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Description and Process 

Description

We've all received charisms (spiritual gifts) in Baptism and Confirmation through which God intends his love to reach others. Called & Gifted is an introduction to charisms and the process of discernment, with information that will help you explore and begin the process of discovering God’s call in your life. Come and discover these charisms in you! 

Three-Part Process

Called & Gifted is a three-part process developed by the Catherine of Siena Institute that includes 1) an introductory workshop that consists of five sessions, 2) a 60-minute spiritual gifts interview, and 3) discernment in depth that lasts for six weeks. All three parts of the process are necessary for discovering where you are gifted.

The introductory workshop (five sessions) is offered about twice a year St. Boniface. Included is:

• • • One copy of the Complete Resource Manual
    • Six-month access to the videos for personal use
    • One-time use of the Catholic Spiritual Gifts Inventory

2. Spiritual Gifts Interview

After completing the introductory Called & Gifted workshop and taking the Catholic Spiritual Gifts Inventory, the second step is a one-hour personal gifts interview. Gifts interviewers trained by the Catherine of Siena Institute will meet with you at a mutually agreed upon date and time. Parishioners Marie and Dean Kayser are trained gifts interviewers who can also direct you to other trained interviewers in the Des Moines area.

3. Discernment in Depth

After completing the introductory workshop and your gifts interview, you are ready to begin discernment. You can complete discernment on your own, with a spiritual director, or over four sessions in a small group here at St. Boniface using your Complete Resource guide. 

"A friend of mine participated in the Called and Gifted Workshop at St. Boniface over a year ago and the transformation I have witnessed in her is truly inspiring. Watching her confidently use the gifts she discovered stirred my own curiosity and desire to learn more about the program. Before long, my husband and I decided to embark on this journey together and I can honestly say I only wish I had discovered Called and Gifted much earlier in my life.

For many years, I volunteered out of a sense of obligation, choosing roles I thought were “the right thing to do" or roles that I knew I had the skills for. I believed I was serving well, but something always felt incomplete and sometimes the roles even felt bothersome or obligatory. The Called and Gifted discernment process gently and powerfully shifted my perspective. It helped me recognize not just my natural skills and talents, but the deeper spiritual gifts I have received through the power of the Holy Spirit. These gifts, known as Charisms, revealed new and joyful ways for me to serve Christ and St. Boniface with intention and purpose.
Since embracing these Charisms, I now find myself using them regularly and intentionally seeking ways to be a channel of Christ’s love in everyday life. My prayer life has deepened, my relationship with Jesus has grown stronger, and my connection to our parish community has become more meaningful and purposeful. This journey has strengthened not only my faith, but also my joy.

One of my Charisms, Hospitality, did not come as a surprise, but having it prayerfully confirmed through the discernment process was deeply affirming. My other Charism, Evangelization, came as a complete surprise. Without the Called and Gifted Workshop, along with the encouragement of the facilitators, Marie and Dean, my husband, and the other participants in our small group, I may never have recognized or embraced this gift. Yet now, through these Charisms, serving others has brought me a joy I never expected and I have even discovered abilities I never knew I had.

Our faith is not meant to remain stagnant. Each of us is personally responsible for nurturing our relationship with Jesus through continued learning, discernment, and prayer. God desires to reveal His plans for us, but we must take the step to listen, to seek, and to respond. I challenge each of you to prayerfully consider whether now is the time for you to take the next step in your own faith journey. What gifts might the Holy Spirit be waiting to reveal in you?

I wholeheartedly invite all parishioners and non parishioners in our community to take advantage of the Called and Gifted Workshop and discover the unique gifts God has placed within you for your own spiritual growth and for the building of a true Community of Joyful Disciples here at St. Boniface Parish."

May God bless you and your family,
Colleen

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“Called and Gifted Discernment Workshop” is a wonderful experience.  When the program was first offered, I declined.  I felt I had used my gifts in many ways over my lifetime, and there was not much left for me to learn about myself.  I am glad I had a change of heart.
 
While it is true I am older, I still needed what the program had to offer in insights, leadership, and the companionship of other participants. I needed the eyes, ears and voice of those with me on this journey who enlightened me and affirmed what they saw within me. It was also gift to be able to do that for others as their eyes were opened to new possibilities of service.
 
If you say yes to this invitation, consider committing to the discernment process.  You have an opportunity to be inspired by fellow participants as you listen to their stories of faith and lives lived in service to others.  Through this program, you will discern special gifts you are called to share to make this world a better place.  Everyone has them!  You will leave the program knowing more about yourself, your gifts and you will have made new friends along the way.  Consider saying yes!"

Dena Forret