Called & Gifted Discernment Process

How is God calling you? 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 others. All charisms are to be exercised in the service of God (CCC, no. 2003). Called & Gifted is an introduction to charisms (also known as spiritual gifts) and the process of discernment, with information that will help you explore and begin the process of discovering God’s call in your life.

See below for more details, or contact Faye Akers in the Faith Formation Office at (515) 987-4597 or fayeakers@stbonifacechurch.org

Process

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

Workshop

In addition to gathered workshops offered at parishes in the Des Moines area (dates and locations are promoted when workshops are offered), the Catherine of Siena Institute also offers a self-study version of their workshop online. Click here for more information on the self-study.

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. Local interviewers trained by the Catherine of Siena Institute will meet with you at a mutually agreed upon date and time, either virtually or socially-distanced in person. Faye Akers in the Faith Formation Office is a trained gifts interviewer and can also direct you to other trained interviewers.

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 using the Complete Resource guide provided as part of the introductory workshop. For more information about discernment in depth, contact the Faith Formation Office at 515-440-1030.
 

Retreat Centers & Opportunities

Emmaus House

The Emmaus House Retreat Center is a place for silence and solitude, spiritual renewal and prayer. It offers an oasis of quiet in the midst of the busyness of daily life. Trained spiritual directors are available for spiritual direction, directed retreats and to serve as a resource for days of reflection and renewal, both at the house and at other locations. The Emmaus House is located near downtown Des Moines. For more information, visit the website at https://www.theemmaushouse.org/

Creighton University Retreat Center

The Creighton University Retreat Center fosters an active prayer life, allowing for deeper conversion and relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ. Consistent with our Jesuit tradition and Ignatian heritage, we offer individual and group retreats. The Creighton Retreat Center is located just outside Griswold, Iowa. For more information, visit the website at https://www.creighton.edu/ministry/retreatcenter/

St. Thomas More Center

The Saint Thomas More Center serves the Diocese of Des Moines by offering retreats and a host facility for youth and young adults. It is primarily known as the home of the Catholic Youth Camp. The Saint Thomas More Center is located on Lake Panorama in Iowa. For more information, visit the website at https://www.theemmaushouse.org/
 

Spiritual Directors in the Diocese of Des Moines

Spiritual direction is “help given by one Christian to another which enables that person to pay attention to God’s personal communication to him or her, to respond to this personally communicating God, to grow in intimacy with this God, and to live out the consequences of the relationship.” (William A. Barry and William J. Connolly, The Practice of Spiritual Direction)

Click here for a list of spiritual directors in the Diocese of Des Moines.