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IN THIS ISSUE
Holy Father's Monthly Intentions
Fr. Kevin's Korner
Star of the New Evangelization
Magnificat Celebrates Two Magnificat Sisters
Liturgy of The Hours
West San Fernando Valley Chapter Report
Album of the Year Award
Superstorm Sandy
Mary's Garden is Growing
The Year of Faith
Praise Reports
Magnificat 12th International Leaders' Conference
Purpose of our Existence
Day of Faith
Magnificat Prayer Booklet
Our Lady of the Lakes, MN Annual Retreat
Jesus IS the Reason for the Season!
QUICK LINKS
APOSTLESHIP OF PRAYER

COMMUNICATIONS TEAM
PAULETTE RENAUDIN, EDITOR

JEANNE GREENFIELD
DONNA ROSS
TERI THOMPSON
CAROLYN WRIGHT
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Winter 2012
Volume 12 No. 12

Dear ,    
 
Our Lady of Guadalupe
Star of the New Evangelization
December 12, 2012 
Holy Mary, Star of the New Evangelization
make us the light of the world.
We receive Christ in the Eucharist;
help us build the Kingdom in the world.
Teach us to do whatever He tells us.
May our study of His life lead us to love Him,
and our love for Him lead us to imitate Him.
If we are what we should be,
we will set the world ablaze and affect the culture.
We ask your intercession to make this so,
through Christ, our Lord. Amen

single rose

 

For a printer friendly copy of this Newsletter,
click here.  
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Clicking on the "more" link will take you to the full article:

LITURGY OF THE HOURS
December 8, from the second reading - from a sermon by Saint Anselm, Bishop  (more)

YEAR OF FAITH

Pope Benedict XVI has designated 2012-2013 The Year of Faith. Calling it "a summons to an authentic and renewed conversion to the Lord"... (more)

MAGNIFICAT 12TH INTERNATIONAL LEADERS' CONFERENCE
We all have such a spirit of gratitude for the blessings bestowed on us during our Conference, they are like gifts you can keep opening all year long!  (more)

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Pope Benedict praying
HOLY FATHER'S
MONTHLY INTENTIONS

 

DECEMBER

General Intention:  

That migrants throughout the world may be welcomed with generosity and authentic love, especially by Christian communities.

 

Mission Intention: Christ, light for all humanity 

That Christ may reveal himself to all humanity with the light that shines forth from Bethlehem and is reflected in the face of his Church.   

 

JANUARY
General Intention:

That in this Year of Faith, Christians may deepen their knowledge of the mystery of Christ and witness joyfully to the gift of faith in him.

 

Mission Intention:
That the Christian Communities in the Middle East, often discriminated against, may receive from the Holy Spirit the strength of fidelity and perseverance.

FEBRUARY
General Intention:

That migrant families, especially the mothers, may be supported and accompanied in their difficulties.

 

Mission Intention:  People in Conflict
That the peoples at war and in conflict may lead the way in building a peaceful future.

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FRKFR. KEVIN'S KORNER 
by Fr. Kevin Scallon, C.M.
Magnificat CST Spiritual Advisorquill and pen

In the Crossing of My Arms

  

Ever since I read the first book about Guadalupe I developed a great desire to go there on pilgrimage. Thanks to Marilyn Quirk and Magnificat, I fulfilled this spiritual desire in November 2012.  


The tradition of going on pilgrimage is as old as the Church. Pilgrimage is a journey inspired by the Holy Spirit to seek some significant grace for one's life. In the early Church, Jerusalem was the place, then Rome and other places. And recently Guadalupe, Lourdes, Fatima, Knock and Medjugorje are sites of pilgrimage. The El Camino is the famous route stretching across Northern Spain that is still traversed by thousands to the Shrine of St. James of Compostela, recently highlighted by the movie "The Way."

For me, the pilgrimage was special for the many interior graces that came to me. I was led to pray and intercede for many people and intentions with great awareness and fervor.

