We welcome you to the webpage of the Gentle Woman of Praise Chapter of Magnificat in Albany, New York. These are exciting times that we live in and Magnificat was begun in 1981 for such as time as this. There are now over 100 chapters throughout the United States and its territories and in many foreign countries.

Magnificat Meal

Hosted by the Gentle Woman of Praise Albany, NY, Chapter

Saturday, May 30, 2026

Breakfast

9:00 am – 12:00 pm       

Location:

Wolferts Roost Country Club

120 Van Rensselaer Blvd.

Albany, NY  12204

Guest Speaker:  Kim Rodriguez-Torres

“God is love.” 1 John 4:16

Kim Rodriguez-Torres is a wife, mother, grandmother and woman of God. She has been involved in different areas of Ministry for the past 30 years. She is a Commissioned Lay Ecclesial Minister, Certified Advanced Catechist, Retreat Facilitator, Prayer Group Leader and Evangelist. Worked as a Catholic School Teacher, Representative of Family Life and MOM’s Ministry.  Assisted on the Board of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal for Orlando and the Archdiocese of Miami. Kim formerly served on the Central Service Team for Magnificat, the governing body for this International Ministry to Catholic Women.  The Magnificat ministry was born out of the Charismatic Renewal open to the working of the Holy Spirit in sharing their love, service and good news of salvation.  Kim is the founder of “Bella’s Blanket of Blessings” a prayer blanket ministry that was started after her four-year-old niece and goddaughter, Bella, became paralyzed and was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer.  These prayer blankets are for the sick, suffering and anyone else who needs prayer. These blankets have gone around the world to Canada, Haiti, India, and the Dominican Republic.  They have been sent to hospitals, nursing homes, homeless shelters and seminaries.  Bella’s Blanket of Blessings helps promotes vocations to the priesthood through prayer and spiritual adoption of seminarians and priest.

Kim is willing to share the power of prayer, the love of God and the mission of Christ any chance she gets.  When you realize what happened on the Cross was done out of love for you, it changes your life forever. God is love…and she strives to do all in love for the greater glory of God.

The Sacrament of Reconciliation and Personal Prayer Ministry will be available after this meal.

Ticket & Reservations

Tickets for this prayer breakfast may be purchased using the mail-in registration form or via online link.

REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED

Online: click on the Pay Now link below.  Select pay by Debit Card or Credit Card.  You will receive a confirmation email from PayPal.

FOR MAIL-IN REGISTRATION PLEASE USE THE RESERVATION FORM BELOW:
Mail-In: Complete the form below (include the names and phone numbers of other ticket holders in your group).
Reservations CANNOT be accepted after May 15. Registration fee is $30 per person (cash/check only).
MAIL-IN REGISTRATION FORM

Please Mail Reservation Form with check payable to “Albany Magnificat” at:
Albany Magnificat – c/o Bonnie Hause
74 Meadow Rue Pl.
Ballston Spa, NY  12020

For registration questions contact:
Diane Bigos at albanymagnificat@gmail.com or Kathleen at 518-930-8380 (AFTER 6 pm)

 May 30, 2026 Meal Flyer

Upcoming Events for Our Chapter — 2026

September 12, 2026 – Day of Reflection – Sisters of the Resurrection Provincial House, Castleton, NY – Speaker Deacon Gary Riggi

November 14, 2026 – The Vista Restaurant, 924 Main Street, Clifton Park, NY  12065

Rosary Blanket of Prayer

Remember our chapter’s commitment to Eucharistic Adoration and to pray the Rosary on the 11th of each month for the intentions of Magnificat, Church, Clergy, Religious, Sanctity of Life, Marriage and Family, and World Peace.

