Charisms are 'extra-ordinary gifts' given by the Holy Spirit for the up-building of the Body of Christ.  Simply stated, a charism is not an natural ability, (building on our nature) it is a supernatural ability.  It goes beyond nature.   The charisms are for the mission of the Church and not for personal gain.  If the Church were merely a human institution, then it would rely solely on its own ingenuity and cleverness. The Church is not merely a human institution, but it is divinley instituted.  The catechisms teaches about charisms:
 

Charisms

799 Whether extraordinary or simple and humble, charisms are graces of the Holy Spirit which directly or indirectly benefit the Church, ordered as they are to her building up, to the good of men, and to the needs of the world. (951, 2003)

800 Charisms are to be accepted with gratitude by the person who receives them and by all members of the Church as well. They are a wonderfully rich grace for the apostolic vitality and for the holiness of the entire Body of Christ, provided they really are genuine gifts of the Holy Spirit and are used in full conformity with authentic promptings of this same Spirit, that is, in keeping with charity, the true measure of all charisms.

801 It is in this sense that discernment of charisms is always necessary. No charism is exempt from being referred and submitted to the Church’s shepherds. “Their office [is] not indeed to extinguish the Spirit, but to test all things and hold fast to what is good,” so that all the diverse and complementary charisms work together “for the common good.”²⁵⁵ (894; 1905) (Catholic Church, Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2nd Ed. (Washington, DC: United States Catholic Conference, 2000), 212.)

Thus, the exercise of charisms are necessary in the life of the Church.  In proper stewardship, we are to see the charisms as our gift for the mission of the Church.  All the baptized are called by their baptism to holiness and mission.  No one is exempt from this duty.

Sherry Weddell, founder of the Siena Institute has an excellent tool to discern our charisms.  Over 100,000 people have taken the "Called and Gifted" program to properly discern their charisms for the upbuilding of the Body of Christ.  Click on this link to find out more information.  If you are interested in being a part of this discernment process, contact the office and we can let you know when the next course on the discernment of charisms will be.