I was deeply impressed by the devotion of the local people for whom the faith was obviously such an integral part of their lives. Their Catholicism was normal for them. Jesus is their friend and Our Lady of Guadalupe one of the family.  There was no shame or embarrassment in them. We encountered a small group at the Church of the apparitions who had walked for five days to come to the Shrine. Some of the young men told us that they were discerning about becoming priests. Their faith and devotion brought tears to our eyes. That was the kind of spiritual air we breathed all the time.  It seemed prayer was easy for everyone.

The old original Basilica was charming, but too small; the new one much more functional, accommodating several thousand pilgrims. Like the Basilica at Knock, this large building could do with a few artistic geniuses to bring it to life with great art.

The Tilma too seemed remote and definitely needs to be repositioned and brought closer so that the people can gaze on it and venerate it.  Modern technology should surely be able to bring this about without compromising safety or due reverence. But that is just my opinion.

There are two great images in the world that stand out above all others. One is the Shroud of Turin, the other the Tilma of Our Lady of Guadalupe.  Mary is the Mother of Life in a world benighted by the culture of death. She is and always will be a relevant presence to humankind. I am glad to have been in her living presence and to have come under her loving gaze. I pray that this first Magnificat pilgrimage may bring many graces to Magnificat throughout the world. Her words to St. Juan Diego never fail to move me:


"Am I not here, I, who am your Mother? Are you not under my shadow and protection? Am I not the source of your joy? Are you not in the hollow of my mantle, in the crossing of my arms?"  

     

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OurLadyofGuadalupe
OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE
STAR OF THE NEW EVANGELIZATION
December 12, 2012
by Paulette Renaudin


A little more than a decade ago, in the Apostolic Exhortation Ecclesia in America, Pope John Paul II wrote about the future of Catholicism in our hemisphere when he called Our Lady of Guadalupe "the Star of the New Evangelization." He also said, "The renewal of the Church in America will not be possible without the active presence of the laity. Therefore, they are largely responsible for the future of the Church." We have a prominent role to play in the conversion of our continent - a conversion begun by Our Lady of Guadalupe in 1531. Our Lady of Guadalupe, as our Mother of Hope, will lead us in hope if we entrust ourselves to God's great promise of eternal life and happiness with Him.  
  
In placing the New Evangelization under the patronage of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Pope John Paul II says, "It is my heartfelt hope that she, whose intercession was responsible for strengthening the faith of the first disciples, will by her maternal intercession guide the Church in America, obtaining the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, as she once did for the early Church so that the New Evangelization may yield a splendid flowering of Christian life."  The Holy Father's Exhortation concludes with a prophecy:

 

"Through Our Lady of Guadalupe's powerful intercession, the Gospel will penetrate the hearts of the men and women of America and permeate their cultures, transforming them from within... I there invite all Catholics of America to take an active part in the evangelizing initiatives which the Holy Spirit is stirring in every part of this immense continent, so full of resources and hope for the future."  

 

The day after he signed this Exhortation, the Holy Father concelebrated Mass at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe with 500 Bishops and 5,000 priests. He entrusted the future of the Continent to her and declared that the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Mother of the Evangelizer of America, be celebrated December 12."
  
He concluded his homily with a prayer, "Oh, Sweet Lady of Tepeyac, Mother of Guadalupe! We present to you this countless multitude of faithful who pray to God in America. You who have come into their hearts, visit and comfort all homes, parishes and dioceses of all the Continent."  

Prayer for the Evangelization of Culture

O Holy Spirit, our Advocate and guide,
help us open doors to Christ's saving power,
which alone is the source of hope
for humanity and
the renewal of society.
Fill us with courage to respond boldly
to the call of
Blessed John Paul II to evangelize the culture.
Enable us by your grace to live our faith in the public square,
so that we may promote a civilization of love and a culture of life,
and may secure justice for every human person
at every stage and condition of life.

We ask this through the intercession of
Our Lady of Guadalupe and Blessed John Paul II. Amen.
 
 

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Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe
MAGNIFICAT PILGRIMAGE

Eighty-four pilgrims (including 6 priests) representing 25 Magnificat Chapters traveled to see Our Lady of Guadalupe and other holy sites in November. Click on this link to see the people, places and experiences of this wonderful grace-filled pilgrimage. More information on this memorable journey will be featured in our next newsletter!

