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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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  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

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I connect Catholics! Make Catholic friends that love a GNO! Attend a retreat, start a parish group! Author of Be Yourself Journals @catholicsonline

Wondering if you should attend this year’s Prayer Wondering if you should attend this year’s Prayer Wine Chocolate Retreat?

Our Lady, Star of the Sea 🌊, is our patron this year! This artwork is from @rebecca.gorzynska - looking forward to showing attendees more of her work in person!

Register by tomorrow! Registration is closing on Thursday, November 5, 2026

Need more details? Comment STELLA MARIS!

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Shop for Advent and Christmas!
Order a physical copy so that not only will people see the secular catalogs that show up in the mail, but this holy alternative too!

Catholicinfluencers.com has the details… but drop a 🛍️ if you want me to send you more information!!!!

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Meet our Retreat Speaker: Sarah Dickerson! Not onl Meet our Retreat Speaker: Sarah Dickerson!
Not only is Sarah one of the Founders of @msc_highschool Martin Saints Classical High School, a Master of Theology as well as Theology of the Body and an experienced lecturer… she is also no stranger to Prayer Wine Chocolate Retreats!
But none of those reasons is why she was chosen to give a talk at this year’s retreat.
She was chosen because Sarah would put the best Zen  Master to shame (thank you Colleen for this incredible description).
When I want advice, I often go to Sarah.
If you know Sarah and you are asked to think of the calmest person you know… you think of Sarah.
Sarah has 7 children.
Sarah works, volunteers, entertains and often picks up adjunct positions at the archdiocese’s seminary.
Yet through it all, she remains Calm in Christ.

There are still a handful of spots left for the 2026 Prayer Wine Chocolate Retreat. Registration will close when spots fill up or on Thursday… whichever comes first!

Need more details? Comment CALM below!

Stella Maris, pray for us!
🙏 🍷 🍫 

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Celebrating Hallowtide! I love their costume choic Celebrating Hallowtide! I love their costume choices this year! 

We are calling these “soul pies” :) Why? Because I thought we would make soul cakes but that didn’t happen. My husband thought of these and our daughter helped. They are so cute and in, right?!

Saint Therese’ 🌹 I love how much she loves her. She’s one of my favorites too ❤️

Her Godmother, Theresa and my Godson Luke AKA The red and pink Power Rangers @theresawintaaa 

Love this shirt from @nicholelanthier !

My beautiful Goddaughter Sofia… dressed like a Capybara for Halloween.

Cute little gifts for my nieces and nephews from @easy_doughsit !

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An invitation and a confession… both about the Pra An invitation and a confession… both about the Prayer Wine Chocolate Retreat!

Comment PRAYER if you want more information.
If you have ever attended a Prayer Wine Chocolate Retreat… what would you say to those on the fence?

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If you have not been on a retreat for some time… i If you have not been on a retreat for some time… it’s time!
The Prayer Wine Chocolate Retreat is a beautiful way to reset yourself for your loved ones.
Comment below if you are considering registering!
Tag friends who would LOVE a Prayer Wine Chocolate Retreat!

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There are still some spots left! Comment RETREAT, There are still some spots left! Comment RETREAT, tag your friends and share this post… register soon while there are still spots available!

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Limited space available! The Prayer Wine Chocolate Limited space available! The Prayer Wine Chocolate Retreat has been an incredible experience for 10 years now! I truly look forward to it every year and I highly recommend if you are seeking prayerful Catholic friends that love to enjoy a day out at a winery! 

This year invite a friend or come to meet some new ones!

We will pray the Rosary on the beach! Thinking a Risary beach walk!
We have a spectacular speaker who inspire and equip us to stay calm when life’s storms arise.

And of course, we’ll taste some wine and eat!

Comment ME and tag friends below! I’ll send you all the deets!!

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Tag your Catholic friends and comment CATHOLIC FRI Tag your Catholic friends and comment CATHOLIC FRIENDSGIVING if you want more details!!!

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Comment how you celebrate with holiness and joy below!
All Saints in heaven, pray for us!

