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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
tojesussincerely@gmail.com (blog)
chadandsaranfp@gmail.com (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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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 🙂

Truth or Dare? ? Comment below!! #truthordare #Le Truth or Dare?
?
Comment below!!

#truthordare #Lent #stayprayedup #prayerjournal #Catholic
TRUTH OR DARE????? Use as a Journal prompt or mea TRUTH OR DARE?????

Use as a Journal prompt or mealtime discussion!

Comment TRUTH if you want the link!

#Lent #Familydinner #Catholic #Catholictween #Catholicfamily
When I was 15 I realized that I was equating anger When I was 15 I realized that I was equating anger with self-confidence… and then I became very aware of how angry people had hurt me, but sad people were not hurtful.
At one point I remember thinking… “who do you want to be? A person that is hurtful… or someone else? if you can choose sadness instead of anger, do it. You don’t want to hurt people.”
I don’t know if Saint John Paul II really said this quote… but I do believe it’s solid advice when people we interact with do upsetting things. 

Choose sadness over anger… and pray for the people and about the situations that are upsetting you.

#lifeadvice #goodadvice #catholicquote #saintquotes #catholic
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of th In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.
Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is sadness, joy;
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console, to be understood as to understand, to be loved as to live.
For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. 
Amen.

#catholicsocialmedia #catholicsonline #prayerwinechocolate #Catholicinfluencer
Boys truly like these books and magazines!! #Catho Boys truly like these books and magazines!!
#Catholickid #Catholicschool #Catholicmom #faithbooks
You are the average of the five people you spend t You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with," popularized by Jim Rohn, suggests that your mindset, behaviors, and success are heavily influenced by your closest  circle. These individuals shape your habits, energy, and future by acting as a reflection of your own choices and environment. 

I don’t know who Jim Rohn is, but my guess is Saint Francis DeSales would agree with him.

#Catholic #Saintquote #Catholicfamily #Catholickids
I DARE you to join me… I DARE you to join me…
“What does God want me to do??!!!@ Ever ask this “What does God want me to do??!!!@

Ever ask this question?
I feel like I’ve been asking it my whole life.

Some of the best advice I have gotten have been from Saints.

God has a plan for each of us. We are all called to holiness… but we do not all go by the same path (wise words from Saint Katharine Drexel).

The quotes I included in the Be Yourself Journal are actionable, doable and clear.

Want to know what other quotes or advice are inside? Comment MORE and I’ll share more!

#Catholic #Catholicfamily #Catholicjournal #saintquote #Saintquotes
Prayer for Private devotion. Years ago I heard Sai Prayer for Private devotion.
Years ago I heard Saint Gianna’s daughter give a talk and I thought, “her dad sounds like a Saint!”
I’m happy to see her inviting us to participate in the work of promoting the glorification of his soul.
You can report graces received through the invocation of his help by writing to:
Saint Gianna and Pietro Molla Foundation
4502 36th Ave. NE, Reile’s Acres
Fargo, ND 58102 

#Catholicmom #Catholicdad
If you know the next line, comment below ⬇️ I’m If you know the next line, comment below ⬇️ 

I’m thinking I need to pray this one more often…

#praymore #loveGod #catholicsofinstagram
Want to host one? Want to start a parish group? C Want to host one? Want to start a parish group?

Comment ONE TIME or PARISH and I’ll send you more information!

Want a friend or friends to help? Tag them and share in your stories!!!

#Catholicwomen #PrayerWineChocolate #Catholicfriends #Catholicwoman #CatholicChristian
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of th In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.

“Go home and love your family.” ~ Saint Teresa of Calcutta 

Share so more people pray!
Type Amen if you prayed!
Comment BABY if you want the free printable prayer Comment BABY if you want the free printable prayer!
Let’s pray together now!
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.
Jesus, Mary and Joseph
I love you very much.
I beg of you to spare the life of______ (choose a name)
the unborn baby I have spiritually adopted who is in danger of abortion.
Amen.

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.

#quickprayers #Catholicmom #Catholic #Catholicwoman #ComeHolySpirit
Pray a 23 second prayer for the unborn and be AMAZ Pray a 23 second prayer for the unborn and be AMAZED by our Awesome God!
Praise be the name of Jesus!
Venerable Fulton Sheen, pray for us!

#prayfortheunborn #nationaldayofprayer #marchforlife #lovethemboth #FultonSheen
Will you stop and pray with me? Any special inten Will you stop and pray with me?