 

MAGNIFICAT CELEBRATES
TWO "YOUNG AT HEART" SISTERS


Happy Birthday Tessie Trosclair

Tessie Trosclair 
Tessie Trosclair, a precious Magnificat member from the beginning, just celebrated a milestone birthday! She is 90 years young, and young she is! She continues to drive while serving the Lord through her Hospital Chaplain position, visiting the patients and bringing them the Eucharist for over thirty years.
  
Tessie is a very humble, joyful, and selfless servant of the Lord. She began serving Magnificat as a Hostess and retired as a member of the Advisory Team. Anyone who has been around Tessie knows the lift you get! Her smile and laughter are infectious. What a happy parade of memories we share knowing Tessie. We thank the Lord for this sister and ask that He bless her abundantly this year and for many years to come.
  
The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me because he has anointed me to preach glad tidings to the poor. He has sent me to heal the brokenhearted. Isaiah 61:1

The Ever-Blooming Desert Rose

Evelyn Scarnecchia
 
Recently retired Membership/Registration Chairwoman, Evelyn Scarnecchia of Our Lady's Desert Roses, Palm Desert, CA knows "all things are possible with God!"  Many of us may remember about 3 years ago, March 17, 2010, she suffered a cerebral bleed and her family was told by the doctors that she had a couple of hours to a couple of days to live.  Thanks to God's grace, everyone's prayers and her will to live, the amazing Evelyn just celebrated her 90th birthday on November 4th. 

We thank God for Evelyn's zest for life and her willingness to serve. Praise God!
 

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Open bible w cross shadow
LitLITURGY OF THE HOURS

Office of Readings    

 

December 8th: Second Reading 
From a sermon by Saint Anselm, bishop 
  
Virgin Mary, all nature is blessed in you.  Blessed Lady, sky and stars, earth and rivers, day and night - everything that is subject to the power or use of man - rejoice that through you they are in some sense restored to their lost beauty and are endowed with inexpressible new grace. All creatures were dead, as it were, useless for men or for the praise of God, who made them. The world, contrary to its true destiny, was corrupted and tainted by the acts of men who served idols. Now all creation has been restored to life and rejoices that it is controlled and given splendor by men who believe in God.
  
The universe rejoices with new and indefinable loveliness. Not only does it feel the unseen presence of God himself, its Creator, it sees him openly, working and making it holy. These great blessings spring from the blessed fruit of Mary's womb. 

Through the fullness of the grace that was given you, dead things rejoice in their freedom, and those in heaven are glad to be made new. Through the Son who was the glorious fruit of your virgin womb, just souls who died before his life-giving death rejoice as they are freed from captivity, and the angels are glad at the restoration of their shattered domain.

Lady, full and overflowing with grace, all creation receives new life from your abundance. Virgin, blessed above all creatures, through your blessing all creation is blessed, not only creation from its Creator, but the Creator has been blessed by creation.

To Mary God gave his only-begotten Son, whom he loved as himself. Through Mary God made himself a Son, not different but the same, by nature Son of God and Son of Mary. The whole universe was created by God, and God was born of Mary. God created all things, and Mary gave birth to God. The God who made all things gave himself form through Mary, and thus he made his own creation. He who could create all things from nothing would not remake his ruined creation without Mary. 

God, then, is the Father of the created world and Mary the mother of the re-created world. God is the Father by whom all things were given life, and Mary the mother through whom all things were given new life. For God begot the Son, through whom all things were made and Mary gave birth to him as the Savior of the world. Without God's Son, nothing could exist; without Mary's Son, nothing could be redeemed.

Truly the Lord is with you, to whom the Lord granted that all nature should owe as much to you as to himself. 
 

In each Newsletter, the CST includes a selection from the Liturgy of the Hours which is the public prayer of the Church.  It is our hope that you have enjoyed the readings and they enhance your own personal prayer. If you would like more information, visit www.divineoffice.org  

 

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MAGNIFICAT CHAPTER REPORT:
WEST SAN FERNANDO VALLEY
By Teri Thompson, Coordinator

The Lord answers the prayers of his children, sometimes
Annette Baber
quickly and other times it takes awhile. When our Magnificat West San Fernando Valley, California Chapter Service Team was in prayer earlier in 2012 about discerning a July speaker, the Holy Spirit moved us to invite Annette Baber.  

