
Advertise on podcast: Connecting the Diocese
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This podcast has
292 episodes
Language
EnglishPublisher
Connecting the DioceseExplicit
No
Date created
2018/10/04
Latest episode
2026/10/03
Average duration
60 min.
Release period
7 days
Description
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.
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Check latest episodes from Connecting the Diocese podcast
OCIA in the Diocese of La Crosse: Conference Preview & 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time Readings
2026/10/03
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
Voyage Comics, Evangelization Through Comic Books & Catholic Media
2026/09/26
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
World Mission Sunday & God’s Mercy in the Readings
2026/09/19
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
Bishop Battersby on Rural Life Day, Gratitude, and Forgiveness
2026/09/12
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
Viterbo President Dr. Rick Trietley on Franciscan Spirit, Casa Hogar, and Honoring Msgr. Joe Hirsch
2026/09/05
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
The Domestic Church Movement & 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time Readings
2026/08/29
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
Fraternal Correction & Identity in Christ
2026/08/22
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
Fr. Jesse Burish on Serving in Rome & Eastern Catholic Churches + 20th Sunday Readings
2026/08/15
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
Deacon Patrick Conley: From Oxford and Conversion to Catholicism to Ordination and Relevant Radio
2026/08/08
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
Healing Ministry in the Diocese of La Crosse | Natalie Elskamp on Healing the Whole Person + 18th Sunday Readings
2026/08/01
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
St. Francis & St. Clare: Vocation, Joy, Poverty, and Peace + 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time Readings
2026/07/25
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
What Is NFP? Faith, Marriage, and God’s Mercy
2026/07/18
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
Rural Life, Faith & Vocation: AnneMarie Elwing on Farming, Veterinary Work, Project Milk, and the Seed of the Word
2026/07/11
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
Friendship with Jesus, ‘Welcome One Home,’ and Finding Rest in the Sacred Heart
2026/07/04
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
Bishop Battersby on his Priesthood Journey, the Holy Spirit, and Living as Witnesses
2026/06/27
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
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