By Brenda Hopf
Connecting Creed and Life
Editor’s note: For 2025, the weekly Connecting Faith and Life column will be renamed Connecting Creed and Life. To celebrate the 2025 Jubilee Year and the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea, the columns will consist of reflections on the Nicene Creed, corresponding with related paragraphs in the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC).
“I believe in the Holy Spirit … who proceeds from the Father and the Son … who has spoken through the profits” (cf. CCC 797-810).
A dear friend of my husband’s and mine recently passed away. During the eulogy at the funeral, his granddaughter shared a saying he often repeated: “Life doesn’t come with a road map.” This phrase captures the reality of life’s unpredictable nature. However, while life may be unpredictable, the Holy Spirit gives us hope. If we cooperate with the graces of the Holy Spirit, he will lead us down the road God has planned for us and for the Church.
Being open to the movement of the Holy Spirit can be quite a challenge in this noisy world we live in, but awareness of the Spirit’s presence is essential as we travel the road of life. The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 797-810) teaches that the Holy Spirit bestows supernatural spiritual gifts, called charisms, on each member of the Church — so yes, you and I each have at least one or more charisms that are essential to the Church’s mission. It is vital that we humbly acknowledge and graciously accept this truth.
But it is not enough to simply acknowledge that we have charisms. Just as importantly, we must be willing to accept our responsibility to use them for the good of the Church. St. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 12, that these supernatural spiritual gifts are “for the common good,” and when they are used properly, they build up the Church. When we neglect to use our charisms, whether they are extraordinary or simple and humble, the Church suffers.
Once we have humbly and graciously accepted our responsibility, it is important to actively discern what charisms we have and how we are called to use them. This process of discernment is essential so that we can recognize and cultivate our charisms. Without discernment, we may fail to see how our charisms contribute to the greater mission of the Church. If we can be patient and open to the process, the Holy Spirit will empower us to use our charisms to navigate life with purpose, not solely for our own benefit, but more importantly, for the benefit of the entire Body of Christ.
At this point, you may be wondering if there is help available for the process of discerning charisms. Allow me to offer some insight and suggestions. Several years ago, I attended a Called and Gifted Workshop here in our diocese during which I participated in a spiritual inventory and then received personal guidance for further discernment. It was eye-opening and one of the most fruitful faith formation events I have ever participated in. It was at this workshop that I first learned that each of us are gifted with at least one or more supernatural spiritual gifts that are crucial to the life of the Church. Like me, many of you may be surprised by this. The thought of this may make you anxious. You might feel unworthy, believing you have nothing to offer. While charisms can be extraordinary or simple and humble, we must remember that no one charism is more important than another.
The Called and Gifted Workshop, or something similar to it, may still be offered at some parishes. There will also be opportunities for charism discernment in the near future via the Many Parts Ministry, which will be offered through the Fishers of Men Discipleship Ministry led by Deacon Mike Seibert. Talking to a spiritual director or priest may also be helpful in getting one headed in the right direction. I encourage you to search and ask questions until you find the help you need. Continue to pray to the Holy Spirit and whatever you do, please do not dismiss the importance of your charism(s) to the well-being of the Church.
As our friend often said, “Life doesn’t come with a road map.” But remember, we have the Holy Spirit. If we are open to his guidance and using the charisms we’ve been given, we can navigate the road of life as Christ intended — with the purpose of being united in mission.
Brenda Hopf is a member of Divine Mercy Parish.