ATLANTA—Father Michael Silloway, whose call to the priesthood unfolded while he was growing up in metro Atlanta and attending the University of Georgia, will speak about his faith journey as the guest speaker at the Magnificat ministry breakfast in August.

Father Michael Silloway

The Magnificat breakfast will be held on Saturday morning, Aug. 16, at Holy Cross Church in Atlanta, from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. All women are invited to attend.

Father Silloway, who is 31, is currently the chaplain at St. Pius X High School in Atlanta. Raised in Peachtree City, he was inspired by the Christ-like example of his grandfather, who was a permanent deacon serving in parishes and prisons in New York State. But he was also attracted to the adventure of flying and hoped to join the Air Force. After graduating from McIntosh High School, he entered the University of Georgia.

His dream of being a pilot was short-circuited by partial color-blindness. Through the answered prayers of both of his grandparents, he opted to dive into a vocation to the priesthood instead of becoming “the best Catholic pilot the military had ever seen.” From the University of Georgia, he transferred to Franciscan University in Steubenville, Ohio, after being accepted by the archdiocese as a priest candidate.

After graduation from Franciscan University, he was sent to Rome, Italy, to complete five years of study at the Pontifical North American College. He was ordained a priest for the Atlanta Archdiocese in 2010. Father Silloway also holds a graduate degree in sacred theology from the John Paul II Institute in Rome for Studies in Marriage and the Family.

Joyous and filled with zeal for the Lord, he is often invited to preach, speak, and lead retreats. He has accompanied groups of young people to World Youth Day in Brazil with Pope Francis and to the National March for Life in Washington, D.C. He served as a parochial vicar at the Cathedral of Christ the King before being assigned as chaplain at St. Pius X.

Magnificat is an international Catholic women’s ministry with local chapters formed with the approval of the bishop. The Atlanta Joyful Visitation chapter of Magnificat hosts four breakfasts a year. The Magnificat gathering is a catered, seated breakfast.

All women are invited to come to this morning of faith sharing as a time to relax and recharge their spiritual lives. The inspiration for each meal is the friendship between Mary and her cousin Elizabeth, described in St. Luke’s Gospel, where women share their daily lives in an atmosphere of joy, encouragement and faith.

In addition to the story of the guest speaker, every Magnificat includes praise and worship music and a time of intercessory prayer. The sacrament of reconciliation is available afterward.

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 postmarked by Aug. 9. 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.

Doors open early and guests are encouraged to arrive by 9 a.m. Holy Cross Church is located at 3773 Chamblee Tucker Road, Atlanta, less than a mile from the Chamblee Tucker Road exit on Interstate 285 outside the perimeter.