Any special intentions?
Cheers to Friday! 🍷 I was SO EXCITED when a while Cheers to Friday! 🍷
I was SO EXCITED when a while back THE @stephanieweinert Stephanie Weinert tagged me in her #7quicktakes #sevenquicktakes #fridayintroductions post.

I’m jumping in today! 

1. I recently took my own “headshots”. The first photo is one of MANY photos I took. It was super windy that day. If you need professional photos… give it a try - you can save a ton of $ this way! I used a tripod and my phone!

2. I see a lot of people posting photos of 2016. In 2016 I heard Gianna Emanuela (daughter of Saint Gianna) give a talk. I remember thinking, “her Dad sounds like a saint too!” I got to meet her. My husband and oldest son met her and asked her to pray that we could adopt again. 40 weeks later our twins were born!

3. Gianna Emmanuela is doing all she can to help the world see how holy her Father was. She has made prayer cards with Ecclesiastic approval. I’m asking Pietro Molla to intercede for a special intention. I will post more about this soon! He is such an inspiring man!

4. I have two guilty pleasures. I love getting my hair done and every once in a while I get a box from Stitch Fix. My coat was in one of those boxes.

5. I can’t remember all the pictures I chose for this post. I’m super forgetful. It’s not my age, I’ve always been this way. Saint Anthony is busy with just me most of the time.

6. We are taking our Christmas tree down this weekend. I loved our tree so much this year. My husband, all 3 children and me picked it out. We all agreed upon it and it really is so perfect.

7. I’m not so great at tech. I don’t know how to go back and see which pictures I posted without deleting this whole post. I promised after this post I would play a @saints.alive.pod episode for my daughter. I’m off to listen to another episode for at least the 3rd time. Hoping a new one comes out soon 😉 

Thank you for reading all that! I’m so grateful you’re here! Tell me something about you!!!

Thank you Stephanie for tagging me months ago? ago… This is how behind I am on everything!
Who wants friends that pray behind your back!? Who Who wants friends that pray behind your back!?
Who wants friends that will pray with you and for you?
Let’s bless one another and pray as much as possible!!!

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen!

#Catholicfriends #praymoreworryless
Small prayer groups can be so powerful! I had so Small prayer groups can be so powerful!

I had so much fun attending this Prayer Wine Chocolate Parish gathering!

Even though it was dark before it began…
Even though it cold and raining…
Even though life is so incredibly busy…
These ladies left their homes to pray together and share some time to just be themselves!

Jessica Benfield leads this Prayer Wine Chocolate group in Pennsylvania.

Do you want to lead a parish Prayer Wine Chocolate group?
If yes, comment below!

I can help you make it happen!!

Come Holy Spirit!

#prayerwinechocolate #Catholicfriends #missionarydisciples #newevangelization #PraytheRosary
1. Get more people praying the Spiritual Adoption 1. Get more people praying the Spiritual Adoption Prayer…this prayer saves lives!
2. Get more young people copies of Be Yourself Journals! Wondering about identity is normal and common… these books has guidance, answers and it’s fun to use!
3. Establish more Prayer Wine Chocolate parish groups. Women desire friends they can pray AND laugh with!

Which number- or numbers- do you think I should focus on most?!!???

Please comment! I need your help!

Seriously, I have ADHD.

#Catholic #prolife #Catholicfriends #Catholicfellowship #Catholicmom
Would you love a girls’ night out with women who s Would you love a girls’ night out with women who share your faith, but you aren’t quite sure how to make that happen?

If you’re seeking Catholic friendships without losing fun, a Prayer Wine Chocolate gathering is exactly what you (and other women in your parish!) didn’t know you needed.

And now, starting this kind of group at your own parish is easy, with the Prayer Wine Chocolate Parish Leader Kit! You don’t need to be an event planner, have a background in theology, or know a whole bunch of people in your parish to get started — you just have to be willing to say “yes” to the Lord’s invitation to get the ball rolling, and we’ll walk you through the rest!

We created a digital kit which you can get BUT grab the FREE resource first (huge thank you to Jessica from @sallykpub who designed it, to @vacationlearning_blog who inspired the movement and @dellamadonnarosaries who sponsored it)

COMMENT FRIENDS if you want to learn more!!

This isn’t a formal Bible study that’s intimidating or involves lots of homework you don’t have time for. It’s simply a low-prep, easy to run, and inviting format to gather Catholic women together in fun, conversation, and prayer. Your future faith friends are waiting to meet you — the Prayer Wine Chocolate Parish Leader Kit will help you make that happen!

#Catholic #GNO #Catholicfriends #Catholicwomen #catholicmom
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