We welcome you to the webpage of the Joyful Visitation Chapter of Magnificat in Atlanta, Georgia. These are exciting times that we live in and Magnificat was begun in 1981 for such a time as this. There are now over 70 chapters throughout the United States and its territories and in many foreign countries.
Magnificat Meal
Hosted by the Joyful Visitation Chapter
Saturday, November 14, 2026
9:30 am–12:30 pm
Limited seating, please register early.
Event Location:
Holy Cross Catholic Church
Social Hall
3773 Chamblee Tucker Road
Atlanta, GA 30341
Our Guest Speaker: Lauretta Hannon
“I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. O magnify the Lord with me; and let us exalt his name together.” Psalm 34:2,4
Lauretta was raised in a household that mercilessly mocked Christianity, and grew up with deep contempt for followers of Christ and organized religion. As a result, her spiritual journey included stops in Hinduism, Sufism, New Age, Buddhism, and other “-isms.”
A supernatural encounter in a 
Waffle House forced her to question and confront her spiritual identity and relationship to God. What followed was a fitful, comical, and poignant conversion to Catholicism at the age of 51. But it didn’t happen fast or go smoothly. All of this is chronicled in her new memoir, A Priest Walks into a Waffle House: Stories from a Gritty, Grace-Filled Life.
As a guest columnist for The Georgia Bulletin, Lauretta enjoys sharing stories of hope, humor, and grace. She and her husband live in Rome, Georgia where they are parishioners at St. Mary’s.
Lauretta will chronicle her winding spiritual journey, with its many potholes and detours, and share how the inexhaustible riches of the Catholic faith eventually pointed her to truth, beauty, and redemption.
RESERVATIONS
Reservations are $25 and are required in advance. Seating is limited. Register online by November 4 at https://tinyurl.com/26NovMeal. You can register online and mail your check. See below.
Mail-In registrations must be postmarked by October 31. To register by mail, send the Mail-In Reservation Form and a check or money order for $25 per person payable to “Magnificat Joyful Visitation” to:
Magnificat Ministry
Debbie DuPont
315 Rose Ct SW
Lilburn, Ga. 30047
Phone: 770-696-6216
The Meal will be interpreted for the Deaf. Personal Prayer ministry is offered after the meal by the Magnificat Service Team.
The Sacrament of Reconciliation, when a priest is available, will be offered at the end of the meal.
After the program, religious items will be available for purchase. CDs and links to the testimonies of former speakers are also available.
Since the day is designed to speak to the hearts of women, free of distractions, it is respectfully requested that young children not be in attendance.
Upcoming Meals for Our Chapter
2026
Saturday, November 14 – Lauretta Hannon
2027
Saturday, February 27
Saturday, May 22 – Mary Cowan
Saturday, August 21
Saturday, November 13
Rosary Blanket of Prayer
Remember our chapter’s commitment to Eucharistic Adoration and to pray the Rosary on the 17th of each month for the intentions of Magnificat, the sanctity of life, marriage and family, and world peace. Email joyfulvisitation@gmail.com to receive a monthly email reminder to pray for our intentions on the 17th.
Service Team Members
Donna Brisse, Coordinator
Monica Donohue, Assistant Coordinator
Cheryl Bryant, Secretary
Jo Ann Rademacher, Treasurer
Kathy Byrne, Historian
Spiritual Advisor, Fr. Joseph Mullakkara, MSFS
If you would like to volunteer with the Magnificat Ministry, have a question or comment for our Service Team, or you would like to be on our mailing list for future events, please contact joyfulvisitation@gmail.com.
Follow us on Facebook and visit often for updates! facebook.com/magnificat.joyful. You may visit our page without logging in to Facebook.
History of Joyful Visitation Chapter of Magnificat
(for the Archdiocese of Atlanta)
Olga Myers attended her first Magnificat Breakfast while visiting her sister in Tampa, Florida in 1990. She returned to her hometown of Atlanta, Georgia filled with zeal and joy. After sharing her experience with two other women, Jan Nerone and Elyse O’Kane, they began to pray and pray and pray for discernment of God’s will in bringing Magnificat to Atlanta.
After going through formation and receiving the approval of the local bishop, the first working meeting was held on June 17, 1991. This was followed by a Presentation Tea on February 8, 1992 to introduce Magnificat Joyful Visitation Chapter to the area and to help others discover how they could be a part of this joyful ministry.
The first Magnificat Breakfast was held on May 2, 1992 at All Saints Catholic Church. The speaker was Mary Welch Rogers and over 400 women attended. The first Service Team members were Olga Myers, Jan Nerone, Ann Marie Hendriks and Judy Guilfoil. Fr. William Hickey was their Spiritual Advisor and Elyse O’Kane was placed in charge of the Music Ministry.
Last Updated on October 4, 2026.
