ATLANTA—Sister Valentina Sheridan, RSM, will be the guest speaker at the Magnificat breakfast for women on Saturday, Feb. 16, at Holy Cross Church, Atlanta.

The Atlanta Joyful Visitation chapter of the international Catholic women’s ministry hosts the breakfast. All women are invited to attend this morning of faith sharing and hospitality.

The motto inscribed in Sister Valentina’s Religious Profession ring is “Per ipsum, et cum ipso, et in ipso” (Through Him, with Him and in Him).

This motto has given meaningful direction to her life these last 58 years.

Sister Valentina Sheridan, RSM

Through her family, especially her grandfather, she was taught by example the joy that comes from living the spiritual and corporal works of mercy.

With the Sisters of Mercy, the community she entered at the age of 18, she has learned how to make real these works of mercy, which are “our charism and the source of our cherished mission.”

In the educational, pastoral and healing ministries of the Church of Atlanta and other dioceses where she has served, Sister Valentina has been “privileged to encounter many inspiring people whose faith, hope and love have touched my life with a depth, a strength and a fullness for which I continually praise and thank God.”

After 13 years as director of Saint Joseph’s Hospital pastoral care department, she now serves as director of mission integration at the Atlanta hospital.

She says, “As I have lived Religious Life, there is a quote that has become extremely meaningful to me: ‘Be still and know that I am God.’ I have become more consciously aware of God’s constant presence in my life; it is a precious gift that I like to share with others.”

The Magnificat breakfast is held from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Doors open early and guests are encouraged to arrive by 9 a.m. Holy Cross Church is located at 3773 Chamblee Tucker Road, Atlanta, near the Interstate 285 exit of Chamblee-Tucker Road.

In addition to the story of the guest speaker, every Magnificat includes a time of praise and prayer, music ministry, the opportunity to share a meal with other women in a relaxing, faith-filled environment, a time of intercessory prayer, a Catholic gift and book table, and the opportunity to receive the sacrament of reconciliation following the meal.

Magnificat is an international Catholic women’s ministry designed to help women to grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ and to experience the fullness of faith made possible by the work of the Holy Spirit.

Reservations are $15 apiece and must be made in advance. Please send name, address, contact information and a check made payable to Magnificat Joyful Visitation to Kathy Timony, 6170 Rachel Ridge, Norcross, GA 30092. Reservations must be sent by Feb. 10. No tickets will be returned. Check-in will be at the door for those with reservations only.

Priests and religious are invited to attend free of charge, but reservations are still requested to plan for the meal. Since the Magnificat is designed to speak to the hearts of women free of distractions, it is respectfully requested that young children not be in attendance.