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Email a FriendPosted by Therese on Friday, Dec 23, 2011 12:46 PM (EDT):
Mother Miriam of the Lamb of God - formerly Rosalind Moss
Most Fascinating Catholics of 2011
Who's on YOUR list?
Posted by Lisa Hendey in Just me on Friday, December 23, 2011 11:31 AM
For the past three years, I’ve pulled together a “most fascinating Catholics” list at the end of the year to attempt to shine the light on the amazing efforts of men and women, ordained, religious and lay, who are inspiring the world around them with incredibly effort and heart. You can take a peek back at my 2010 list here.
The amazing thing about this list has been how increasingly difficult it’s become to compile—I myself instituted a “no repeats” rule after the first year. This year, for about a week, I’ve been polling friends on Facebook and Twitter and have received some amazing suggestions. Many of them are folks I already know and love, but most were actually new to me—which led me to decide to do something different with this year’s list.
I’m going to let YOU create the list.
Let’s use the comment space below to compile a no holds barred list of faith-filled Catholics doing amazing things to make our world a better place. Your nominations can be friends, family, or even your dog (if he’s Catholic!)—they don’t need to be famous, and in fact this might be a great way for all of us to discover tiny apostolates that are making big change.
I look forward to “meeting” your picks for 2011’s most fascinating Catholics and thank you for another wonderful year here on the blog!
Comments
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Hands down in my opinion is our school principal. She’s a young Nashville Dominican and has guided our school the last 5 years. She’s an example of grace under pressure and has been a very calming presence especially when our school community has needed it most. You will have to message me for more details since this is a public forum, but she’s amazing and has done a lot to bring us all closer together.
Posted by Amanda on Friday, Dec 23, 2011 3:14 PM (EDT):
I nominate Bonnie! She blogs here http://learningtobeanewlywed.blogspot.com/ and here http://ignitumtoday.com./author/bonnie/
She is an amazing, young, devout, Catholic mother who’s son’s recovery is now being investigated as a miracle through the intercession of Archbishop Fulton Sheen. You can read their story here http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/archbishop-fulton-sheen-credited-with-babys-stunning-recovery/.
Not only is she a wonderful mother and talented writer, she is the director (along with another amazing woman) of a Catholic women’s conference called - Behold! A Conference on the Dignity and Vocation of Women. You can read about and register to attend this conference here http://www.beholdconference.com/
Bonnie is a truly wonderful, faith filled women who deserves to make the list of most fascinating Catholics!
Posted by Diana on Friday, Dec 23, 2011 9:23 PM (EDT):
Connie, I second this nomination. His Catholicism series has impacted so many people. I can only imagine how many conversations it has started with people all across the spectrum of faith! I have experienced many of these conversations myself. What an amazing contribution to evangelization!
Posted by Sandra on Friday, Dec 23, 2011 3:41 PM (EDT):
Laura Berquist, head of Mother of Divine Grace School, who helps thousands to educate their children in a Catholic, classical way. I also agree with the nominations of Mother Miriam and Abby Johnson, both of whom I had the honor to meet when they visited my area this past year.
Posted by Connie Clark on Friday, Dec 23, 2011 4:09 PM (EDT):
Father Robert Barron, for obvious reasons, but it you need one here it is… http://www.wordonfire.org/
Posted by scotch meg on Friday, Dec 23, 2011 4:45 PM (EDT):
Mother Olga (Yaqub) of the Eucharist, immigrant from Iraq, inspirational heart of the Boston University Catholic Center, and now foundress of a new order, Daughters of Mary, Our Lady of Nazareth. She says, “I have seen a lot of spiritual poverty in our country – people who are spiritually hungry. They don’t know what kind of loving Father we have, what kind of beautiful faith our Catholic Church has.” She has us pegged.
Posted by Ronald Wegner on Friday, Dec 23, 2011 6:25 PM (EDT):
I would nominate Jeff Cavins. Not only are his Great Adventure Bible studies in over 3000 parishes, but he changed Catholic TV and Radio.
Posted by Loretta S. on Friday, Dec 23, 2011 6:53 PM (EDT):
This guy. Amazing writing about his life with SSA and how it integrates spiritually. It’s gut wrenching, humorous, and spiritually satisfying. His insights and honesty blow me away. It’s exactly the kind of conversations that Catholics need to be having about homosexuality.
Posted by Terri on Friday, Dec 23, 2011 8:46 PM (EDT):
Lisa Barker! A strong, faithful, talented & fascinating woman.
