ATLANTA—The speaker for the August Magnificat meal has a quotation on suffering taped next to her desk to remind her of who she is called to be.

“Never say to God, ‘Enough.’ Simply say, ‘I am ready.’”

Putting her whole energy into life—whatever comes—is the nature of Linda Gillespie Delgross, whether it concerns the everyday or great tests of her faith.

Linda Gillespie Delgross

At Wheeling Jesuit University in West Virginia, her Catholic family upbringing in Pittsburgh was strengthened by the Jesuit spiritual tradition. She earned a master’s degree in applied theology there. She became director of religious education, first in Wheeling and then at St. Pius X Church in Conyers. Beyond her work, her outgoing ways led her and still lead her to share faith wherever she goes.

When her first husband, Jeff, a sportswriter and editor, developed terminal cancer, Linda’s blog uplifted others with faith and hope amidst suffering and grief. At Jeff’s passing in March 2011, she found herself questioning her future vocation and life direction.

Although in her early 40s, she thought God was done with her and there was not much left to experience. But during adoration, she heard God saying, “I am healing you for another.” In coming months she met and later married Brian Delgross. She has also discerned and is pursuing a new vocation.

In her words, “When I make a plan for my life, God laughs and says, ‘No, it will be this way instead, and it will be wonderful.’”

All women are invited to the Magnificat gathering on Saturday, Aug. 13, to hear Linda’s story of following and embracing the way of the Lord.

The Magnificat meal is held at Holy Cross Church, 3773 Chamblee Tucker Road, Atlanta, from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. The morning includes a catered breakfast, intercessory prayer, and praise and worship led by a music ministry. The sacrament of reconciliation and the opportunity for individual prayer from a prayer team are available afterward.

Magnificat is an opportunity for women to be renewed and refreshed in the Holy Spirit. Come and bring a friend, sister, co-worker or neighbor. In very busy schedules, this is a morning to be immersed in graces only God can provide. You don’t have to do anything but come.

Magnificat meals are held four times a year by the Joyful Visitation chapter in Atlanta.

Reservations are $15 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. 6. No tickets will be returned. Check-in will be at the door for those with reservations only.

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

Magnificat, an international Catholic women’s ministry, is a private association of the faithful with chapters formed with the approval of the local bishop. Its purpose is to help Catholic women to open more and more to the Holy Spirit through a deeper commitment of their lives to Jesus as Lord and to impart the Holy Spirit to one another by their love, service and sharing the good news of salvation.

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 just outside the perimeter, less than a mile from the Chamblee Tucker Road exit on Interstate 285.

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