The Service Team of Mary, Woman of Faith, Chapter of Magnificat is delighted to invite the women of the diocese to its Magnificat Breakfast on Saturday, May 4, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at St. Elias Maronite Church's Parish Hall in Birmingham. 

Denise Mercado, an award-winning author, blogger, solo traveler, widow, mother, and grandmother, will be the speaker. She was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, and as a military spouse, she lived in many cities around the USA and abroad. Mercado has a Bachelor of Science from Campbell University and is an active member of St. Luke Catholic Church in Palm Harbor, Florida. Enrolled in the Associate Program with the Sisters of Notre Dame, she is expected to sign her covenant as an associate in August of this year.

After being raised Catholic, Mercado turned away from her faith in her teenage years, but it was her youngest son’s illness that brought her back to her faith. While caring for two other young children, this son was diagnosed with Hflu meningitis at six months of age. Mercado began to question her beliefs and set out on a quest to discover the truth. She wandered through Protestantism, reading spiritual writings, and attending a nondenominational church, but something was missing. Unsatisfied, Mercado returned to her roots and set out to understand the history of her Catholic upbringing by enrolling in Bible studies and online religion courses. Daniel’s disease led to severe disabilities and he passed away in 2007.

In her first book, They Created Us, Mercado reveals a family’s journey through the disability world. Her second book, Mary’s Life Journey & Her Amazing Yes!, demonstrates how to meditate on the mysteries of the Rosary. Her latest book,The Way of Light The Story Behind the Stations of the Resurrection, was awarded the Nihil Obstat in 2023 by the diocese of Saint Petersburg, Florida. All three books will be available to purchase at the meal.

Her husband, John, passed away in 2017 at age 62 after a well fought battle with Lymphoma.  While facing life as a widow after 39 years of marriage, Mercado is able to say, “God really knows what He is doing and He brings forth good from evil and heartache every time.” Now Mercado is a solo traveler. She explores the beauty and history of the Catholic Church by visiting cathedrals, basilicas, monasteries, and shrines and writing about her findings in her Catholic travel blog. 

Come join us as Mercado shares not only her personal faith journey but also the important origins of many Catholic beliefs. Tickets for the breakfast are $20 and are on sale through April 28. They are available online at BirminghamMagnificat.org or by email at magnificat0296@gmail.com. If purchasing a ticket by regular mail, please send a check payable to Magnificat to: Magnificat Tickets, 2744 Aspen Lake Road, Helena, AL 35022 by April 24. Tickets are also available at Alpha Church Supply and Gifts and Holy Roses Flowers and Gifts. Tickets for priests, deacons, religious brothers and sisters are complimentary, but reservations are still required. No tickets will be sold after April 28 or at the door. St. Eilas is located at 836 8th Street, South. Please call or text Lucy at 205.529.0259 if you have questions or would like additional information.