sendoff 45:53 Sunday Readings Overview 48:21 Mercy Beyond Fairness 50:16 Cordova Confession Miracle 53:00 Thoughts Like God’s 55:55 Parable That Angers and Consoles

Father Sam Martin hosts Bishop Gerard Battersby on Connecting the Diocese to highlight the Diocese of La Crosse’s Rural Life Day on September 23 in Bangor, with Mass at 10:00 AM and an invitation to all. They reflect on rural stewardship, animals, creation, gratitude, and the farmer’s “dying and rising” rhythm as a Eucharistic pattern, along with the need for silence, trust in God’s promise to remain with us, and daily prayer. The bishop shares memories of farm visits, family life, pets, and Wisconsin wildlife, and notes growth in young adult faith, campus ministry with FOCUS, new religious houses, and accompaniment through small groups and movements like the Domestic Church. The episode closes with a blessing and a brief segment previewing the 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time readings focused on forgiveness, healing, and belonging to the Lord. 02:08 Rural Life Day Preview 04:49 City Boy Meets Farm Life 06:32 Stewardship and Creation 09:13 Gratitude and Providence 12:33 Dying and Rising Rhythm 14:18 Hope in Hard Seasons 15:56 Be Still Trust God 19:15 Pets and Animal Lessons 22:09 Wisconsin Wildlife Wonders 26:04 Faith Growing Among Youth 28:44 Spiritual Accompaniment 29:37 What Accompaniment Means 31:27 Faith Learned Together 33:11 School Memories Detroit 34:38 Catholic Education Mission 37:16 Rural Life Day Invite 39:49 Fulton Sheen Beatification 42:34 Weekend Readings Preview 46:05 Forgiveness And Healing 46:51 Let Jesus In Basement 50:38 Vulnerability And Growth 51:46 We Belong To God

Father Sam Martin hosts Dr. Rick Trietley, president of Viterbo University, who shares his path from a first-generation student at St. Bonaventure and 22 years as an Army infantry officer to leadership in Catholic higher education, influenced by Sister Margaret Carney and a veterans’ pilgrimage to Assisi with Father Conrad Targonski. Trietley reflects on St. Francis and St. Clare, then describes Viterbo’s renewed partnership with the Diocese of La Crosse through the Casa Hogar mission in Lurin, Lima, Peru, including immersion trips, daily Mass at the orphanage, service to the poor, and Casa Hogar student Rosa studying at Viterbo and graduating next May. He announces Msgr. Joe Hirsch will receive Viterbo’s St. John XXIII Award on Sept. 3, accepted on behalf of Casa Hogar, and highlights Viterbo’s programs and challenges, including servant leadership, nursing, ethics, and fundraising success. 01:16 Rick's Journey Begins 05:49 Franciscan Inspiration 09:22 Casa Hogar Partnership 15:36 Reverse Mission Impact 20:33 Honoring Monsignor Hirsch 28:05 Viterbo New Year 30:40 Faith Reflection 33:17 Higher Ed Headwinds 34:46 Funding And Future Skills 36:13 Faithful Mission Focus 38:31 Signature Viterbo Programs 42:25 Campus Life And Formation 44:22 Campaign Gratitude And Impact 46:51 Sunday Readings Overview 50:01 Fraternal Correction In Love 52:46 Service Stories And Soft Hearts