"Isn't she somewhere in the Midwest? Do you think she'll come out here?" were the questions we asked. Not to ignore the promptings of our Lord, I gave Annette a call. "You're never going to believe this!" Annette answered. "I was just telling the Lord, I'm getting tired of traveling, but the one place I'll go is to the San Fernando Valley, and here you call! I was three years old when I left. Now I get to visit my mother's Valley!"  

Annette was greatly enthusiastic about receiving our invitation since her mother lived in the San Fernando Valley, a suburb of Los Angeles, and graduated from San Fernando High School - many years ago. Her mother's father and mother were Spanish Jews and owned a Spanish restaurant in the Valley. Many movie stars from Hollywood came to the restaurant including Clark Gable and Gene Autry, along with The Sons of the Pioneers with whom Annette's mother sang.

Her mother's niece, Meriam, was engaged to marry Roy Rogers, but her father said that he was not Jewish and would never amount to anything so the engagement was broken. Annette heard all these wonderful stories about her mother's Valley throughout her childhood.

Annette also received her Grandfather's blessing in the Valley at the age of 3 when he placed his hands on her head in typical Jewish tradition and said: "This child will be a blessing to her entire family."  Today, her entire Jewish family are Christians.

L-R  Sandy Cardenas, Assistant Coordinator,  Dorothy Recchuite, Secretary, Annette Baber,  Espy Martin, Historian, Teri Thompson, Coordinator
(not pictured Pat Dunlap, Treasurer)
The Magnificat reason for our invitation to Annette is that her testimony is unmatched. She was brought up in a traditional orthodox Jewish family, experienced a great conversion to our Lord leading to the subsequent conversion of many of her family members. Annette also started the Grapevine, Texas Magnificat Chapter as well as the Chapter in McHenry, Illinois where she now lives with her husband of 53 years, Tom.  

Having Annette as our Magnificat guest speaker was anointed. Our Service Team delighted in witnessing and contributing to her true joy of visiting a Valley filled with loving memories. It started from picking her up at the Los Angeles airport, a short trip through Beverly Hills and Rodeo Drive, followed by a lunch meeting in the beautiful hillside home of Assistant Coordinator, Sandy Cardenas with a view of the entire San Fernando Valley.

"I'm in heaven with my Mama and my Magnificat angels! You are all angels in this city of angels." Annette was able to see more of the area when driving to Simi Valley to spend the night at my home where she met my husband, Rick, a Catholic convert.  

The next day was glorious with perfect, sunny
Annette Baber and family photos
weather for our Magnificat meal. Annette rocked the house starting with "Hava Nagila" (Let us rejoice!) and other traditional Hebrew music that had guests dancing in the aisles. The Holy Spirit filled Annette as she expressed her unbridled love for our Lord and His Mother. Guests were deeply moved and uplifted by her powerful testimony, and our Service Team was blessed by her prayers.  

That evening, Rick and I took Annette to Mass at St. Peter Claver Parish in Simi Valley where Rick had completed the RCIA program in 2005. Before Annette's flight on Sunday, I planned a special car tour through the San Fernando Valley including spots that were particularly meaningful to Annette's mother. We drove to Burbank and Walt Disney studios, followed by NBC, Warner Bros. and Universal Pictures. We drove by the home of Bob Hope in Toluca Lake, had lunch at the home of our Service Team Secretary, Dorothy Recchuite with her husband, Martin and their dog, Lucky Boy; then over rocky Topanga Canyon into Malibu through Santa Monica along the glittering Pacific Coast. "This is God's country", she marveled at the landscape.

"The Lord heard my prayers" were Annette's words as we parted at the airport. Our Service Team thought likewise!

MAGNIFICAT MEMBER WINS
ALBUM OF THE YEAR AWARD

Annette Hills
Congratulations to our Orange County, CA Magnificat sister Annette Hills who won the CME Album of the Year Award! The title of her winning CD is "Inspirations from Annette Hills." She was also nominated for Female Vocalist of the Year, and her rendition of "The Prayer" was nominated for Best Song of the Year!

