We welcome you to the webpage of the Mary, Woman of Faith Chapter of Magnificat in Birmingham, Alabama. These are exciting times that we live in and Magnificat was begun in 1981 for such a time as this. There are now over 105 Chapters throughout the United States and its territories and in many foreign countries.
Magnificat Meal
Hosted by the Mary, Woman of Faith Chapter
Saturday, April 25, 2026
Join us for Breakfast
9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Doors open at 9:10 a.m.
The Rosary will be prayed at 8:45 a.m. in an adjoining room
Location:
St. Elias Maronite Catholic Church
in the Parish Hall
836 8th Street S.
Birmingham, AL 35205
Parish Hall parking is located beside the Church off of 8th Street. Do not park on 9th Avenue S.
Guest Speaker: Cecilia Crandall
“Though my flesh and my heart fail, God is the rock of my heart, my portion forever.” Psalm 73:26
Cecilia Crandall was raised by a very devout Catholic family who was very active at their parish in Wylam, AL. She was educated in Catholic schools and retired from the U.S. Treasury Department in 2013. She has been married to her husband, Jim, for over 43 years and they were blessed with two daughters. Both Cecilia and her husband have always been involved in their parish activities and have served on several committees. They are currently members of St. Cecilia Catholic Church in Jasper.
In 2009 Cecilia’s daughter, Laura, passed away at the age of 25 after battling ovarian cancer for only 15 months. Cecilia celebrated her daughter’s wedding in November, 2008 and tragically lost her in December, 2009. To honor Laura’s desire to help others who might face her same battle, her friends and family created the Laura Crandall Brown Foundation. The foundation’s mission was to provide funding for early detection research of ovarian cancer and to raise awareness about the disease.
Through the painful loss of her daughter, Cecilia found strength to continue Laura’s legacy with the help of God’s guidance, the Virgin Mary’s faith in her Son, and the Holy Spirit’s wisdom and understanding. Cecilia compares her story to that of the Blessed Mother watching her Son being tortured and led to death on the cross. After losing Laura, her prayer to Mary helped her see the need to assist others. Come hear this mother’s heart-wrenching journey of loss and hope. “Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand.” Psalm 73:23
The opportunity for Intercessory Prayer and Confessions will be available at the end of the meal.
Religious gift items are available for purchase after the meal from Southern Saint Designs
Magnificat Proclaims books and CD’s or MP3 of Speakers’ testimonies are available for purchase.
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.
Tickets & Reservations
Tickets must be purchased in advance. No tickets will be sold after April 19th or at the door.
Ticket price includes a delicious catered breakfast!
$20.00 per person, $15.00 per Student (13 to age 22), Religious tickets are complimentary
TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE:
Online: click on this Ticket order link
Online payment is available for $20 or $15 (student) (plus a convenience fee will be added) using PayPal with a credit or debit card. You do not need to have a PayPal account. You may also purchase additional tickets for any guests you would like to bring to the meal. When your transaction is complete you may print your online ticket from your computer.
E-Mail: magnificat0296@gmail.com
MAIL-IN RESERVATIONS
Click on, print and complete the form below (include the names and phone numbers of other ticket holders in your group). Since the breakfast is catered, reservations CANNOT be accepted after April 19, 2026. Please send any mail-in registrations postmarked before April 15th.
Please Mail Reservation Form, a self-addressed, stamped envelope and a check for $20 per person, or $15 per student (youth to age 22) payable to “Magnificat” to:
Magnificat Tickets
C/O Jan Smith
1367 Winola Lane
Birmingham, AL 35235
Tickets are also available at:
Alpha Church Supply and Gifts
205-942-5750
121 W. Valley Avenue, Birmingham
Holy Roses Flowers and Gifts
205-704-3331
5849 Old Leeds Road, Birmingham
Tickets for priests, deacons, religious brothers and sisters are complimentary.
Please email magnificat0296@gmail.com to reserve your ticket. For an accurate head count, complimentary tickets must be reserved.
If you are unable to afford a ticket but want to attend the meal, please call or text Jan 205-381-8481 and arrangements will be made for a ticket to be sent to you.
Order a CD or MP3 of our past and current speakers:
A CD or MP3 of a speakers testimony is available to order. Cost is $6.00 each.
Send a check payable to “Magnificat” to:
Birmingham Magnificat Chapter
P. O. Box 660136
Birmingham, AL 35266
Upcoming Meals and Events for our Chapter — 2026 (Save the date!!)
February 17, 2026 30th Anniversary of our Mary, Woman of Faith Chapter
August 29, 2026 Breakfast at St. Elias Parish Hall, Birmingham.
Speaker: Mary Margaret Rohling and her son, Frank Rohling
October 24, 2026 Breakfast at St. Elias Parish Hall, Birmingham.
Speaker: Lynn Pepe
October 7-10, 2027 19th International Magnificat Conference in New Orleans SAVE THE DATE!!!!!
Keep in Touch!
We have a new website address!! BirminghamMagnificat.org
Follow our Chapter on Facebook Birmingham AL Magnificat Chapter
Rosary Blanket of Prayer
Remember our chapter’s commitment to Eucharistic Adoration and to pray the Rosary on the 2nd of each month for the intentions of Magnificat, Sanctity of Life, Marriage and Family, and World Peace.