Our Prayer Groups

Evenings:  1st Wednesday of the month at 7:00 PM
April – October –  Clubhouse at the Residence at Lexington Hills, Cohoes.  Contact Laureen Sharp – laureliz51@gmail.com for directions.
November – March – on Zoom (link below).
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85061604786?pwd=RGVWN2tMSjI5RmkrTXozbTU3OXM3QT09
Afternoons:  3rd Thursday of the month at 1:30 PM – Coburg Village, Rexford, NY.  Contact Mary Curry – 518-243-6402 directions.

Albany Catholic Charismatic Renewal website:  https://albanyccr.org/

Service Team Members

Diane Bigos, Coordinator – bigosdiane@gmail.com or albanymagnificat@gmail.com
Nancy Hooley, Assistant Coordinator – nancyhooley24@gmail.com
Denise Fraioli, Secretary – teamfraioli@gmail.com
Kelly Stiffen,Treasurer – kastiffen@gmail.com
Bonnie Hause, Historian – hauseb@gmail.com
Rev. Kyle Gorenski, Spiritual Advisor – kyle.gorenski@rcda.org

If you would like to help with a Ministry of Magnificat, or if you have a question or comment for our Service Team, please contact one of our service team members listed above.

History of Gentle Women of Praise Magnificat Chapter – A Ministry to Catholic Women

The Gentle Women of Praise Chapter of Magnificat had its origins in the Diocese of Albany, New York, as several women were becoming aware of Magnificat in 1999-2000.  The Holy Spirit gently moved them to learn more about this international ministry to Catholic Women.  A feasibility assessment and discernment process began in 2001 by the Albany NY Diocesan Service Committee of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal.

During 2002-2003, the CCR liaison appointed a contact person to continue the discernment and formation process for the the Magnificat Chapter in Albany, NY, as required by the CST in Metairie, LA.  The Rochester Chapter was assigned by CST to assist in the discernment process.  A few women from the Albany Diocese attended a meal sponsored by the Rochester Magnificat Chapter.  The women were very joyful in pursuing this ministry further.  The Contact Person stepped down from the process and the liaison of the CCR took over as Contact Person.  Bishop Hubbard was informed of the desire of the women in the Albany NY Diocese to form a Magnificat Chapter.

During 2004-2005, a Service Team was formed, the office and popular names were finalized.  A spiritual advisor  was appointed by the Bishop.  The legal formation of the chapter to be a licensed, incorporated, non-profit, tax exempt organization was completed.  The chapter became licensed under the Magnificat organization.  The chapter hosted one invitational tea.

In 2006, the chapter hosted 2 mornings of intercessory rosary and adoration and our 1st breakfast – 200 women attended.

In 2007, the chapter hosted 2 mornings of intercessory rosary an adoration and 2 Magnificat meals.  The chapter replaced 2 service team members.  Due to several unfortunate circumstances, with the loss of 2 more service team members and the Spiritual Advisor, the Albany NY Chapter of Magnificat became inactive at the end of the year.

In 2008, the Albany NY Chapter of Magificat formed a new ST composed of three members and Advisory Team of 11 women who answered the call to serve as Chairwomen.  The Albany NY Chapter regained an active status.  The Bishop appointed a new Spiritual Advisor.  A financial audit committee was elected.  The Chapter started our first Rosary Intercessory prayer group in Oct.

In February 2009, we had our first meal.  Since that time, the Albany NY Chapter continues to grow.  We now have 2 Rosary Intercessory prayer groups that meet on the 1st Wednesday evening and the 3rd Thursday afternoon of the month.  Since 2009, we have hosted 3 to 4 meals a year.  We have had the opportunity to help our Bishop, Edward Scharfenberger, by hosting Fr. Michael Gaitley, MIC, author of 33 Days to Morning Glory. as he shared with us the importance of consecrating ourselves to Jesus through Mary.  Bishop Scharfenberger wanted the people of Albany Diocese to make the Consecration to the Blessed Mother on the Feast Day of our Diocese, December 8.  In 2018, author and speaker Susan Conroy was our guest speaker sharing her experiences and friendship with St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta and 23 women participated in the Magnificat Scripture Study – The Women in the Bible.