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Email a FriendPosted by Ginny Kubitz Moyer on Wednesday, Dec 29, 2010 3:56 PM (EDT):
I was going to say Stephen Colbert, whom I find fascinating and astonishingly good at what he does. I guess I’m not the only one who thinks this! 
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!
Comments
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Posted by Dianna Kennedy on Thursday, Dec 30, 2010 9:06 AM (EDT):
What an amazing list!! It’s awesome!
@Monica ... I do love Matthew Kelly, too ... I’ve been listening to a lot of his talks on family and intimacy, and they are wonderful.
Another man for whom I have great Catholic admiration? Raymond Arroyo.
Posted by Lisa Hendey on Thursday, Dec 30, 2010 1:29 PM (EDT):
Dianna - thanks both were very popular nominations! I am tempted to expand my list to twenty next year!
Posted by Diana on Thursday, Dec 30, 2010 10:10 AM (EDT):
Great list! I would add Fr. James Martin, SJ to the list, himself, not just as Stephen Colbert’s chaplain. (Although that is a wonderful part of his work!) Fr. Martin has written some fantastic books making Catholicism real, tangible, and down to earth for people at all stages of their faith journeys. He has been quite a presence in “mainstream” media outlets this year reaching so many people. Our faith is rich with amazing people doing God’s work, and that is so inspiring. What a blessing!
Posted by Lisa Hendey on Thursday, Dec 30, 2010 1:30 PM (EDT):
Diana I love Fr. Jim too! His new book is one of my favorites for 2010 and he continues to be so active in sharing the faith.
Lisa, now that I’ve recovered from the shock of seeing my name in your list, let me thank you for the inclusion! Though when it comes to the CNMC, I must congratulate Steve Nelson, the Executive Director of SQPN. To me, he is the unsung hero of CNMC MMX, laboring for months to bring a successful event to Boston.
And as per your suggestions re the bishops, I’d like to commend Bishop David Ricken of the Diocese of Green Bay for his diligence regarding the examination and declaration of the Marian apparitions that took place within his diocese over a century and an half ago. Bishop Ricken declared the appearances of Mary and the related miracles there as worthy of belief. It’s a wonderful story for Catholics to learn about as it broke just recently, on Dec. 8, 2010. And, if I may add a posthumous name to your 2010 list, it would be the visionary, Adele Briese, who in 1859 received three apparitions of the Blessed Mother in greater Green Bay, Wisconsin. More about that here: http://www.gbdioc.org/newsevents/news/857-worthy-of-belief.html
Posted by Lisa Hendey on Thursday, Dec 30, 2010 1:31 PM (EDT):
Pat - great additions, but you were a “no brainer” for this year’s list. I can’t wait to see what 2011 holds for you!
Posted by Leticia Velasquez on Monday, Dec 19, 2011 3:40 PM (EDT):
I second your nomination of Pat Gohn! Oh, we’re not voting?
Posted by Gina Pelella on Thursday, Dec 30, 2010 1:06 PM (EDT):
Fr. John Bartunek LC for the amazing, inspirational Catholic spiritual direction blog. Oh, and lets not forget The Better Part; a book that has brought me and others closer to Christ. I sit with Christ and the better part daily at my breakfast table and I am sure there are many others who do the same.
Thank you Fr. Bartunek
Posted by munchesmom on Thursday, Dec 30, 2010 1:33 PM (EDT):
My five year old daughter! I’ve never seen a child so full of faith & love for God. Whenever anyone asked what she wanted for Christmas this year, she said, “stuff for my Catholic room.” She wants to take all of her toys out of her room & replace them w/ anything Catholic oriented…books, statues, rosaries, photos, etc. We bought her a holy water font to hang on the wall by her door & her older brother got a bottle of holy water for her. She reminds everyone to bless themselves anytime they go in her room. So, I’d have to say she tops my list of Fascinating Catholics of 2010!
I hope you all have a blessed New Year!
Posted by Dorian Speed on Thursday, Dec 30, 2010 2:47 PM (EDT):
Great list! I have been reading Fr. Jim’s new book as well, and think it’s a terrific read for the seekers out there or for those interested in renewing their faith through Ignatian spirituality.
