Summer Edition                                                                                                            Volume 7  Issue 17
Greetings!

Recently a friend of mine shared with me her sorrow at the loss of her pet and how it threw her and her husband “for a loop.” Now they would have find their “center” again. This sounded empty to me. While I agree that losing a pet, a long cherished companion, is traumatic it showed me that my friend and her husband do not have a foundational “center” of their lives. Our center is “Someone” whose love for us will never change and never end. That “Someone” for you and me is Jesus Christ, our Friend, Companion, and Healer who is always interested in the details of our lives. His love for us will never end. Let us plan to take more time this summer to sit and talk with Jesus and also to listen to Him. He is longing to hear from us, He cares and He is the Center of our lives.


“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name: you are mine. Isaiah 43:1


Kathy MacInnis, Coordinator

Central Service Team



To find out more about the 2017 International Leaders Conference and to Register

Holy Father's Monthly Intentions

July


Lapsed Christians

That our brothers and sisters who have strayed from the faith, through our prayer and witness to the Gospel, may rediscover the merciful closeness of the Lord and the beauty of the Christian life.


August


Artists

That artists of our time, through their ingenuity may help everyone discover the beauty of creation. 


September


Parishes

That our parishes, animated by a missionary spirit, may be places where faith is communicated and charity is seen.


Liturgy of the Hours
Open bible w cross shadow
The Easter Alleluia – Augustine

This excerpt on the Easter Alleluia from St. Augustine is a wonderful explanation of the joy of the Easter Season. Just as Lent was a season of penance, so the fifty days of Easter is a season of praise and song, an anticipation for the age to come in heavenly glory. 

Our thoughts in this present life should turn on the praise of God, because it is in praising God that we shall rejoice for ever in the life to come; and no one can be ready for the next life unless he trains himself for it now. So we praise God during our earthly life, and at the same time we make our petitions to him. Our praise is expressed with joy, our petitions with yearning. We have been promised something we do not yet possess, and because the promise was made by one who keeps his word, we trust him and are glad; but insofar as possession is delayed, we can only long and yearn for it. It is good for us to persevere in longing until we receive what was promised, and yearning is over; then praise alone will remain.

Because there are these two periods of time – the one that now is, beset with the trials and troubles of this life, and the other yet to come, a life of everlasting serenity and joy – we are given two liturgical seasons, one before Easter and the other after. The season before Easter signifies the troubles in which we live here and now, while the time after Easter which we are celebrating at present signifies the happiness that will be ours in the future. What we commemorate before Easter is what we experience in this life; what we celebrate after Easter points to something we do not yet possess. This is why we keep the first season with fasting and prayer; but now the fast is over and we devote the present season to praise. Such is the meaning of the Alleluia we sing.

Father Kevin's Korner
Magnificat CST Spiritual Advisor
Fr. Kevin Scallon, C.M.

Say a Prayer for Me, Father

 

"Say a prayer for me, Father" is a request commonly made by people to a priest; and if I say to someone "I will pray for you," even though they may not be strong believers, they are always delighted.

 

How often our Blessed Mother has called upon her children to pray for sinners, for the Church, for peace and reconciliation, and for the whole world. The prayer that she loves us to pray is the Holy Rosary. In the Gospels, Jesus frequently urges us to pray. He says, "you must always pray" (Luke 18:1), and "pray so that you will not fall into temptation" (Matthew 26:41). He teaches us to pray the Our Father.  He says, "Ask the Lord of the harvest ... to send out laborers into his harvest" (Luke 10:2). To Peter, he said, " I have prayed for you ... that your faith may not fail" (Luke 22:32). Jesus encourages us to pray and not to grow weary; "Ask and you shall receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you" (Matthew 7:7).

 

Why should we ask God for things He already knows we need? It is something of a puzzle as to why it should be necessary. Perhaps it is because that is what children do when they want something. Cardinal Ratzinger says that we pray for what can only be given to us.  In my life and in my priestly ministry that has always been the case. So, as God's people baptized into Jesus Christ indwelt by the Holy Trinity, we must always live in this humble attitude of prayer.

