Most Fascinating Catholics of 2010
Who would you add to Lisa's List?by Lisa Hendey in Reviews on Wednesday, December 29, 2010 6:00 AM
I’m marveling that a year has past since our last installment of my “most fascinating” Catholics. What began on a whim in 2008 has now become a terrific opportunity to take a look back, to celebrate and to offer a prayer of thanksgiving for the many blessings of the year. Of course I’m still offering my friends at EWTN or CatholicTV to invite me to come sit on one of their comfy couches and interview the nominees (a la Barbara Walters, fuzzy focus and all!).
As always, it’s simply impossible to recognize all of the amazing people around the world who have responded to the call for the new evangelization. This year’s nominees come thanks to my friends at Faith & Family Live, CatholicMom.com, Facebook and Twitter who chimed in with their recommendations. In this third issue of the list, I’m instituting a “no repeats” rule. So many of those listed in 2008 and 2009 have again made groundbreaking efforts in 2010 and were recommended by my friends. So be sure to revisit those lists for 2008 and 2009 and to mention previous nominees in the comments.
Now, in no particular order, here are my nominees for 2010:
Pope Benedict XVI – I’ve added one exemption to my “no repeats” rule to allow Popes as repeat nominees, and Pope Benedict XVI certainly earned his spot on the “fascinating” list for many reasons this year. A few include his incredible weekly audiences, his travel to England and the buzz surrounding the release of his latest book Light of the World. As a first time author, I have more respect than ever for the schedule our Holy Father keeps, and for the example he sets for all of us in remaining committed first and foremost to our relationship with God.
Mother Assumpta Long O.P and the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist – In a country with a vocations crisis, these Sisters are a bright light of hope. With an average age of 26 and a new influx of postulants, the Sisters are purchasing the John Paul II Center to be used as a House of Studies. And in other news, they appeared on Oprah this year … twice! Their missionary work and commitment to contemplative prayer are a bright light for all of us.
Thomas Peters – This year, I had the pleasure of hearing Thomas Peters speak in person after having read his blog for years. Thomas is on the forefront of employing digital media to share the good news. His partnership with CatholicVote, his tireless reporting of current events from an orthodox Catholic perspective, his intelligent wit and his great eye for trends make him one of my top “go to” resources when I’m seeking information.
Pat Gohn – A writer, speaker and the host of the fantastic “Among Women” podcast, eloquent, gifted, and with a heart of gold, Pat Gohn was the driving force behind one of this year’s hottest events, the Catholic New Media Celebration – “CNMC MMX”. Pat Gohn is the woman I’d like to be when (and if) I grow up.
Father Leo Patalinhug – I’ve long been fascinated by this amazing priest, but this year I watched him give a keynote speech – moving the crowd to tears and leaving them laughing out loud – all while cooking Penne A La Vodka for 250 people, and in that moment I mentally added him to this year’s list. Father Leo is a whirlwind of talent and energy, but most of all an ambassador for the gospel. The release of his book Grace Before Meals by Doubleday and the launch of his new radio show Stirring the Pot on Sirius/XM were only a few of the many great gifts Father Leo shared with us this year.
Regina Doman – While I’ve never had the pleasure of meeting her in person, I – like many other Catholic authors – count Regina Doman as a friend and mentor. This year, this queen of Catholic fiction garnered more nominations in my straw poll than any other name. If you’ve never read Regina Doman’s work, you are missing out on some of our country’s best storytelling. As a writer, a speaker, an editor and a champion for the genre of Catholic fiction, Regina is changing the landscape of literature as we know it.
Stephen Colbert – In character or out of it, Mr. Stephen Colbert is Catholic and not afraid to joke about it. He has an official chaplain (hooray Fr. James Martin, SJ), gave my friends at CatholicTV a well-deserved nod, and keeps us from taking ourselves too seriously. This year, he makes my list for his appearance before Congress to discuss the plight of migrant workers. I’m not making any suppositions about Stephen Colbert’s orthodoxy here – I’m just saying I find him fascinating. And Stephen, I challenge you to invite my friends Danielle, Rachel and me onto the show to chat about mom stuff and our books – do it, we guarantee you will have fun and we’ll be good sports!
Dr. Janet E. Smith – One of my personal highlights this year was being a very small part of the first-ever National Theology of the Body Congress. At this sold-out gathering of experts, educators and activists, I had the privilege of hearing Dr. Janet Smith speak. This professor of moral theology who has distributed over a million copies of her groundbreaking talk Contraception: Why Not continues to inspire new generations with her consistent messages on human sexuality and bioethics.
Our Bishops – In 2009, I nominated “The Priest” and Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan. This year, Bishops and Cardinals from around the country made news with bold moves, brave stands and pastoral shepherding. Too numerous to note here, we thank our holy Bishops for their spiritual leadership – I invite you to pay tribute in the comments to the many who made a difference in our lives this year and will use this space to memorialize my own Bishop, Most Reverend John T. Steinbock, who went to his eternal rest in late 2010. In his final months, Bishop John continued to shepherd us even in illness, especially his final work The Affliction of Cancer: An Essay on the Christian Perspective.
Sister Mary Elizabeth Lloyd – Sister Mary Elizabeth of the Religious Teachers Filippini is a woman on a mission. This year, Sister Mary Elizabeth partnered with ultra-runner Lisa Smith-Batchen to raise funds and awareness for the plight of AIDS Orphans Rising, a non-profit organization working with poor orphans around the world. In only 62 days, Sister Mary Elizabeth Lloyd racked up 1,000 miles, logging twenty miles in each of the 50 states and doing it all in her habit! Did I mention that Sister Mary Beth is 61? Sister gives me all the motivation I need to make the most of every opportunity I have to serve and to love in 2011.
Obviously, no list can ever properly capture the efforts, the energy and the enthusiasm of so many amazing people who are using their talents these days to spread the gospel message. I invite your comments with additional names of those who have “fascinated” you in 2010 and thank all of those who helped me compile this year’s list.
As we enter 2011, I look forward to the adventures, the learning and the inspiration that lie ahead of us!
