Find My Charism
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Communication

Helping a message reach people in a form they can understand and respond to.

Wondering how this gift may show up in your life? Discover your charisms →

The nations hear the disciples at Pentecost
The nations hear the disciples at Pentecost · Acts 2:1–11 About this Scripture scene ↓

Understanding Communication

Communication helps a message reach people in a form they can understand and respond to. The Holy Spirit can work through words, images, languages, signing, and other forms of expression to help people hear the Gospel and take part in the Church’s life. Its particular attention is to the audience and the barriers to understanding; Teaching attends to a learner’s growing understanding. Careful listening helps communication include people who might otherwise be missed.

CCC 799–801 · CCC 2493–2495

Where you may recognize it

Consider the relationships and responsibilities already part of your life.

Explaining clearly

You adapt the way something is expressed to the person or group receiving it.

Removing a barrier

You notice when language, format, hearing, sight, or another access need makes participation difficult.

Using different media

You choose words, images, sound, or another medium because it helps the message reach people.

Acts 2:1–11 ↗

Each hears in their own language

The image at the top of this page shows the gathering at Pentecost. People from many places hear the apostles speaking of God’s works in their own languages.

…yet we hear them speaking in our own tongues of the mighty acts of God.

At Pentecost, the Holy Spirit enables the proclamation of God’s works across languages and sends the Church toward all peoples. This miraculous event invites us to place our learned ways of communicating at the service of the same Gospel, without equating a language skill with the gift of tongues.

More Scripture & Church teaching
1 Corinthians 12:4–11, 27–31

Paul describes a variety of gifts from the same Spirit, given for the benefit of the whole body.

Catechism 799–801

Charisms are gifts of the Holy Spirit for building up the Church and serving others. Love is their measure, and their discernment includes the guidance of the Church’s pastors.

Catechism 2493–2495

Communication has a responsibility to truth, solidarity, and the common good.

A lay presenter and sign-language interpreter share information in a Catholic parish meeting room.

Communication in service of others

These ministries and programs may offer ways to serve through Communication. Speak with parish staff about where help is needed, how to prepare, and the parish’s volunteer process.

Parish communications

Help people understand parish life through clear writing, photographs, accessible information, livestreams and other parish media.

Ways volunteers may help

  • Prepare clear announcements, invitations or stories for staff review.
  • Help with approved photography, livestream, sound or other media tasks.
  • Check practical details, accessibility and permissions before publication.
  • Help staff share Gospel-rooted invitations to prayer, encouragement and service.

Begin with your parish

Speak with the parish communications staff about volunteer needs, review procedures, permissions, and training.

Parish evangelization and retreat teams

Help people encounter Christ through a parish evangelization course or retreat, such as ChristLife or The Rescue Project. Welcome, meals, invitations, discussion and prayer each offer ways to serve.

Ways volunteers may help

  • Welcome guests and help them feel free to ask questions.
  • Help with meals, invitations, room setup or course materials.
  • Support table conversations or prayer in the role for which the team has prepared you.

Begin with your parish

Ask the parish evangelization coordinator about its courses, retreats and volunteer teams. The coordinator can explain the preparation and responsibilities of each role.

Programs you may recognize

  • ChristLife

    Discovering Christ, Following Christ and Sharing Christ help people encounter Jesus and grow as disciples. Parish teams serve through welcome, meals, discussion, prayer and practical preparation.

  • The Rescue Project

    A Catholic Gospel-centered experience from ACTS XXIX, built around a meal, video and conversation. Parish teams help with hospitality, invitations, discussion and prayer.

Children’s religious education

Work alongside the parish’s catechists—people prepared to teach the Catholic faith—to help children understand the faith, ask questions, and prepare for the sacraments.

Related charisms Teaching Knowledge Communication

Children’s religious education

Work alongside the parish’s catechists—people prepared to teach the Catholic faith—to help children understand the faith, ask questions, and prepare for the sacraments.

Ways volunteers may help

  • Support children’s learning within the parish’s religious education program.
  • Help children take part in activities and discussions planned by the catechetical team.
  • Work with catechists to answer questions using the program’s materials.

Begin with your parish

Ask the parish faith formation coordinator where volunteers are needed and about the parish’s volunteer process. The coordinator can explain the roles, formation and support within the parish’s religious education program.

Resources for learning and preparation

  • Word on Fire Institute

    Courses, seminars and communities that help Catholics grow in faith and share Christ through their interests, work and relationships.

As you discern

Bring these experiences to prayer, Mass and the sacraments, and conversation with a priest or trusted guide in the faith. Look over time for love of God and neighbor, faithfulness to Church teaching, and the good of those you serve. Joy, difficulty, and others’ feedback can help you recognize patterns. Notice who becomes able to understand, respond, or participate through the way you communicate. If no example comes to mind, begin with the experience suggested below.

Recall changing how you communicated so someone could participate. What did they say made the difference?

Whose voice or needs does your usual approach miss, and what would listening to them ask you to change?

Something to try: With permission, help a group make one message clearer or more accessible. Ask someone from the intended audience what they understood and where a barrier remains. Revise the message with their feedback and notice what improves when it is used again.

Bring this to prayer

Blessed Fulton Sheen in prayer.

Blessed Fulton Sheen

Come, Holy Spirit. Help me listen to the people I hope to reach.

Guide my words and the forms I use, so that others can understand, participate, and encounter Christ.

Blessed Fulton Sheen, pray for me.

Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Fulton Sheen was an American archbishop who brought Catholic teaching beyond the classroom and church doors through radio and television. His broadcasts, including Life Is Worth Living, helped people connect questions about everyday life with the Gospel. He shows how communication can use familiar ways of reaching people to make faith understandable and invite them to know Christ.

More about his life ↗