Episodes

Host Jack Socha interviews Monsignor Joseph Hirsch in Lurín, Peru, about Casa Hogar’s COVID-19 precautions, limited vaccine access in Peru, and how the children are coping, including visits with family, time at home, and quarantines with Mass and holy hour on Zoom. They discuss Peru’s close presidential election, demonstrations in Lima, and Casa Hogar’s current population of about 70 children in a family-based model founded by Father Joe Walijewski. Fr. Kyle Laylan shares his background, prior m...

Host Jack Socha welcomes Paul Sadek of Relevant Radio’s Daybreak back to the studio for an unusual episode focused on how music influences people emotionally, psychologically, and spiritually, and why listeners should be discerning about what they take in. They share radio memories from the 1960s–80s, including “full service” local stations, automation, and how playlists changed as competition increased. Along the way they discuss uplifting and faith-connected songs and artists, including Godspe...

Host Jack Socha talks with Bishop William Patrick Callahan of the Diocese of La Crosse about the recent ordination of three priests, where to watch and hear excerpts online, and what happens after ordination, including the anointing with chrism, the manetergium tradition, the first priestly blessing, and the Mass of Thanksgiving in a priest’s home parish. They discuss how new priests begin ministry, including four years as associate pastors with trained mentoring pastors, and mention one priest’...

Host Jack Socha interviews Roberto Partarrieu, Director of Catholic Charities for the Diocese of La Crosse, about seasonal emergencies and services, including responding to extreme heat by opening doors to keep vulnerable people safe. They discuss the terms “homeless” and “unsheltered,” different causes of homelessness, and growing challenges from rising rents, limited affordable housing, and the need for multiple solutions such as education and mental health treatment. Roberto describes Catholi...

On the 4th of July weekend episode of Connecting the Diocese, host Jack Socha shares excerpts from the Cathedral of St. Joseph the Workman ordination Mass in La Crosse, including Bishop William Patrick Callahan’s remarks to newly ordained priests Arturo, Timothy, and Eric on their mission, fidelity, celibacy, holiness, the Eucharist, and reconciliation, along with the ordination prayer and an explanation of anointing and binding priests’ hands with a monitergium. Jack also warns about a spreadin...

Host Jack Socha opens a summer “Connecting the Diocese” episode with an in-person visit from Relevant Radio’s Paul Sadek during Priest Unity Days in the Diocese of La Crosse as COVID restrictions ease. They discuss returning to community life, Paul’s station oversight work, and share a wide-ranging “summer movie show” of recommendations and turkeys, including Alien Nation, The Adjustment Bureau, A Hard Day’s Night/Help! and the upcoming Get Back, A Time for Miracles, The Fourth Wise Man, Bridge ...

Host Jack Sochaa welcomes Father Woody Pace, Director of the Missions Office for the Diocese of La Crosse, back to Connecting the Diocese to discuss major changes during the past year: his move from pastoring parishes in Independence and Whitehall to La Crosse, his new role as vicar for clergy, and celebrating his 25th ordination anniversary amid COVID restrictions. They reflect on how parishes rapidly expanded livestreaming and social media, how volunteers stepped up, and which pandemic-era pra...

Host Jack Socha speaks by phone with Ann Lankford, Director of the Diocese of La Crosse Department of Catechesis and Evangelization, about the relationship between evangelization (ongoing encounter with Jesus) and catechesis (teaching to deepen that relationship) and the need to share faith gently in a culture often hostile to religion. They discuss how diocesan work adapted during COVID through remote meetings, webinars, and virtual conferences, including a large August event on overcoming spir...

Host Jack Socha welcomes Bishop William Patrick Callahan to discuss the Solemnity of Corpus Christi and the Church’s teaching on the Real Presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist, referencing John 6, the Last Supper, and transubstantiation, and noting that research shows many Catholics do not understand this belief. They reflect on returning to parish life after pandemic restrictions, the value of gathering for Mass, and the challenge of misinformation and relativism online, encouraging attenti...

On Memorial Day weekend, host Jack Socha opens Connecting the Diocese by reflecting on the meaning and history of Memorial Day, sharing his visit to the Houston, Minnesota Veterans Memorial and his own experience processing casualty reports during the Vietnam War, and urging listeners to remember the fallen and those lost during the pandemic. The program includes an official Diocese of La Crosse statement that Bishop William Patrick Callahan has asked Fr. James Altman to resign as pastor of St. ...

Host Jack Socha opens this Pentecost weekend episode of Connecting the Diocese (Diocese of La Crosse) with seasonal reflections, a farmer story about cooperating with God, and encouragement to support local farmers’ markets, then speaks by phone with Bishop William Patrick Callahan about Pentecost, the Holy Spirit’s power, recognizing “God moments,” the sacraments (especially Eucharist and reconciliation), and openness to vocation. Jack also discusses pandemic updates, vaccination realities, and...

Host Jack Socha explains this episode is a re-edited revisit of last week’s important interview, which many missed due to a network pledge drive and Mother’s Day. He highlights major local giving by the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration, including a surprise $1.1 million grant to the Family & Children’s Center and $6 million pledged to 23 organizations over three years. Socha then speaks with Viterbo University servant-leadership professor Tom Thibodeau about lessons from the first year ...

