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 100 chapters throughout the United States and its territories and in many foreign countries.
Magnificat Meal
Hosted by the Joyful Visitation Chapter
Saturday, March 8, 2025
9:30 am–12:30 pm
Open seating, please arrive early.
Event Location:
Holy Cross Catholic Church
Social Hall
3773 Chamblee Tucker Road
Atlanta, GA 30341
Our Guest Speaker: Sandy Russman Fohs
“For I know well the plans I have in mind for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare, not for woe, plans to give you a future full of hope.”
Jeremiah 29:11
Sandy Russman Fohs, who received great comfort from the Lord after some devastating losses, is a parishioner of Saint Brendan the Navigator Church in Cumming, Georgia.
Sandy was born in a suburb of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and was one of seven children. Attending parochial school for eight years, along with Sunday Mass and daily rosary with the family, formed the basis of her faith. Tragically, when she was nine years old, her mother passed away–a devastating loss. A few days after the funeral, she received a sympathy card with a Bible quote in it. Verse 4 of Psalm 23 gave her hope: “Even though I walk in the dark valley I fear no evil; for you are at my side with your rod and your staff that give me courage.”
Sandy finished high school and graduated from Kent State University in Kent, Ohio with a Bachelor of Science degree, then began a sales career in Atlanta while attending night law school. She passed the bar exam, but remained in sales. She later fell in love and married. Her husband, while not Catholic, attended Sunday Mass with her. Life was good.
When her husband left her for his high school sweetheart, Sandy was, once again, devastated. She found solace in Psalm 34:19: “The Lord is close to the broken-hearted; and those who are crushed in spirit he saves.”
She trusted that the Lord would bring her spouse back to her. But the Lord had other plans. As she later described it, “He tricked me into going to daily Mass.”
Today, she joyfully participates in a half-dozen parish ministries, attends daily Mass and prays the rosary.
Sandy will share how becoming friends with Jesus has resulted in candid inspirations and amusing anecdotes.
RESERVATIONS
Reservations are $25 and are required in advance. Register by Feb. 26 at https://tinyurl.com/Meal0325 .
Mail-In registrations must be postmarked by Feb. 22. 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
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 and CDs of the testimonies of former speakers will be 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.
Upcoming Events for Our Chapter
2025
Saturday, March 8 – Sandy Russman Fohs
Saturday, May 17 – Tricia Borah
Saturday, Aug. 16 – Most Reverend John Nhan Tran, Auxiliary Bishop of Atlanta
Saturday, Nov. 15
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.
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 help with a Ministry of Magnificat, 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 January 29, 2025.
