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Apr 10, 2017
Catholic Influencers

Catholic Social Media Influencers: Volume 1

Catholic social mediaSocial Media is impacting our culture and history in a way that is undeniable . . . and fast.

If you look at the effect social media has on people of all ages, it can be quite unsettling.

As an adult, studies show the use of certain platforms effect general happiness. For example:

A New, More Rigorous Study Confirms: The More You Use Facebook, the Worse You Feel

For the youth:

The American Academy of Pediatrics established the council in 2007 with the recognition that growing media platforms touch on virtually every health concern pediatricians have about young people: aggression, sex, drugs, obesity, self-image and eating disorders, depression and suicide — even learning disorders and academic achievement.

From: Young people and social media: Docs examine pitfalls

socialmediaoutside.jpg

While these platforms may have some alarming effects, they also have a presence of faith and inspiration.

Catholic Social Media Influencers is a group I created and run on Facebook.  Much more is in store for the future with this amazing community of both men and women who write, own businesses, create products and more.

Each week I plan to introduce you to a few of these incredibly faithful and talented Catholics.  Each of them is doing their best to:

Be who God meant them to be . . . and set the world on fire!

I encourage you to

visit their websites,

follow them on social media

and consider how they can help you grow your faith.

Keep them in mind if your brand desires help in spreading a message or making an announcement.

And consider looking further into the services they provide.

Without further hesitation, allow me to introduce you to:

Sara Estabrooks

Hi! I’m Sara, author of ToJesusSincerely.com. On my blog, I open up my personal prayer life to you, and I hope you will open your heart and pray along with me. My meditations (and blog name) originate from my personal letters to Jesus, handwritten during Eucharistic Adoration. In my monthly Virtue Challenge, we pinpoint one virtue to learn and pray about, and incorporate in our daily lives through the grace of God. I hope to have you join me on this spiritual journey, as we develop closer communication with saraeJesus our Savior.

Where can you be found on social media?
Facebook.com/ToJesusSincerely
Pinterest.com/2JesusSincerely
Twitter.com/2JesusSincerely
Instagram.com/ToJesusSincerely

What type of wine is your favorite?
My comfort drink of choice is a cup of herbal tea: fruit-flavored, please!

What is your favorite chocolate?
Right now, I could really go for some chocolate covered gummy bears… or almonds… or strawberries… or pretty much anything dipped in chocolate.

What is your favorite prayer and/or quote?
You can learn all about my busy-mom prayer life here. https://tojesussincerely.com/2017/01/16/hey-busy-family-how-do-you-pray/

My favorite quote is from Pope St. John Paul the Great:

“Families become what you are.”

It speaks volumes about the potential of a family to grow together in holiness, expanding, influencing, and changing each other for the better. I also take it personally. I want to become the person I am, the person God sees when He look at me, the person He made me to be.

What services do you provide?
Since my goal is to help you grow in faith, I do my best to provide you with free prayer tools. Check out my monthly Virtue Challenge https://tojesussincerely.com/virtue-challenge-home/, and download some prayer printables https://payhip.com/tojesussincerely!

If you’re interested in having my voice contribute to your website, contact me about pricing for freelance writing.

My husband and I are also an NFP teaching couple, certified through Couple to Couple League in the Sympto-thermal method. You can read our story here https://www.facebook.com/notes/sara-estabrooks/natural-family-planning-our-story/10100415412836566.

Contact info
[email protected] (blog)
[email protected] (NFP teaching)

FUN FACT ABOUT SARA’S WEBSITE: HER 11 YEAR OLD BROTHER SOMETIMES WRITES A GUEST POST!

Ginny Kochis

Ginny

I’m Ginny Kochis, a Catholic wife, homeschooling mom, and teaching writer from the Northern Virginia area. I write with honesty, humor, and clarity to challenge the stereotypes surrounding authentic femininity, gifted and twice exceptional homeschooling, and family literacy bonds, seeking to reveal the truth, goodness, and beauty of the Catholic faith in every piece.

Ginny can be found on social media at:

Facebook: facebook.com/notsoformulaic ; Instagram: instagram.com/ginnykochis;

 Pinterest: pinterest.com/mrskochis ; Twitter: twitter.com/ginny_kochis

What type of wine is your favorite?

Definitely a Malbec, hands down.

What is your favorite chocolate?

Preferably dark, but I’ll take anything I can get.

What is your favorite prayer and/or quote?

The rosary. I’ve always felt close to Mary, but raising a son after having two girls has meant a huge shift in how I look at her relationship with Jesus. It’s helped me come to know Christ as both God and man.

What services do you provide?

In addition to offering quality writing instruction both online and in person, I am available for freelance writing opportunities, speaking engagements, and sponsored posts. You can see my resume here (www.notsoformulaic.com/resume); a copy of my media kit is available upon request.

Contact info

Find me on the web at Not So Formulaic or via email at ginny.kochis(at)gmail.com

GET READY, GINNY HAS SOME NEW IDEAS BLOOMING THIS SPRING!  One might find book reviews from her young daughters!!!

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Comments

  1. Jeanie Egolf says

    April 12, 2017 at 6:38 am

    Standing. Up. Cheering. Well, in my mind! (In reality I’m sprawled on couch with a box of tissues and the latest nasty cold going aroound, lol!) Yay for starting this group, Amy!

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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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