Connecting the Diocese

Host Jack Socha introduces “Connecting the Diocese” from the Diocese of La Crosse and reflects on the song “Coming to America,” using it to frame a respectful welcome for Afghan refugees. Bishop William Patrick Callahan urges love of neighbor, condemns racism, and calls listeners to acts of kindness. Jack interviews Chris Ruff, Director of the Office for Ministries and Social Concerns, about coordinated Catholic relief efforts for Haiti’s earthquake and storm, including parish collections for the USCCB Bishops’ Emergency Disaster Fund and support through Catholic Relief Services. They discuss the Wisconsin bishops’ COVID-19 statement encouraging vaccination while protecting conscience and urging other precautions if unvaccinated, and Jack recounts a broadcaster who died after discouraging vaccination. They also cover Afghan refugees being housed at Fort McCoy, how to help through diolc.org and Catholic Charities, specific needed items, and a call to pray amid reported airport explosions in Afghanistan, closing with a prayer from Bishop Callahan.

00:00 Show Opens and Welcome

02:37 Coming to America Story

04:40 Bishop Callahan Message

06:31 Chris Ruff Joins

07:53 Haiti Disaster Relief

10:24 Diocesan Help Links

12:17 COVID and Evictions

15:39 Wisconsin Vaccine Statement

20:29 Anti Vax Tragedy

22:29 Afghan Refugees at Fort McCoy

27:18 How to Help Refugees

30:52 Ongoing Updates Ahead

32:19 Charity at the Fort

34:16 Pro Life and Hyde

36:01 40 Days for Life Plans

37:08 COVID Uncertainty Updates

39:18 Living With the Virus

40:57 Gospel of Life Event

43:03 Kindness for Workers

48:57 Wrap Up and Family News

51:19 Afghan Needs Replay

51:48 Prayer Rugs Explained

54:27 Prayers and Closing

Host Jack Socha speaks with Bishop William Patrick Callahan about praying for Cardinal Burke, the Diocese of La Crosse’s three new seminarians and newly ordained priests and the mentoring support they receive, and the Church’s charitable work through Catholic Charities and other agencies. They discuss Afghan interpreters and families expected to be housed at Fort McCoy, the cultural and chaplaincy challenges involved, and the need for prayer and community support. The program urges COVID-19 precautions, emphasizing vaccination, masking, and staying home when sick as the virus and variants spread and plans for events and parish life remain uncertain. They also recommend reading a Catholic Bible translation for stability amid change and mention relief efforts for Haiti through reputable organizations such as CRS. The episode closes with a blessing and Jack’s reflections on a local “People Helping People” group and his 38th wedding anniversary.

00:30 Prayers for Cardinal Burke

01:13 New Seminarians and Vocations

03:39 New Priests in the Parishes

05:51 Mentoring Junior Clergy

07:28 Afghan Refugees at Fort McCoy

15:16 COVID Reality Check

17:13 Parish Guidance on Masks

25:23 Finding Stability in Scripture

28:51 Haiti Relief Response

30:23 Choosing Trusted Charities

32:09 Avoiding Donation Scams

33:29 Cardinal Burke Updates

35:26 Back to School Memories

36:51 Summer in the City

41:27 Duck and Cover Era

43:32 Vaccines and Boosters

47:22 Faith in Uncertain Times

49:34 Prayer and Blessing

50:31 People Helping People

53:28 Anniversary Reflections

Host Jack Socha explains the mission of Connecting the Diocese and speaks with Karen Becker of Catholic Charities for the Diocese of La Crosse about urgent needs in the community. They discuss record flooding in the area, disaster recovery help (including guidance with insurance, potential FEMA resources, and funds for needs not covered), and support for people experiencing homelessness, such as laundry, showers, food pantries, clothing closets, and help finding housing. The conversation focuses on the ending eviction moratorium, rental-assistance funding routed through CAP agencies, and the importance of contacting Catholic Charities early and having basic documentation ready. Catholic Charities’ toll-free number is 888-212-4357 (888-212-HELP) and information is available at cclse.org. Jack also urges vaccination and highlights the need for financial support for diocesan and Catholic Charities services.

00:00 Show Mission Intro

01:09 Eviction Moratorium Preview

01:43 COVID Safety Rant

03:41 Meet Karen Becker

05:33 Flooding Disaster Help

07:43 Homelessness After Storms

10:37 Affordable Housing Crunch

12:07 Get Help Before Eviction

12:57 Catholic Charities Contact Info

16:10 Why Early Action Matters

17:25 Moratorium Background Explained

22:24 Donation Appeal Break

25:01 Rental Aid Funds and CAP

26:54 Paperwork and Whole Family Support

30:17 Proving COVID Hardship

30:48 Pandemic Reality Check

32:03 Keeping Shelters Open

33:22 Community Compassion Rising

36:20 Mission And Human Dignity

39:16 Costs Funding And Donations

43:24 How Aid Actually Works

45:00 Vaccines And Personal Duty

50:30 Contact Info And Final Thanks

51:32 Parody Song Break

54:04 Collaboration Beyond Belief

56:22 Closing Song And Signoff

Host Jack Socha speaks by phone with servant leadership professor Tom Thibodeau about servant leadership as a chosen way of serving others, modeled by Jesus washing the disciples’ feet, and about virtue as habitual moral character revealed under pressure during COVID. They discuss compassion amid loss, the importance of contemplation versus reaction, and Aquinas’ four “wounds” of vice: turning from truth to create misunderstanding, cruelty, cowardice, and distorted passion. They connect these themes to vaccine and mask tensions, misinformation, and the need for kindness, moral courage, and the common good. Thibodeau outlines a four-step ethical decision method—facts, consequences, fairness, and character—while Socha shares examples of scams, community needs, and global vaccine inequity. The episode closes with Bishop Callahan’s call to love one another, RCIA updates, and a hopeful story and song for persevering through hard times.

00:00 Welcome and Catching Up

00:47 What Servant Leadership Means

03:21 Leading Means Bearing the Load

04:40 Compassion in Real Life

06:18 Virtue Builds Character

09:10 Observing People Under Pressure

11:20 Contemplation Over Reaction

13:02 Aquinas on the Four Wounds

19:00 Modeling Virtue in a Pandemic

20:23 Benedictine Virtues for COVID Times

23:25 Choosing Compassion Not I Told You So

26:21 Break and Jersey Slang Interlude

28:26 Critical Thinking Against Misinformation

29:29 Wisdom And Evil

30:05 Four Ethical Questions

30:34 Facts Consequences Fairness

32:37 Character And Scams

34:16 Greed And Seduction

36:20 Pandemic Discernment

40:12 Kindness And Masks

42:11 Polio Lessons Vaccines

45:16 Servant Leadership Duty

47:13 Crucible Of Character

49:23 Bishop Callahan Message

51:09 RCIA And Diocesan Updates

54:25 Hope Story And Song

57:13 Keep Right On Finale