Welcome to Catholic Sistas’ newest series, featuring some of our friends in the Catholic blogging world entitled Fabulously Featured which will run on Wednesdays. I have always wanted to introduce you to some new blogs to follow and support, but seriously lacked the time to put this together before now. In a Facebook group of fellow Catholic women bloggers, I asked ladies to answer some questions for this series, and they were all too excited to participate! I give you their answers in their own words. 🙂

Catholic Camera is the focus of today’s afternoon installment of Fabulously Featured. It is authored by Maria Dolan and she snaps pics of events with an eye for detail. As a former event photographer, I can appreciate the hard work and dedication it takes to get these photos taken, documenting some wonderful church events. Let’s get started and learn more about Catholic Camera.

Established

June 1, 2013

Theme

Catholic events.

Inspiration/Motivation

What inspired me to start blogging was attending the Christmas Eve Mass at Historic St Nicholas of Tolentine in Atlantic City, NJ. Our family met a very holy frail Augustinian priest, Fr. Augustus Sandman. He has since passed away. He was 91 years old and received all his sacraments at St Nicholas of Tolentine, even ordination when the church was an Augustinian parish. I felt compelled to tell his amazing story! Did you ever meet someone you just knew was a saint? Well, that was my sensation. I also knew I would never see him again.

The following time was six months later at the First Mass of a newly ordained Franciscan priest. Our family is lay associates of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal and this brother becoming a priest was quite inspiring. I could not contain my joy and jubilation so that was the first event I started blogging photos of that incredible day.

What motivates me is the beauty of our church, our faith, our Catholic events. There is so much beauty and awe in the events I photograph and write about that I just want to share that same joy with others.

Favorite Element

My favorite element is seeing the photos posted and sharing them with others who could not attend or sharing them with those who were present and want to see the day in pictures.

 

Favorite Post

My favorite post was on the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, which brought 1000’s of people to walk in the streets of Red Bank, NJ in the freezing cold to honor the Mother of God. That kind of devotion was truly inspiring!

Balance

I have to prioritize my life to find a balance. My sacrament of marriage is first. My vocation as mother is second. It’s not easy because I have an urge to immerse myself in my blog but the day is short and the day goes quickly. If I focus on God and what he is asking me to do I am at peace because my marriage and family come first. Being able to post on my blog is a gift of love and a bonus in my life. Focusing on Christ I stay focused on the hidden life I lead. The life of fame and fortune will never be mine. And if I am caught up in the stress of wanting to set aside time to post and forsake my family I will have to answer for that. That’s how I keep my balance.

Any practical tips?

Prayer. Asking to do God’s will. Making the Consecration to give my life to Mary so she can order my day.

Audience

The parish, and those who attend the events I blog about.

 

 

Catch Phrase/Tagline

The beauty of God will convert!

Advice

See my post above on balance!

And then find a support group that can encourage you!

QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS?

Have a question or comment for our featured blogger? Please leave them in the comments below!

Would you {or someone you know} like to be fabulously featured?

Send an email to Martina@CatholicSistas.com and reference the Fabulously Featured series and we’ll get the ball rolling to get you or your friend featured!