Easter Weekend with Bishop Callahan, Easter Laughter, and Handel’s Messiah Story

This Easter weekend episode of Connecting the Diocese (Diocese of La Crosse) opens with the Gospel account of the Resurrection from Luke, followed by the Lord’s Prayer and a blessing. Host Jack Socha welcomes listeners who may be staying home due to vaccination timing or health concerns and speaks with Bishop William Patrick Callahan about the joy of Easter, modest celebrations during the virus, and memories of celebrating in Rome, emphasizing that “God wins.” The bishop highlights the Bavarian tradition of the risus paschalis (Easter laughter) and offers a Hail Mary and blessing. Jack tells an Easter joke, features a Catholic Charities appeal with contact information and April 15 utility shutoff reminders, rebroadcasts an old-time radio dramatization of Handel’s creation of Messiah, and closes with music notes, Catholic Life Magazine mentions, and a request for diocesan support during the pandemic.

00:00 Opening Scripture Reading

02:07 Prayer And Blessing

03:00 Welcome Easter Weekend

04:11 Easter Joy And Pandemic

06:24 Easter In Rome

07:58 God Wins Message

09:32 Easter Laughter Tradition

11:27 Teachers And Humor

14:41 Liturgical Year Explained

16:09 Mary Visit And Hail Mary

17:29 Easter Joke Challenge

18:57 Catholic Charities Appeal

19:59 Utility Help Reminder

21:00 Handel Messiah Story Intro

22:22 Handel In Despair

24:42 Mysterious Woman Appears

28:55 Messiah Manuscript Gift

30:29 Music Returns To Life

37:21 Handel Gives Thanks

46:55 Music And Program Notes

47:31 Magazine And Diocesan Support

49:31 Final Hopeful Farewell