A Magnificat experience
Although the Diocese of Pittsburgh encompasses six counties, women in the diocese manage to unite as part of a common ministry.
Called Magnificat Pittsburgh, the group comes together at chapter meetings and quarterly breakfasts to strengthen and make a deeper commitment to their faith.
Magnificat was begun by a group of Catholic women from the Archdiocese of New Orleans in 1981, who felt there was a need among Catholic women for a faith-sharing experience in a relaxed social setting.
The local chapter was co-founded in 2002 by Mary Samsa and Kay Burkot, parishioners of St. Ferdinand Roman Catholic Church in Cranberry Township.
The ministry was officially chartered in October 2003 and held its first spiritual breakfast the next May.
In the past five years, the ministry has held a total of 22 breakfast prayer and fellowship events.
Burkot said the group schedules four breakfasts a year.
Dotty Wasik, chairwoman of public ministry, said she had been looking for something more than just attending Mass, when she found Magnificat Pittsburgh.
"I wanted to be involved with something deeper," she said. "When I found out about them (Magnificat Pittsburgh), I connected with these women."
At the breakfasts, people get to see firsthand God's effect on people's every day lives, said Pam Yoezle, the ministry's treasurer.
Magnificat is the verb in the Latin phrase, "Magnificat anima mea Dominum," "My soul magnifies the Lord."
The Magnificat prayer breakfast begins with opening remarks followed by introductions and recognitions. The breakfast is then served, followed by prayer intentions.
A teaching message is shared by spiritual adviser, the Rev. Ken Oldenski of St. Richard Roman Catholic Church in Gibsonia.
The group, Living Praise, of Steubenville, Ohio, performs music and prayers. Following the performance, a guest speaker addresses the group.
Samsa, the ministry's coordinator, described the breakfasts as "a joyful and uplifting experience."
"You see people visibly moved by the experience," she said, adding the events have brought women back to the church or spurred others to attend for the first time.
Sheila Derian, the ministry's assistant historian said, "I feel uplifted and a definite connection to each of the women."
Samsa said the breakfasts are open to women of all denominations, but the prayers and messages are based on the Catholic faith.
Each breakfast typically has 275 to 350 attendees.
Burkot said the group's last breakfast, held Aug. 22 and featuring Bishop David Zubik, was the group's largest with more than 700 in attendance.
In addition to its four annual prayer breakfasts, Magnificat Pittsburgh also holds chapter meetings on periodic Saturday mornings at St. Sebastian Roman Catholic Church, Ross Township.
A chapter meeting consists of prayers, songs, announcements and planning.
<B>WHAT: </B>Magnificat Pittsburgh, A Ministry to Catholic Women Prayer Breakfast. Guest speaker is Susan Potvin, a mother of multiple adopted children.<B>WHEN: </B>9 a.m. to noon Oct. 24<B>WHERE: </B>Radisson Hotel, Green Tree<B>COST: </B>$18<B>INFO: </B>For information on the prayer breakfast or becoming a member, call Kay Burkot at 724-772-6749 or go to www.magnificatpittsburgh.org.
