Called & Gifted Workshop + 5th Sunday of Lent Reflection

This week on Connecting the Diocese, Father Sam Martin interviews Ann Lankford, Director of the Office of Catechesis and Evangelization for the Diocese of La Crosse, about the upcoming Called & Gifted workshop (March 21, Saturday, at Our Lady of Peace in Marshfield) sponsored by the St. Catherine of Siena Institute. They discuss St. Catherine of Siena, intentional discipleship, and discerning baptismal spiritual gifts (charisms) for serving others, including the workshop’s process (teaching on charisms, a spiritual gifts inventory, a one-on-one interview, and small-group sessions) and how charisms bring joy, confidence, and help avoid burnout in parish life. Lankford shares her conversion story and path from Missouri to diocesan service beginning in 2002, and highlights catechesis trends like Catechesis of the Good Shepherd and family-based catechesis. The episode closes with Father Steven Weller and Father Martin reflecting on the 5th Sunday of Lent readings, especially John 11 and the raising of Lazarus.

00:48 Meet Ann Lankford

01:49 St. Catherine Spotlight

04:05 Institute and Discipleship

07:46 What Is Called and Gifted

11:07 Charisms in Parish Life

13:39 How to Discern Gifts

17:45 Joy and Mission in Church

23:57 Catechesis and Evangelization

25:29 Fires in Catechesis Today

29:53 Evangelization Made Simple

30:48 Everyday Evangelization

32:40 Small Signs Big Impact

34:01 Ann Lankford’s Conversion Story

38:32 Called Into Ministry

41:53 Diocesan Role And Charisms

43:35 Workshop Invite And Signoff

44:42 Lent Reflection Begins

45:48 Lazarus And Resurrection Hope

47:52 Gods Patience In Suffering

56:43 Untie Him And Keep Going

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Father Sam Martin interviews Chris Rogers, Director of Family Life for the Diocese of La Crosse, about how the office supports families through marriage preparation and enrichment, natural family planning, youth and young adult ministry, and building fertile ground in homes so parish life bears fruit. They highlight diocesan youth initiatives like Adventure Camp and discuss the Men of the Cross men’s conference on March 21 at Blessed Sacrament in La Crosse, featuring speaker Bart Schuchts, with Mass, adoration, confession, meals, and free admission for high school men attending with a parent or guardian; registration is at menofthecross.org. The episode also includes reflections with Father Steven Weller on the 4th Sunday of Lent (Laetare Sunday) Gospel of the man born blind, focusing on healing, discipleship, and the sometimes disruptive nature of grace.

02:00 Family Life Office Overview

04:47 Youth Camp And Men’s Events

05:53 Ministry On Their Level

08:35 Mens Conference Purpose

16:55 Men Of The Cross Explained

19:12 Healing And Confession

22:45 Conference Schedule Registration

26:38 Strengthening Family Habits

29:39 Bus Trips Build Community

32:16 Adventure Camp Magic

34:51 Beauty Outdoors Awakens Faith

39:11 Inviting Others Beats Loneliness

43:26 Mens Conference Details

45:53 Lent Readings Man Born Blind

51:57 Belonging to God

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Erik Archer and Clint Berge of the Diocese of La Crosse host a timely “Connecting the Diocese” episode ahead of the March 15 Anniversary of the Opening of the Cause for Servant of God Fr. Joseph Walijewski, featuring an interview with Noel Furger, Director of Development for the Fr. Joseph Walijewski Legacy Guild. Noel explains the Guild’s mission to promote Fr. Walijewski’s cause and support his works, especially Casa Hogar Juan Pablo II in Lima, Peru, founded after St. John Paul II’s $50,000 gift. The conversation covers Fr. Walijewski’s poverty-filled childhood, ordination and missionary work, founding and hands-on leadership of Casa Hogar, and his death in 2006, as well as the canonization process and how listeners can submit prayer requests and prayers answered.