#CatholicMom #Catholic #Hallowtide #Hallow #Catholickids
Register before October 20th to save $ on the regi Register before October 20th to save $ on the registration fee!

Space is limited. @iconacapemay Icona will give you a discount if you say you are with the Prayer Wine Chocolate Retreat when you book a room.

Comment CAPE MAY if you want ALL the details! 

We are going to pray the Rosary on the beach, listen to Sarah Dickerson give her talk about staying calm during life’s storms, go to a winery together and more!

There will be time to listen to the Ocean and pray. 🙏 Join us! Our Lady, Star of the Sea, pray for us!

#Catholicfriends #StaroftheSea #praytherosary #Catholic #friendsgiving
A beautiful getaway with a deeper purpose 🙏 🍷 🍫 L A beautiful getaway with a deeper purpose 🙏 🍷 🍫 
Limited space available!
Let me know if you want me to send you details!
Comment COASTAL if you want the specifics!
Let me know if you have questions!

#Catholicwoman #catholicretreat #Friendsgiving #prayerwinechocolate #catholicfriends
The 2026 Prayer Wine Chocolate Retreat details wil The 2026 Prayer Wine Chocolate Retreat details will be announced very soon!
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This has to be a record… the toy catalog has arriv This has to be a record… the toy catalog has arrived! Download the @catholicsonline catalog from last year and be the first to see the 2026 one when it arrives!

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Use coupon code AMY10 for a discount 😘 #catholic 
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If you’re looking for advice… let me introduce you If you’re looking for advice… let me introduce you to Mother, I mean Saint, Teresa of Calcutta…

#wisewords #CatholicSaints #catholiccoloringpages #MotherTeresa #saintquotes
Mother Teresa gives the BEST advice! Smile at one Mother Teresa gives the BEST advice!

Smile at one another!!!

Never worry about numbers. Help one person at a time and always start with the person nearest you.

Give yourself fully to God! He will use you to accomplish great things!

GO HOME AND LOVE YOUR FAMILY 

What advice from Mother Teresa is your favorite? What advice would you add from Saint Teresa of Calcutta?

This Rosary is available from @dellamadonnarosaries ; quite a few quotes are in the book Be Yourself: a Journal for Catholic Girls

Follow @catholicsonline and  @dellamadonnarosaries for more inspiration and @prayerwinechocolate for fun 😂
Cabbage.Patch. Diary. What I had v. what I needed… Cabbage.Patch. Diary. What I had v. what I needed…
When I discovered this in my basement, my daughter grabbed it and ran off… I still have some speed left in me. “Secrets” recovered 😅.

Writing in a diary or a journal is much different than writing and sharing on social media… especially for kids and teens. Dr. Leonard Sax (author of The Collapse of Parenting) shares in his talks how writing in a diary or journal is living… but writing and posting is performing.

The young need the space to write out of the public eye.

Also… remember the Cabbage Patch Kids 😂!?

#genx #Catholicmom #genxmom #Catholic #80smusic
Shhh 🤫 I’m letting you look inside one of my praye Shhh 🤫 I’m letting you look inside one of my prayer journals!!!
I love this unique way to pray… it helps my ADHD brain to stay more focused and slows me down in a busy world!
#jesusjournaljunkies 

Wendy Townley hosts junk journaling workshops… and I noticed a crossover, so we teamed up!

I’m excited to share more ways I use a journal to pray! Would you like some time to journal? Would you like some tips on how to start?
#prayerjournal 

Join Wendy and I Thursday evening and we will all journal together!

Type ME if you want more information!

Follow @wendytownley and @prayerwinechocolate for more inspiration!!!

#junkjournal
Have you heard of this? I remember when I was hopi Have you heard of this? I remember when I was hoping and praying to become a mom, my Mom walked with me in the Ocean on the feast of the Assumption and splashed water on my belly.
Our Lady wants the whole world to love her Son ❤️

#Catholic #catholicmom #catholicchristian #catholicwoman #Oceanblessing
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