Annette started singing at age eight, but did not have official voice lessons until fifteen years ago. While convalescing after a major injury, she knew the Holy Spirit was asking her to sing for others. She started singing for the elderly, the disabled, retirement communities, and at other events. She has shared her musical talents at Magnificat meals and says her greatest pleasure is singing for the Lord.

Click here to go to Annette's website.  
HARD TIMES BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER
the Aftermath of Superstorm Sandy
by Angela Rizzo, Northeast/Canada Regional Rep

On October 29, 2012 Hurricane Sandy, no longer officially a hurricane but a "post-tropical" superstorm, slammed into the Jersey Shore killing people and destroying property as it made its way up the northeast coastline. It whipped torrents of water over the streets of Atlantic City ripping up parts of the boardwalk. The storm surge set records in Lower Manhattan, when the East River and the Hudson River overflowed their banks and caused major flooding and black-outs as never before seen. Long Island was hit especially hard and three members of our Service Team experienced great losses - two with their homes and one lost a business. Although we did not get a lot of rain (thanks be to God) the wind gusts were over 100 mph and huge trees were uprooted taking down power lines and blocking roads. Transformers began to blow one after another and the night sky was lit up like lightning streaking across the sky from the sparks.

Many of our Magnificat members live near or on the water and everyday I am hearing news of another family who lost everything - the towns of Long Beach, Oceanside, Freeport, Merrick and Massapequa were especially hard hit and this is where many of our Sisters live and work.  Schools were closed for almost two weeks - and some are still not open.  Electric power has been slow to come back and as of today, two weeks since the storm, there are still people living without light or heat.  Our local parishes immediately stepped into gear and people from all over began to bring clothing, food, cleaning supplies and the like to parish centers where everything was sorted.

Statue of the Blessed Mother one of the only items to be saved in house on Staten Island
Needy families were then able to come in and take what they needed - so much was collected that the extra was sent to other parts of Long Island and Staten Island which was especially hard hit.

Because of the storm we decided to cancel our upcoming dinner one week after Thanksgiving. As providence would have it the National Pilgrim Statue of Our Lady of Fatima was scheduled to come to my parish, Cur� of Ars, in Merrick on Friday, November 16th and we have reached out to our Magnificat email list and invited everyone to come and venerate Our Blessed Mother and participate in the prayers and graces that will be poured out.

Hard times often bring people together and we are finding it happening here on Long Island and across the area...having faith in God's Divine Providence and His promise to "never leave us or forsake us" gives us strength and encouragement to persevere and seek "the treasures found in darkness". 
  
MARY'S GARDEN IS GROWING!

The Holy Spirit continues to plant seeds in Mary's Garden, and so we welcome a beautiful addition to our Magnificat family:  our Dublin, Ireland Chapter.

Dublin, Ireland's, Mary, Queen of Ireland Chapter, in the Archdiocese of Dublin, held their first Magnificat Meal on February 11, 2012, with none other than Sr. Briege McKenna as their first speaker!  Fr. Kevin Scallon, himself, was also there to celebrate with them.
Patricia Mitchell and Sr. Briege McKenna

This Chapter is headed up by a very spiritual and able Service Team: Patricia Mitchell, Coordinator, Mary Curran, Assistant Coordinator, Kathy Kelly, Secretary, Mary Wade-Molloy, Treasurer, Ethna Scallon, Historian, Mrs. Anne O'Flanagan, Service Team Member, and Fr. Liam � Cu�v, Spiritual Advisor.  Welcome to the Magnificat family!

yearOfFaithTHE YEAR OF FAITH

Pope Benedict XVI has designated 2012-2013 The Year of Faith. Calling it "a summons to an authentic and renewed conversion to the Lord," the Pope added, "We will have the opportunity to profess our faith in the Risen Lord in our cathedrals and in the churches of the whole world; in our homes and among our families, so that everyone may feel a strong need to know better and to transmit to future generations the faith of all times."

The Year of Faith began October 12, 2012, and concludes November 24, 2013, the Solemnity of Christ the King.

