DANBURY – Sharing the light of Jesus was the theme of the 20th anniversary breakfast meeting of the Magnificat chapter in the Diocese of Bridgeport.
The Triumphant Heart of Mary Immaculate chapter of Magnificat celebrated its milestone anniversary in April at the Ethan Allen Inn in Danbury, the location of the first breakfast meeting 20 years ago.
“It’s great to meet other women and other people and listen to their testimony. It’s uplifting,” said Carol Flynn, chapter coordinator. “New people keep coming,” she said. “It’s great to see all the new faces. Twenty years later we are still reaching more people.” There are more than 500 registered members in the diocese and about 100 attend every breakfast, she said.
Those gathered at the breakfast meeting in April said the first decade of the Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary, while the room was aglow with the light of battery-operated candles.
The theme of the breakfast focused on John 8:12, “Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” Guest speaker Fran Karpiej, who was instrumental in founding the THMI Chapter of Magnificat in the Bridgeport Diocese, shared her experiences of following the light of Jesus during the darkest of times.
“It was a blessing to share my experiences and it was an extraordinary challenge for me,” she said explaining that just four weeks before this year’s Magnificat breakfast she had knee replacement surgery, which came on the heels of the one-year anniversary of losing her husband to cancer, her grandson to suicide and her mother’s passing.
“I’m standing there empty,” she said. “All I could do is share in some way my brokenness mixed with the hope of faith. I was coming from the point of view that I needed more light because I was going through such cloudiness. But I am not unique.”
Karpiej said she draws strength from the Book of Sirach in the Bible, specifically Sirach 2; 1-11: “My child, when you come to serve the Lord, prepare yourself for trials. Be sincere of heart and steadfast, and do not be impetuous in time of adversity.”
Accept whatever befalls you, she said adding that faith can continue to grow through life’s trials.
“We may not understand why things happen,” she reflected. “You don’t always have an answer. Sometimes we have to be okay with not knowing. That is the ultimate in trusting God.”
Father Larry Carew, the spiritual director of THMI Chapter of Magnificat since its beginning said he has been impacted by the heartfelt testimonials of the speakers and one of the most memorable testimonies was from Karpiej.
“The Holy Spirit gives a strength beyond our own strength to endure even when we think we cannot endure,” he said adding how her testimony and strength inspired him.
Father Carew said every speaker at the biannual breakfast meetings offers an element of surprise, insight and practical wisdom that really touches people.
“We’ve had a variety of speakers over the years and they are all coming from an experience of conversion in some way and the awareness of the intercession of Our Lady has been a part of that conversion for them,” Father Carew said. “The Holy Spirit has gifted them with a special gift to share their experience with others who may be going through similar struggles.”
Karpiej said everyone experiences hurt, sadness, pain and grief through different types of losses and encouraged people to rely on the strength of Jesus.
“The more I feel desperate, the more I prayed,” she said, adding action is necessary too. “Our action is not just prayer.”
Karpiej has been in ministry since the 1980s. She is a professed member of the Secular Franciscan Order and a respected Retreat Facilitator in the state and around the country, through Sharing Christ Ministry. She has been involved in Healing Prayer for over 40 years, giving Days of Recollection and Renewal, Parish Prayer Services and workshops on topics of faith and evangelization. As a leader in the Catholic Charismatic Renewal since 1978, she believes in the fullness of the gifts of the Holy Spirit for the common good of the Church. She and her husband, Joe, were known for leading Pilgrimages to the Holy Land and religious shrines around the world.
“The light that we share is our hope and once we truly take action and ask God to help us, we should let him do it and be patient. His grace and mercy is sufficient,” she said.
Father Carew said Magnificat is a blessing.
“You’ll find yourself really touched and inspired and wanting more of a deeper relationship with our Lord through Our Lady with the intercession of the Holy Spirit,” he said. “It’s spreading all over the world we are privileged to be a part of this gift to the Church that is being given through Magnificat.”
There are 100 Magnificat chapters worldwide in over 10 countries. Attendees at this breakfast received a pocket prayer shawl, Magnificat book and a real candle as a symbol of sharing the light.
Karpiej said the sisterhood of service is welcoming to all.
“I think the local chapter has a lot to give in the future,” she said. “We need to continue to get the word out for more people to come and experience Magnificat. There is something for everybody and it can go farther as long as we are faithful.”
The next Magnificat breakfast will be held in November at Tashua Knolls in Trumbull.