I would add Fr. Robert Barron - I listen to his “Word on Fire” podcasts and am very impressed with the caliber of the materials he produces. He always gives me something to ponder as he unpacks the readings for each week.
Posted by Deacon Tom on Thursday, Dec 30, 2010 3:05 PM (EDT):
Every year I love when you do this list. It always expands, challenges and ratifies certain thoughts and experiences from the year just ended. You know I have sent you suggestions in past years—but didn’t this year. An afterthought that came to me to nominate to you and to your readers is the awesome priest and former president/CEO of Franciscan University. Fr. Michael Scanlan. He has turned a former mediocre party university into a wonderful place of faith-filled teaching. Each summer I get to go there and it is anointed, holy ground.
Congrats to Pat Gohn… what a lady!
Posted by Lisa Mladinich on Thursday, Dec 30, 2010 9:14 PM (EDT):
Lisa, this is a great list and a worthy project. Thanks so much for affirming such great people. It’s such a gift to see a list like this and your reasons for noting each person and their contributions. Very moving and appropriate at year-end. I want to especially note that Pat Gohn was a stranger to me until a very short time ago, and has had a major impact on my life. She is generous, wise, devout—and knee-slapping hilarious! Pat is a dynamite presenter and a real mover in the Catholic world. Those of you who haven’t heard her podcast, yet, tune in. You won’t be disappointed.
Posted by mary on Thursday, Dec 30, 2010 9:17 PM (EDT):
I second the nominations For Matthew Kelly, Fr John Bartunek, and Bishop Ricken. I would add two more: Jeff Cavins who has developed numerpus Bible studies being used all over the country as well as the Twin Cities catechetical Institute for lay people. Also Fr Jacques Phillippe. Author of wonderful spiritual books such as School of the Holy Spirit and Time for God.
Posted by Sr. Mary Elizabeth Lloyd,MPF on Thursday, Dec 30, 2010 9:31 PM (EDT):
Thank you and consider it an honor to be considered a fascinating Catholic! The power of the press is fascinating to me—how many people have written that they have read your article and will do something to help the children who are orphans because of AIDS! Millions of children out there that need someone! Think of giving your life to God to help the children—nothing better. All the best in 2011!
Posted by Heather on Saturday, Jan 1, 2011 9:39 AM (EDT):
I second Fr. Robert Barron. But perhaps next year as he will be coming out with his 10 part series of the Catholicism Project! I can’t wait!
http://www.wordonfire.org/The-Catholicism-Project/Trailer-New.aspx
Posted by Beth on Saturday, Jan 1, 2011 12:24 PM (EDT):
I’m not sure if by fascinating you mean noteworthy/worthy of mention because of their works or actions. I would personally add Father Richard Gill and Father Thomas Berg to the list. I think they are courageous. It takes a lot of character to do what they did and follow their consciences. I know the circumstances in the LC are heart wrenching for all those inside and outside the order. It is certainly a major event in the Church and an ongoing event in process that still needs action and reform. It is not an event we would have wanted but still requires a lot of virtue to get through it. I pray for all those involved for those who choose to stay, for those who leave and for those who want to leave but really do not have the choice because their livelihood is on the line. And for all to get the psychological and spiritual direction they need.
Posted by mycatholicblog.com on Tuesday, Jan 4, 2011 1:16 PM (EDT):
I too am pleased to see Stephen Colbert’s name on this list. Besides being fascinating (and hilarious!), Mr. Colbert is genuinely influential, particularly with a teen/young adult demographic that is still quite impressionable. One not need look further than his introduction of the word “truthiness” into mainstream culture to understand his immense impact on pop culture. Though Stephen often speaks satirically and it is sometimes hard to grasp his exact stance or view, I (as a reader of Faith&Family; Live) very much appreciate the acknowledgment of this sometimes controversial figure. I think it is very telling to the general open nature of this site and its contributors
Posted by Elizabeth on Tuesday, Jan 4, 2011 1:35 PM (EDT):
A friend just sent me the link to this site, and so its my first time here. I don’t recognize some of the names on the list, but the person I’d really like to see on here is Lino Rulli, the Catholic Guy. I think Lino is doing the most creative, influential Catholic media work of anyone out there. But there’s always next year!
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