Here’s the link to her book. I don’t have enough room here to write all the wonderful things about this lady.
http://www.lulu.com/product/paperback/inheritance/15757891
Posted by Maureen on Friday, Dec 23, 2011 11:01 PM (EDT):
Rev Msgr Charles Pope, priest & pastor in the Archdiocese of Washington - You can see his blog here: http://blog.adw.org/ He’s an amazing writer & a great speaker. Orthodox, amusing, always gives you a lot to think about!
Posted by Lisa M. Hendey on Saturday, Dec 24, 2011 3:16 AM (EDT):
I’m loving all of these wonderful, “fascinating” people - keep the suggestions coming!
Posted by eileen hedrick on Saturday, Dec 24, 2011 5:19 AM (EDT):
I nominate my fellow St Gerard Majella parishoners, Kirkwood,MO., who faithfully, day by day, offer their lives to our God and celebrate the mass together holding to the message of loving God and their brothers and sisters, respecting our holy priests who teach by example, sharing what they have, working in various services for others and continue to live the message of the ‘good news’. I am blessed and grateful.
Posted by Melissa G on Saturday, Dec 24, 2011 10:13 AM (EDT):
I would like to nominate Mary Lenaburg. She blogs at :http://passionateperseverance.blogspot.com/p/my-story.html
She recently blogged her autobiography. She is an authentic Catholic Mom who is a shining example of self giving, charity, faith,humility, and keeping it real. She is funny and a talented chef too!
Mary and her husband also participate in Marriage prep in their Parish and invite engaged couples over for dinner and talks. They promote NFP, and just live the faith as part of their every day lives. Mary is so real in sharing her struggles, and if you read her memoir you’ll see the mountains she has had to climb in her faith journey.
The way she loves others and her family, especially her daughter Courtney who has special needs, is so beautiful.
Posted by lou on Saturday, Dec 24, 2011 11:38 AM (EDT):
Fr. Dan Farley He was the pastor of St. Maxiilllian Kolbe parish and just died last weekend of ALS. He was on Relevant Radio many times teaching people how to walk the way of the cross with complete acceptance. Quite an inspiration. If anyone is suffering a fatal disease, I would recommend listening to his talks via Relevant Radio. Can listen to archives on the internet from the Morning Show.
Posted by Mandi H. on Sunday, Dec 25, 2011 1:54 AM (EDT):
I nominate Chad Judice. He is a teacher and father who recently wrote an inspirational book entitled “Waiting For Eli”. The book follows Chad’s spiritual journey following his discovery that his son would be born with a serious birth defect. It is a must read! Chad has spent the year giving his testimony on how his faith gave him strength during his wife, Ashley’s, pregnancy and following the birth of their son.
Posted by Jennifer on Tuesday, Dec 27, 2011 10:44 AM (EDT):
Heather King, an author and blogger who recently published a book about St. Therese of Lisieux titled “Shirt of Flame, a year with St. Therese of Lisieux”. She also has a blog under the name “Shirt of Flame”.
She is an original thinker and deserves more attention in Catholic media.
Posted by Matthew Gibson on Wednesday, Dec 28, 2011 10:56 AM (EDT):
I would nominate Father Donald Calloway, his conversion story is awesome. Also Steve Ray of the “Footprints of God” video series is a great Catholic (met him in person). Scott Hahn, Fr. Mitch Paqwa (met in person) do alot for the Catholic Church in America today.
Posted by Pamela Mendoza on Wednesday, Dec 28, 2011 1:50 PM (EDT):
My nomination is on a more personnel level. I nominate my husband, Chris. His devout love for his Catholic faith and his church (St. Micheal’s of Gibsonburg,Oh.) gave him the strength and determination to keep me from leaving the Catholic Church. Three years ago I wasn’t getting anything out of mass and I was tired of all the rituals(kneeling,confession,genuflecting,communion…etc.) I told my husband I wanted to go to a non-denominational church. As much as Chris wanted to demand that I stay with him at St. Micheal’s, he said “You go where you need to go, but I will pray that you will learn the truth about the Catholic church and learn why we have our sacraments”. Chris went to his parents and asked them for help, he was devastated that I did not want to be a catholic. Both his parents prayed for me and they lent me a book about Medjugorgi. Reluctantly, a few days before Christmas, late at night, I read the book. Around 3 am in the morning, half way through the book, I woke Chris up. I told him that I now know why you love the catholic faith so much. We sat in front of the Christmas tree that morning and prayed the rosary together for the first time. God made me see that what I get out of my faith is what I put into it. I started lecturing and volunteering for children liturgy. I have joined catholic bible studies to learn more about the Catholic church. I am so thankful to my husband for giving me such a wonderful gift of faith and loving me unconditionally.
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