 

There are obvious things we should pray for relating to our lives. We pray for our spouse, for our children, our financial situation, our friends, and neighbors, etc. We must also pray for the world which is so rapidly turning away from God's revealed truth; so we have to pray for the Church, the Pope, the bishops, and clergy, that they may be holy and faithful to the teachings of the Gospel. We pray for a return to the morality of the Bible. We pray for respect for life and family and society.


Mankind has taken upon itself to redefine marriage and the family, and sexual orientation, and has set aside the biblical teaching found in the first chapters of the Book of Genesis


quill and pen

Man has arrogated to himself to say who shall live and who shall not live. Sometimes it seems that there is nothing we can do about any of this. But there is. We can come before the Lord and pray and plead and intercede.


On my first visit to Medjugorje, I asked our Blessed Mother a question about my future through one of the visionaries, Marija Pavlovic. The answer I got back through Maria was simple and direct; "Tell him that all his questions will be answered in prayer."

 

Our prayer should reach out into the heart of the Church and the whole world, and not simply be focused on our personal needs.  We should always remember that the Holy Spirit, in guiding the interior life of the Church, has inspired a significant part of the body of the Church to be devoted ceaselessly to prayer. Religious life is that special vocation given to many men and women in the Church by which they dedicate themselves to celebrating Christ's prayer for His Body the Church in the Eucharist and the Liturgy of the Divine Office.

 

You will recall that before the great Battle of Lepanto [7 October 1571] between the Muslim Turks and the forces of Christendom, that St. Pius V called on all Christians to pray the Rosary for victory. It was this crusade of prayer that brought about the final victory and saved the church in Europe from being vanquished. Prayer has always worked in the past. It works now, and it will work in the future.

 

We in Magnificat are good at praying. St. Paul reminds us that the Holy Spirit is always interceding within us with "sighs too deep for words" [Romans 8:26]. Let us then ask the Holy Spirit to give us a finely tuned awareness of how we should pray for the Church and for the world.

 

As always, you are in my prayers and you are remembered at the Table of the Lord.

 


 

My Reflection on Eucharistic Adoration

By Paulette Renaudin, Newsletter Editor


“The Eucharist is the secret of my day. It gives strength and meaning to all my activities and service to the Church and to the whole world… Let Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament speak to your hearts. It is He who is the true answer of life that you seek. He stays here with us, He is God with us. Seek Him without tiring, welcome Him without reserve, love Him without interruption, today, tomorrow, forever.”

Saint John Paul II



In a world obsessed with virtual speed of everyday life’s distractions, how fortunate we are to have the opportunity for Eucharistic Adoration.


Looking back to the time when I was younger raising my children, Eucharistic Adoration was not available. If it had been, I might have learned sooner to listen to that “still small voice.” Fortunately, we have always had daily Mass.


Now, being retired from full time ministry, as many of us are, I’m finding that daily Eucharistic Adoration is showing me how to find peace through a simple lifestyle. It is only by slowing down and sitting still can I begin to take in the larger picture of my life at this stage.


Being a very early riser, I’ve always enjoyed the beauty of nature. Watching the twinkling stars wane as the sun starts to rise is a holy moment for me, a real connection to God. Seeing fawns, raccoons, and bunnies on the lawn begins to open my spiritual eyes. I have always observed God in nature.  In the wee hours I begin to listen for God’s voice at the start of each new day, starting with the birds chirping and praising God. Then, after Mass, and listening to God’s Word, I’ve adjusted my schedule to include a holy hour of adoration at my parish. Just sitting there in total quiet leads me to a place where I’m defined by something larger…God.  Adoration teaches you to listen to the Beloved. My thoughts are recollected in these deeper moments. That hour of retreat with Jesus assures me I will have the strength and the wisdom to handle anything that comes along on my path that day. I think the more time we spend in Eucharistic Adoration the more we will enjoy our lives. Our eyes will be opened in a new way to the needs of others, and our burdens will be lighter and we will experience more joy! Jesus will reward our faithfulness by giving us His peace, the peace that passes all understanding. Eucharistic Adoration brings us into the presence of the Prince of Peace.


It takes planning and resolution to step out of the fray of our day, but when we do make the effort, God does the rest. I believe when we leave adoration, we bring a more healing presence to our family, our community, and our world.


