Podcast Summary: Called (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)

Episode: "Ordinary People, Extraordinary Callings"

Date: September 4, 2025
Host: Fr. Mike Schmitz
Produced by: The Catholic Initiative x Ascension

Episode Overview

This introductory episode launches Called, a new podcast series with Fr. Mike Schmitz, centered on stories of “ordinary people living extraordinary lives of service.” The episode lays out the podcast’s mission: to inspire listeners through real-life examples of individuals who have embraced their unique callings from God and made tangible impacts in their communities. Fr. Mike explains that the show is not just about vocation in the traditional sense, but about recognizing and acting on the promptings and invitations God extends to each of us, every day.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Biblical Inspiration: Acts of the Apostles & Matthew 25

• Fr. Mike grounds the series in Scripture:

  • Referencing Acts 1 and Matthew 25, he stresses that being the “hands and feet, the face and heart of Jesus” is an essential part of Christian living.
  • Quote:

    “Jesus is asked, are you going to restore the kingdom? And Jesus essentially says, no, you are. I’m going to give you the power of my Holy Spirit so that you are my hands and feet, that you are my face and heart...”
    [03:30]

• The challenge for Christians:

  • We often ask God to fix the world’s problems, but Jesus empowers us to be active participants in this work.
  • Quote:

    “We have to remember that Jesus is sending us out as his hands and feet, as his face and his heart to this needy, hurting, aching world.”
    [04:45]

2. Purpose of the Podcast

• Ordinary stories, extraordinary impact:

  • The show will feature diverse guests—all ‘ordinary’ people God is using in powerful ways.
  • These stories are meant to inspire listeners to see themselves as potential instruments of God’s work.

• No “one-size-fits-all” blueprint:

  • Each guest follows their unique path, addressing needs like feeding the hungry or ministering to those in prison.
  • Quote:

    “Every one of our guests is living a different life, walking a different path. But all of them are going to be examples of, here's how they follow Jesus’ call...”
    [07:10]

3. The Catholic Initiative: Supporting Service

• Addressing the challenge of ministry funding:

  • Fr. Mike discusses how many impactful Catholic ministries struggle financially and how The Catholic Initiative supports them to continue their work without the burden of fundraising.
  • Quote:

    “Those people who are doing the fundraising…should be back home. They should be in their parishes…do the work of the Lord and not have to go off and try to raise money.”
    [09:20]

• Personal impact:

  • Fr. Mike shares how The Catholic Initiative’s support allowed him to remain focused on campus ministry, rather than leaving to find funding.

4. What Does It Mean to Be “Called”?

• Three senses of vocation:

  • Fr. Mike briefly explains:
    1. The universal call to holiness
    2. Particular vocations (marriage, priesthood, religious life, etc.)
    3. The “now” call—what God is asking of each person in this moment

• Essential prerequisites for discernment:

  • Action flows from prayerful listening; being “Mary before Martha.”
  • Quote:

    “In order to know where God is calling me to serve, I first have to be a Mary… just listen to his voice.”
    [12:20]

5. What Listeners Can Expect

• Firsthand stories:

  • Inspiring accounts from people who said yes to God’s promptings

• Scriptural grounding:

  • The series will be deeply rooted in passages from the Bible

• Opportunities for engagement:

  • Listeners’ questions are welcome via email: info@thecatholicinitiative.org
  • Fr. Mike encourages community participation:

    “If you have some Q’s, we have A’s… If you have a question, you can email us…”
    [15:30]

• A vision for transformation:

  • Hearing others’ stories can expand one’s own perspective on how God might use them:
  • Quote:

    “When I hear other people the way God’s using other people, I now have a bigger vision for how he might want to use me. That’s the whole point…”
    [16:20]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• The Challenge:

  “We know that at the end of our lives, that is the test. The test is going to be: were we the hands and feet? Were we the face and heart of Jesus to the people around us?”
  [06:45]

• On Being Called:

  “What does it mean to be called? It means you acknowledge there is one…who does the calling. His name is God.”
  [10:50]

• Stepping in Faith:

  “Here’s how they were able to feed the hungry, here’s how they were able to give drink to the thirsty, here’s how they were able to minister to those in prison.”
  [07:44]

• Vision for Listeners:

  “How could he use this ordinary person? How could he use you? How could he use me?”
  [17:15]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:02] – Introduction and series vision
• [03:30] – Biblical foundation (Acts 1, Matthew 25)
• [07:10] – Examples of living the call
• [09:20] – The Catholic Initiative’s mission
• [10:50] – What is a “call?”
• [12:20] – Importance of prayerful listening
• [15:30] – Engaging with the podcast, opportunity for listener questions
• [16:20] – The transformative power of stories
• [17:15] – Final vision and encouragement
• [18:10] – Closing prayer and invitation to learn more

Tone and Style

Fr. Mike’s tone is warm, accessible, and motivating, filled with a blend of scriptural wisdom, practical examples, and heartfelt invitations to personal reflection and action. He regularly addresses listeners directly, uses stories and analogies, and expresses genuine excitement for the series and its purpose.

Closing Prayer & Call to Action

• Prayer for discernment and openness to God’s call in each listener’s life.
• Directs listeners to TheCatholicInitiative.org to learn more or get involved through prayer, giving, or action.

Summary Takeaway

Called with Fr. Mike Schmitz seeks to foster a vibrant community of listeners inspired by stories of ordinary people answering God’s invitation to serve. The podcast isn’t about lofty, unattainable holiness, but about practical and courageous “yeses” to God—right here, right now.

“That’s how God can use ordinary people for extraordinary things.”
[17:15]