Connecting the Diocese

Host Jack Socha marks the days leading up to Veterans Day by explaining its difference from Memorial Day and honoring the small percentage of Americans who serve. He notes Bishop William Patrick Callahan has a breakthrough case of COVID-19 despite being vaccinated and urges listeners to get vaccinated and boosted. Socha interviews Franciscan friar and Navy chaplain veteran Fr. Conrad Targonski about 22 years in the Navy Chaplain Corps, including combat ministry with Marines during the 2004–2005 battles of Fallujah, the chaplain’s roles of providing, facilitating, caring, and advising, and the need for support through vet centers and veteran community. Targonski describes veteran healing efforts, including retreats and pilgrimages centered on St. Francis of Assisi as a model for returning from war, and Soscia encourages donating warm clothing to those in need, including veterans, the homeless, and Afghan refugees at Fort McCoy.

00:32 Veterans Day Meaning

02:08 Armistice Audio Montage

06:06 Bishop COVID Update

08:22 Meet Father Targonski

08:52 From Priest to Navy

12:24 Combat in Fallujah

18:17 Chaplains Four Roles

23:11 Support for Veterans

25:06 War Ends and Aftermath

32:34 St Francis Healing Retreats

38:09 Faith Away From Home

39:12 Foxhole Spiritual Questions

40:02 Camino After Combat

41:31 PTSD And Soldiers Heart

44:40 Women Veterans And Homecoming

45:45 High Ground Memorial Park

47:42 Meaning Of War And God

49:25 Bhagavad Gita On Battle

51:16 How To Thank Veterans

52:57 Warm Clothes Donation Drive

55:23 Personal Veteran Reflection

56:59 Dolly Parton Tribute

Host Jack Socha speaks by phone with Viterbo Universityservant leadership professor Tom Thibodeau about serving the common good by seeking “higher ground” and focusing on what unites people. Thibodeau shares a recent work trip to Long Beach as a reflection on travel reducing prejudice andon pandemic-era cooperation, noting how masked travelers followed rules for a greater good. The conversation highlights gratitude for those who serve—veterans, farmers, healthcare workers, first responders, service workers, and volunteers—alongside concerns about veteran suicide, seasonal darkness, and pandemic losses. Soscia promotes the Diocese of La Crosse Bishop’s Annual Appeal and asks for donations of new socks and underwear for people experiencing homelessness. Thibodeau recounts a providential meeting connected to a former student and closes by citing the Declaration of Independence’s call to commit “lives, fortunes, and sacred trust.”

01:05 Common Ground Higher Ground

02:18 Travel Story and Masks

07:04 Remembering the Fallen

08:21 Farmers Veterans and Gratitude

13:12 Seasonal Darkness and Service

19:52 Jack Vietnam Reflections

22:02 Honor Flights and Higher Ground

23:24 Heart Knowledge and Prayer

27:26 Don’t Miss the Light

28:21 Popemobile Grace Moment

29:31 Annual Appeal Support Pitch

32:01 Providence and Peak Moments

35:23 Kindness in Daily Lines

37:54 Service as Love Visible

39:14 College Broadens Horizons

45:33 Thanking Everyday Servants

49:41 Socks and Underwear Drive

51:42 Declaration and Veterans Day

Host Jack Socha welcomes Bishop William Patrick Callahan todiscuss World Mission Sunday amid news of 17 missionaries taken hostage in Haiti, addressing misconceptions about missionary work and emphasizing Christ’s mandate to love through actions. They highlight examples of missionary service connected to the Diocese of La Crosse, including Fr. Joe Walijewski, Msgr. Joe Hirsh and Casa Hogar in Peru, efforts in Uganda, and everyday acts of charity such as disaster relief, finding meaningful keepsakes, drilling wells, and donating useful goods. Socha notes how a donated speakerphone enabled continued interviews during COVID. The bishop explains All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day through the Church triumphant, suffering, and militant, offers a prayer and blessing, and Socha closes with a plea to get vaccinated, wear masks indoors, and follow health guidance.

