With arms raised in praise for the Lord, women from across the U.S., Canada, the Caribbean, and England gathered in Tampa for the Magnificat International Leaders’ Conference July 10-13, 2025. Magnificat is a ministry founded in 1981 by Marilyn Quirk, who had the idea of hosting breakfast events for Catholic women, to help them form friendships, grow in holiness, and hear testimonies of faith.

“We thought we'd have a meal to bring women together and to proclaim the Gospel, and we have grown. It was the Holy Spirit that helped us grow. God uses weak vessels to bring about His plan,” said Quirk, who sat in her wheelchair in the front row at the Grand Hyatt Hotel Ballroom, surrounded by more than 300 women who attended the event. The leaders plan a conference every two years to unite and inspire members in their mission.

In his homily for the Mass celebrated on the Feast of St. Benedict, Bishop Gregory Parkes emphasized that the Holy Spirit has the power to transform our lives. 

“The Holy Spirit has the power to form saints in spite of human weakness and sinfulness. St. Benedict's own transformation began with a radical openness to God. He responded to the Spirit's prompting by choosing silence over noise, prayer over ambition, and God’s will over his own personal desires,” said Bishop Parkes.

He encouraged the attendees, and all of us, to pursue holiness in our daily lives.  

“Holiness is not just for some, but it's for all the faithful, those who seek daily to listen to the voice of the Spirit and to respond in love,” said Bishop Parkes.

He also emphasized the importance of holy relationships in supporting the faith life of individuals and families. 

“Today, we need spirit-filled communities, parishes, ministries, families, friendships, ministries like Magnificat, where faith is nurtured and sustained,” said Bishop Parkes.

Jane Swan is Assistant Coordinator for the St. Petersburg Chapter of Magnificat. Six of the Chapter’s members attended the Conference in hopes of being renewed in their zeal to help others come into a relationship with the Lord through their testimony and witness.

“We're getting inspiration and energizing ourselves so that we can hopefully impart that energy, love of the Lord, and love of the Holy Spirit to the women who come to our meals,” said Swan, who has been a member of Magnificat for over 25 years.

Bishop David Toups, who serves as Magnificat’s Spiritual Advisor, also celebrated Mass for the participants of the Conference. He served as a priest of the Diocese of Saint Petersburg for 25 years before being appointed as leader of the Diocese of Beaumont, Texas. One aspect of Magnificat that brings him particular joy is their dedication to praying for clergy.

“These women have a tremendous love for their spiritual fathers, and I'm so incredibly grateful. They pray for their bishop. They pray for their local parish priests all the time, and they pray for an increase in vocations, as really, we all should be doing to strengthen the Church. Certainly, one of the most important ways to do that is for an increase in holy vocations to the priesthood,” said Bishop Toups.

You’re Invited to Attend Magnificat Ministry’s Next Event

When: Saturday, September 6, 2025

Where: St. Patrick Catholic Church, 1507 Trotter Road, Largo

Speaker: Michelle Lloyd

There are two Magnificat Chapters in the Diocese of St. Petersburg:

St Petersburg: https://magnificat-ministry.net/chapters/fl-st-petersburg/
Tampa: https://magnificat-ministry.net/chapters/fl-tampa/

Get Involved

If you would like to help with the ministry of Magnificat, or if you have a question or comment, or if you would like to be added to their mailing list for future events, please contact them at  magnificatofstpetersburg@gmail.com.