Matthew 6:21    For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. 


 Conference Update!
Due to the recent passing of Deacon Alex Jones in January and Fr. Kevin Scallon and Sr. Briege McKenna are not able to attend, new speakers have been added to our schedule; Msgr. David Toups, Msgr. Steve Doktorczyk, and Sr. Regina Marie Gorman. We are delighted and thank them for their 'fiat'.
To find out more,  click here

To Register for the 2017 International Leaders' Conference  click here




Discount Tickets to Disneyland AVAILABLE NOW!

To Find Out More 
 


Queen of Angels, West San Fernando Valley Meal March 2017

Guest Speaker – Maria Vadia

By Teri Thompson, Coordinator of West San Fernando Valley Chapter

Saturday, March 25, 2017 was a joyous day for our Queen of Angels Magnificat West San Fernando Valley, California Chapter. It was the Feast of The Annunciation, the perfect day for special guest speaker, Maria Vadia, to announce her own powerful testimony to our capacity audience.  Maria is an author, the Founder of The Glory of God Foundation, the “Jesus is Lord” Magnificat Chapter in Miami founding coordinator, in addition to serving as a Magnificat Regional Representative, Region 10.

On Saturday morning, following the breakfast portion of our agenda, our Charismatic music ministry, “Spirit of Praise” moved the crowd to their feet.  Maria, members of our service team and guests danced like King David to the anointed, uplifting songs to God.  It was a perfect lead in to Maria’s testimony, who was filled with the Holy Spirit and jumped with joy. Her enthusiasm for God filled the room and changed the atmosphere.  She conveyed how the Lord inhabits our praises and how breakthrough healings occur when we elevate those songs in “high praise” or shouts of worship that come from our deepest inner heart and soul. “You have to feel it in your gut”, Maria described.  “Shout to God with loud songs of joy” Psalm 47:1. Quoting scripture, Maria recounted being witness to miraculous healings during her world travels as a result of practicing high praise shouts of prayer, praise, and thanks.  

At the end of our meal, Maria called on our guests to welcome the Holy Spirit into their hearts. She stood at the podium and prayed over them, then asked if anyone wanted her to lay hands on them to release healing into their lives.  At first, about 10 people came forward.  By the time Maria walked down from the podium to the floor, almost the entire room of guests moved to the front for prayer. Praise God, we witnessed some immediate miraculous healings and know others are still taking place in His time:

  • A 15 year-old-girl who suffered a locked jaw was able to open her mouth for the first time in months.
  • A senior experienced healing in her arm.
  • A young mother was healed of depression
  • A mother was able to forgive the girlfriend related to the suicide of her son

The Lord and His Mother were listening to our Magnificat high praises and changed the atmosphere into one of healing.  “Shouts kick the enemy out of our atmosphere! Jesus is a great King and man of war. We can all be conquerors with Him. We need to know Scripture to understand our full inheritance of the kingdom and what that means”, Maria proclaimed.

Our Service Team continues to delight in the mystery of our God in how He manifests himself at every Magnificat gathering.  Our take away from Maria’s visit: elevate singing and praise to shouts of joy and expect breakthrough healings!  I’m seeing it happen in our Service Team and for my own special intentions. We thank God and Our Blessed Mother for putting Maria Vadia’s visit to our Chapter in Divine Order and for all the healings he performed through her and us on the Feast of The Annunciation.
The Magnificat Central Service Team Welcomes Sara Ford
as a New Team Member
By Paulette Renaudin, Newsletter Editor

Sara comes to us from Las Vegas, Nevada. Sara had attended Magnificat Meals in California so when she moved to Las Vegas she just assumed there would be a Chapter there for her to join. When there wasn’t, Sara made it a top priority of forming a Chapter in Las Vegas. She has diligently been working on the desire of her heart since 2008. We can all add our prayers to hers for the bishop to approve the statutes to form a Chapter there.


Sara has been actively involved with Magnificat anyway, serving on the CST Communications Team, Regional Service Team member for Region 1 and CST Chapters in Formation ministry (West). She was invested into the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem last year by Cardinal Grand Master Edwin O’Brien. Sara is married and has a son and two granddaughters also living in Las Vegas.