This week on Connecting the Diocese, Father Sam Martin of the Diocese of La Crosse welcomes Jeff and Alice Heinzen and Brian and Karen Kostka to discuss the Domestic Church Movement as a couple-centered movement to deepen sacramental marriage through prayer and family spirituality. They share their own marriages, how the movement began locally, and its roots in Polish priest Franciszek Blachnicki, whose conversion in Auschwitz led to the Light-Life Movement and later Domestic Church, brought to the U.S. through Louisiana. The episode outlines entry through an evangelization retreat or six meetings, ongoing “circles,” and seven commitments including individual, couple, and family prayer, monthly couple dialogue, a rule of life, and annual and family retreats. A second segment features Father Steven Weller reflecting with Father Martin on the 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time readings from Jeremiah, Romans, and Matthew about thirst for God, renewal of mind, and carrying the cross. 01:02 Meet the Guests 02:10 Heinzens Marriage Story 03:22 Domestic Church Discovery 07:11 Kostkas Testimony 09:22 Why Marriage Matters 11:24 What Is Domestic Church 12:04 Origins in Poland 15:44 Movement Comes to US 19:09 Modern Marriage Challenges 19:50 Prayer Habits and Vows 28:18 Retreat Overview 30:20 Couple Dialogue Purpose 31:31 Dialogue Script Tips 32:26 Family Check In 33:02 Rule of Life Examples 34:52 Retreat Oasis Rhythm 37:23 Vulnerability Come and See 38:08 Circles Support Formation 39:58 Marriage Peace Grit 41:34 Partner Priest Presence 44:02 Readings Jeremiah Fire 46:56 Gospel Cross Discipleship 48:22 Priesthood Stories Desire 54:55 Thirst and Carry Cross

On Connecting the Diocese with Father Sam Martin and Deacon Patrick Connelly, the conversation focuses on admonishing the sinner and fraternal correction as a spiritual work of mercy, stressing charity, prayer, prudence, and face-to-face dialogue, along with the need to receive correction with humility and gratitude. They discuss challenges in families, parishes, leadership, and social media, emphasizing Christian identity as beloved children of the Father and the role of sacrifice, forgiveness, and relationship in building up the Body of Christ, including healing when hurt occurs within the Church. The episode then shifts to a meditation on the 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time readings (Isaiah 22, Romans on God’s wisdom, and Matthew 16 at Caesarea Philippi), highlighting Peter’s confession, the keys of the kingdom, stewardship, humility, and the Church’s need for leaders and unity. 01:01 Meet Deacon Patrick 01:34 Why Correct in Love 03:09 Marriage as Training Ground 04:44 Pray and Choose Timing 06:03 Face to Face Matters 06:36 Receiving Correction Well 09:58 Judge Not Misunderstood 11:52 Pastoral Wisdom and Presence 15:17 Fault Lines in Community 16:56 A Small Parish Example 20:28 Approachable Church Culture 23:00 Social Media and Identity 26:51 JPII and True Identity 28:46 Relationship Shapes Identity 30:06 Forgiveness and Abundant Life 31:33 Show Wrap and Follow 31:46 Mirror Narcissus Warning 32:40 Love Casts Out Fear 33:37 Sacrifice And Correction 36:55 Clergy Need Feedback 38:25 Virtues For Admonishing 42:04 Healing Church Wounds 44:32 Saints Amid Scandal 46:28 Sunday Readings Setup 47:42 Peter Keys And Steward 50:05 Who Do You Say 52:18 Eliakim Unworthy Leader 54:46 Humility And The Keys 57:03 Church Belonging Summary

On Connecting the Diocese this week, Fr. Martin welcomes diocesan priest Fr. Jesse Burish, ordained in 2009, who shares his vocation story, parish assignments, and current service in Rome at the Dicastery for the Eastern Churches, including how dicasteries function and what his office work entails, along with reflections on living in Rome, language challenges, and occasionally seeing Pope Leo XIV. The conversation highlights how God redeems gifts like Burish’s architecture background and how dioceses serve the universal Church by lending priests for wider needs. The episode then shifts to 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time readings with Fr. Steven Weller: Isaiah’s promise to foreigners, Romans on God’s irrevocable call and mercy for all, and Matthew’s Canaanite woman whose great faith brings her daughter’s healing, emphasizing evangelization, unity, and welcoming outsiders. 01:37 Vocation Story Begins 03:15 Parish Assignments Journey 04:13 Called to Serve in Rome 05:22 Gifts God Redeems 07:17 Rome Then and Now 12:33 Life in the Dicastery 13:32 Eastern Catholic Churches 101 18:16 Workday Rhythm and Culture 23:30 Do You See the Pope 27:02 Italians View of Pope Leo 28:16 Pope Meets Newlyweds 29:32 Presence and Pastoral Listening 31:00 Rome Pilgrim Tips 33:23 Mission Over Maintenance 34:35 Humility and Asking Help 37:40 Why Priests Serve Away 43:12 Sunday Readings Overview 46:06 Outsiders Welcomed In 51:24 Unity Amid Church Tensions 55:24 Canaanite Faith and Farewell

