• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Prayer Wine Chocolate

a spiritual journey to motherhood & beyond

  • Home
  • Wine and Chocolate
  • Faith
  • CSMI
  • Adoption
  • Life
  • Prayer Journaling
  • Resources
  • About
  • Contact
  • Be Yourself!: A Journal for Catholic Girls
  • Donate a Be Yourself Journal
  • Catholic Coloring Pages
  • Shop

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!!!

Share213
Tweet
Pin7
Share1
220 Shares
Previous Post: « 11 Quick, but Powerful, Prayers (free printable)
Next Post: Good Friday: A Runner’s Perspective »

Reader Interactions

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!

Primary Sidebar

       

Amy is the Co-Founder of CatholicsOnline.net

10 Free resources

10 Free resources

10 free resources for subscribers!

10 free resources for subscribers!

GUIDE: How to Plan your Own Prayer Wine Chocolate Retreat

Be Yourself! Journal

Journal for tweens and teens

prayerwinechocolate

New post up on the blog!!! A few weeks ago I had New post up on the blog!!!

A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of interviewing @askacatholictherapist Dr. Matthew Breuninger 

We talked about why prayer journaling is so beneficial for both our mental and spiritual health.

Read the whole article and tell me what you think!
Link in bio🤗
#prayerjournal #prayerjournaling #Catholicjournal #Catholiccoach #Catholicfamily #Catholicmom #Biblejournal #catholicmentalhealth #beyourselfjournal #Catholics #Catholicsonline #Catholicinfluencer #catholictherapist
Give a child a Catholic book for Easter! Make sure Give a child a Catholic book for Easter!
Make sure they have a BIBLE first!
#readyourBible #Catholicbook #Catholicbooks #Catholicauthor #osv #OurSundayVisitor #osvkids #Catholicsonline #Catholickids #catholicsofinstagram
Do you ever feel like you are not doing enough? O Do you ever feel like you are not doing enough?

Often I need this reminder - God doesn't want us to feel stressed.
He wants us to rely on Him - trust Him.

He wants us to love.
Be patient and kind.

Many saints have discovered this and have advised us in their own words.

Saint Katharine Drexel said, "peacefully do at each moment what needs to be done."

Saint Teresa of Calcutta stated, "never worry about numbers, help one person at a time and start with the person nearest to you."

Saint Therese', the Little Flower, demonstrated again and again how much Jesus delights in her little way.

You don't need to be stressed.
Your little acts of love and trust for Jesus delight Him.

Have a better day 😉
#Catholicquote #LittleFlower #CatholicSaint #Catholicsaints #catholicencouragement #Catholicinspiration #CatholicsofInstagram #CatholicInstagram #ChristiansofInstagram #InstaCatholic #Catholicsocialmedia #CatholicsOnline
Easter is the perfect time to encourage prayer wit Easter is the perfect time to encourage prayer with a gift!
These gifts and more available in my little shop!

#Catholicshop #Catholickids #Catholicwife #CatholicChristian #CatholicEaster
Easter gift ideas for Catholic boys… #Catholicbo Easter gift ideas for Catholic boys…
#Catholicboymom #Catholicmom #Catholic #Catholics #Confirmationgift #CatholicChristian #catholicmemes #catholicreels
Be Yourself Journal on sale for $17.00… today on Be Yourself Journal on sale for $17.00… today only!!!
“Be who you are and be that well. So that you may bring honor to the Master Craftsman whose handiwork you are.”
~Saint Francis DeSales 

#Catholicbooks #CatholicSaints #CatholicMom #Catholicgifts #boystomen #Catholickid #Catholictween ##Catholickids #saintquotes
Striving for Sainthood can be as simple as this… Striving for Sainthood can be as simple as this… 

This type of advice can be really helpful for all of us… especially for a young girl navigating middle school or her early teens.

This advice would have helped me.
Why?

Because it takes some pressure off the high expectations often felt by us as individuals.

It makes God’s will for us feel achievable and realistic.

It’s totally relevant to a student in junior high
(And a slightly stressed out adult)

This page in the Be Yourself embraces scrapbooking fun- just like the back cover. Only this page encourages photographs. Yes, actual printed ones 🎞️📸

Take a deep breath.
Love the next person that comes near you.
#Catholicmom #Catholicsaints #middleschool #juniorhigh #Catholicquotes #inspirationalquotes
A prayer and the story behind the picture… Oh S A prayer and the story behind the picture…

Oh St. Joseph whose protection is so great, so strong, so prompt before the throne of God, 

I place in you all my interests and desires. Oh St. Joseph do assist me by your powerful intercession and obtain for me from your divine son all spiritual blessings through Jesus Christ, our Lord; 

so that having engaged here below your heavenly power I may offer my thanksgiving and homage to the most loving of fathers. 

