Each and every one of us is made in the image and likeness of Christ. Yet each of us has been given a special role to play in our lives and, through our baptism, we have each been given spiritual gifts (charisms) to enable us to carry out that role in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Have you discerned your role in life and the spiritual gifts you’ve been given? If not, the Called and Gifted discernment process is for you! Do you feel you’re doing things that aren’t really you and it makes life a struggle? If so, then the Called and Gifted discernment process is for you! Do you see others filled with joy and peace as they bear more fruit in their lives? If so, then the Called and Gifted discernment process is for you!

The Called and Gifted discernment process has been available in our Diocese since 2014 and nearly 2500 people have experienced the benefits of discerning their charisms (spiritual gifts) and drawing closer to Jesus Christ by prioritising the things they’ve been equipped to do. C&G is a three stage process involving learning about the charisms (see Romans 12:5-8; Ephesians 4:7-13; 1 Corinthians 12:1-11 and 1 Peter 4:7-11); then exploring your potential charisms with a trained member of the C&G team in the Diocese; and finally stepping out in practical ways to confirm whether you have certain charisms or not and how these charisms point you to your role in life.

Individuals can experience the Called and Gifted discernment process online through professional videos created by the authors of the process, the Catherine of Siena Institute followed by online meetings with a member of the Portsmouth C&G team and online small group meetings. For more information, please visit the Called and Gifted website https://www.calledandgifted.org.uk/

Parishes can also experience the process as a community, journeying together and accompanying each other through the process. This is done through a teaching/learning day on site in the parish followed by either online meetings or in person meetings. The next two parishes who have invited the Called and Gifted team in are St Boniface, Southampton (Teaching day Saturday 9 September) and the Basingstoke Pastoral area (Teaching day at St Bede’s on Saturday 21 October). Depending on numbers there may be spaces available for people from other parishes to attend. The C&G team are now taking bookings from parishes for 2024.

To register your interest or for more information, please contact the team at calledandgifted@portsmouthdiocese.org.uk