02:02 Legacy Guild Mission

03:05 Father Joe Early Life

05:30 Called to Priesthood

06:21 Missionary Years and Casa Hogar

07:18 John Paul II Gift

08:47 Life Inside the Orphanage

12:06 Beyond Casa Hogar

12:55 Death and Public Mourning

14:44 Cause for Sainthood

16:13 How the Process Works

18:43 Prayers and Miracles Needed

24:09 Mass and Ongoing Legacy

25:42 Casa Hogar Today

26:40 Maestros Family Model

28:20 Calling of Caregivers

30:47 Longtime Couples Story

31:36 Families Become Maestros

32:24 Sacrifice and Sainthood

33:24 How Kids Are Referred

35:48 Evaluations and Intake

37:14 Day in the Life

40:28 Campus Tour Layout

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Father Sam Martin interviews Father Tim Oudenhoven about Marian Messengers and a multi-stop Wisconsin pilgrimage featuring a life-size Pilgrim Mother image of Our Lady of Guadalupe, including what pilgrims can expect and how to participate via guadalupewi.org. Father Tim shares how Our Lady of Guadalupe connects to the New Evangelization, encourages inviting others, and describes collecting prayer intentions to be taken to Tepeyac. The episode closes Father Martin and Father Weller reflecting on the Second Sunday of Lent readings on the Transfiguration and how Lent’s sacrifices point to resurrection hope.

00:53 Marian Messengers Origins

02:05 Pilgrim Mother Comes to Wisconsin

04:43 Our Lady of Guadalupe and New Evangelization

09:39 Pilgrimage Encounter Stories

12:05 Preparing and Participating

14:51 Hispanic Devotion

18:38 Inviting Others to Faith

24:40 Pilgrim Experience Schedule

29:20 Where the Pilgrimage Travels

32:09 Mary Leads to Jesus

32:35 Guadalupe and Marian Dogmas

34:55 A Priest’s Marian Roots

39:45 Family Faith and Motherhood

48:03 Lent Transfiguration Readings

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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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Join us for an engaging episode of ‘Connecting the Diocese’ as we explore the transformative experiences from the ‘BEHOLD: Lambs Among Wolves’ retreat held at the Diocesan Center. Father Sam Martin hosts special guests, Father Reiter, Jake, and Rebecca, who share their personal stories and profound insights from the retreat. Learn about the importance of retreats, the challenges faced by modern youth, and how the Holy Spirit guides us through moments of silence and reflection. Discover how relationships, prayer, and community play vital roles in deepening our faith and facing life’s battles. Whether you’re seeking spiritual growth or community support, this episode is filled with hope, encouragement, and actionable insights for everyone.

00:36 Meet the Guests: Father Reiter, Jake, and Rebecca

01:13 Father Reiter’s Role and Experience

02:02 Jake’s Journey and Role in the Retreat

02:34 Rebecca’s Experience and Insights

04:51 The Importance of Retreats

09:21 Understanding Silence and Its Challenges

12:20 Highlights and Graces from the Retreat

17:29 Planning and Theme of the Retreat

20:15 Missionary Work and Evangelization

27:12 Challenges and Wolves in Modern Life

30:01 The Joy of the Pro-Life Movement

31:03 Facing Fear and Loneliness

32:39 Wolves on College Campuses

35:10 The Goal of a Retreat

38:43 The Cheeto Lady and Loving the Difficult

41:08 Reflecting on Personal Graces

44:46 Encouragement for Future Retreats

52:17 The Sermon on the Mount and Righteousness

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In this episode of ‘Connecting the Diocese’ from the Diocese of La Crosse on Relevant Radio, Father Sam Martin and Father Alan Guanella discuss the inspiring life and legacy of Blessed Brother James Miller. Brother James, born in 1944 and martyred in Guatemala in 1982, grew up near Stevens Point, Wisconsin. He was a Christian Brother known for his work with the poor and indigenous populations in Central America. Father Guanella shares his personal connections to Brother James through his time as pastor at Sacred Heart Parish in Polonia, where Brother James is buried. The episode also features reflections on the importance of living a holy life, touching on specific aspects of Brother James’ vocation, his missionary work, and his ultimate sacrifice. The episode concludes with a meditation on the upcoming readings for the fifth Sunday of Ordinary Time, reflecting on themes of healing and holiness.

