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a spiritual journey to motherhood & beyond

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About Amy Brooks

About Me

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Most posts contained links that allow me to earn commission if you shop through those links.

I am a 44 year-old wife and mom to three AMAZING children!  My husband and I became parents through the blessings of adoption after our journey through infertility. I am a dreamer, a believer and a constant work in progress. I am all about setting goals and going for it.

I believe in life’s abundance, the Lord’s love for each and every individual and that every day is a new beginning that can be filled with hope.

For as long as I can remember, my faith has been my parachute, bridge, comfort and lens.

I always dreamed about becoming a wife and mother, but the journey to those destinations were not the routes I had envisioned. As I traveled here, I had the opportunity of losing myself in my passion for teaching, the honor of coaching many young athletes in track and cross country and the privilege of earning my Master’s Degree in History.

I recently wrote and published a book,

 Be Yourself: A Journal for Catholic Girls

I love coffee. I love chocolate. I LOVE wine.

I truly appreciate a comedian that makes me laugh without making me feel uncomfortable. I am a sucker for romantic comedies. I wish my house was cleaner and I wish I were more organized. I’ve been a runner since I was in eighth grade, although lately my motivation needs a boost.  I absolutely love history and my Catholic, Christian faith.  Living right outside of Philadelphia, I try to be a “tourist” in my home town as much as possible!

Listen to Leah Darrow interview me on her podcast: Do Something Beautiful!

I am passionate about relationships (with the Lord and the friends and family He has given me), adoption, and the pro-life movement. I strongly believe that love and truth will find a way, and I often ask God to make me an instrument of His peace.

I believe in miracles. I hope the stories I share give hope, laughter and a renewed sense of gratitude for all of life’s gifts.

About Prayer, Wine, Chocolate

What is “Prayer, Wine, Chocolate”?

The name Prayer, Wine, Chocolate surfaced from a group of my friends who got together regularly for the Rosary . . . and wine and chocolate.  We once were reminescing about all the intentions we had prayed together for and how many prayers were answered and thought, “we could write a book”.  We discussed what the title would be and prayer, wine, chocolate seemed like the perfect fit.  We never wrote the book, but I did start this blog! (Read more: Rosary Group and The Origins of Prayer, Wine and Chocolate)

Prayer, Wine, Chocolate is a blog about my Spiritual Journey to Motherhood and Beyond.

I originally started the blog to share how my husband and I were networking to adopt a second child.  Since money is and was tight, our second adoption journey did not involve an agency.  Our second adoption became our second and third adoption . . . and I learned that faith is the most important aspect of the journey. I thought that what I would share would be organizations to connect with and the best ways to network, I discovered connecting with Our Lord through prayer and growing closer to our Blessed Mother far surpasses our own plans and to-do lists!

Pursuing Adoption Without an Agency: What We Did Right

Here more about our adoption journey on the Infant Adoption Guide Podcast 

I share stories of faith and seek to inspire everyone who reads my writing.  I feel like the Lord just wants us to grow closer to Him and that so much joy and hope comes from that relationship.  I believe Catholics can learn a lot from other Christians – especially how to embrace fellowship.

At Prayer, Wine, Chocolate I try to invoke unity among all people and spread a love for the culture of life. I strongly encourage Catholic fellowship.  I believe both our faith and lives should be celebrated!  At the same time, I have faced depression – I want people to know that God wants all of us to hope for a better future and believe that He will provide.

Prayer, Wine, Chocolate is also about my love of wine and pairing it with food.  I hope to write more about wine in general; pairing wine with food, and wine tasting.  I dream of one day traveling to Italy!

I am extremely interested in freelance writing opportunities and writing sponsored posts. I enjoy reaching out to people through articles, videos and social media platforms.

I am available to lead Prayer Journaling Workshops 

and give talks on topics such as

 The Power of Prayer in the Pro-life Movement (the Spiritual Adoption Prayer)

Prayer Journaling

Considering Adoption to grow your family? What you need to know to get started

Finding Yourself and Your Mission through Your Interests and Ta lents.

How to “Be Yourself” – Who you are meant to be and why you are so important!