Service Team Members
Virginia Springer, Coordinator 205-217-2228
Assistant Coordinator TBA
Sarah Young, Secretary
Mary Margaret Rohling, Treasurer
Sally Smith, Historian
Olga Coburn, Service Team Member
Spiritual Advisor: Fr. Eric Gami
If you would like to help with a Ministry of Magnificat, or if you have a question or comment for our Service Team, or if you would like to be on our Mailing list for future events, please contact us at magnificat0296@gmail.com
Our Prayer Groups
Is God calling you to be in a Prayer Group? Jesus said “Wherever two or three are gathered in My Name, there I am in their midst.” Our prayer groups are open to all.
Rejoice in the Lord Prayer Group
Meets Wednesdays at Our Lady of Sorrows Family Life Center Library at 1:30 PM.
Contact Olga Coburn (205) 822-4366 or Janet Waters (205) 979-4196
Magnify the Lord Charismatic Prayer Group
Meets the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of the month at Our Lady of Sorrows Family Life Center Library
at 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM.
Contact Lisa Henderson (205) 784-6273 or Donna Chmielarski (205) 408-0308
Fire of the Spirit
Thursday, 6:30 pm (Except the 2nd Thursday of the month) and on Zoom
Saint Aloysius Church
751 Academy Drive
Bessemer, AL 35022
Contact: Kathy Tortorice 205-531-0930, kathytortorice@gmail.com
Anniston
Mustard Seed Prayer Group
1st and 3rd Mondays of the month, 5:00pm – 6:30pm
Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, Chapel
1301 Golden Springs Road
Anniston, AL. 36207
Contact: Allen and Sally Smith 205-983-4150
For more information about other Charismatic Prayer groups, visit Alabama Charismatic Prayer Groups
History of Mary, Woman of Faith Chapter of Magnificat.
Celebrating our 30th year.
Carolyn Wright, the founding Coordinator of the Birmingham Magnificat Chapter, currently serves as a member of the Central Service Team’s Communication Ministry Team and the Southeast Regional Service Team in Communications. Reflecting on the creation of the Birmingham Chapter, Carolyn exclaimed, “The formation of this Chapter of Magnificat was nothing short of amazing! It is more than any of us ever imagined or hoped for! It has brought forth fruits of love for The Trinity and Our Lady, as well as support of the Church and her priests. Magnificat Women come together, not only as friends, but as sisters in the Lord.”
Peter Ann Ryan, a close friend of Carolyn, became the first draftee in the discernment process concerning the Magnificat Ministry. She joyfully reminisces, “Over these twenty-seven years, I am still astounded by the gifts of the Holy Spirit as He reveals His plan of love, encouragement and affection in the response of those coming to Magnificat. The awesome “coincidences” that occur between and among faith-filled women, prove the presence of a good and gracious God … touching and uplifting His children.”
The first Magnificat Prayer Meal in Alabama was held at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Birmingham on February 17, 1996 with Sister Briege McKenna, O.S.C. as the speaker. There were 500 women in attendance. Olga Coburn, who has been on the service team since its inception, also participated in this first meal. Using her gifts of leadership in the Charismatic Renewal, Olga was delegated by the Lord to give His word to the women at the Magnificat Meals. With a grateful heart, Olga proclaims that, “My joy is from being the Lord’s instrument, especially in Magnificat, to pronounce His prophetic word to the women He has called to be present. From the beginning He has blessed this ministry, which became manifested on that first breakfast with Sister Briege proclaiming His works and healing, including my right hand. Through His Mother, Mary, He continues to bless and use women to further His Kingdom.”
Magnificat events are held four times a year on or near a feast of Our Lady. The program includes a shared meal, praise and worship led by music volunteers, a speaker who shares God’s work in her life, intercessory prayer and the availability of the Sacrament of Reconciliation at the end of the gathering. Kathy MacInnis, retired Coordinator of the Magnificat Central Service Team says, “At each meal, a woman gives her testimony of how the Lord God has touched her life in an extraordinary way with His grace. The women in attendance come to understand that what God has done for that speaker, He can also do for them. This is a source of freedom and empowerment!” This witness of God’s action and mercy in the speaker’s life focuses on hope in the midst of adversity and brings to life the scripture quote: “They conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony.” Rev 12:11
The Service Team of Mary, Woman of Faith Chapter invites and welcomes the women of the Birmingham Diocese to come and experience Mary’s Visitation to Elizabeth. Attend a Magnificat meal, a place where Jesus touches hearts. It is also a place that feels like “going home,” where everyone is loved and accepted by other like-minded women looking to become closer to God.
Bishop Emeritus David E. Foley gave approval for the formation of our chapter and named our chapter Mary, Woman of Faith. Bishop Foley’s love and devotion to the Blessed Mother is emphasized in the following reflection he wrote, “O Mary, Mother of Christ and Mother of our Catholic Church, may all women of the world take you as their model of what it means to be a woman. May you, who are Woman of Faith, lead us by the power of the Spirit to a new evangelization of the world. Amen.”
Since its humble beginning in New Orleans in 1981, Magnificat has become an international outreach to women that has touched thousands of lives. It has spread to over 105 chapters encompassing the United States, the Caribbean Islands, Canada, Malta, Poland, Ireland, Dominica and Uganda.
Last Updated on March 13, 2026.