Magnificat is delighted to welcome Sara to this new role and I know you join me in giving her a holy hug!  We look forward with great anticipation to meeting her in person at the International Conference in October. 

IN MEMORIAM of Aggie Neck

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Aggie Neck on March 23, 2017. 


Aggie was a friend to all in the Charismatic Renewal and in Magnificat. She served locally as one of the leaders of Apple of His Eye Prayer Group in Marksville, LA, diocese- wide as a member, and Past Chairman of the Diocesan Service Committee (group of Charismatic leaders from the Diocese of Alexandria, LA), regionally on the Planning Committee for the annual Southern Regional Conference, and nationally as a member and as a Past Chairman (Aggie was the first female to hold this position) of the National Service Committee for the Catholic Charismatic Renewal. She was a local, regional, national, and international speaker and teacher.


Aggie was instrumental in the formation of the CENLA Magnificat (Central Louisiana) Chapter, and served as a member of the Advisory Team, and also as Spiritual Advisor for the Chapter from 2012-2016. Aggie has given her testimony at Magnificat Chapters around the country and in Europe.


She was co-founder of Servant House, a Charismatic House of Prayer located in Marksville, LA. 

Aggie was married to Clyde Neck and together they have 3 grown children and 4 grandchildren.

She will be greatly missed by all those who knew and loved her. “Well done, good and faithful servant…come, share in your Master’s joy!” Matthew 25: 23


Magnificat Sisters Perform Corporal Works of Mercy 
The following article entitled "Bank of America Selects Galilee Center for Neighborhood Builder Grant" appeared in the Desert Sun Newspaper.  It t ells of the efforts of our Magnificat sisters Gloria Gomez and Claudia Castorena in Indio, CA who are trying to serve the needs of the local community. We pray God will continue to bless their work.

The biggest safety net for poor families and farmworkers in the Eastern Coachella Valley is getting a $200,000 infusion of funding from Bank of America's Neighborhood Builder grant.

The Galilee Center opened on Hammond Road in Mecca in 2012 and has since served more than 45,550 people in need through services such as its food pantry, thrift store, rent and utility assistance and vouchers, all on a budget of under $800,000 every year.

The center's services are all designed to alleviate some of the problems faced in the area, where more than half of residents recorded by the U.S. Census live under the federal poverty level. This need is amplified during the busy agricultural season, in which thousands of migrant workers come to the east valley for temporary employment every year. Due to a lack of affordable housing, many of these workers find themselves homeless and end up camping out or sleeping in their cars after days of backbreaking work. 

For these people, a hot shower and a place to clean up can be a point of hope, which is why in November 2015, the Galilee Center opened a comfort station which features laundry facilities and showers that are open seven days a week. Afterwards at the center's cooling station, they can enjoy a hot meal and congregate with friends and family while staying out of the desert heat. During the slower winter season, CFO and co-founder Claudia Castorena said between 12 and 24 people stop by for comfort station services every day, but during the summer that number grows to more than 200. “They used to take showers under the bridges, using contaminated water," said Galilee Center CEO Gloria Gomez. "They didn’t have anywhere to go to wash their clothes, to clean themselves; they had nowhere basically to have a hot meal. ... It's really a safety net." It's this effort that made the Galilee Center truly stand out in the decision process for Bank of America's Neighborhood Builder $200,000 grant, said Al Argüello, market president for the Inland Empire at Bank of America. "(Farmworkers) are the people that literally put food on our table," Argüello said. "They're a tremendous segment of the economy, and to support an organization that supports them is an honor." Claudia Castorena gives a tour of the Galilee Center in Mecca, March 8, 2017.

Every year, Bank of America invites between 15 and 20 organizations to apply not only for the $200,000 grant, but the opportunity for organization heads to travel to different leadership and networking conventions across the nation. After applications are in, a committee of local leaders from the region picks the nonprofit they believe is doing exceptional work in their own community, and awards the grant in two $100,000 installments a year apart. The Galilee Center has applied for the past three years, Castorena said, and this year finally was able to beat out the competition.

