the called & gifted workshop€¦ · the called & gifted workshop ... and to hear the words...

© 2007 Sherry Anne Weddell. All rights reserved.

The Called & Gifted WORKSHOP

Participant Handouts

presented by

The Catherine of Siena Institute

The Called & Gifted Workshop

© 2007 Sherry Anne Weddell. Revised January 2017. All rights reserved. 2

Workshop Goals

Realizing…

Christ calls you to participate in his work.

Christ calls you to a particular vocation:

o A unique life and work of love that will transform you and the world about you.

Your Charisms are given by the Holy Spirit for your mission in life.

Learning…

To discern your charisms:

o Signs and characteristics of a charism

o Characteristics of 24 common charisms o The five steps of discerning

That your community is a source of evangelization, healing, and transformation for the world

Charisms a clue to mission of community

Introduction: To Charisms & You!

“God has determined... that I should reach that which will be my greatest happiness.

He looks on me individually, He calls me by my name, He knows what I can do, what I can best be, what

is my greatest happiness, and He means to give it to me.”

--Blessed John Henry Cardinal Newman 1801-1890

Another word from the Church’s tradition for “missionary disciple”: apostle

So…What is an apostle? A Disciple with a Mission

Disciple Apostle

Literally means…

Focused on…

Habits associated…

Cooperating with the Holy Spirit

• Gifts or charisms for the sake of others

• Received with Holy Spirit in baptism and confirmation

• Empowered by God

– Instruments of his providence – For the sake of others

Charisms



• To be received with thanksgiving and consolation

• Each person to have knowledge of and discern his or her own charisms

• All have a “right and duty” to use their charisms

• Call us to be “active and co-responsible”.

• Enable each person to make totally unique contribution

Each One

“ . . . must be helped to embrace the gift entrusted to him [or her] as a completely unique person,

and to hear the words which the Spirit of God personally addresses to him [or her].”

- Pope St. John Paul II, Pastores Dabo Vobis, 40

Discernment of Charisms Is always necessary.

– Lumen Gentium 12, Apostolicum Actuositatem 3,

– Christifideles Laici 20, 21, 24, Pastores Dabo Vobis, 31, 40,

Catechism of the Catholic Church, 801

Where Does Discernment Begin? You can’t be sent by Jesus (an apostle) until you are in relationship with and following Jesus (a

disciple).

Manifestation of that which was already present but hidden. The Catechism speaks of the baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan in these terms:

Then the Holy Spirit, in the form of a dove, comes upon Jesus and a voice from heaven proclaims,

"This is my beloved Son." This is the manifestation ("Epiphany") of Jesus as Messiah of Israel and

Son of God.

Manifestation or Epiphany refers to the public revelation of what was present already but hidden.

Jesus possessed the Holy Spirit in fullness from his conception, but the manifestation of the

Spirit’s presence happened publicly at his baptism. --CCC 535

The World is Waiting for Your “Epiphany”! It is saying “yes” to the call of Jesus and beginning to live the “obedience of faith” that enables the

hidden graces that you have already received through baptism – including the charisms - to

manifest visibly in your life.

Prayer

– God, if you are real, please let me know.

– Lord, help me to be open to your purposes for me.

– Jesus, I want to follow you. Help me to grow as your disciple.

– Jesus, show me how I can be an instrument of your love and provision for others.



Taking the Inventory Determining Your Response

You cannot fail the inventory! Everyone will get a “zero” in something.

ZEROS ARE GOOD!

Carefully determine what is true of your life to the present.

Please answer on the basis of what has actually happened in your life to this point, not what you wish

were true, or think should be true, or hope will be true in the future.

Read the questions literally.

o Do not “translate”.

o Do not skip over words or phrases.

Go with your first response. Do not agonize over your answers.

If you are married, skip all the questions about being single.

Let’s look at the first statement:

1.When I find myself in a disorganized situation, I help things become better organized.

To what extent has this been true of your life to date?

To mark your answer, circle the appropriate numeral for each statement.

0 = NEVER 1 = LITTLE 2 = SOME 3 = OFTEN

When you have finished:

Add up the five columns on each line across the answer sheet.

Write the total for each line in the blank space on the right hand side of the answer sheet under

“TOTAL”.

Turn to page 60 of your inventory.

Place the right-hand edge of your answer sheet so that your first score at the top lines up with the

word “Administration”. All your other scores will line up correctly beside the corresponding

charism.



