Called & Gifted
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Discover God's call for your life!
Gain renewed inspiration and focus in your life! Each one of us is called by God and has been given powerful spiritual gifts. We all have them! It is exciting to recognize our own gifts and experience the joy that comes from embracing them more fully.
God is calling you to a unique purpose in life, a work of love that only you can do. Look back over your life and see how God has used you already and what God may be drawing you to now. The Called and Gifted Discernment process is a tool to help Christians discern the presence of charisms (spiritual gifts) in their lives. Charisms are special abilities given to all Christians by the Holy Spirit to enable them to accomplish things for God above and beyond their natural abilities.
“I felt too busy to do Called and Gifted, but it was one of the best investments I’ve ever made! It empowered me to focus on things that are life-giving and let go of things that aren’t. I used to think there were a limited number of ways to serve God, especially in the Church, and that I should fit into what the current needs were, like teaching, music, or administration. But now I see that spiritual gifts I am drawn to (like Hospitality and Missionary) are also important and necessary. By discerning and following what brings us joy, we allow the Holy Spirit to be much more effective through us.” - Dawn Grabs
The Archdiocese of Kansas City, KS has partnered with the Catherine of Siena Institute (CSI) to offer the Called and Gifted process online to anyone in the Archdiocese for $39 each. (This is less expensive than through CSI.) This includes a series of short videos, supportive print materials, and the book Fruitful Discipleship by Sherry Weddell. There are 3 steps to the Called and Gifted discernment.
1. Click here and register
Designate Good Shepherd as your parish. Do the online videos and Catholic Spiritual Gifts Inventory. Because each video segment is typically 5-10 minutes long, you have a lot of flexibility in how you choose to fit them into your schedule. Once you begin, you have six months access to complete your online videos and gifts inventory. You may also choose to participate in small group gatherings (optional but highly recommended, on Zoom for now) for prayer and discussion about Called & Gifted. If you have questions or are interested in participating in a small group (highly recommended!) for prayer and discussion, please contact Linda Mayer at lsusanmayer5@gmail.com.
2. Have a one-hour gifts interview with a trained interviewer (on zoom, phone, or in-person). This is really an affirming and enjoyable experience! You can schedule this for free with a Good Shepherd interviewer (Linda Mayer, Kristina Frank, or Dawn Grabs) or someone from the Archdiocese Evangelization Office. You may also purchase an interview with the St. Catherine of Siena Institute.
3. Continue to discern and experiment with charisms. Periodic small group check-ins (on Zoom for now) will be scheduled with Good Shepherd parishioners to talk about our charism discernments. This is optional, again, but highly recommended as it is great way to support your exploration and build friendships.
During the Called & Gifted Workshop you will learn:-
The role of every Catholic and of the local parish in the mission of the Church to the world.
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The critical role of charisms in the life and service of other lay Catholics and in the life of the parish or Christian community.
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The signs and characteristics of 23 common charisms.
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How discerning and using your charisms can change your life and the life of others, your parish, and the world.
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