Praise be to our Lord Jesus Christ who has blessed us with His Holy

Volume 8 Issue 13
Summer Edition
In This Issue
Praise be to our Lord Jesus
Christ who has blessed us with
His Holy Spirit to strengthen,
guide and inspire us. What a
privilege and blessing it is for
me, a mere handmaid of the
Lord, to be welcoming you to this
Summer Newsletter.
I am
constantly aware of the varied
and outstanding God-given gifts
that each of you brings to this ministry; and, to be leading such a
holy army of Magnificat women, I am truly humbled. But God
has graced me with 15 years of mentoring and nurturing by the
founders of Magnificat and with an equal number of years
working with you who have formed Magnificat Chapters. For
this, I am forever grateful to Jesus and our Blessed
Mother. May God continue to bless, protect and inspire each of
you and multiply your gifts to build up His Kingdom.
Your
Sister
in
Christ,
Holy Father's Monthly Intentions
Welcome From Your New CST!
Riveted Magnificat Audience!
"Song of Songs" in Malta
Father Nicholas Baker
World Youth Day
Praise Reports
Liturgy of the Hours
Fr. Kevin's Korner
Magnificat Prayer Booklet
New CST Secretary
Mary's Garden is Growing!
Holy Father's Monthly
Intentions
August
General
Parents and Teachers: That
parents and teachers may help
the new generation to grow in
upright conscience and life.
Mission
The Church in Africa: That the
local Church in Africa, faithfully proclaiming the
Gospel, may promote peace and justice.
September
General
Value of Silence: That people today, often
overwhelmed by noise, may rediscover the value of
silence and listen to the voice of God and their
brothers and sisters.
Mission
Persecuted Christians: That Christians suffering
persecution in many parts of the world may by their
witness be prophets of Christ's love.
October
General
People in Despair: That those feeling so crushed by
life that they wish to end it may sense the nearness of
God's love.
Mission
World Mission Day: That the celebration of World
Mission Day may help all Christians realize that we are
not only receivers but proclaimers of God's word.
Liturgy of the Hours
Office of Readings
Second Reading
From a homily by Saint
Amadeus of Lausanne,
bishop
Queen of the world and
of peace
Observe how fitting it was that even
before her assumption the name of Mary
shone forth wondrously throughout the
world. Her fame spread everywhere even
before she was raised above the heavens
in her magnificence. Because of the honor
due her Son, it was indeed fitting for the
Virgin Mother to have first ruled upon
earth and then be raised up to heaven in
glory. It was fitting that her fame be spread
in this world below, so that she might
enter the heights of heaven in
overwhelming blessedness. Just as she was
borne from virtue to virtue by the Spirit of
the Lord, she was transported from earthly
renown to heavenly brightness.
So it was that she began to taste the fruits
of her future reign while still in the flesh.
At one moment she withdrew to God in
ecstasy; at the next she would bend down
to her neighbors with indescribable love. In
heaven angels served her, while here on
earth she was venerated by the service of
men. Gabriel and the angels waited upon
her in heaven. The virgin John, rejoicing
that the Virgin Mother was entrusted to
him at the cross, cared for her with the
other apostles here below. The angels
rejoiced to see their queen, the apostles
rejoiced to see their lady, and both obeyed
her with loving devotion.
Dwelling in the loftiest
a sea of divine grace
source of love that
banks, she poured
citadel of virtue, like
or an unfathomable
has overflowed its
forth her bountiful
Welcome From Your New CST!
by Paulette Renaudin
L-R Diane Bates, Nancy Skok, Kathy MacInnis, Donna Ross and
Paulette Renaudin
All changes, even the most welcome, have their sense
of sadness, because when we move on, we leave a
little of ourselves behind.
We are all creatures of habit and the CST is no
different. Our weekly meetings alone have evolved
from 30 plus years meeting around Marilyn Quirk's
dining room table. When Kathy Mac moved, she came
to the weekly meetings by speaker phone propped up
in one of Marilyn's teacups! Then, when Donna and
Diane joined us, we moved to a partial-online WebEx
meeting so we could see each other.
Some people find change exhilarating, while others
are a little slower to adjust. Your new CST is fully
charged and ready to undertake the weekly challenges
and surprises that arise at our meetings. We thank
God for the ability to meet by computer on WebEx and
we consider it a privilege to serve you! We feel each
CST member has something special to offer. With
Kathy in Florida, Donna in California, Diane in Texas,
and Nancy and I in Louisiana, WebEx provides a
wonderful opportunity to meet face-to-face and heartto-heart. This ministry is all about relationships, and
what better way to forge relationships than to meet
together and pray, sing, and work!