Charisms

Characteristics of a Charism

Long-term; can be developed

Produces results above and beyond natural abilities

Focused outward

Received from God; not chosen

Temporary Gift

Given only for the moment

Cannot be further developed

Charisms

Long-term

May be developed

Always a minority experience

Christian Role

Actions & activities fundamental to the Christian

life.

God gives the grace we need

Don’t expect the same results as a charism

Gift Mix

The particular combination of charisms that God

has given you.

Most are given more than one charism.

Charisms work together.

Each charism affects how other gifts are

expressed.

Charisms vs. Natural Talents

What does “charism”

mean?

Greek: Χάρισμα

St. Paul–

Romans 12

1 Corinthians 12

Ephesians 4

“favor” “gratuitous

gift”



Charisms Natural Talents

Inherited?

Cannot be inherited from our

parents

-Given by the Holy Spirit

(baptism/confirmation)

Can be inherited

For us or others?

Enable us to be an agent of God

for others

Can be purely for our benefit

Turned to evil?

Cannot be turned to evil Can be turned to evil

In the Life of a Christian…

Natural talents and charisms work together

When Charisms Manifest

Energized!

"Found our place"

"Fit"

Fruitful & Effective

w/o undue struggle

Joyful Satisfaction

In the minority



How many kinds of charisms are there? We don’t know.

Charisms we’ll examine Administration

Celibacy

Craftsmanship

Discernment of Spirits

Encouragement

Evangelism

Faith

Giving

Healing

Helps

Hospitality

Intercessory Prayer

Knowledge

Leadership

Mercy

Missionary

Music

Pastoring

Prophecy

Service

Teaching

Voluntary Poverty

Wisdom

Writing



Types of Charisms

Pastoral Charisms

Focus: nurture of individuals

and community

Communication Charisms

Focus: communicating

truth to change lives

Encouragement

Helps

Hospitality

Mercy

Pastoring

Evangelism

Prophecy

Teaching

Organizational Charisms

Focus: structuring an

organization or group

Lifestyle Charisms

Focus: a lifestyle and freedom for

unusual ministry

Administration

Giving

Leadership

Service

Celibacy

Faith

Missionary

Voluntary Poverty

Charisms of Healing

Focus: channeling God’s

healing and restoration

Charisms of Understanding

Focus: understanding

the ways of God and humanity

Healing

Intercessory Prayer

Discernment of Spirits

Knowledge

Wisdom

Creative Charisms

Focus: creative activity that

orders and beautifies

Craftsmanship

Music

Writing



Pastoral Charisms Encouragement (p.28): Empowers a Christian to be an effective channel of God’s love—nurturing others through his or her presence and words of comfort, encouragement, and counsel Keywords:

Expressions within Church, Parish Catholic School

Expressions out in the World

Spiritual director Small group facilitator Pastoral counselor Grief ministry Eucharistic minister to the sick

Mentor Parent Teacher (especially of children) Evangelism (most often found outside the parish; on the peripheries) Helping professional

Helps (p.34): Empowers a Christian to be a channel of God’s goodness—using his or her talents and charisms to enable other individuals to serve God and people more effectively Keywords:



Pastoral Staff Exceptional Parish Vounteer Spiritual Director

Administrative assistant Secretary Support staff Exceptional volunteer Ghost writer/editor Mentor Teacher Parent



Hospitality (p.35): Empowers a Christian to be a generous channel of God’s love—by warmly welcoming and caring for those in need of food, shelter, and friendship Keywords:



facilitator of a small Christian community RCIA team member returning Catholics program team member Parish hospitality committee usher

Hospitality Industry Receptionist Organizer of conferences/retreats Refugee resettlement Work with the homeless/poor Hospitality in your home

Mercy (p.41): Empowers a Christian to be a channel of God’s love—through practical deeds of compassion that relieve the distress of the suffering and help them experience God’s love Keywords:



Eucharistic minister to the sick Pastoral work

Medical professional Social worker Hospice worker Hospital or prison chaplain Work with the poor, marginalized, or homeless Social justice activist Missionary Volunteer chore services Voluntary povery



Pastoring (p.44): Empowers a Christian to be an effective channel of God’s love—building Christian community by nurturing the relationships and long-term spiritual growth of a group Keywords:



Priest Leader of a small faith-centered organization or group Pastoral staff Prayer group leader Bible study leader Facilitator of a small Christian community

Parent Teacher

Communication Charisms Evangelism (p.30): Empowers a Christian to be an effective channel of God’s love—by sharing the faith with others in a way that draws them to become disciples of Jesus and responsible members of his Church. Keywords:



RCIA team member Returning Catholics team member Religious education (particularly youth ministry) Preacher Lector Teacher

Apologist Writer Lifestyle or friendship evangelism Political, social or cultural change agent missionary

Prophecy (p. 45):



Empowers a Christian to be a channel of divine truth and wisdom—by communicating a word or call of God to individuals or a group through inspired words or actions. Keywords:



Prayer group member Intercessor Healing prayer team member Counselor Spiritual director Confessor Preacher Influential religious figure

Social justice activist Teacher Writer Influential moral figure Leader of counter-cultural group or organization

Teaching (p.49): Empowers a Christian to be a channel of God’s truth and wisdom—enabling others to learn information and skills that help them reach their fullest spiritual and personal potential. Keywords:



Religious Education/ Catholic Schools RCIA team member Spiritual Director

Teacher Tutor Volunteer teacher Creator of educational curriculum Leader of educational organization Home-schooling parent Parent Writer Apologist Counselor

Five Steps of Discernment



The Five Steps of Discernment

1) Explore the Possibilities

o What a charism is

o What it looks like

o How it functions

o How it feels

2) Experiment

o Charisms are Real and Objective

o Not discerned in the abstract

o Discernment through Action

o Do It and see what happens

3) Examine your Experience

o Energizing

o Satisfying

o Joyful

o Fitting

o Expresses relationship with God

o Prayerful or Contemplative

4) Evaluate your Effectiveness

o Does what it’s supposed to do

o Acknowledge mediocre or poor

results

Success is recognizing

where you are gifted

where you are not gifted

5) Expect Confirmation from others

o Direct

o Indirect

1. Explore

Possibilities

2. Experiment

With a Chariism

3. Examine your

Experience

4. Evaluate

Effectiveness

5. Expect Feedback



Organizational Charisms Administration (p.24): Empowers a Christian to be an effective channel of God’s wisdom—by providing the planning and coordination needed to accomplish good things Keywords:



Parish administrator Parish council member Parish organizer

Executive Accountant Office manager Administrative assistant Administrative or finance council member Committee head Board member Community organizer Home-maker

Leadership (p. 40): Empowers a Christian to be an agent of God’s purposes—sharing a compelling vision of a better future with others and by directing the overall efforts of a group as they work together to make the vision a reality Keywords:



Pastor of Large Parish Preacher Ministry or Small group leader Teacher Chairperson of parish or school board or committee

Leader of community activities Head of an organization, group or business Chairperson of any board or committee Founder of a new movement, organization or group Innovator Teacher Family Life

Service (p.47):



Empowers a Christian to be a channel of God’s purpose —recognizing the gaps or unmet

needs that prevent good things from happening, and by personally doing whatever it takes to

bridge the gap or meet the need

Keywords:



Exceptional volunteer Parish activist Critical council or committee member Usher/liturgical minister

Exceptional volunteer Community activist Handyperson Support staff/administrative assistant Service-worker Trouble-shooter Ombudsman Critical committee member Home-maker

Giving (p.32):

Empowers a Christian to be a cheerful channel of God’s provision—by giving with exceptional

generosity to those in need.

Keywords:



Fund-raiser Exceptionally generous giver Creative worker for social/economic justice hospitality

Fund-raiser Board member of a charitable organization Exceptionally generous giver Philanthropist Financial expert Creative worker for social/economic justice Hospitality

Lifestyle Charisms

Celibacy (p.25):



Empowers a Christian to be most fulfilled and spiritually fruitful by remaining unmarried and

celibate for the sake of Christ.

Keywords:



Priesthood Religious sister or brother Lay missionary

Work with the poor Ministry to single adults Consecrated virgin/single living in the world

Faith (p.31):

Empowers a Christian to be an effective agent of god’s purposes through an unusual trust in the

love, power, and provision of God and a remarkable freedom to act on this trust.

Keywords:



Founder of religious order or movement Intercessor Healing prayer team member

Fund-raiser Exceptionally generous giver Leader of cutting edge organization or group Entrepreneur Founder of secular movements/organizations Innovator Visionary parent



Missionary (p. 42):

Empowers a Christian to be channel of God’s goodness to other by effectively and joyfully using

their charisms in a second culture.

Keywords:



Missionary Preacher/evangelist Pastoral work

International business International relief and development Diplomacy/reconciliation/peace-maker Work with refuges or immigrants Work with cultural or linguistic minority groups Inner city work/ social worker Social justice activist

Voluntary Poverty (pp. 50-51):

Empowers a Christian to be channel of God’s loving presence by living a life of cheerful,

voluntary simplicity and poverty in order to identify with Jesus and the poor.

