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Apr 26, 2017
Catholic Influencers

Catholic Social Media Influencers: Volume 3

Are you on Pinterest?  If so, check out and follow the board Catholic Social Media Influencers !

Alicia Schonhardt

from Sweeping Up Joy

“I lost almost three years of mothering.

I’m not bitter. I’m not complaining. It’s just how life worked out.

From the morning in January of 2013 when Cee woke up and couldn’t walk… everything, everything changed.

No warning. No notice. Just the unrelenting, all-consuming pain of a four year old.

All the sudden I didn’t know who I was. I had recently quit my job to be a stay-at-home mom, and I loved spending my days painting, reading, and baking with the kids.

But then we couldn’t paint. We couldn’t read. We couldn’t bake.”

~ from https://www.sweepingupjoy.com/sweeping-up-joy-a-mission-statement/

I spent too much time using “survival mode” as excuse to ignore my vocation to love those around me right now. Sweeping Up Joy is about choosing joy in life today—even when it’s hard.

From great library books to the funny things my kids say, I blog about anything that plays a role in our daily life with the goal of “loving the life behind the mess.”

Where can you be found on social media?
Sweeping up Joy on Facebook

What type of wine is your favorite?

I like my wine sweet and bubbly. Moscato d’asti is always nice. My husband has vinted a few sweet wines along those lines that I’ve enjoyed.

What is your favorite chocolate?

aaron-burden-206583.jpg

I’ve only met chocolate I didn’t like once. It was chipotle flavored. I get that it’s trendy now to ruin chocolate with peppers, but why?!?!

I’m going to be honest. Chocolate chips? Old Halloween candy? Classy truffles? I’m game for any and all chocolate. Just hold the peppers.

What is your favorite prayer and/or quote?

“Do small things with great love”

is one of my favorite quotes, and my go-to mom prayer is

“Lord, give me strength.”

Usually it’s said through gritted teeth when one of my kids has done something like smear playdoh on the wall or tried to flush a washcloth. That five second pause-of-a-prayer can help me keep perspective.

What services do you provide?

In our family, we love, love, love books. I’m an Usborne Books & More Independent Consultant, and my shop is available at https://e6401.myubam.com/ .

Contact info
sweepingupjoy@gmail.com

Aleesa McCarthy

from SaongJai

My name is Aleesa McCarthy and I am a wife and mamma to 3 precious children (two girls and a new baby boy). We home educate and I run a small Catholic goods shop from home in all my FREE time! I am a creative soul that craves beauty and am always tinkering and crafting. Making things gives me great joy and I am delighted when creating whether it is up-cycling old furniture into play kitchens or making religious jewelry and rosaries. I hoard beads, paints, and anything crafty…because I get inspirations and think I can do something with “it” someday. Mostly I want to use my talents to make beautiful and inspiring thigns to help people draw closer to God.

My hubby and I met about 13 years ago at a YMI Catholic young adult retreat. We had been working our way back to a strong faith and prayer life when we met and it was perfect timing. As we grew in our faith together and were reading all the same spiritual books the Lord began to work things out. Wanting to do things right and God’s way was hard in this world that tells you cohabitation is a OK and what not. Since we were on the same journey and desired to do God’s will, a beautiful Christian courtship was possible. One evening my now hubby gave me a kiss on a moonlit walk though my parents garden and I looked at him and said “you do know that if you want to date me you have to marry me”. He didn’t seem to mind. So, I would love people to know you can follow God’s roadmap and be happy…you don’t have to be perfect or some weird freaks who havn’t any fun in life. Here we were two cradle Catholics that had done a little worldly wandering and then through our soul searching, found our way home, grew a deep prayer life, and got married. The rest is history.

Where can you be found on social media?

Facebook:  Saongjai

 instagram: aleesamccarthy

saongJai

 

What type of wine is your favorite?

My favorite wine at the moment is Apothic Red. I really love the pretty A on the bottle and I it’s a nice red blend. Quite honestly I don’t drink a lot of wine, but when I do that is what I buy.

What is your favorite chocolate?

Anything milk chocolate or with caramel! I really love Twix bars.

What is your favorite prayer and/or quote?

I love the Memorare. I like to sing my children to sleep with praise songs to Jesus, Latin Mass parts, and the Ave Maria. Since I don’t get a lot of time to sit alone with Jesus thoughout the day, one of my fav quotes is “Singing is like praying twice”.

 

What services do you provide?

I run a Catholic goods shop called SaongJai through Etsy, but I also occasionally I will do facebook sales on my page. My little shop is a creative outlet for me. My sister and I started it making just rosaries and we still make and sell them but also many other really cool things too. Here are some of the goodies you will find in the shop: rosaries, religious jewelry, rosary hangers, hand painted holy water bottles & devotional candels, super cool kids rosaries, scapulars, lots of Catholic printables, and the occasional vintage book or statue we rescue. I illustrate a cute line of adorable saints called My Little Patron and use them in my printables (Catholic Preschool Printables) and kids religious items (Custom Patron Saint Rosary & Holy Card).

