Priest Ordination Highlights, COVID Variant Update & 4th of July Food Tips

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 spreading COVID-19 variant, urging vaccination and renewed masking and precautions in some areas. Later, Cathy Cooper discusses preparing meals for Chrism Mass, Priest Unity Days, and the ordination dinner, emphasizing cooking from scratch, food safety, budgeting, make-ahead strategies, and quick meal ideas, before Jack closes by encouraging support for diocesan appeals and ending with Lady Gaga’s national anthem performance from the 2021 inauguration.

00:00 Holiday Show Intro

00:15 Ordination Highlights Setup

01:20 Bishop Welcome Back

03:15 Homily to Ordinands

06:44 Eucharist and Mercy

10:47 Charge to New Priests

13:28 Ordination Prayer

17:46 Anointing Hands Meaning

21:38 COVID Variant Warning

23:40 Foodie Guest Joins

25:08 Ordination Dinner Menu

27:05 Busy Week Logistics

31:23 Food Safety and Prep

33:49 Budget Cooking Tips

34:34 Quick Pasta Emergency

35:48 Smart Produce Deals

37:00 Odd Veggie Mix Ideas

37:46 Pasties and Hash Breakfast

39:26 Sumac Spice Experiments

40:12 Mini Pressure Cooker Beans

42:59 Instant Pot and Kitchen Declutter

45:38 Fourth of July Plans

48:02 Fireworks Safety and Swallows

49:32 Thrift Finds and Local Donations

53:31 Closing Thanks and Anthem