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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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