Connecting the Diocese

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 mission experience in Peru and Bolivia, Spanish ministry, early impressions of Casa Hogar, daily responsibilities, and adapting to local culture. Hirsch gives updates on obtaining computers and tablets for remote schooling, explains how visitors hand-carry technology, and outlines needs including building repairs after a 6.8 earthquake and a better integrated Wi‑Fi system. He also describes sharing purified water and bread with a nearby girls’ orphanage, supporting an oxygen plant for hospitals, and notes new development leadership. The episode closes with a story about donated carbon fiber guitars from Matt and Sherri McPherson and the Salvation Poem.

00:00 Calling Peru Casa Hogar

00:50 Kids and COVID Rules

02:31 Vaccines and Variants

03:28 Peru Election Fallout

06:19 Casa Hogar Mission

08:07 Host COVID Update

10:07 Meet Father Kyle

12:04 First Impressions Abroad

15:08 Settling In and Duties

19:23 COVID Limits and Driving

21:39 Staying Connected and Weather

23:08 Food and Daily Life

23:43 Meals and Local Food

24:41 Spice Levels Peru vs Mexico

25:40 Amaranth and Food Exports

26:47 Kids Stories and Resilience

28:02 Family Model and Music

30:46 Host Notes and Big Updates

32:54 Remote School Tech Push

35:10 Volunteer Groups and Noelle

40:04 Water Bread and Catechesis

42:06 Oxygen Plant and Wish List

45:20 How to Donate and Contact

48:29 Wrap Up and Guitar Story

51:27 Carbon Fiber Guitars Miracle

55:42 Salvation Poem Closing

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 Godspell (“Day by Day”), The Byrds’ “Turn! Turn! Turn!” (Ecclesiastes), The Hollies’ “Bus Stop” (and a cover by the Mona Lisa Twins), The Moody Blues, Paul Davis lyrics that referenced Christian themes, Cat Stevens’ “Morning Has Broken,” and reflections on “I’ve Never Been to Me,” including Charlene and a Howard Keel version. The episode includes a Bishop’s Annual Appeal message for the Diocese of La Crosse.

00:00 Show Opens

00:55 Music Shapes Us

01:43 Vaccine PSA Break

03:46 Back In The Studio

04:49 Paul’s Radio Origins

05:33 Full Service Radio Days

07:32 Pentagon Night Shift Tunes

09:44 Lyrics That Influence

13:14 Faith Inspired Songs

22:51 Radio Playlists Then Now

24:20 Finding New Covers Online

24:47 Bus Stop Love Story

29:43 Psychedelic Vs Spiritual Albums

32:25 Break And Diocesan Appeal

34:39 Beatles And Festival Memories

36:46 Faith Hiding In Pop Hits

42:14 Tiny Tim Deep Cuts

47:20 Sincere Songs And Regrets

56:17 Catholic Music Finale

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’s assignment to Holy Family in Arcadia as a replacement while another priest assists at Casa Hogar in Peru. During breaks, Soscia shares a flood “three boats” story tied to COVID-19 vaccination concerns, promotes RCIA, recounts Boy Scouts rescuing a drowning woman, and notes cathedral renovation progress and fundraising, aiming for completion by December.

00:00 Welcome to the Show

00:45 Ordination Highlights Online

02:22 Chrism and Anointing Hands

04:03 Manetergium and Mothers Gift

06:08 First Mass and Thanksgiving

09:01 First Blessings and Kissing Hands

10:58 In Persona Christi Explained

18:40 Break and Vaccine Story

20:50 First Parish Assignments

22:39 Mentoring New Priests

26:36 Collar Expectations and Learning

28:15 Chaplains and Reaching Teens

30:51 Diocese Work Overview

31:43 RCIA Invitation

32:49 First Priest Assignment

36:56 Life at the Basilica

38:39 Basilica Origin Story

40:58 Cathedral Renovation Tour

44:29 Funding and Stewardship

47:46 Rural Ministry Reflections

50:59 Prayer and Blessing

52:05 Boy Scouts Rescue Story

54:48 Stay With Me Dedication

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 Catholic Charities’ role in low-income housing, local collaboration with agencies and faith groups, and the ongoing need for volunteers and funding, especially for warming centers. They address COVID-19 concerns and vaccinations, Catholic Charities’ budgeting and financial counseling to avoid scams and predatory lending, donation networks for essentials, and how to get help or donate via 608-782-0710 and cclse.org, with appointments requested. Soscia closes with notes on listening options and space-program news including Wally Funk, Hubble, and Voyager 2.

00:00 Welcome and Introductions

01:25 Heat Emergency Response

02:58 Understanding Homelessness

05:52 Couch Surfing and Car Living

07:31 Rising Rents and Housing Crunch

10:22 Catholic Charities Housing Role

11:19 Interfaith Housing Collaboration

14:43 Break and Vaccine Warning

16:55 Planning for Fall COVID Surge

21:48 Zoom Coordination and Misinformation

24:54 Financial Counseling and Scam Avoidance

27:44 Predatory Lending Traps

28:12 Donation Networks Explained

30:26 Clothing Needs and Giving

32:46 Volunteers and Funding Gaps

34:56 Everyday Heroes and Hope

38:13 Break and Volunteer Tribute

40:21 How to Contact and Donate

44:02 Final Sign Off and Resources

46:32 Space News and Nostalgia

49:34 Hubble Trouble and Future

51:12 Voyager Two and Golden Record

55:48 Closing Music and Farewell

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

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 of Spies, Maverick, and others, plus notes on finding films free online and through libraries. Jack also reads Bishop William Patrick Callahan’s announcement lifting the Sunday Mass and Holy Days dispensation beginning June 26–27, 2021, encourages vaccination and safe precautions, and later asks for donations to support the diocese. The episode closes highlighting pandemic-era volunteerism and technology that will remain useful.

00:00 Summertime Cold Open

01:18 Priest Unity Days Preview

02:18 Paul Returns In Person

03:49 Reopening After COVID

05:08 Why Priests Need Time Together

07:28 Summer Movie Chat Begins

10:13 Sci Fi Picks Alien Nation

11:59 More Movies From Angels to Donuts

21:18 Serious Films and Saints

24:52 Break and Mass Obligation Update

27:52 Back to the Show Daybreak Intro

28:14 Morning Devotions Radio Style

28:45 WKRP Memories and Turkey Drop

30:43 Hunting Rare Movies Online

33:01 Dubbing Disasters and Oddities

34:46 War Era Drama Picks

36:26 Faith Film The Fourth Wise Man

38:26 Biggles Time Travel Fun

40:33 Two Hander Romance The Four Poster

41:38 Ripoffs Spoofs and Zero Hour

45:04 Cold War Thriller Bridge of Spies

48:31 Thoughtful Zombie Allegory

51:12 Diocese Appeal and Pandemic Strain

54:38 Wrap Up Free Movies and Heroes