This fall, Called and Gifted introductory workshops were scheduled in three different locations across the diocese — Saskatoon, Rosetown, and Humboldt — in order to provide greater opportunity for more Catholics to participate in this life-changing process, said Called and Gifted team member Anne Williams.
“All lay parishioners, priests and religious are invited to begin the journey of discerning the charisms/gifts God has given uniquely to each of us,” Williams said of the discernment process. “God has distributed His gifts in accordance with the purpose and plan He has for each one of us to share in the building up of His kingdom and His people. Whether in our homes, parishes or workplaces, these gifts are indispensable to our accomplishing His purposes.”
Diocesan Called and Gifted leader Sr. Malou Tibayan of the Verbum Dei Missionary Fraternity and Fr. Habila Musa, pastor of parishes at Rosetown, Beechy, and Elrose, at the introductory Called and Gifted Workshop held Oct. 20 at St. Theresa Parish in Rosetown, SK. (Photoo by Kiply Lukan Yaworski, Catholic Saskatoon News)
Presenters and participants were welcomed to the Rosetown event by St. Theresa pastor Fr. Habila Musa and local Called and Gifted organizer Wendy Clayton — who has herself experienced the process.
“St. Theresa parish we’re blessed to have the opportunity to host the Called and Gifted program,” said Clayton. “We are very grateful and thankful for Sr. Malou (Tibayan) and Anne Williams and their support team. With the help of our parish we were able to provide a healthy lunch with beverages and snacks through out the day. We appreciate all the work and effort that was put into it to make a successful day.”
Participant Judy Ledding said the Called and Gifted experience is a gift for all ages.
“I was checking out senior mobility devices for a friend. There are lots of devices to get for seniors and mobility-challenged folks to help get them to where they need to go. In the meantime, my friend, Wendy, advised me that I should check out a mobility device to keep me moving forward in my spiritual journey towards ‘home,’” she described. “This ‘device’ is Called and Gifted.”
“Called and Gifted is a gift for all ages and abilities. And, if we are still here, then God isn’t finished with any of us yet either, regardless of our age. So, let’s ‘rock’ it out together by exploring the enrichment of the discovery of how our Creator God has placed in us abilities to be a blessing to others. We are all loved, called and gifted.”
The introductory workshop is the first step of the Called and Gifted process, after which there are follow-up personal interviews, and a “Discernment in Depth” series of sessions that provide a guided experience of discernment of charisms in a small group setting.
For more information about the Called and Gifted program in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon, contact Sr. Malou Tibayan at mtibayan@rcdos.ca or (306) 659-5843 or see the pamphlet (PDF).