So many exciting things are going on in the ministry.
Recently we said at a meeting, "we feel like the
apostles must have felt, witnessing the multiplication
of the loaves and fishes." We are always singing,
"Lord, we are amazed by You." We thank YOU, the
members of the Magnificat ministry, for your prayers
for us, and you can be assured of our prayers for you.
waters on trusting and thirsting souls. Able
to preserve both flesh and spirit from death
she bestowed health-giving salve on bodies
and souls. Has anyone ever come away
from her troubled or saddened or ignorant
of heavenly mysteries? Who has not
returned to everyday life gladdened and
joyful because his request had been
granted by the Mother of God? She is a
bride, so gentle and affectionate, and
mother of the only true bridegroom. In her
abundant goodness she has channeled the
spring of reason's garden, the well of living
and life-giving waters that pour forth in a
rushing stream from divine Lebanon and
flow down from Mount Zion until they
surround the shores of every far-flung
nation. With divine assistance she has
redirected these waters and made them
into streams of peace and pools of grace.
Therefore, when the Virgin of virgins was
led forth by God and her Son, the King of
kings, amid the company of exulting angels
and rejoicing archangels, with the heavens
ringing with praise, the prophecy of the
psalmist was fulfilled, in which he said to
the Lord:
At your right hand stands the queen,
clothed in gold of Ophir.
Fr. Kevin's Korner
Magnificat CST Spiritual Advisor
Fr. Kevin Scallon, C.M.
With the harp I will solve
my problem [Psalm 49:5]
The greatest book of
poetry ever written is in
the Bible. It is called the
Book of Psalms. It is also the most
frequently read book of poetry in the world.
Tens of thousands of men and women
celebrate this sacred poetry in song every
day, seven times a day. Being part of the
Bible it is the inspired word of God. It used
to be thought that the author of the Psalms
was King David, but as you can imagine it
is a bit more complicated than that.
We all serve an awesome God!
Riveted Magnificat Audience!!!
By Catherine Gurgone & Carrie Shannon
The McHenry Illinois Chapter of Magnificat, 'Mary ~
Mother of the Eucharist', held its annual Fall Breakfast
on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, Saturday,
December 8, 2012. It was a packed house, with more
than 365 people, yet included in their numbers were a
good number of priests, other men and religious. They
all enjoyed a delicious buffet breakfast and wonderful
praise music.
This chapter's new spiritual director, Deacon Joe
Phelan, of the Church of the Holy Apostles had the
privilege and pleasure of introducing his sister-in-law,
Trudy Harris, as the keynote
speaker.
Harris, a Hospice nurse for more
than 22 years, also served as
president
of
the
Hospice
Foundation for Caring. During
those years she was responsible
for all public relations, marketing,
fund raising and development. She
personally raised more than 45
million dollars for her local Hospice
program. Her testimony reflected
her years working with the
terminally ill.
Trudy Harris
It was the spiritual treasure gained from these
deathbed experiences that riveted Magnificat's
audience that Saturday morning. Trudy shared how it
was in her work with the terminally ill where she
gained deep spiritual truths and a profound awe in the
face of all the overwhelming evidence of life beyond
death. Compassionately told in the stories of her
patients' final moments on earth, she presented
astounding encounters with Heaven and gave all a
glimpse of life in eternity.
Trudy's first book, Glimpses of Heaven, was a
bestseller and has sold over 300,000 copies. It is
currently published in nine languages. Her latest
book, More Glimpses of Heaven, was published in
November 2012 and is already enjoying a wide
readership. She also writes a blog for Guideposts.
The church celebrates the Liturgy of the
Hours making use of these wonderful
inspired prayers which variously give
expression
to
every
emotion
and
movement of the human spirit, and there is
nothing that does not find expression in
these wonderful poems. There is an
amazing description of the Psalms written
by St. Ambrose which you will find in the
Divine Office of Readings, Saturday of
Week Ten in Ordinary Time. I could not do
better than to quote some passages for you
and recommend that you read the lesson
from St. Ambrose for yourselves.
"A psalm is a blessing on the lips of the
people, a hymn in praise of God, the
assembly's
homage,
a
general
acclamation, a word that speaks for all, the
voice of the Church, a confession of faith in
song. It is the voice of complete assent, the
joy of freedom, a cry of happiness, the
echo of gladness. It soothes the temper,
distracts from care, lightens the burden of
sorrow. It is a source of security at night, a
lesson in wisdom by day. It is a shield when
we are afraid, a celebration of holiness, a
vision of serenity, a promise of peace and
harmony. It is like a lyre, evoking harmony
from a blend of notes. Day begins to the
music of a psalm. Day closes to the echo of
a psalm.