Keywords:



Religious sister or brother Member of a third order or lay institute Intercessor

Social justice activist Missionary Relief and development worker Exceptional giver Contemplative Influential prophetic figure

Healing Charisms Healing (p.33):



Empowers a Christian to be a channel of God’s love—through whom God cures illness and

restores health when healing is unlikely to occur quickly or to happen at all

Keywords:



Prayer group ministry Healing prayer team member Eucharistic minister to the sick Spiritual director Intercessor Pastoral staff

Medical professional Care-giver Counselor Helping professional

Intercessory Prayer (p.37):

Empowers the intense prayer of a Christian for others—to be the means by which God’s love

and deliverance reaches those in need

Keywords:



Group intercession Prayer chain or prayer group member Returning Catholics team member Spiritual director RCIA team member Healing prayer team

Personal intercessor for a leader Counselor Community activist Prayer walking

Personality & Discernment Extroverts:

Outer world more important & fulfilling

Take action faster—acquire more

experience

More visible—receive more feedback



More attentive to others’ responses

Extroverts tend to:

Receive higher Inventory scores

Over-estimate giftedness

Confuse experience with giftedness

Extroverts need to:

Sift through their experiences

Distinguish between a Charism and

experience or acquired skill

Introverts:

Inner world: most important and fulfilling

Move into action more slowly/acquire

fewer experiences

Attract less attention and get less

feedback

More independent of other’s responses

Introverts tend to:

Receive lower Inventory scores

Under-estimate giftedness

Take longer to discern

Introverts need to:

Take their experiences more seriously

Take the feedback of others more

seriously

Charisms of Understanding

Knowledge (p.39):

Empowers a Christian to be a channel of God’s truth—through diligent study and intellectual

activity that enables us to better understand God, ourselves, and the universe.

Keywords:



Preacher Apologist RCIA team member Religious education/Catholic schools Parish council member

Teacher Scholar Technician Scientist, mathematician educational conferences, retreats leader (especially in education or high tech)

Wisdom (p.52):

Empowers a Christian to be a channel of God’s goodness—through remarkable insight that

enables him or her to devise creative solutions to specific problems and make good decisions.



Keywords:



Pastor/pastoral staff Parish council member Preacher Spiritual director

Leader Administrator Teacher Writer Counselor Diplomat Innovator, inventor Engineer parent

Discernment of Spirits (p.27):

Empowers a Christian to be an effective channel of God’s wisdom—by accurately perceiving a

divine or demonic presence in certain people, places or things

Keywords:



Spiritual director intercessor pastor

Counselor Healing team member Leader Judge Parole officer

Creative Charisms Craftsmanship (p.26):

Empowers a Christian to be an effective channel of God’s goodness to others—through artistic

or creative work that beautifies and/or orders the physical world



Keywords:



Iconographer/ sacred artist-architect

Artist Chef Handyman Calligrapher/illustrator Interior designer/architect Clothing designer/seamstress Landscape designer/gardener

Music (p.43):

Empowers a Christian to be a channel of God’s creative goodness to others—through writing or

performing music for the delight of others and the praise of God

Keywords:



Worship leader Music ministry in a parish or small Christian community

Performer Professional musician Music therapist Music educator Media work Composer or arranger Director of musical groups Entertaining family and friends



Writing (p.54):

Empowers a Christian to be a channel of God’s creativity—by using words to create

works of truth or beauty that reflect the fullness of human experience and bring glory to God.

Keywords:



Apologist Preacher Religious education/Catholic school educator

Novelist Poet/lyricist Dramatist Journalist Teacher Creator of curriculum Public relations professional Advertiser Ghost-writer Editor Speechwriter

Charism Discernment is Just the Beginning

• One clue to help us discern our personal vocation. • “The fundamental objective of the formation of the lay faithful is an ever-clearer discovery

of one’s vocation and the ever-greater willingness to live it so as to fulfill one’s mission.” St. John Paul II, Christifideles Laici (58)

You Do Your Part… Through intentional cooperation with

the power of the Holy Spirit

The gifts of the Holy Spirit (charisms)



Where my “clues” converge is the general area of my call

My Next Steps

1. Sign up for a 1-1 gifts interview 2. Join a Charism discernment group

Where is God calling me?

Fundamental clues

Church Teaching

My own uniqueness: personality, charisms, talents, background

issues and needs of time & place where I live

the called & gifted workshop€¦ · the called & gifted workshop ... and to hear the words...

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