Called to Serve with Kathy Barrans

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 for more info on each event Worship in the Pines Sept 11, 2026 and Voices to God Sept 19, 2026

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 they can to help make the world a better place.

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 of that book by clicking this link .

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 parishes to help enhance liturgies.

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 as a couple.

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 conversation may plant seeds of hope in those who listen. We encourage all to listen with an openness to anything God may want to place on your heart. If you would...

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.

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 thoughts on how to see needs around us, and how to respond to those needs with the heart of Christ.

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, sharing their own meditations, as they guide you through this Lenten devotion.

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. 

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 each of their stops. The Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany, NY is sharing this information, along with a downloadable, printable link to the passport at https:...

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, how young adults can get involved this year, and how the young adult community continues to grow in the Albany Diocese. 

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 she and Katie Grogan are now working to help others to find healing. Shaunda also shares about A Day of Healing and Hope - a retreat for women experiencing miscarriage, stillbirth or infant loss. It happens on January...

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 Serve Podcast came about.

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 these young adult communities enhance their faith journey.

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 Dave Stagliano who serves the diocese as a single person.  Each shares how they heard and answered God's call to serve.

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 help all of us. 

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!

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 experienced personally while doing mission working in Colorado. 

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 Hour Devotion at Immaculate Conception (Oct 10-12, 2025) celebrating the Feast Day of St. Carlo Acutis. They share the impact that St. Carlo has had on the...

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 serve Him in the world today. This episode mentions the Remade for Mission effort in the Albany Diocese. To learn more: https://www.rcda.org/remadeform...

Deacon Alex Turpin, a transitional deacon in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany, New York, talks about his experience since being ordained in May of 2025.

Fr Mike Melanson, a retired priest in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany, NY, continues the story of how God called him to the priesthood at one of the lowest moments in his life. As he shared beautifully in Episode 15, he had just lost the love of his life, his wife, to a battle with breast cancer. He said the love of his family, friends, and God, carried him through the pain and helped him to...

Fr. Mike Melanson, a retired priest in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany, NY, shares the story of how he heard God's call to become a priest through one of the toughest experiences of his life. He is so honest about the emotions he experienced and how family, friends, and God, led him through the pain, to find a joy he couldn't have imagined. That joy comes from serving God. 

Three seminarians in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany, New York, Franklin Anyanechi, Justin Hollingshead, and Anthony Leo, share what their formation entails in the summer months.