In this Mother’s Day episode of Connecting the Diocese (#467), host Jack Socha interviews Viterbo University servant leadership professor Tom Thibodeau about spiritual, mental, and physical lessons from the pandemic, urging continued caution as many remain unvaccinated. Thibodeau praises Viterbo students—especially nursing/CNA workers—for responsible service amid elders’ loneliness and isolation, and reflects on Catholic concern for the whole world, including suffering in India and elsewhere. Th...

Host Jack Socha remotely records an episode of Connecting the Diocese with Fr. Nate Kuhn, Director of Vocations for the Diocese of La Crosse, and three men in the Journey Program: Kyle (24, from West Salem, studied psychology at Princeton and served at UW–Madison), Matthew Szymanski (50, former Chicago-area police officer), and Alex Radtke (from the Wausau area). Fr. Kuhn explains the Journey Program and Regency, and the men share when they first felt a “tug” toward priesthood, how they learned ...

Host Jack Socha welcomes back Roberto Partarrieu, executive director of Catholic Charities in the Diocese of La Crosse, to discuss increased demand for help as overdue utility bills lead to power shutoffs amid the pandemic. Partarrieu explains the St. Lawrence program’s financial assistance for rent, utilities, and other needs, along with budgeting education; last year Catholic Charities provided over $320,000 in direct aid to more than 2,000 families, funded by donations from over 7,000 donors....

Jack Socha interviews Bishop William Patrick Callahan by phone during Easter season, discussing the streamed Easter Vigil and Mass from a dimly lit, under-repair cathedral, and announcing Bishop-elect Dan Felton’s May 20 ordination and installation as Bishop of Duluth, including the tradition of a bishop-elect knocking on the cathedral door. Callahan recounts the Gospel story of the road to Emmaus, stressing that faith is a gift, Christ accompanies each person, and recognition comes in the Eucha...

Host Jack Socha opens this Connecting the Diocese episode with humorous excerpts from “top COVID-19 hits,” then shares a brief update on the UK COVID variant, urging continued precautions until more people are vaccinated. He interviews Chris Rogers, Director of the Office for Family Life, about how his family has adapted during the pandemic, including school adjustments, new hobbies like fishing, and cooking at home, as well as his wife’s interest in pursuing a teaching license. Rogers explains ...

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 ...

This episode opens with a 1926 reflection by Dr. James Allen on Jesus’ life and lasting impact, then host Jack Socha welcomes Bishop William Patrick Callahan of the Diocese of La Crosse. The bishop explains Vatican II’s “universal call to holiness,” emphasizing that all baptized people share Christ’s mission as priests, prophets, and kings through prayer, sacramental life, and daily witness—not only through church roles. They discuss Palm Sunday’s themes of Jesus as the Son of David and King, th...

Host Jack Socha shares updates on a new COVID variant in La Crosse County and notes Walgreens vaccine availability, urging continued masking. He interviews Monsignor Joseph Hirsch from Casa Hogar in Peru about strict quarantine, online schooling, daily Mass and holy hours, limited family contact, and how he contracted COVID after visiting his 90-year-old mother, with both recovering. Hirsch describes Peru’s ongoing lockdown, scarce vaccines, overwhelmed hospitals, oxygen shortages, and how an ox...

Host Jack Socha marks the one-year anniversary of COVID-19’s impact in the U.S., noting deaths, vaccine progress, ongoing cautions, and the need to follow CDC guidance. He reports on the start of the restoration of St. Joseph the Workman Cathedral in La Crosse. Bishop Callahan reflects on the Fourth Sunday of Lent’s Gospel of Jesus and Nicodemus, connecting Moses’ bronze serpent to Christ lifted on the cross as the remedy for sin and suffering. Sacred Worship director Chris Carstens explains dio...

Host Jack Socha welcomes Bishop William Patrick Callahan during Lent to discuss diocesan guidance for Mass capacity, social distancing, sanitation, and continued mask use as Easter approaches. They address confusion about COVID-19 vaccines, noting Pfizer and Moderna were used in early testing with fetal cell lines but not in production, and that Johnson & Johnson raises more uncertainty; the bishop advises vaccination, preferring Pfizer/Moderna when available, but accepting Johnson & Johnson if ...

Host Jack Socha welcomes first-time guest Toni Simonson, executive director of behavioral health for HSHS Sacred Heart and St. Joseph’s Hospitals in Eau Claire and Chippewa Falls, to discuss the local and national rise in substance use disorders, worsened by the pandemic. Simonson explains that addiction affects all ages and backgrounds, with opioids (heroin, fentanyl, prescription painkillers) and methamphetamine most prevalent, and highlights overdose risks from contaminated street drugs and f...

Host Jack Socha talks with Bishop Callahan of the Diocese of La Crosse about the Texas cold snap, beginning Lent during the ongoing pandemic, and the progress of COVID-19 vaccinations, including their own experiences and the need to continue masking and distancing even after vaccination. The bishop praises the resiliency and leadership of Catholic schools and outlines diocesan Lenten practices, including receiving ashes by sprinkling and following safety directives, with potential updates for Ho...