01:09 Introducing Father Alan Guanella

02:25 Brother James Miller’s Early Life

03:37 Brother James Miller’s Vocation Journey

17:25 Missionary Work in Central America

20:09 Return to the United States and Final Mission

25:05 Martyrdom and Legacy

33:33 Introduction to Viterbo University and Notable Figures

34:07 Inspiration from Saints and Personal Anecdotes

35:59 Event Details at Sacred Heart Parish

36:59 Reflections on Brother James Miller’s Life

40:08 The Path to Sainthood and Community Involvement

43:10 Meditation on Scripture and Personal Growth

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Welcome to ‘Connecting the Diocese’ with Erik Archer, Director of Communications and Public Relations for the Diocese of La Crosse. In this episode, we continue our deep and enriching conversation with Bishop Vitalii from Kiev, Ukraine, and Valentyna, founder of the nonprofit Chalice of Mercy. Joined by Father Dan Thelen, they explore the profound themes of mercy, justice, and finding God’s presence on the front lines of war. They share personal stories of providing aid, the tangible impact of charitable donations, and the intersection of mercy and justice in tumultuous times. This conversation offers a powerful insight into living faith amidst adversity and the importance of prayer and support for the people of Ukraine.

02:02 Chalice of Mercy’s Impact in Ukraine

06:40 Personal Experiences on the Frontline

11:16 The Struggle Between Mercy and Justice

29:43 Prayers and Reflections During War

30:53 Unity and Support from the Global Community

34:15 The Role of Social Media in Spreading the Gospel

36:00 Personal Reflections on Gospel Preaching

37:16 Content Creation vs. Faith Communication

37:55 The Role of Social Media in Evangelization

39:48 Gratitude and Support for Ukraine

43:05 Closing Thoughts and Prayers

48:31 Introducing the Sunday Gospel Primer

50:05 Reflections on the Beatitudes

56:37 The Spiritual Journey and Homilies

58:57 Final Blessings and Farewell

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Join Erik Archer, the Director of Communications for the Diocese of La Crosse, in a powerful conversation with Bishop Vitalii of Kiev, Valentyna from Chalice of Mercy, and Father Dan Thelen. This episode delves into the strength of faith amidst Ukraine’s war-torn environment, discussing the profound impacts of suffering, displacement, and heroism in the community. Learn about the personal journeys of the guests, the unifying power of the Church, and tangible ways to support and witness God’s mercy in action. Don’t miss the next episode for the continuation of this impactful discussion.

01:01 Meet the Guests: Bishop Vitalii and Valentyna

04:28 Bishop Vitalii’s Journey to Faith and Priesthood

07:24 Finding Faith Amid Crisis

20:02 The Role of Peace and Faith in Times of War

22:21 Chalice of Mercy: Supporting Ukraine

31:34 The Reality of War and Its Impact

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In this episode of ‘Connecting the Diocese,’ we revisit a conversation with Father Sam Martin. Father Martin shares his insights on encountering Christ, particularly in others, which is especially relevant during the Eucharistic revival. Topics include his reflection on the newly elected Pope Leo, personal anecdotes about his faith journey, and how the community at Holy Name Parish in Wausau has grown in faith. This episode delves deep into practical advice for recognizing and embracing the presence of Christ in our daily interactions, with special thoughts on how to deal with difficult relationships and the importance of prayer and gratitude.

01:09 Encountering Jesus in Others

01:55 Father Martin’s Journey and Reflections

04:33 The Role of Faith in Personal Growth

10:37 Challenges and Blessings in Ministry

16:17 The Importance of Vulnerability and Confession

23:37 Living Out Faith in Everyday Life

30:11 The Essence of True Happiness

31:09 The Challenge of Loving Difficult People

31:49 The Importance of Prayer and Self-Reflection

37:03 The Power of Community and Faith

48:05 Living the Mass Beyond Church Walls

52:25 Encountering Christ in Others

55:42 Practical Steps to Encounter Christ

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