Connecting the Diocese: Recent Episodes
Connecting the Diocese
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Airdate 07/27/24
Find out about Catholic Charities expanded services for returning students.
Airdate 6/8/24
Fr. William Dhein explains the process of Sainthood and new instructions on defining the “supernatural.”
Airdate 5/25/24
We present portions of events surrounding our new Bishop & a Memorial Day remembrance.
Airdate 5/18/24
Fr. Paul Check discusses the value of the Eucharistic Revival and much more.
Airdate 4/27/24
Sisters from the FSPA talk about their participation in “The Answer” event and more.
airdate 03/09/24
Chris Carstens, Director of The Office For Sacred Worship is our guest.
Release date: 2/24/24
Professor Thom Thibodeau has suggestions to help make your life better.
Airdate 8/26/23 We revisit the inspiring story of a man who had a career-ending stroke and how things are today.
Airdate 8/19/23 Family Life Director Chris Rogers discuss the many ways needed to communicate what the Church teache
Airdate 8/5/23 Bishop Callahan talks about the many ways the Diocese communicates with people.
Airdate 7/15/23 We talk with Karen Becker about her roles at both Catholic Charities and with a Diocesan project.
Airdate 6/17/23 Find out how a Catholic program brings Eastern European students to the USA.
Msgr. Gilles and Kevin discuss Evangelization, why the “New Evangelization” isn’t so new, and what the Cathedral is doing in Downtown La Crosse.
Airdate 04_15_23
Two dads talk about dealing with younger and older children in stressed out times.
Airdate 3/18/23
Bishop Callahan discusses what the world was like at the time of Christ.
Listen to Msgr. Gilles, Rector of St. Joseph the Workman Cathedral, and Kevin Decker, Parish Mission Associate at the Cathedral, discuss Lent and it’s meaning.
Airdate 2/25/23
The remarkable story of a local man who went from near death to being a beloved Santa Claus.
Airdate 2/18/23
Father “Woody” Pace talks about his trip to India and support of missions.
Airdate 2/4/23
Catholic Charities works hard to get people out of tents in below zero weather.
Airdate 1/21/23
Fr. James Kurzynski discusses our concepts of space and time as well as AI.
Airdate: 12/24/22
This show features’ one composer’s musical “love letter” to the Christmas Season.
Airdate 12/3/22
The Bishop of the Diocese of Lacrosse and the Catholic Life Editor each discuss aspects of Advent.
Airdate 11/26/22
We talk about those in need as holiday shopping and Advent happen on the same weekend.
October 29, 2022 Hear about All Saints & All Souls Days, The White Mass, and scary Martians.
Airdate 10/15/22 Find out more about the comprehensive program for those considering priesthood.
Airdate 10/01/22 Director of Communications shares some interesting observations from his first few weeks on the job.
Airdate 9/17/22 Hear Bishop Callahan’s remarks from the restored Cathedral and updates from the Office of Marriage and Family Life.
Airdate 9/10/22 Bishop Callahan discusses upcoming events and we recall a Queen’s kind 9/11 gesture of support.
Airdate: 8/27/22 Catholic Charities is working with other groups to help hundreds of area “unsheltered” people.
Airdate 8/13/22 We have an in-depth conversation with our new, Communications Director.
Airdate 08/06/22 Bishop Callahan and Msgr. Richard Gillen discuss the multi-year renovation of the Cathedral.
Airdate 5/30/22 A priest affiliated with The Vatican Observatory calls space “the new wild wild west.”
Airdate: 7/16/22 Bishop Callahan discusses the relevance of 10 simple-sounding commandments.
Airdate 07/09/22 The Director of Missions discusses the challenges of worldwide shortages and high prices on Missions work.
Airdate 6/11/22 Resident foodie Cathy Cooper offers advice to combat rising food costs.
Airdate: 4/16/22 Bishop Callahan with commentary and special programming for this weekend.
Airdate 3/26/22 Find out more about how Catholic Charities can help with upcoming power cut-offs and more.
Airdate 3/19/22 Bishop Callahan comments on the current world turmoil, losing a lovedone and more.
Airdate 02/26/22
Father Woody Pace give an update on how the work of the missions is progressing.
Airdate 02/12/22
Host Jack Socha & Relevant Radio’s Paul Sadek discuss music & movies to break the boredom.
Airdate: 1/29/22
Fr James Kurzynski discusses the recent almost SciFi-like accomplishments in space and more.
Airdate 01/22/22
Find out what modern adoption, including “Open Adoption” and grandparents who adopt, is all about.
Airdate 2/15/22
Bishop Callhan talks about John The Baptist, the Church seasons and more.
Airdate 12/25/21
We present a unique radio version of one of Bishop Callahan’s favorite
movies.
Airdate 12/18/21
Bishop Callahan gives an update and we present the story of “The Christmas Miracle of 1914.”