Contact info

www.etsy.com/shop/saongjai

www.mylittlepatron.com

 

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. aleesa says

    April 26, 2017 at 1:15 pm

    Alicia, I love your message of “loving the life behind the mess.” I can think of so many times when as a momma I get stuck in the rut of my own limitations or hardships and let it run over my life instead of stopping to love everyone around me especially my children. I love reading your blog!

    Thanks Amy for this awesome post! I am so loving this series. It is awesome to get a peak behind the scenes that we often don’t share.

  2. Anni says

    April 26, 2017 at 1:45 pm

    Such great behind-the-scenes for two highly inspirational women! Thank you for showcasing them… it was nice to see what motivates them! I’m loving this series!

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Amy is the Co-Founder of CatholicsOnline.net

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prayerwinechocolate

Dear Lord, help me to be who you want me to be and Dear Lord, help me to be who you want me to be and set the world ablaze!!!
#CatholicScripture #Catholicreels #Catholicprayers #quickprayer #Jesusandcoffee #Morningprayer #Showmetheway
On vacation; just happen to be staying in a house On vacation; just happen to be staying in  a house next to a church that organizes an incredible celebration for the feast of the Assumption every year! 

My mother once mentioned to me that being near the ocean on this holy day is extra special.

And the day was extra special because I ran into an old friend… Sister Lisa!

20 years ago I went on a mission trip to the Dominican Republic with Sister and a lovely group of high school girls. I hold those 2 weeks in a very special place in my heart.
God is good.

Have you ever done anything like this ? Tell me in the comments!!!

@yellaphant I mentioned you and Sister says hi!!!

#MotherMary #Oceancity #Blessingofthesea #Catholic #starofthesea #praymore #believe #godisgoodallthetime
#GoodmorningJesus #Catholic #Sunday #RomanCatholic #GoodmorningJesus #Catholic #Sunday #RomanCatholic #catholic
There is so much I’d love to tell you about the There is so much I’d love to tell you about the 12 year old girl who colored these pictures. 

But, I hear in my heart those moments in Scripture where “Mary pondered these things in her heart”. 

What I was assured of this week by the example of more than one “junior high student “ is this…. 12 year old girls still love to color.

I mean, let’s be honest… I still love to color.

In honor of these young souls… coupled with the belief that every seed of faith we sow matters… 

the 20 coloring pages from the girl’s Be Yourself Journal are on sale this week!
I hope they bring you and others joy and hope!!!
Post pics when they are done and tag me!!!!
I’d love to see them!!!

#catholiccoloringpages #Catholicjuniorhigh #Catholicmiddleschool #ClassicalCatholic #Catholicyouth #youthministry #Catholicart #Catholicquotes
Even Jesus had a rough day when He was 12! Meet yo Even Jesus had a rough day when He was 12!
Meet your child exactly where he or she is with the Be Yourself Journals!!!!
Link in bio!
#tweengirl #parentingtweens #CatholicChristian #Catholichome #catholicinstagram
You and I both know that the Rosary is not just fo You and I both know that the Rosary is not just for white haired Grandmas… but how do we convince our friends and loved ones to embrace this powerful prayer and meditation on the life of Our Lord Jesus?

Honestly, with me in my 20’s… it started by being a gathering of broken hearts.

I was lonely, another friend was going through infertility, another was stuck in the past so much it affected her daily life… another found herself facing an unplanned pregnancy.

When you hit rock bottom, you grasp at anything that could possibly pull you up.

For us, that was the Rosary.
How? One friend suggested it because her Mom had a rosary group she attended for years. Another (me) said “yes, let’s do it”.

If you have a friend who is deep in sorrow… go to her with a Rosary and offer to pray with her.

If this is a person who may be reluctant, bring wine. Offer one glass and two listening ears.
The Lord and His Mother will do the rest.

If you want more guidance, check out my Prayer Wine Chocolate Retreat Guide! Link in bio 🙏🍷🍫.
#Rosary #PraytheRosary #prayerwinechocolate #bissisterhood #Catholicfriends #Catholicprayer #Catholic #Catholicmom #Catholicmother #Catholicwoman #Catholicwomen
Saint Padre Pio, pray for us! #prayhopeanddontworr Saint Padre Pio, pray for us!
#prayhopeanddontworry #PadrePio #servegodwithlaughter #Catholicmeme #Catholicmemes #Catholicwife #Catholicmom
Do you have dietary restrictions but would like to Do you have dietary restrictions but would like to attend the Prayer Wine Chocolate Retreat?

