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, May 18, 2024

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: Sister Janet Schaeffler, OP

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11)

Sister Janet Schaeffler, OP is a Dominican Sister of Adrian, Michigan, and has been widely recognized for her significant contributions to religious education in North America.

Sister Janet has worked in religious education and catechesis for many years and was a former Director of Adult Faith Formation for the Archdiocese of Detroit. She leads workshops and retreats around the country and is a consultant in catechetics and adult faith formation.

The second of six siblings, Sister Janet was raised in a strong Catholic family, where marriage and family life were marked by a belief in God, church attendance, commitment to religious practices, Catholic schooling, and involvement in parish activities. Faith practices were an important part of her home life, where family prayer, the rosary, and blessings given by her father were daily practices. Sister Janet involved herself from an early age in parish and school activities.

At eighteen years of age, Sister Janet chose to devote her whole life to the Church as a Dominican sister, following in the footsteps of the nuns who had taught her for twelve years. Her first assignment following her profession was teaching at the elementary level. She has since taught at the college level as well.

She feels that her deep relationships with her nine nieces and nephews, and her eight grandnieces and grandnephews have kept her grounded in real life and revealed to her aspects of faith and experiences of God that she would not have discovered on her own.

Sister Janet is recognized as an accomplished writer. She has written 23 books and authored or co-authored more than two hundred articles, booklets, pamphlets, and columns for Catholic publications. Sister Janet’s materials, known for helping others see the practical everyday side of the Catholic faith, show respect for each person’s unique charisms and calling. Some of her books will be available for purchase at the Magnificat meal.

Sister Janet feels that children, young people, and parents have particularly influenced her life. She states that, “All that we do in faith formation programs and schools should incorporate children (and their families) into the life of the parish.”

Tickets & Reservations

Reservations for the meal are $25.00 each and have to be made in advance. Register online at https://tinyurl.com/Meal0524 by May 8, 2024. Or request an emailed invitation at joyfulvisitation@gmail.com. Those unable to register online are asked to print out and complete the form below and send a check. No payment is accepted at the door. Check-in will be at the door for those with reservations.

Tickets for priests, deacons, religious brothers and sisters are complimentary, but reservations are required through Debbie DuPont.

Please use the link below for the form for mail-in reservations ONLY. Registration forms must be postmarked by May 4, 2024.

MAIL-IN REGISTRATION FORM

Please mail Reservation Form and 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 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

2024

Saturday, May 18 – Sister Janet Schaeffler, OP

Saturday, August 24 – Linda Scharnhorst

Saturday, November 16 – Lynn Kolodziej

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, 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.