Called & Gifted Workshop + 5th Sunday of Lent Reflection

This week on Connecting the Diocese, Father Sam Martin interviews Ann Lankford, Director of the Office of Catechesis and Evangelization for the Diocese of La Crosse, about the upcoming Called & Gifted workshop (March 21, Saturday, at Our Lady of Peace in Marshfield) sponsored by the St. Catherine of Siena Institute. They discuss St. Catherine of Siena, intentional discipleship, and discerning baptismal spiritual gifts (charisms) for serving others, including the workshop’s process (teaching on charisms, a spiritual gifts inventory, a one-on-one interview, and small-group sessions) and how charisms bring joy, confidence, and help avoid burnout in parish life. Lankford shares her conversion story and path from Missouri to diocesan service beginning in 2002, and highlights catechesis trends like Catechesis of the Good Shepherd and family-based catechesis. The episode closes with Father Steven Weller and Father Martin reflecting on the 5th Sunday of Lent readings, especially John 11 and the raising of Lazarus.

00:48 Meet Ann Lankford

01:49 St. Catherine Spotlight

04:05 Institute and Discipleship

07:46 What Is Called and Gifted

11:07 Charisms in Parish Life

13:39 How to Discern Gifts

17:45 Joy and Mission in Church

23:57 Catechesis and Evangelization

25:29 Fires in Catechesis Today

29:53 Evangelization Made Simple

30:48 Everyday Evangelization

32:40 Small Signs Big Impact

34:01 Ann Lankford’s Conversion Story

38:32 Called Into Ministry

41:53 Diocesan Role And Charisms

43:35 Workshop Invite And Signoff

44:42 Lent Reflection Begins

45:48 Lazarus And Resurrection Hope

47:52 Gods Patience In Suffering

56:43 Untie Him And Keep Going

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