Oh St. Joseph, I never weary contemplating you and Jesus asleep in your arms. I dare not approach while he reposes near your heart. Press him in my name and kiss his fine head for me, and ask him to return the kiss when I draw my dying breath. 

St. Joseph, patron of departing souls, pray for us.
Amen.

My children had off from school on Friday. I had committed to an hour of Eucharistic Adoration on Fridays from to 2 to 3 during Lent… so since they had off, they had to come with me.
It was stressful.
They CAN NOT sit still.
Once I got one to stop walking around or talking, another one started.
But in the middle of all this… I witnessed a sweet moment.
I hesitated to pull out my phone because I really try not to during Adoration.
But, the beauty of the moment struck me, and I had to capture it.
📸 
Motherhood is hard. Parenting is difficult.
But I’m often reminded it’s like farming… and I’m planting seeds.

I just hope and pray I’m planting more good seeds then bad ones.

Thank goodness we can pray and ask for prayers from others!

Saint Joseph, pray for us!
#Catholic #Catholicmom #mustardseedfaith #catholicteacher #CatholicChristian #CatholicSaint #CatholicSaints #catholicparenting #liturgicalliving
THANK YOU! Thank you! Thank you! If you have left THANK YOU! Thank you!
Thank you!

If you have left a review on Amazon for either of the Be Yourself Journals… thank you from the bottom of my heart!

When you leave a review on Amazon it makes me SO HAPPY… plus it sends a signal to Amazon to show more people these books!
I’d love for more girls to get this book in their Easter Basket this year!

I’m so grateful this book is being used and appreciated!

God is good!

If you like this book and haven’t left a review, please write one! It’s okay if you didn’t buy it from there!

Tag someone with a 10 or 11 year old girl!

#Catholic #Catholicmom #liturgicalliving #litany #Wwp #CatholocChristian #CatholicEaster #CatholicEasterbasket #ComeHolySpirit #trueidentity
I can’t believe in the past week I’ve posted 4 I can’t believe in the past week I’ve posted 4 videos on YouTube!

And last week’s interview with Dr. Matthew Breuninger (@askacatholictherapist ) still has me thinking about the “psychology of prayer journaling “!

The last 4 videos posted consist of two new interviews (Jessica Castillo from @athrivingcatholic and Dr. John Spitzer @johnspitzermd ); 

a box opening of @pinksaltriot ‘s latest JOY BOX and finally 

a “how to” video that demonstrates how girls can design the back cover of Be Yourself: a Journal for Catholic Girls!
Whew!

Dr. John Spitzer shared parenting advice for moms and dads of tweens;

Jessica Castillo shared how our physical and spiritual health are connected;

The Joy Box had some fun surprises… one will be going in my daughter’s Easter Basket;
And my friend’s daughter was the perfect co-host in the “how to design “ video!

Tell me which topic interests you the most… maybe I’ll dedicate an Instagram post highlighting that content!

#Catholic #BeYourselfJournal #CatholicYouTube #Catholicyouth #CatholicsOnline #catholicsofinstagram #Catholicblog #Catholicauthor #Catholicblogger #catholicinspiration #Catholictalk #joybox
FLASH SALE ON BOY’S Journal ends tonight!!! Link FLASH SALE ON BOY’S Journal ends tonight!!!
Link in bio!
#Catholic #Lent #bhlent2023
“I got this for my 10 yr old daughter’s Easter “I got this for my 10 yr old daughter’s Easter basket. She immediately was attracted to it. Later, she came to me and said that it was her favorite item in her basket. She loves it and really has spent time with it. It is motivational, inspirational, engaging and most importantly, designed to encourage a habit of prayer and meditation at a young age. All while focusing on God’s love for us and our uniqueness…”
Review left on Amazon about Be Yourself:a Journal for Catholic Girls
#Catholic #RomanCatholic #BeYourselfJournal #BeYourself #Catholicmom #Catholicgift #Christianyouth #Catholicyouth #journal #prayerjournal #catholiccrafts #Catholics #Tweengirls #tweengirl #Youthministry #bookstagram #Catholicfamily #catholicphotography #Catholicprayers #catholicreels
FLASH SALE!!!! Boy’s journal sale ends MONDAY!!! FLASH SALE!!!!
Boy’s journal sale ends MONDAY!!!
Finish up Lent strong… and add this fun book to an Easter Basket!
Link in bio!
#Catholickids #Catholicmom #Catholicyouth #CatholicChristian #Catholic #catholicyouthministry #Catholicdad #Catholicgift #Eastergift #Easterbook #Easter #easterbasket #Lent
I adore you Jesus, true God, and true man, pres I  adore you Jesus, 
true God, and true man, 
present in the Holy Eucharist, 
kneeling before you 
and united in spirit 
with all the faithful on earth 
and all the saints in heaven. 

In gratitude for so great a blessing, 
I love you with all my heart, 
for you are worthy of all praise 
and adoration. 

