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Called to Serve with Kathy Barrans
The Called to Serve Podcast shares the stories of the many people in the Albany Diocese who are dedicating their lives to serving God as they further the mission of the Catholic Church. We thank them all for their dedication and for taking the time to share their stories with us, hopefully inspiring others to reflect on how God may be calling them to serve.
Episodes
42 episodes
Ask Bishop Mark (Season 2 Episode 17)
We invited people in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany, NY to submit questions for Bishop Mark O'Connell, and got a good response. We were not able to get through all the questions in this episode, so there will be more Ask Bishop Mark segme...
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Medical Aid in Dying Act: Lenora's Story (Season 2 Episode 16)
Lenora Lemay is a parishioner in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany, NY. She has a chronic pain condition and supporters of the Medical Aid in Dying Act, which took effect in NY State on August 5, 2026, would say the law was created to help p...
Newly Ordained (Season 2 Episode 15)
Fr. Alexander Turpin, ordained in May 2026 in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany, NY, shares his experiences in the first few months of his priesthood.
Residents Encounter Christ (REC) - Prison Ministry (Season 2 Episode 14)
Residents Encounter Christ (REC) is a prison ministry in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany, NY. Kevin Fragnoli, Patty Johnson, and Shirley Neet have each been sharing the Catholic faith with inmates through the REC program for years....
Christian Concerts (Season 2 Episode 13)
How does a Catholic church in Voorheesville, N.Y., connect with retired LPGA Golf Pro and now CBS Golf Announcer, Dottie Pepper, to bring top name Christian artists to the Capital Region? Listen to this episode to find out. Click these links fo...
The Value of STEM in Catholic Education (Season 2 Episode 12)
Kelly Leverone, Principal and Maria Collins, STEM teacher, both from Holy Spirit School in East Greenbush, N.Y., talk about how the school's STEM classes are designed to inspire students to realize their potential and encourage them to do what ...
Bishop Mark Explains Canon Law (Season 2 Episode 11)
I let Bishop Mark O'Connell choose the topic for this episode. He told me he wanted to talk about canon law and promised to make it interesting. He succeeded. In the conversation he references a very worn canon law book. You can find a picture ...
National Association of Pastoral Musicians (Season 2 Episode 10)
In this episode we sit down with three members of the Albany, NY Chapter of the National Association of Pastoral Musicians. Tony Koslowski, Justine Crevatas, and Tony Leva talk about what the organization does and what it has to offer to parish...
The OCIA Experience (Season 2 Episode 9)
James Coupe and Nicole Butt recently came into the Catholic Church in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany, NY through the OCIA process. They talk about their decision to join the Church and share thoughts on going through OCIA individually and...
Do Not Judge Anyone (Season 2 Episode 8)
Fr. Isaac Slater, a Trappist monk, talks about his book, “Do Not Judge Anyone: Desert Wisdom for a Polarized World.” The book is both challenging and inspiring, sharing thoughts on a more peaceful response to conflict. We pray that this convers...
Understanding Third Orders (Season 2 Episode 7)
Matt Levine, a young adult, youth minister and OCIA Coordinator in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany, NY talks about Third Orders, explaining what they are and sharing his journey to become a Third Order Franciscan.
Noticing Needs & Sharing Christ's Love (Season 2 Episode 6)
As Catholics, we are called to serve, called to meet the needs of others, but are we aware of the needs around us? Sr. Betsy Van Deusen, CSJ, Chief Executive Officer of Catholic Charities in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany, NY, shares thou...
The Stations of the Cross (Season 2 Episode 5)
The Pastoral Center staff of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany, NY prays the Stations of the Cross. Conceptualized by Bishop Mark O'Connell, all are invited to join us in praying the Stations. Pastoral Center employees lead each station, sha...
A Conversation with Bishop Mark O'Connell (Season 2 Episode 4)
Bishop Mark O'Connell talks about his experience in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany, NY in his first two months as our Bishop, sharing the challenges and joys. He also shares his plans for our Diocese moving forward.
Planning a Holy Thursday Pilgrimage (Season 2 Episode 3)
Fr. Dan Quinn, pastor of several parishes in Albany, NY, shares information on how to plan a Holy Thursday Pilgrimage. He organized a pilgrimage in his area last year. He even created a passport that participants were able to have stamped at ea...
Sacred Sparks: Speed Dating for Young Adults (Season 2 Episode 2)
Casey Vincelette and Jac Domingos, two young adults in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany, NY are on the team organizing this year's Sacred Sparks Speed Dating event. In this episode, they talk about last year's inaugural Sacred Sparks event,...
Healing and Hope for Grieving Mothers (Season 2 Episode 1)
Shaunda Penny, co-founder of the Miscarriage Ministry in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany, NY https://www.rcda.org/miscarriageministry shares her personal story of loss and how sh...
Episode 25: The Purpose Behind the Podcast
We turn the tables on this one. Brigid Beck, Communications Specialist in the Communications Office for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany, NY, interviews Communications Director and podcast host, Kathy Barrans, asking how the Called to...
Episode 24: Young Adult Groups Grow & Inspire
Young adult groups continue to grow across the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany, New York. In this episode, we sit down with two young adults, Brigid Beck and James Marra, who share about their personal relationship with Jesus Christ and how th...
Episode 23: National Vocations Week (Nov. 2-8, 2025)
We are all called to a vocation, but what does that mean? I am blessed to welcome three people serving God in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany, New York - Fr. Stephen Yusko, Sr. Angela Marie Leo with the Sisters of the Resurrection, and Dav...
Episode 22: What is Evangelization?
We often hear about the importance of evangelizing, but what does that really mean and how do I do it? Tom Acemoglu is the Pastoral Associate for Evangelization and Catechesis at St. Ambrose Church in Latham, NY. He shares thoughts that can hel...
Episode 21: A Young Adult Shares His Deep Faith
Matt Levine is a young adult, and a parishioner in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany, NY. His wife listens to the Called to Serve Podcast and thought her husband's faith journey would be an inspiring story to share. She was correct!
Episode 20: The Value of Christian Community
Carter Gooley is the new Communications Coordinator for Blessed Sacrament, Mater Christi, All Saints and the Shrine of the Americas in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany, NY. He talks about the value of Christian community which he expe...
Episode 19: Celebrating St. Carlo Acutis
Paul Heckman, a parishioner at Immaculate Conception Church in Glenville, NY and Fr. Tom Konopka, Pastor of St. Joseph Church in Scotia, NY and the Director of the Consultation Center in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany, NY, talk about a 40...
Episode 18: Don't Fear Change
Marcia Caryofilles, a parishioner in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany, New York, says don't fear change. Throughout the history of our faith, God has called His followers to change. That call can lead us closer to Him and help us to better ...