Called & Gifted helps Catholics know their best ways of serving

Rarely does one recruit a guitar virtuoso to play the tuba or choose the seven-footer to play point guard, and the same is true in the spiritual realm. Evangelizing, seeking out the needy, inspiring others with beautiful music, comforting the suffering, catechizing, or welcoming others are only a few ways to exercise discipleship. Although the Holy Spirit may call any Christian to step up in any number of ways on occasion, says Sandy Pickert, the same Holy Spirit bestows specific spiritual gifts – or charisms – on his followers, entrusting them to fuel the service of others.

The Called & Gifted ministry seeks to help Catholics to do exactly that, explains Pickert, who coordinates the program at Wichita’s Church of the Magdalen. She took her first step to learn about her charisms in 2019, as she neared retirement from her nursing career and decided to attend a Called & Gifted workshop at Wichita’s Church of the Blessed Sacrament to better focus her service to God and his Church.

“I am a doer, which made me a bit afraid that retirement would have me volunteering my life away,” she laughed. “Now that I know my charisms, if somebody asks me to do something that isn’t in my wheelhouse, I feel comfortable saying, ‘I appreciate you thinking of me, but honestly, somebody else is probably better equipped to do that,’ and I don’t feel guilty saying no.”

Playing to one’s strengths
A few of the charisms Pickert discerned through Called & Gifted – such as encouragement, pastoring, and teaching – eventually led her to pursue training as a Called & Gifted facilitator, which has enabled her to help many fellow parishioners discern their charisms through the program. Since she started facilitating, she estimates, nearly 300 Magdalen parishioners have taken the first step of going through a Called & Gifted workshop.

“It has been really fun to see light bulbs come on, especially for people who do not think they are particularly good at anything, until they realize they are gifted in charisms they have been using their entire lives,” she said. “Other people may discover a charism they haven’t been using and this helps them get started.”

She cites the example of people who discerned a charism of writing and actively sought ways to exercise it. “Now some write articles in the parish bulletin, and others help create greeting cards. They seem to just know what to say in a way that is meaningful enough to bring tears to peoples’ eyes. That is a gift.”

And when the people in the pews direct their unique mix of charisms into activities for which they are best suited, Pickert says, a parish flourishes.

“I have seen Magdalen’s ministries grow and thrive as people focus on doing what they do best,” she said.

The process
Although a Called & Gifted workshop, such as the diocesan-wide one scheduled for June 13-15 at the Spiritual Life Center in Bel Aire, is a significant part of the process, Pickert emphasizes that’s only a piece of the puzzle. In fact, she notes, before the first phase begins and particpants gather, each one completes an online inventory that is designed to help shed light on possible ways in which the Holy Spirit may act through them to serve others.

“It does not take very long, and provides a starting point,” Pickert said. “It’s meanigful to participants when they recognize their possible charisms as they learn about the 23 most common ones during phase one of the workshop.”

Participants grow in understanding of their charisms and the importance of the service they provide to others during a normal Called & Gifted workshop, although Pickert notes that a workshop held at a setting such as the SLC also can contribute to a kind of separation from one’s usually daily routine that provides participants extra time to contemplate the information and listen to the promptings of the Holy Spirit.

“There will also be more time for spiritual experiences such as Mass, adoration, and confession,” she said. “At a parish it can be more about keeping things moving so we can finish in a shorter timespan. A retreat at the SLC will allow people more time to pray and reflect on it all before they jump back into the world.”

Phase two of Called & Gifted involves interviewing with a facilitator who has been trained to help people identify their likely charisms, Pickert said. Phase three consists of four sessions for participants to further discern and fine tune one of their charisms. They share experiences and discussion in small groups with others discerning the same or a similar charism, she explains.

“Encouragers are with other encouragers; and those discerning teaching are with others like them so they can help and learn from each other,” she said.

That the entire experience tends to be enjoyable and fulfilling for so many is no mystery to Pickert, who says it is a natural – or rather supernatural – product of a Christian life.

“It’s joy,” she states. “That’s one of the characteristics of a charism, a spiritual gift that, when used, brings us so much joy and satisfaction, and most importantly, allows the Holy Spirit to work through us to serve others.”