In a psalm, instruction vies with beauty. We
sing for pleasure. We learn for our profit.
What experience is not covered by a
reading of the psalms? I come across the
words: A song for the beloved, and I am
aflame with desire for God's love. I go
through God's revelation in all its beauty,
the intimations of resurrection, the gifts of
his promise. I learn to avoid sin. I see my
mistake in feeling ashamed of repentance
for my sins."
Magnificat recommends that we celebrate
Morning and Evening Prayer from the
Divine Office every day. It is the prayer of
the church. It is the prayer of Christ himself.
It is the word of God. We lift two arms to
pray the Divine Office. One is the arm of
praise of God so beautifully expressed in all
of the Psalms. The other is the arm of
intercession for God's people and for the
Currently, Trudy remains active in connecting the
needs of the terminally ill in her community with the
Hospice program. She and her husband live in
Jacksonville, Florida and enjoy the love and friendship
of their four sons and seven grandchildren. A member
of the audience was heard to say, "I have never been
at a talk of over an hour where no one moved, no one
left, and everyone listened intently!"
Magnificat "Song of Songs" on The Island
of Malta
by Paulette Renaudin
While visiting the Island of
Malta for Magnificat in
March, I had the privilege
of visiting with Jan Tate
and was privileged to also
visit the beautiful summer
residence
of
Myriam
England, our gracious
European Regional Rep.
The cultural flair combines
this tranquil oasis with
traditional grandeur. It was
the childhood home of
Myriam's
husband,
Private Chapel
Richard,
and
was
renovated and gifted to Myriam as an anniversary gift.
"Song of Songs" is a private summer residence
belonging to the England family ideally situated on the
water's edge on the northern part of the island of Malta
in the vicinity of St. Paul's Island where the apostle
was shipwrecked.
The property is presently being used as a Retreat
House and a College of Bible Studies. Myriam hosts
visiting speakers and guests for workshops on Biblical
and other Christian studies.
"Song of Songs" is made up of extensive bedroom
facilities, dining and breakfast areas, a garden, and
terraces overlooking the bay. It also contains a small
private chapel which provides an ideal prayer and
meditation space. The mirrors on the terrace reflect
the church on the hill at Wardija where Myriam and
Richard were married 50 years ago.
whole church. When you take up the Divine
Office be aware that your prayer reaches to
the ends of the earth, because it comes
from the heart of Christ Himself.
I hope everyone is enjoying the summer
and that you are finding Christ in every
person and in every moment.
Magnificat Prayer
Booklet
The Magnificat prayer
booklet 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
worldwide.
Magnificat
P. O. Box 822
Yonkers, NY 10702
866-273-5215
www.magnificat.net/english/
and
The College of Bible Studies has recently been visited
by His Grace, The Archbishop of Malta and has
hosted a number of prayer and study groups.
Magnificat Welcomes Peggy Toso
to the Staff!
Father Nicholas Baker Celebrates
50th Anniversary, Retires as Spiritual
Advisor to Morning Star Chapter
By Rhonda Litt, Coordinator
When I asked the Service Team members and
Spiritual Advisor to comment by email about the
International Magnificat Conference we had just
attended, the following was what Father Nicholas
Baker wrote. It gives us a glimpse into the heart of
this wonderful Priest!
"Rhonda, it seemed to me
that this Conference was
one of the better ones I have
attended (I have been to
9). I was blown away by the
homily of Father Francis
Martin, although the other
homilies were good too. I
enjoyed all the talks, and the
band.
Father
Kevin
Fr. Nicholas Baker
Scallon's homily turned out
to be the model for my own homily on Holy
Thursday. Archbishop Aymard's homily was good and
I thought it was so meaningful that after Mass he went
to Marilyn Quirk and gave her a big hug, then he
called up Kathy MacInnis and put his hand on her
head and prayed for her. Just to be with all of YOU
HOLY LADIES was a tonic for me. God Bless you for
having me for your Spiritual Advisor."
Father Baker was the only son and youngest of seven
children born to Frank and Ida Baker of Falls City
Nebraska. He lost his father when he was only 11
years old and planned to stay home and take care of
his mother. However, during his last year at Sacred
Heart School, "I just kind of felt this conviction that the
Lord was calling me to be priest." His mother was
"delighted and excited" about his calling.
After his ordination by Bishop Casey, Father Baker
said he has loved every minute of the Priesthood for
the last fifty years. "Saying Mass every day... funerals
and weddings... just being with the people is my
joy. Sometimes we Priests think we are supporting
our people, but they are supporting us too."