In the past I have received messages inquiring about the food that is included in the registration cost of the retreat.
This year, I’m happy to announce that the vineyard serving our lunch is extremely accommodating for those who have strict diets.

Here’s what’s on the menu for the 2022 Prayer Wine Chocolate Retreat:

The 'standard' lunch is a duet of sandwiches -- half turkey wrap with lettuce, tomato, muenster & honey mustard, and half a baguette sandwich with tomato, mozzarella, and basil oil. 

Accompanying the sandwiches is a seasonal mixed greens salad with dried fruit and cheese (and sometimes nuts are included as well). 

If anyone has an allergy to nuts or cheese we serve their salad without it of course. 
Also, for dairy allergies, they would receive a full turkey wrap WITHOUT cheese (and none of the tomato-mozzarella baguette).

Gluten-free guests receive tuna salad on a bed of greens.

Vegetarian guests receive a full tomato-mozzarella baguette (and no turkey wrap).

Vegan guests receive a roasted vegetable and hummus wrap.

Still have concerns? Don’t hesitate to reach out!
Limited spots are available! Register soon before the event sells out! Link in bio!

#Catholic #Catholicretreat #Catholicwoman #SaintGianna #ourladyofczestochowa
2022 Prayer Wine Chocolate Retreat registration op 2022 Prayer Wine Chocolate Retreat registration open…
#prayerwinechocolate #Catholicretreat #Catholicdayofreflection #dayofreflection #Catholicwoman #Catholicmotherhood
God created so much for us to enjoy! How amazing i God created so much for us to enjoy!
How amazing is it that all of creation was created for us?!

I hear “God loves you” often. 

I believe that God loves us more than we can imagine.

However, sometimes I forget to contemplate the magnitude of that truth.

When I was writing the first Be Yourself Journal, I came across this in the catechism and I had to include it in both the girl’s and the boy’s journals:

“God created everything for man but man in turn was created to serve and love God and to offer all creation back to him…

the heavens and the earth, the sea and all the rest of creation exist for him.”

This summer, our family is taking time to indulge and embrace just a sliver of this incredible gift.

In what ways do you enjoy God’s creation? Share your favorite ways to enjoy nature in when comments!
#Allofcreation #Catechism #Catholicteaching #Catholicteacher #Catholicinspiration #InstaCatholic #bissisterhood #Liturgical #Catholicmom #beyourselfjournal
Rejoice in God’s creation today!!! Share what yo Rejoice in God’s creation today!!!
Share what you are rejoicing in below!
#Catechism #Catholic #Biblequotes #readyourbible #bibleinayear
God's love for each of us is unimaginable. It's so God's love for each of us is unimaginable.
It's so intense.  It's so real.  It's just as much for you as an individual as it is for any other person.

When I was in my early 20's, I would often to go a neighboring parish for daily Mass before I went to work as a camp counselor.

The old priest would constantly remind us of this verse and express to each person in the pew how much God loves us.

It touched my heart.
I want it to touch yours too.
#Godsloveisreal #Scripture #Biblequotes #Catholicblog #Catholicspeaker #Catholic #Catholiccontent #CatholicChristian #instainspiration
Just sitting here laughing at my own jokes 🤪 Al Just sitting here laughing at my own jokes 🤪
Always remember Rule #6: Never take yourself to seriously! 
#Catholicblog #Catholiconline #prolife #Catholic #Catholicsocialmedia #Catholicwoman
The first Prayer Wine Chocolate Retreat was held i The first Prayer Wine Chocolate Retreat was held in 2016.
That year participants visited the place where Saint Katharine Drexel lived, worked and prayed for most of her life. Shortly after that retreat the property was sold and Saint Katharine Drexel’s Shrine was moved into Philadelphia where it continues to be today.

Since 2016, Prayer Wine Chocolate Retreats have been held almost every year. We’ve visited the National Shrines of Saint Gianna, Padre Pio, Our Lady of @czestochowa_shrine and have participated in an out door Mass on the grounds of a vineyard.

In the past, we have visited one shrine and two vineyards.

This year, we will visit two shrines and one vineyard.

So far, each person who has registered has been to a previous Prayer Wine Chocolate Retreat.
I’m so grateful that this event has become a day women look forward to!

Space is limited! The Prayer Wine Chocolate Retreat has sold out each year!!!