– if interested, email me at [email protected].

If you would like to know more about my family’s adoption journey; or are looking for support or answered questions about infant domestic adoption; check out our adoption support group on Facebook: The Rose Garden: Adoption Support Group for Catholic Christians.

I look forward to getting to know you on this exciting adventure! Please feel free to email me anytime at [email protected] Looking forward to hearing from you! 

What is “Prayer, Wine, Chocolate”?

About CatholicsOnline.net

Catholic Social Media Influencers started as a group I created on Facebook, and has now grown into a website called CatholicsOnline.net.   Much more is in store for the future with this amazing group of both men and women who write, own businesses, create products and more.  If you are interested in working with our group, which is an extremely supportive community, and if you are a “Catholic Social Media Influencer”; please contact us!

If you are a business or organization seeking exposure through our influencers, here is the best way to get in touch: Contact Catholic Social Media Influencers

If you are a media influencer and would like to be included in the directory, apply here: Become a member and listed in the Directory!

Advertising Disclosure:

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

 Some pages on this site or in our emails may contain advertisements or affiliate links for which I am compensated (not only Amazon). I try to keep these relevant and few in number, but they help me to continue to provide this service.

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Amy is the Co-Founder of CatholicsOnline.net

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GUIDE: How to Plan your Own Prayer Wine Chocolate Retreat

Be Yourself! Journal

Journal for tweens and teens

prayerwinechocolate

I’m Amy Brooks, I connect Catholics! Make Catholic friends that love a GNO! Attend a retreat, start a parish group! Author of Be Yourself Journals 🙂

When I was a little girl, I vaguely remember a sil When I was a little girl, I vaguely remember a silver and blue medal fastened to my school uniform with a pin. My mom put that medal on my uniform. I don’t remember asking any questions, but I still think that blue was so pretty.
Fast forward about 9 years, and another memory surfaces… my Dad took our family to a church in a neighborhood we had to drive to. I remember parking across the street and entering the front doors of the @miraculousmedal Shrine. I recall the pads of paper placed on the marble in front of the different statues. These little memo 📝 pads were notes to God, asking Our Lady to intercede for us. I loved that I could write an intention but that one of the suggestions was “for a Catholic boyfriend” I was 15, I checked that box.
But honestly, I wasn’t a “Mary” person when it came to prayer.
Any personal prayer addressed Jesus or God.
10 years later my friend’s Mom gave me a Miraculous Medal keychain. I put it on my keys and life went on…

And over a decade later… it was that shrine I went to with this big idea about a Catholic gift guide and a giveaway.

But confession, many times in between those years each and every time I was going through something hard,I visited that place.
I poured my hearts desires on those little memo papers.
I asked Our Blessed Mother to pray for me.
I begged God to answer my prayers.

And He did.

Without me knowing the details of the Miraculous Medal.
But that time I went in there with the gift guide and giveaway idea… I was asked if I was only going to write one blog post.

That question inspired a second.
I researched the Miraculous Medal and read that Our Lady promised graces, especially to those who wore it around their neck.

More graces? Yes please 

I wrote a post…” 5 Reasons Why I wear a Miraculous Medal and maybe You Should Too”.
Church Pop @churchpop asked if they could publish it.
It went viral… at least viral for me.

And a few weeks ago, I brought about 30 women there for a retreat.

I didn’t pursue Mary, Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal… I pursued her Son.
My pursuit was sloppy.
Like any mother, she couldn’t resist helping me a little.

O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to you
No one is EVER beyond God’s abundant love, generos No one is EVER beyond God’s abundant love, generosity and power.

#Hope #yearofhope #empireofhope #Godismerciful
10 years!!!!! #prayerwinechocolate #prayerwarrior 10 years!!!!!

#prayerwinechocolate #prayerwarriors #catholicsonline
Here it is!!! The 2025 Catholic Stocking Stuffers Here it is!!! The 2025 Catholic Stocking Stuffers Gift Guide!!!
Hope you find a gift that will raise a h art closer to Christ and find joy in sharing THE GOOD NEWS!!!