"I guess it took trial and error," Castorena said. "(Bank of America) was very welcoming and very cheerleading for us to get this award, so we're very grateful for that." So far, the Neighborhood Builder program has provided 900 nonprofits across the country with $180 million in grants and leadership development opportunities to nearly 2,000 people. "Nonprofits play such an important part in the economy," Argüello said. "If we support them, we all win." The money will be used to continue to operate the comfort station, Castorena said, freeing up resources to possibly expand Galilee's reach in the future. "Somebody once said ... there's hope at Galilee Center," Gomez said. "That's what we're trying to do. We're trying to create hope for the families and individuals, everybody who comes here." 
Spanish Regional Service Team
                         New Spanish Regional Team to serve ALL regions.
 Left to Right -Sonia Gonzalez, Alicia Marquez, Beatrice Bautista, Yolanda Rodriquez,  Lourdes Morales, Norma Gonzalez, Gloria Gomez, Maria Iniguez, Claudia Castorena,  Graciela Sanchez, Ana Bosler 


Michelle Seghers Retires
from Working  with  the Youth

Picture taken on Divine Mercy Sunday with Archbishop Gregory Aymond
in the Archdiocese of New Orleans, LA 
when she was given an award recognizing her lifetime involvement with the youth. 

 You are such a blessing, Michelle  ... Congratulations!
CCRNO Conference- Meterie
L to R: Paulette Renaudin, Carol Dazzio,
Mary Powell, Mary Wilson, Linda Ballistrella
                     L to R: Paulette Renaudin,
                     Mary Trevino, Mary Wilson
Magnificat members were well represented at the CCRNO Conference. "Current of Grace" was the theme for the 50th Anniversary "Golden Jubilee" Conference of the Charismatic Renewal held on March 31-April 2 in Metairie, LA. Internationally known speakers included Sr. Briege McKenna, Fr. Kevin Scallon C.M., Patti Mansfield, Dr. Mary Healy, Deacon Larry Oney and Andi Oney. Archbishop Gregory Aymond opened the conference. 
If you would like to attend the NSC Magnificat Luncheon, 
c lick here to register:   www.magnificatpittsburgh.org

To volunteer at this Pittsburgh Magnificat Luncheon, 
email: info@magnificatpittsburgh.org
Johnnette Benkovic Speaks at the United Nations
in Honor  of Our Lady of Fatima's 100th Anniversary
Johnnette, a dear sister in Christ was invited to address the United Nations on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of Our Lady of Fatima. We thought you would enjoy reading the newspaper article regarding this opportunity to share with the world about the miraculous event in 1917.  Wow!  
 
NEW YORK CITY — One day before the May 13 celebration marking the 100th anniversary of the Fatima apparitions, a statue of Our Lady of Fatima will be visiting the United Nations.

May 12 will mark the second time this particular statue has been to the United Nations, the first being in 1952.


Among the presenters at the May 12 United Nations event is Johnnette Benkovic, founder and president of EWTN’s Women of Grace apostolate and TV show.


“As she [Our Lady] came to the world through her apparitions to the shepherd children, the 100th anniversary of which will be celebrated the following day, she ‘comes again’ to remind the people of the world that the message is the same: that peace and hope and solidarity are possible through heaven’s plan,” Benkovic told CNA.

On May 13, 1917, three shepherd children named Lucia, Jacinta and Francisco saw a vision of Our Lady of Fatima, who was dressed in white and holding a rosary. These apparitions lasted through October of the same year and brought messages of prayer, repentance and reparation.

The apparitions were declared of “supernatural character” by the Catholic Church in 1930, and a shrine was erected near the original apparition site in Fatima. Since then, thousands of pilgrims have made their prayerful journeys to Fatima, including three popes: Blessed Paul VI, St. John Paul II and Benedict XVI.

During Pope Francis’ upcoming anniversary pilgrimage to Fatima, he will canonize two of the Fatima visionaries, Francisco and Jacinta Marto, on May 13.


The May 12 United Nations event is titled, “The Centenary of Fatima and the Enduring Relevance of Its Message of Peace,” and will take place from 11am to 1pm. 

Speakers at the event will include Ambassador Alvaro Mendonca e Moura, permanent representative of Portugal to the U.N., and Archbishop Bernardito Auza, apostolic nuncio and permanent observer of the Holy See to the U.N.  


