ATLANTA—Anna Milam, a parishioner of St. Pius X Church, Conyers, will be speaking of her faith journey at the August Magnificat, a prayer breakfast open to all women.

Anna Milam

The Magnificat will be held on Saturday, Aug. 15, from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Holy Cross Church in Atlanta, which is just off the Chamblee-Tucker Road exit on Interstate 285. All women are welcome to come as the Atlanta Joyful Visitation Chapter hosts this catered breakfast. The morning of friendship, of faith sharing, and of the work of the Holy Spirit begins with music, a decade of the rosary, and a good meal, and continues with a time of praise and worship and the speaker’s sharing of her walk in faith.

A wife, mother and grandmother of eight, Anna Milam retired from the Atlanta Public Schools, where she worked for 20 years in finance.

She and her husband, Tim, have attended St. Pius X Church in Conyers for 28 years. Active in parish life, her heart lies in bringing faith to new Catholics through the RCIA, which she coordinates. She began as a sponsor for her daughter-in-law 15 years ago. In her own words, she “is able to watch adults begin … with questions, grow in their knowledge of the tenets of our faith and take the faith into their hearts as catechumens, and continue their faith journey as Catholics.”

In 1988 Anna and her family suffered the tragic death of the youngest of their four children. A few years later Anna was diagnosed with breast cancer. Redemptive suffering is paramount when we look at Jesus on the cross. When we are asked to suffer, what is our response? She credits God’s faithfulness, the Mass and the sacraments of her Catholic faith as the vehicles that God has used to bring her out of the darkness of grief and to offer encouragement to others who have suffered tragic circumstances in their lives.

A Scripture she is assisted by is 2 Corinthians 12:9, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.”

Magnificat is an international Catholic women’s ministry inspired by the friendship between Mary and Elizabeth in St. Luke’s Gospel. Magnificat meals are offered four times a year in Atlanta.

The morning includes intercessory prayer and the sacrament of reconciliation is available afterward.

Reservations are $15 apiece and have to be made in advance. To register, please send your name, address, parish, contact information and a check made payable to Magnificat Joyful Visitation to Jo Ann Rademacher, 1260 Mountain Ivey Court, Sugar Hill, GA 30518. Reservations must be postmarked by Aug. 8. 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 requested to plan for the meal. Since the morning 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. 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 I-285.

For more information, please contact Jo Ann Rademacher at 770-831-0693.

To receive an invitation to this or future Magnificat meals by email, please send a request to joyfulvisitation@gmail.com.