The Pope wants the year to be a time to rediscover the beauty and richness of the Church's history. The year coincides with the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council and the 20th anniversary of the publication of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Pope Benedict hopes it will become an important period for Catholics to learn more about the Council documents, which, he states, "have lost nothing of their value or brilliance." The Pope is encouraging Catholics to use this Year of Faith for increased charitable witness. "Faith without charity bears no fruit," he writes, "while charity without faith would be a sentiment constantly at the mercy of doubt." The Pope also said The Year of Faith will give "new impetus" to the mission of the whole Church to lead men out of the desert they often find themselves, to the place of life, of friendship with Christ. He placed all those involved in new evangelization under the protection of the Virgin Mary who "helps every Christian to be a valid witness to the Gospel."

PRAISE REPORTS

"The genuine warm love of the Lord which Magnificat so beautifully expressed on Saturday will stay with me for a long time. Truly refreshing! Thanks for the living example of what grace can do for a soul!!!!"


From a Chapter in Formation on the Conference:
"I was given a real Holy Spirit 'shot in the arm' when I attended the 11th International Leaders' Conference. The feeling started in the Registration line, then helping to bless the ballrooms, to the evening meal and festivities. After processing into the conference room carrying a red rose for the Blessed Mother, I was welcomed by the clapping of over 300 women. I felt like I had been baptized in the Holy Spirit all over again. I could not contain the joy!"
  
LeadersConf
MAGNIFICAT 12th INTERNATIONAL LEADERS' CONFERENCE
March 14-17, 2013
 

 

"They Have No Wine"
"Mary, our Model of Faith"

Theme: The Wedding Feast at Cana   
This year's speakers include:
  • Archbishop Gregory Aymond,
    New Orleans, LA  
  • Bishop Robert J. Hermann, St. Louis, MO 
  • Magnificat Spiritual Advisor, Fr. Kevin Scallon, C.M.  
  • Fr. Francis Martin
  • Sister Briege McKenna, O.S.C. 
  • Johnnette Benkovic, founder of Women of Grace and The Abundant Life 
  • Patti Mansfield, Catholic Charismatic Renewal of New Orleans 
  • Susan Potvin, Living Praise Music Ministry
  • Dr. Carol Razza
  • Jackie France, Regional Rep Coordinator
  • and many more!  

Give yourself the gift that keeps on giving this year for Christmas...and what might that be?  

 

Of course, it is our International Leaders' Conference Registration! Why not put it at the top of your Christmas List?  The spiritual gifts received, especially in this Year of Faith, will be too many to be "opened" at once. We all have such a spirit of gratitude for the blessings bestowed on us during our Conference, they are like gifts you can keep opening all year long!  


~ Come One, Come All! ~

Conference Registration Link

From Psalm 63
"I will bless you as long as I live; I will lift up my hands, calling on your name. My soul shall savor the rich banquet of praise, with joyous lips my mouth shall honor you!"

  

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WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF OUR EXISTENCE?
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA CHAPTER
by Kay Burkot
 
It is a question that everyone wonders about from time to time. The God who created us created us for a purpose. So...what is that purpose?

Ephesians 1:12 says, "We exist for the praise of His glory." It is to give Him glory. We exist to glorify Him through our praises.

Psalm 50:23 says, "He who offers a sacrifice of praise glorifies me." That is why we are told to praise Him in all things. When things are going well, we praise Him. Likewise, when there are troubles, we praise Him amidst our troubles. When we are sick, we praise Him. When we have financial problems, we praise Him. When we are concerned about our loved ones, we praise Him. When we do this, we are fulfilling the purpose of our existence. We are not letting our circumstances determine the purpose of our existence. We are maintaining our purpose in good times and in bad, if we praise God in all things. And best of all, when we do this we are glorifying God!

MagDayofFaithTHE MAGNIFICAT DAY OF FAITH
by Kathleen Beckman

Fr. Peter John Cameron, O.P. 
Thanks be to God, Magnificat, A Ministry to Catholic Women, enjoys a special relationship with Magnificat publishers. Most of our leaders and members cherish the Magnificat monthly liturgical magazine as a trusted source of spiritual formation. 
 
