Father Woody Pace on Pandemic Lessons, Vicar for Clergy, and Mission Support

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 practices may remain. Father Pace explains the missions office, the disruption to the Missionary Cooperation Program, and ongoing needs worldwide, including challenges in vaccine access, poverty, and weakened medical infrastructure. He notes priests from Ghana, the Congo, and India serving in the diocese and shares ways to help missions, including donations and mass stipends.

00:00 Show Opens and Welcome

00:48 Catching Up After COVID

03:58 New Role Vicar for Clergy

07:29 Church Goes Digital Fast

12:30 Why Priests Get Reassigned

14:30 Missions Office Overview

17:27 Global Needs and Partnerships

25:43 How Mission Work Began

31:47 Grief Faith and Hope

41:24 How to Support Missions

45:41 Closing Thanks and Signoff

46:46 Host Reflections From Home

51:47 Catholic Music Worldwide

54:15 Final Farewell