In this episode of Connecting the Diocese, Father Sam Martin talks with newly ordained Deacon Patrick Conley about his June 6 ordination for the Diocese of La Crosse at the Cathedral of St. Joseph the Workman, what those first weeks of preaching, hospital visits, and assisting at Mass have been like, and how formation built deep brotherhood among the men and their wives. Conley also shares his and his wife’s conversion story, from Anglican seminary studies at Oxford and a growing hunger for history, tradition, liturgy, and sacraments, to reading the Catechism, going through RCIA at the Cathedral of St. Paul, and entering the Church at Easter 2010. He then explains how unexpected doors in ministry led him into radio, eventually becoming host of The Inner Life, and the episode closes with Father Martin and Father Steven Weller reflecting on the 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time readings—God’s whisper to Elijah and Jesus meeting the disciples in the storm. 01:07 Meet Deacon Patrick 02:31 Ordination and Formation Journey 06:09 Ordination Day Reflections 07:27 First Weeks as Deacon 10:46 Conversion Questions Teed Up 12:22 Seeds of Catholic Curiosity 15:23 Oxford and The Catholic Question 18:50 No Mans Land and Ready to Convert 22:37 RCIA and Entering the Church 23:58 Faith Leap and Evangelization 27:42 Anger at God and Trusting Providence 31:20 Ministry Jobs and Radio Beginnings 32:51 Two Show Trial Run 33:26 Falling for Radio 34:22 Father Rocky Vets Him 35:23 Guest Hosting Inner Life 36:52 Becoming Permanent Host 38:00 Conversion and Callers 39:15 Formation Brotherhood 43:06 Closing Blessing 45:09 Sunday Readings Setup 46:53 Elijah Whispering Voice 48:24 Jesus in the Storm 52:21 Peter Walks on Water 54:25 Silence and Strength

Father Sam Martin hosts Connecting the Diocese with guest Natalie Elskamp, newly hired as Coordinator of Healing Ministry for the Diocese of La Crosse. Natalie shares her Catholic upbringing, homeschooling and homesteading family life, and her path into healing ministry. She explains her role supporting parish offerings of Healing the Whole Person, forming and mentoring prayer ministers, and ensuring healing efforts remain safe, trauma-informed, and aligned with Church teaching and diocesan guidelines. The conversation covers common experiences of healing through the sacraments and prayer, details about the John Paul II Healing Center programs and I AM training, and the importance of priests pursuing their own healing. The episode also includes a reflection with Father Steven Weller on the 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time readings, emphasizing God’s abundance and spiritual fulfillment. 00:49 Meet Natalie Elskamp 01:49 Faith and Family Roots 03:18 Homesteading Life Explained 04:46 New Healing Ministry Role 07:22 What Healing Feels Like 11:17 Healing the Whole Person 14:15 JP II Healing Center Resources 17:13 I AM Training for Prayer Ministers 21:50 Priests and Parish Healing 27:28 Guardrails and Discernment 30:36 Trauma Informed Prayer 31:36 Healing Ministry Guardrails 33:05 Everyone Carries Wounds 36:05 Practical Ministry Plans 39:05 Supporting Priests Families 40:44 Making Healing Mainstream 42:33 Fears And Fruits 45:47 Sunday Readings Overview 49:09 Abundance Not Scarcity 51:14 Eucharist Desert Place

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