Over the past year our Magnificat had the opportunity to be of service to the Magnificat publishers for the planning and execution of their national Day of Faith. On November 3rd, at the future Christ Cathedral (presently The Crystal Cathedral) located in Garden Grove, California, a sell-out crowd of 2,800 people gathered for a grace-filled day of liturgical prayer, music, art, inspired teaching and testimony presented by the family of Magnificat contributors including Fr. Michael Morris, O.P., Fr. Peter John Cameron, O.P., and Fr. Romanus Cessario, O.P. 
          
Mr. Pierre-Marie Dumont, publisher of Magnificat, wrote the following, "I welcome you to the Magnificat Day of Faith. Each of us has journeyed here, whether from near or far, because we have been drawn by the beauty of Jesus Christ - a beauty whose rays are reflected in the liturgical prayer life of the Church. Now this day of shared prayer and reflection organized by The Magnificat Foundation offers us a privileged opportunity to enter more deeply into a very Catholic way of life. Today affords the chance to "rediscover the joy of believing" that is Pope Benedict's desire for the Year of Faith.  What kind of joy?  Precisely the joy that the Blessed Virgin Mary proclaims in her Magnificat song of praise!  Believers worldwide live the message of Mary's Magnificat.  To assist them and to encourage others to find joy in believing, a new organization has been established. The Magnificat Foundation, a tax-exempt charitable foundation, will continue to develop and to organize programs such as today's inspiring Day of Faith."

Pierre Marie Dumont, Kathleen Beckman and  
Fr. Romanus Cessario, O.P. 
I learned that Mr. Dumont credits his prayerful wife, Bernadette, for the inspiration to start Magnificat. Mrs. Dumont desired that they would pray together the liturgy of the hours and in order to do so, Mr. Dumont designed a simplified format and developed the monthly Magnificat publication. Now millions of people in many nations depend on Magnificat as a prayer companion.  Mr. and Mrs. Dumont have twelve children; two of their handsome sons were present.  
 
The anointed writer and preacher, Fr. Peter Cameron, O.P. delivered the keynote address entitled, "Your Faith Has Saved You" in which he spoke of our "nostalgia for the infinite" and how communicating the reason for your conversion increases faith. He said, "Faith becomes the most attractive thing about you. Faith is not optional."

Everyone one was touched by the testimony of Mrs. Clara Gaymard who is an accomplished businesswoman, President and CEO of General Electric France, a wife and mother of nine.  When asked what stands out above all, she points to her experience as the daughter of the Catholic geneticist, Servant of God Jerome Lejeune (a friend of Blessed John Paul II) who discovered the chromosome differential in Down's Syndrome children. When the media interviewed her and asked, "how do you do all those things?"  She replied, "I do not know."  We know it is by grace. 

Fr. James Kubicki, S.J., National Director of the Apostleship of Prayer, preached an outstanding homily on The Saints: Witnesses of Faith and gained the distinction of being the first Catholic preacher at the Crystal Cathedral. During the prior weekend, Father preached our Magnificat Western Regional Retreat for 67 women representing 12 chapters.  The theme of the retreat was "Faith for Hearts on Fire".   For the Day of Faith, our Magnificat was given an exhibitors table that was hosted by chapters including Orange County, San Diego, Antelope Valley and Palm Desert. 

The Magnificat Day of Faith was live-streamed around the world. Father Robert Reed of Catholic TV Network has made it available for viewing in segments via the Internet. In a letter to the papal nuncio, Cardinal Timothy Dolan referred to the purchase of Christ Cathedral as "a blessing, not only to the Diocese of Orange, but to the entire Church in the United States, and an effective boost to the New Evangelization in our country." 

Magnificat's Day of Faith was a joyful visitation! We go forth with grace to "rediscover the joy of believing".  Our Magnificat Ministry and the Magnificat Publishers seem destined to work toward the New Evangelization as we each strive to proclaim His marvelous deeds.  

Mary, pray for us who have recourse to you. Amen.
 
 
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MAGNIFICAT PRAYER BOOKLET
Christmas 2012 Special 

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. 
  