Lord Jesus Christ, may I never offend you with my lack of love. 

May your Eucharistic presence refresh me in body and soul. 

Mary, Mother of the Eucharistic Lord, pray for me 
and obtain for me a greater love for Jesus. Amen.

#EucharisticAdoration #Lent #EucharisticRevival #BlessedSacrament #40hours #prayforvocations #Catholicmom #Catholicsonline #manyhailmarysatatime #catholicsofinstagram #Holyhour
Seriously, if all the @catholicsonline shops had a Seriously, if all the @catholicsonline shops had a mall I’d… I don’t even know… it would be AMAZING!!!
#RomanCatholic #Catholicgifts #Catholicmom #Catholicwoman #Catholicwife #Christiangifts #SaintJude #CatholicSaints #Catholicshop #Eastergift #Eastergifts #Catholicsonline #Catholicreels #catholicsofinstagram #prolife
Have you ever seen a statistic and thought… thes Have you ever seen a statistic and thought… these numbers are NOT in my favor?

Years ago, I was lonely, depressed and wondering if I would ever not be lonely and depressed.

I dreamed of falling in love and getting married.

But, I wanted to marry a faithful Catholic man… and I believe I saw that only 22% (?) of Americans were Catholic.

And then I thought…
Half of them aren’t men, a large percentage are not practicing and … also how many are BOOMERS?

Lucky for me, God math goes like this…
5 loaves 
2 fish
=
5,000 meals and leftovers 

This is my handsome husband and our awesome nephew with the Bishop that Confirmed him on Friday.
Matt was -and is- such a proud Sponsor and Uncle!
God bless Grayson Patrick FRANCIS!

Thank you God for all of your gifts!!!
“You pay God a compliment when you ask big things of Him.” ~ Saint Teresa of Avila

#Catholic #confirmationsponsor #CatholicSacraments #EucharisticRevival #EucharisticAdoration #ComeHolySpirit #Saintquotes #CatholicSaints
Don’t you love when a plan comes together for a Don’t you love when a plan comes together for a retreat and you see joyful faces! 

Listen, this is the best retreat hack for Catholic girls!
****The Be Yourself Journal Scrapbooking activity.****

Give each girl a Be Yourself Journal.
Explain how, “We are all called to holiness but we take different paths.” ~ Saint Katharine Drexel.

Have each girl pick out a Holy card and two Catholic stickers.

Put scrapbooking paper and Catholic washi-tape (thank you @thestumpofjesse ) on the tables and get them started with decorating the back of their journals.

As they work add more stickers and quote cards to their table.

Point out that they were all given the same set of instructions… yet each cover design is unique.

The same is true for their calling!
God has a unique mission for each individual.

He calls us to follow the Commandments, embrace His Word and trust the teachings of the Church…
same set of basic instructions, different yet BEAUTIFUL results when followed!
“Be who God meant you to be and you’ll set the world on fire!” ~Saint Catherine of Siena
Huge thank you to the women who donated journals and holy cards!!!
#holycards #Catholickids #Saintquotes #BeYourselfJournal #Catholic #Catholicstickers #Catholiccrafts #Saintquotes #Catholicyouth #Catholicyouthgroup #Catholicretreat #Confirmationretreat #Catholicretreat #catholicteacher
Not sure what to do with all those prayer cards? Not sure what to do with all those prayer cards? 

Holy cards can be a fantastic prayer journal prompt. 

Copy the prayer off the back and glue the card to the page ;next to, underneath or above where you wrote the prayer).

Follow me for more prayer journaling tips!
#Catholicjournal #biblejournal #Prayerjournal #prayerjournaling #bissisterhood #Catholicsonline #Jesusandcoffee #Lentideas
Getting ready for a Confirmation Retreat this week Getting ready for a Confirmation Retreat this weekend!

So excited to help these young Catholics see that each is called to holiness… but each mission is unique and unrepeatable!

Huge thank you to the women who donated journals for the retreat (11 donated!!!) and the women from my Bible study group who donated Holy cards!

If you would like to donate a Journal for one of the girls attending the retreat this weekend… send me a private message and I’ll explain how!

Holy cards are GREAT prayer journal prompts!

Which Holy card would you put in your prayer journal?
#prayerjournal #Catholicsaint #Confirmationretreat #Catholicretreat #catholicprayer
Keep at it!!! Don’t give up and Don’t give in! Keep at it!!! Don’t give up and Don’t give in!!! “The world offers you comfort… but you were not made for comfort, you were made for GREATNESS!”
Pope Benedict XVI
#Catholic #Saintquotes #prayfastgive #Lent #Catholicreels #Catholicmeme #Catholicmemes #catholicsofinstagram #Catholicmom #faithandfamily
Load More Follow on Instagram

Footer

       
a spiritual journey to motherhood & beyond

Copyright © 2023 · Cultivate Theme theme by Restored 316