00:00 Show Opening

00:30 Bishop Joins In

01:40 Mission Sunday Shift

03:10 What Missionaries Do

06:47 Haiti Hostage Crisis

09:55 Called to Serve

12:22 Everyday Mission Stories

17:54 Break and Donations

20:12 Diocese Missions Online

23:27 Supporting Uganda Vocations

24:31 Risks of Mission Work

27:06 Faith Misunderstood Today

29:11 Hope Through Love

30:27 How to Support Missions

31:07 Donate Smarter Not Stuff

33:41 Find Mission Resources

34:30 Diocese Appeal Costs

36:33 Shatner Goes to Space

40:24 All Saints and Souls

48:11 Everyday Saints Story

50:38 Prayer and Blessing

52:12 Vaccine and Winter Safety

55:35 Closing Song Sendoff

Host Jack Socha opens the episode with a lighthearted October update about late-ripening Roma tomatoes before turning to concerns about COVID-19 as people move indoors, urging listeners to follow precautions like masking, handwashing, and avoiding crowded, poorly ventilated spaces. He then talks with Chris Rogers, Director of the Diocese of La Crosse Office for Family Life, about Adventure Camp in Mason, Wisconsin, its faith-centered activities, and the importance of long-term “faith experience opportunities.” Rogers shares how the pandemic has affected families and his own children, and describes diocesan ministry areas including marriage preparation and enrichment. The show promotes the Men of the Cross “Walking with Saint Joseph” Men’s Conference on October 23 at the Diocesan Center with speakers John Leonetti and Monsignor Joe Hirsch, Mass with Bishop Callahan, reconciliation, adoration, fellowship, and discounted youth attendance.

00:00 Show Opening

00:32 October Catch Up

01:45 COVID Caution Update

03:49 Chris Rogers Returns

04:13 Adventure Camp Highlights

07:23 Faith Habits Long Game

08:50 Family Life Calling

12:00 Parenting Through Pandemic

15:24 Missing Family Story

17:24 Marriage Prep Ministry

22:57 Break And Appeal

25:26 Mens Conference Preview

30:19 Faith Journey Invitation

30:50 Wives Encouraging Husbands

32:09 Speakers and Real Answers

33:31 Incivility and Men Behaving Badly

35:17 Veterans and Human Connection

36:53 Small Acts of Kindness

38:49 Conference Details and Food

39:58 Activities and Archery Tag

41:23 Media Hooks and Hidden Persuaders

42:54 Register and Find Community

45:18 Upcoming Retreats and Events

48:12 Youth NCYC Local Experience

51:17 Parenting and Kids Futures

54:53 Closing Thanks and Song Outro

Host Jack Socha explains a temporary schedule change for Relevant Radio and introduces new listeners to Connecting the Diocese, the Diocese of La Crosse’s weekly radio program available online and as a podcast. He describes how the diocese communicates through multiple media and why radio remains accessible, then shares excerpts featuring Bishop William Patrick Callahan on developing a prayer life, a short prayer, vocations, priestly formation, ordination reflections, and the universal call to holiness. The episode includes commentary on COVID-19 vaccination and safety, updates from Casa Hogar Juan Pablo II in Peru with children describing pandemic life and a 17-year-old preparing to age out, plus mention of Monsignor Joseph Hirsch’s upcoming U.S. visit and the Men’s Conference on Oct. 23.

00:35 Schedule Change Explained

01:52 What This Show Covers

02:27 Diocese Media Outreach

03:20 Why Radio Still Matters

04:43 Different Media Flavors

06:31 Perishable vs Evergreen Topics

07:57 Bishop on Prayer Life

17:47 A Favorite Prayer Blessing

19:21 Vaccines and Moral Duty

22:11 Remote Production and Phoners

23:15 Calling Peru Orphanage

23:45 Kids at Casa Hogar

25:29 Aging Out and Future Plans

25:41 Abraham’s Daily Grind

26:29 Bread Baker and Guitarist

27:21 Support Casa Hogar

27:34 Hirsch Returns and COVID

28:31 Salvation Hymn Performance

32:41 Diocese Mission Statement

33:41 Host’s Personal Disclaimer

34:42 Bishop in Quarantine Story

39:20 Shoestring Media Ministry

41:44 Ordination Homily Highlights

47:13 Vocations and Service Talk

51:11 Universal Call to Holiness

57:13 Show Wrap and Health Note