“The event will be focused in a very special way on the enduring relevance of Fatima’s message of peace,” stated Father Roger Landry, an American priest serving the Holy See’s Permanent Observer Mission at the U.N., according to a press release.


Benkovic highlighted the significance of the statue traveling to the U.N. “Its purpose is to promote a message of peacemaking and peace-building in light of Our Lady of Fatima and her messages to the children in 1917,” she said.


“We are in tenuous times, and the Blessed Mother’s message to the world through the Fatima shepherd children is more relevant and important than ever. I am both honored and abundantly humbled to participate in this unprecedented moment at the U.N.”


Benkovic will be presenting at the U.N. on the topic of “Mary, the Dignity of Woman and Women’s Role in the Promotion of a Culture of Dialogue, Mediation, Peacemaking and Peace-Building.”


Benkovic noted the cultural and unitive significance of Our Lady of Fatima, particularly among three major religions: Judaism, Christianity and Islam, saying that Our Lady of Fatima “is a Jewish woman, acclaimed and revered by Christians, and acknowledged and respected by Muslims.”


As Our Lady of Fatima is in the spotlight this month around the world, Benkovic is hopeful that her messages of peace and repentance will touch individuals around the world in an unprecedented way.

  Kathleen Beckman: Guest Speaker at Two Events in Baton Rouge
Kathleen Beckman in Baton Rouge filming for FOCUS talking about Spiritual Maternity and Praying for Priests. 
L to R: Lisa Flood, Fr. Andrew Merrick, Kathleen Beckman, Ken Champagne
      Parish Mission. Kathleen Beckman and          
      Fr. Charbel Jamhoury, Pastor of St. Agnes
      Church, Baton Rouge, LA. 
     Carol Dazzio, Kathleen Beckman, Nancy Skok
25th Anniversary & 100th Meal, Joyful Visitation Chapter, Atlanta, GA
  L to R: Jan Nerone, Olga Myers, Elyse O'Kane
Marion Servants of the Blessed Trinity- Beth Gowasack, Rudi Lanehart, Stephanie Eiden, Emily Berend, Olga Myers (Assistant Dir.) , Sally Kazin (Director), Anna Milam, June L. Casey, Joyce Bianchi  
         Elyse O'Kane, Jan Nerone, Olga Myers
  Praying over Olga Myers

Saturday, May 7th was a joyous day in Atlanta with the 25th Anniversary and 100th Meal. Carolyn Wright and Kathy Timony joined Susan Shaw at the meal representing the Region 5 team. The speakers were Olga Myers, original Coordinator and Advisor to CST, Elyse O'Kane and Jan Nerone. We thank God for allowing your Chapter to touch so many hearts during the first 25 years!  May the Lord continue to bless the fruit of your labor and love. 

Magnificat Prayer Booklet
 
Magnificat has been a daily companion to thousands on their spiritual journey, enriching their prayer life and helping them grow in love and knowledge of Christ and the Church. 

Every subscription to this lovely Mass and prayer guide directly benefits our Ministry domestically and worldwide. 

Regular Edition: first subscription $44.95; second subscription $35; and subsequent subscriptions $29; Large Print Edition: first subscription $64.95; second subscription $55; and subsequent subscriptions $49.


Magnificat    P. O. Box 822,  Yonkers, NY 10702 
(866) 273-5215

Praise Report
Wherever I attend a Magnificat meal, I am in the midst of my Magnificat 'sisters', surrounded by love and joy in the Lord, one body, one spirit in Christ, just like our beloved Church.
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Visit, like and share the page at  
https://www.facebook.com/MagnificatMinistry 

Thank you to all who have commented, liked, and shared our posts. Every time you like, share, or comment you create activity which then multiplies the number of souls exposed to the Magnificat mission, which in turn reaches out to more souls in need of our Savior. Let us glorify the Lord in all we do, even on Social Media, and they will come to know the One who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life!  All glory to God!
 
 
Magnificat Proclaims  airs on EWTN RadioPlus !

Did you know everyday on EWTN Classics at 1:00 pm EST,  the new EWTN RadioPlus network features Magnificat speakers? It is also available online ( www.ewtnradio.net ) and on the EWTN app. Tune in and hear these incredible testimonies!  

 
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