The Magnificat Prayer Book would be a great idea to consider as a Christmas gift for family and friends.  Every subscription to this lovely Mass and prayer guide directly benefits our Ministry services domestically and worldwide.   

 

Don't miss this opportunity to take advantage of this very special Christmas subscription offer:

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.

These US prices are a considerable discount and only available in the USA until March 31, 2013. This offer is available by mail (see address below) - but not on the website.

Magnificat
P. O. Box 822
Yonkers, NY 10702

Fr. George Zeck
THE YEAR OF FAITH: 
OUR LADY OF THE LAKES CHAPTER 
WALKER, MN
by Fr. George Zeck


Our Lady of the Lakes Chapter in Walker, MN has the tradition of a retreat day for the Service Team in the fall. This year we focused on "The Year of Faith" announced by Pope Benedict XVI. 

Holy Father's Prayer for the Year of Faith:

Spirit of Life, which in the beginning hovered over the abyss, help humanity to understand that the exclusion of God leads to being lost in the desert of the world. And that only where faith enters, do dignity and liberty flourish and the whole society is built on justice.

Spirit of Pentecost, which makes the Church one Body, restore in the baptized an authentic spirit of communion; render yourself a living sign of the presence of the Risen One in the world, a community of saints that lives in the service of charity.

Holy Spirit, which trains to the mission, make us recognize that, also in our time so many persons are in search of the truth about their existence and the world. Make us collaborators of their joy with the proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, grain of wheat of God, which renders good the terrain of life and assures the abundance of the harvest. Amen. 

We began praying the composed prayer and then I led a time of reflection. What happened? The Spirit led us, unexpectedly, into "deep prayer" for ninety minutes! When we began, I divided the prayer into three sections. There are three direct references to the Holy Spirit in this prayer. The following are some of the reflections brought forth that beautiful morning...

Spirit of Life: The role of the Holy Spirit, the Ru'ah' of God's breath, is to bring order out of chaos. The chaos is dark, an abyss of despair beginning with the angelic fall and thus the abyss' origin is vast and deep. Without the very presence of the Spirit of God, humanity lives in an abyss, an abyss that excludes God becomes a desert. Do we realize this is happening now? We also need the Spirit of Life to even recognize the darkness that surrounds us and the only solution is the entrance of a faith centered in the Holy Spirit. Let us be courageous enough to petition God that we be filled with the Spirit of Life and respond accordingly.

Spirit of Pentecost: Our Holy Father reminds us that every action of the Spirit is to unify the Body of Christ; the Spirit is sent to create: "an authentic spirit of communion" as the presence of Jesus in the world. Those who embrace God's gift of the Spirit realize that the Spirit is given for the service of charity and that this charity invites a living encounter with Jesus in the lives of people through service.

Holy Spirit: We need the indwelling Holy Spirit that helps us to focus on Christ's mission to the Church; we need the Holy Spirit to even recognize that in our midst there are people searching for the meaning and purpose of their lives, their very existence and why the world was even created. We must not move ahead of the Spirit but as we share how we experience God's life within us we do not coerce those in our midst to believe, but to rejoice with them as they open their personal "doors of faith" to Jesus. (Acts 14:27) The proclamation of Gospel only occurs when, like Jesus, we become living "grains of wheat" that die to self so that God can produce the spiritual harvest in our midst.

We all agreed that our experience affirmed that this prayer is truly "anointed" by God. I would invite all of you to personally reflect on this prayer. In summary, I would invite you to begin to pray this prayer faithfully daily in your own lives, when service teams gather, and especially when your Magnificat meals are held. My personal prayer is that all of our Magnificat Chapters embrace this special and important year of favor from God.
  
JESUS IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON!

There has been no greater gift than the precious baby born in a manger in Bethlehem. In this Season of Giving, please consider supporting Magnificat's Mission to proclaim the greatness of the Lord across the globe - click here to give the gift that will truly keep on giving!

A Blessed Christmas May the gifts that only Christ can give be yours this Christmas season, and may His love, joy and peace continue to be abundantly yours throughout each day of the new year.
  
Merry Christmas with love,
The Central Service Team