#Catholicgift #Catholicgifts
I’m so excited!!!! Who wants to see the whole list I’m so excited!!!!
Who wants to see the whole list ASAP!!

Comment “stocking”!!! 

Special appearances by @heavenshandmaid and @novenaroseco 

#Christmaslist #Christmascatalog #Advent #stockingstuffers #Catholicwoman #Catholicman #coffeeandJesus #CatholicsOnline
“This was the BEST RETREAT I have ever been to!” “This was the BEST RETREAT I have ever been to!” 

I forgot to create a feedback paper again, but thankfully one of the attendees made sure to tell me this before she left! Someone else told me later they overheard the same words in the ladies room!
Woohooo!!! I am so happy and grateful!!!

If you missed it, please know I have created resources for you so that you can make one of these events happen in your community!

I will be thanking the many sponsors of the 2025 Prayer Wine Chocolate Retreat all week… but let me give a few shout outs now!

@dr.monique.ruberu bought the chocolate candy we enjoyed with the wine!

Raina from @giveloveandblessings provided each attendee with a beautiful Rosary bracelet.

The Basilica Shrine of the Miraculous Medal @miraculousmedal provided a spectacular day for all of us. I am so happy this year’s retreat day was at this incredibly special and holy place.

O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to you!

#Catholicretreat #Catholicpilgrimage #Catholicmom #Trustandhope #Catholicwomen
I did not plan to start a ministry that included a I did not plan to start a ministry that included an annual retreat…
But wow, God is so good!

The friends I have made and met through this work are such a blessing!!!

I’m sure glad you’re here reading this!

I’m so grateful for this mission… to foster, encourage and nurture friendships that put faith first.

Join me in making praying with friends just as normal as drinking wine with friends!
 
Let’s joyfully invite others to see the love God has for each one of us.
 
The adventure is just beginning!
@craftymom714 @lotvministry 

#trustandhope #prayerwinechocolate #Catholic
As a busy Catholic mom, I want to do as much as I As a busy Catholic mom, I want to do as much as I can to promote a culture of life…

Here’s one thing I can definitely fit into my schedule!
Follow  @sevenweekscoffee and keep loving them both ❤️❤️

#prolife #lovethemboth #Catholic #Adoptivefamily #JesusandCoffee
BACK IN STOCK!!!! AND… anyone who orders a Journal BACK IN STOCK!!!! AND… anyone who orders a Journal from me this weekend will get a physical Cozy Catholic Christmas catalog mailed with the Be Yourself Journal!!! 

This book is a fantastic gift for girls… ages 8 to 15!

Remember to give one when you are donating a toy this year too! If you pick a girl in this age range, add some gel pens and stickers and it’s the perfect gift!!

Amazon has it on sale now too!
It is TRULY a great gift!!!

Who wants one!??? I’ll put the link in my bio and in my stories!

#BeYourself #tweengirl #Middleschool #girlgifts #Catholic #Christian #Catholicfamily #Faithandfun #stayprayedup #slambook #genx
WIN a physical Cozy Catholic Christmas Catalog!! I WIN a physical Cozy Catholic Christmas Catalog!!
I want to send 5 of you this catalog through the good old fashioned mail!

Enter to win:

Follow @catholicsonline and @prayerwinechocolate 

Tag 3 friends!

That’s it! Do this by Sunday, November 8, 2025 and I will choose 5 winners!
Make sure your settings allow me to message you! 

The fine print:
-You must be 18 or older and have a U.S. mailing address.
-The deadline is Sunday, November 9,2025
~ This is not sponsored, endorsed, or administered by Instagram 

#CreativeCatholic #Catholicgift #Catholicmom #Catholic #RomanCatholic #manyhailmarysatatime #Catholicgifts #stayprayedup
If we want to bring more of our loved ones back to If we want to bring more of our loved ones back to church… we need to invite them.

If we want our parish’s to have stronger communities, we need to meet the busy women where they are… and encourage faith filled friendships.

Praying the Rosary with others is powerful and life changing.
Let’s do this!
Who wants the link to learn more? Comment PARISH if you want more information!