Feel free to ask questions in the comments.
Reserve your spot today!
Link in bio 🙏🍷🍫❤️
#Catholicretreat #prayerwinechocolate #Catholic #Catholics #Catholicfriends #Walkingwithpurpose #praytheRosary #Catholicmass #Catholicshrine
So excited… REGISTRATION is now open for the Pra So excited… REGISTRATION is now open for the Prayer Wine Chocolate Retreat!!!!
🙏 🍷 🍫 
Link in bio!!!
#Catholicretreat #Catholicwomen #Catholicfriends #bissisterhood #Catholicfellowship #prayerwinechocolate #Retreatinpa #visitbuckscounty #Catholicmom #Catholicblog #Catholicwife #ourladyofguadalupe
Be Yourself: a Journal for Catholic Boys is a grea Be Yourself: a Journal for Catholic Boys is a great way to encourage your son to write this summer!!
Link in bio; also available on Amazon, at @osvcatholicbooks and @barnesandnoble online!
#Saintquotes #Catholicmom #Catholickids #catholicyouthministry #CatholicChristian #Catholicbooks #Catholicjournal #Catholichome #catholiceducation #catholichomeschool
My husband Matt gives each of our children a bless My husband Matt gives each of our children a blessing before they go to bed at night.
I asked him if his parents did that … and he said, “no”.

He said that his father would bless him with holy water in church, so he was doing that with our son one day and the priest who said Mass saw him do it. The priest then told Matt, “you know, a parent blessing his or her child is one of the few blessings a lay person has the authority to give.” 

Since then, he has given them a blessing almost daily.
The words he uses as he makes the sign of the cross on their foreheads are:
“God bless and protect my son (daughter)
Keep him (her)safe, good and holy and protect him (her) from all evil, Amen.”
I might have to ask him or the kids what I’m missing or if I messed that up a little… but you get the idea.
Bless your children!

I read that a blessing realigns our world with heaven by acknowledging all is a gift.

Do you bless your children? Did your parents bless you?
#blessing #Catholic #Catholicmom #Catholicparenting #gentleparenting #Catholicchristian #prayerwinechocolate #Catholicdad #hallowapp #coffeeandprayers
Type the next line of the prayer in the comments! Type the next line of the prayer in the comments!
#praymore #praywithoutceasing #prayalways #Catholicprayers #Catholicsaints
Hi there!!!! I am so happy you are here and we ar Hi there!!!! 
I am so happy you are here and we are connected on “the gram”!

My name is Amy Brooks… and I started the Prayer Wine Chocolate blog with the intention to share how my husband and I grew our family through adoption-without signing up with an adoption agency.

I also wanted to create gift guides that had Catholic gifts on it.

I share this today because my word of the year is “laugh” and when I thought of posting a “Friday introduction “ I immediately recalled the saying:
“Want to make God laugh? Tell Him your plans!”

What starting this blog has led to- through the grace of God- has been amazing!
I realized that I had what @jenniferfulwiler would call a blue flame inside of me - writing.
Once again, I have to laugh because my English grade in 8th grade was so bad my dad pulled me off the soccer team and when I started college I had to take a remedial English class. God has reminded me over and over again that through Him all things are possible!

One of the greatest experiences in this journey has been meeting incredible people who love the Lord and who are truly kind and compassionate. It was through meeting @windhovering Jerry Windley-Doust that motivated me to write the Be Yourself Journals that our now published by @osvcatholicbooks . I also have been extremely blessed by the community of Catholic Social Media now known as @catholicsonline . If you are trying to evangelize or minister with the help of social media, I invite you to join us! 

I’m the oldest of 5. I asked my brother to give a speech at my wedding reception because I think he’s so funny that he truly could be a stand-up comedian. He ended up giving a speech so touching, I published part of it one boy’s Be Yourself Journal. He also cracked everybody at the wedding up 😂.

Somewhere in this group of pictures there is a picture of my parents. In that picture, my dad has his face painted. One of my siblings overheard him talking about him having this done as a “once in a lifetime experience “! 😂 He’s 72… apparently last weekend was his first opportunity to have this done.

Ps. My younger son recently asked me if I had water when I was a kid. He then asked me if soap was invented yet.
SUMMER JOURNALING can be fun!! I have 2 Be Yourse SUMMER JOURNALING can be fun!!

I have 2 Be Yourself: a Catholic Journal for Girls in stock and only a handful of the boy’s journals in stock!

I’m jumping on the #smalloverprime specials and anyone who purchases (or donates) a journal in the next 24 hours will get the coloring pages download for free!!!
That’s 20 inspirational quote coloring pages!!!! And trust me- they are fun for all ages!

Plus… this is the last day you can get the Plan Your Own Prayer Wine Chocolate Retreat Guide for over 40%off! 

Links are in my bio!
Happy Summer 😎🍉🕶🌻☀️!
#Catholiccoloringpages #Catholicinspiration #shopCatholic #Catholicjournal #boysjournal #kidsjournal #booksfortweens #Catholicwoman #Catholicfellowship #Catholicretreat
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