Carolyn Bonck & Peggy Toso
The Magnificat Ministry is blessed in ways
too numerous to measure, but our latest
blessing is Peggy Toso. Peggy comes to
us on the heels of Jane Margavio's
retirement
after
the
International
Conference. Peggy is married and is the
mother of one young son. She has a very
gentle spirit and is a pleasure to work with.
She is well versed in Database Analysis
and Office Management. Peggy is working
alongside Carolyn Bonck, our present
secretary, on the many and varied
responsibilities of our Central Ministry
Office. Peggy and Carolyn have also both
been helping Kathy Mac with her duties
with Chapters in Formation, a very
important part of our ministry.
We look forward to getting to know Peggy
better and we are grateful for her YES to
Magnificat.
We have a
"Treasury of
Prayers" on our
Website!
Bishop Fabian Bruskewitz appointed Father Baker as
Spiritual Advisor to the Morning Star Chapter in
1996. The Chapter has been truly blessed by this
wonderful, kind and caring Priest who has been both
friend and advisor. On his retirement in June 2013,
Bishop James Conley appointed Monsignor Paul Witt
as the Chapter's new spiritual advisor.
Thank you Father Baker! You will always be in our
hearts and we will pray for many happy and blessed
retirement years for you!
World Youth Day a
Huge Success!
Mary's Garden is
Growing!
The Holy Spirit has
been working overtime
planting
seeds
in
Mary's Garden, and so
we welcome three
beautiful additions to
our
Magnificat
family: our Denver,
Colorado Chapter, our
New
Tallahassee
Chapter, and the most recent addition, our
Central
Arkansas
Chapter.
The Denver, CO - Our Lady of the Blessed
It is estimated that more than
Sacrament Chapter in the Archdiocese of
3
million
people
Denver will hold its first Magnificat Meal on
attended World Youth Day in
October 26, 2013, with their original
Rio De Janeiro, including over
Coordinator, Mary Lou Alexander Bruch, as
84,000 volunteers! WYD 2013
their first Speaker. Their Service Team
was led by Pope Francis, with
members
are
Mary
Anne
Dagli,
Pope Benedict XVI the first
Coordinator, Marion Budz, Secretary, Mary
registered
attendee!
See
K. Nielson, Treasurer, Martha Foelker,
coverage of this monumental
Historian and Fr. Kenneth Koehler, Spiritual
event at EWTN or the World Youth Day website! Advisor.
Praise Reports
"Through the affirmation and
support of Magnificat women, I
have been empowered through
the Holy Spirit to become what
God created me to be...His
woman."
"The Blessed Mother has kept me busy non-stop for
her Son, who is the love of my life!"
Our New Tallahassee, FL - Mary, Mother of
Mercy and Hope Chapter held their first
Magnificat Meal on June 1, 2013, with Julie
Bettinger as their first speaker. They are
located in the Diocese of PensacolaTallahassee. Members of their Service
Team are: Terry Shine, Coordinator, Mary
M. Farmer, Assistant Coordinator, Dolores
M. Henderson, Secretary Tracey Cottle,
Treasurer, Tomisha E. Eaton, Historian,
and Fr. Chris Winkeljohn, serving as their
Spiritual Advisor.
And last but not least, our Central Arkansas
- Jesus, Bread of Life Chapter, became the
second Magnificat Chapter active in the
Diocese of Little Rock. Their Service Team
consists of: Debbie Eckert, Coordinator,
Diane Branson, Assistant Coordinator,
Sarah Thornton, Secretary, Doris Williams,
Treasurer, Lib Harrison, Historian, and
Msgr. Jim Mancini, Spiritual Advisor, who is
well known to Magnificat women. Their first
Meal is being planned for September 28,
2013, with Aggie Neck as their first
Speaker. Aggie is currently the Spiritual
Advisor for our Alexandria, LA Chapter.
We extend a warm welcome to each of our
new chapters, and thank each Service
Team member for their commitment to
Magnificat. You are in our hearts and in our
prayers!
The Passing
Sister
of
a
Magnificat
Babsie Bleasdell, known to many as "Aunty
Babsie", went Home to her Eternal Reward
on July 22, 2013. She will be remembered
in a featured article in our next issue.
This Newsletter is brought to you by the Magnificat Central Service Team
Paulette Renaudin, Editor
Elise Botch
Jeanne Greenfield
Magnificat, A Ministry To Catholic Women | 1629 Metairie Road, Suite 3 | Metairie | LA | 70005