#prayerwinechocolate #trustandhope #heartofthehome #Catholicparish #DRE #OCIA #Catholicfriends #catholicfellowship #Catholicwomen #Praytogether #PraytheRosary #faithandfriendship
October 2025…quickest month ever!!!! October 2025…quickest month ever!!!!
Wait for it. Discuss ⬇️ #EucharisticAdoration Wait for it.
Discuss ⬇️

#EucharisticAdoration
I needed candles. Yes, I NEEDED them! Jill’s can I needed candles. Yes, I NEEDED them! 

Jill’s candle company is called Contemplative Candles @contemplativecandles 

Jill’s candle company if featured in the @catholicsonline Cozy Christmas Catalog!!!

I definitely bought myself a gift… but it’s for the whole family!

Our homes are domestic churches ⛪️ 

I think the big Catholic influencers call it liturgical living ;)

@manyhailmarysatatime @onehailmaryatatime 

#Catholic #praytheRosary #Catholiccontent #Catholicwife #Catholicgift
“I can’t go this year, but next year I hope to!” “I can’t go this year, but next year I hope to!”

I hear this every year when I’m planning the Prayer Wine Chocolate Retreat.

And every year I think…” I don’t know if I’ll be able to do this again next year.”

Each year- each day- is a gift.
Getting to plan a retreat for women that truly serves their minds, their souls and their hearts is truly a gift.
But the truth is, I never know if I’ll be given this gift again.

Jesus reminds us all in the Gospels that we all really don’t know what will happen in the future.
I don’t know what next year will bring…

But I do know that when women attend a Prayer Wine Chocolate Retreat for a day, they say things like

“I needed this”
“I would have paid you more”
“It’s like Christmas for Moms”

I understand life is busy. I feel strongly that the busyness is a distraction from the stillness Our Lord is calling us to.

If you really can’t attend this year’s Prayer Wine Chocolate Retreat, may I make a suggestion?

Get out your calendar and schedule a day to go to confession,
A day to go to Mass that is not Sunday,
A day to get together with someone else to pray the Rosary out loud and a day to spend time with another woman that needs your prayers.

All of these things are available on November 15th.
There’s still time to register!

If you want to join us this year, comment “Register “ and I’ll send you the details.

If you definitely can’t make it, drop a prayer intention in the comments- or message me- and we will bring your intentions with us!

Photo credit 📸: my 8 year old daughter 

#busymom #busywife #busywoman #workingmom #Catholicwoman #Catholicretreat #catholicliving
I swear my laundry is multiplying… I need to get o I swear my laundry is multiplying… I need to get out as much as anyone..

“I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.” —Lucy Maud Montgomery, Ann of Green Gables

#Catholic #Catholicauthor #beyourself
The 2025 Cozy Catholic Christmas catalog is out!!! The 2025 Cozy Catholic Christmas catalog is out!!! Want to see it?!! Comment ME! And I’ll send it to your inbox… or go to catholicinfluencers.com for it!!!

#earlyshopper #shopCatholic #Christiangifts
I know I NEED one!!! Join us for prayer and holy, I know I NEED one!!!
Join us for prayer and holy, humorous friendship!
Want details? Let me know!

#Catholic #Catholicwoman #Catholicretreat #pilgrimage
I have a LOT of situations! I heard if you revere I have a LOT of situations!

I heard if you reverently bless yourself with the sign of the Cross, demons flee.

Imma gonna go bless myself… a few times!

Who’s with me?

#stopscrolling #sayyourprayers
Tired? Need some peace? Want to refill your cup? Y Tired? Need some peace? Want to refill your cup? Yes to any of these? The good news is you can still register for the 2025 Prayer Wine Chocolate Retreat! It’s November 15th… just in time to recharge before the busyness of the holiday season is in full swing.

Schedule time for prayer, sacramental grace, holy friends and a meal you don’t have to cook!

Message me or comment if you would like more details!

Share if you have ever been to a Prayer Wine Chocolate Retreat and enjoyed it!

#retreat #Philadelphia #Philly #PhillyCatholic #Catholicretreat #holyfriends #catholicfellowship #Catholicfriends #Catholicwomen
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