Called and Gifted: Discover your Spiritual Gifts

Part One is the Called and Gifted Workshop that lays the foundation for the beginning of discernment. Offered live or online, the workshop introduces Church teaching on charisms and includes taking the Catholic Spiritual Gifts Inventory.

You'll explore:

• The unique role of each Catholic—and the local parish—in the Church’s mission to the world.
• Why charisms are essential in helping laypeople serve others and build vibrant Christian communities.
• The signs and characteristics of 24 common charisms.
• How discovering and using your charisms can transform your life, your parish and the world around you.

Part Two is a one-hour gifts interview (live or online) and is an invaluable part of the process. In this conversation, our trained  interviewers can help you:

• Reflect on your inventory results.
• Listen to your experiences of how God may already be working through you.
• Recognize patterns in your life that may indicate the presence of a charism.
• Choose one charism to begin discerning.
• Identify concrete ways to "experiment" with that gift in your daily life.
• Answer your personal questions about specific charisms or discernment..

Part Three helps you begin discernment in the real world. You will be placed in a discernment in-depth small group led by a trained leader at the parish or online and choose one charism to “experiment with” in real life — ideally two hours, every other week, for 8 weeks — and pay attention to what God does through it.

It will teach you how to:

• Develop charism experiments
• Evaluate your results
• Identify ways you learned to control life as a child that get in the way of using your charisms as an adult.

What is a charism (spiritual gift)?
"Charism" is the Greek word used in the New Testament for "favor" or "gratuitous gift." Charisms, or spiritual gifts, are special abilities given to all Christians by the Holy Spirit to give them power both to represent Christ and to be a channel of God's goodness for people. Whether extraordinary or ordinary, all charisms ought to be exercised in the service of God (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2003).

Are all baptized Christians given charisms?
Yes. According to Catholic teaching, it is the faith of the Church that you possess one or more of the charisms (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 951).

How do charisms differ from natural talents?
Charisms differ from natural talents in several important ways. Charisms are not "in-born" but are given by the Holy Spirit through Baptism and Confirmation. They supernaturally empower us, enabling effectiveness beyond human ability. Unlike talents, which can be used for good or evil, charisms are always for the good of others. Charisms, whether seemingly extraordinary (like healing) or ordinary (like administration), are used alongside our talents to serve God and neighbor.

Do I have to attend all three parts of Called and Gifted?
It is highly encouraged you attend all three parts of the process to gain the most from called and gifted, but it is not required.

Why should I discern my charisms?
Discerning your charisms helps you find your purpose, clarify decisions, avoid burnout and excel in work and family life. It frees you from comparison with others and reveals experiences of God working in your life. Charisms empower you to play your essential role in the Church's mission of evangelization.

How does individual discernment of charisms affect the parish or the larger Christian community?
Discerning charisms communally enables parishes to thrive by building ministries around people's real spiritual gifts rather than simply filling needs. It helps prevent burnout and allows the Church to flourish by following the Holy Spirit's guidance in mission and service.