This episode of Connecting the Diocese reflects on Lent. Cathedral leaders Kevin Decker and Dominic Carstens describe their roles in the Cathedral parish in La Crosse. The conversation explores Lent as more than “giving something up,” describing the desert as a place of silence where the Lord can be heard. Dominic discusses fasting from attention-grabbing habits such as work emails and social media, noting the challenge of “middle of the road” goods that can become substitutes for deeper relationship and attentiveness. Kevin discusses almsgiving and outreach beyond writing a check, emphasizing the dignity of homeless neighbors and the importance of relationship. The episode also touches on the Behold conference (“Lambs among Wolves”), including reflection on wolves within one’s own heart such as fear of judgment, pride, and the desire for approval. The conversation closes with encouragement for listeners to be bold in Lent, examine fears, and notice restlessness and boredom as places where God may speak. In the final segment, Father Steven Weller and Father Sam Martin join to reflect on the First Sunday of Lent readings, especially Jesus’ 40 days in the desert and the reality of spiritual warfare.
01:37 Meet the Guests: Kevin’s Mission to Rebuild Cathedral Community
02:42 Dominic’s Role: Sharing the Living Gospel Story at the Cathedral
03:58 Rethinking Lent: The Desert as Silence, Training, and Listening
06:02 Fatherhood & Faith: Learning from the Heavenly Father in the Quiet
09:14 Kevin’s Lenten Focus: Presence, Family, and the ‘Sacramental Grit’ of Dad Life
11:25 The Still Small Voice: Elijah, Attention, and Fasting from Distractions
16:11 Eucharistic Pilgrimage Grit: Finding Jesus in Exhaustion and Suffering
21:25 After the Mountaintop: Bringing Pilgrimage Lessons Back to Ordinary Ministry
26:37 Lent in Action: Almsgiving Beyond a Check—Seeing the Dignity of the Homeless
31:14 Healing Happens in Relationship
32:33 From “Services” to Real Community & Friendship
34:46 Who Inspires You? A Shoutout to Everyday Saints
37:03 Lent: Facing Shame, Distractions & Making Space for Silence
41:12 The “Wolves” Within: Fear of Judgment & Keeping Faith Simple
43:23 Catholic Faith vs Catholic Feelings: Trust on the Ordinary Wednesdays
46:12 Lent Takeaways: Be Bold, Confront Fear, and Embrace Holy Boredom
48:29 First Sunday of Lent Readings w/ Fr. Stephen Weller and Fr. Sam Martin
49:15 Desert Warfare: Baptism, Temptation, and the Reality of Evil
51:38 Original Sin, Human Disorder & Why Grace Is Necessary
55:16 Confession Humility: “You Can’t Do It—That’s Why You Need a Savior”
57:11 Eucharist as the Cure: From Forbidden Fruit to the New Adam
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