Fascinating Catholics
Lisa Hendley wrote a a piece on the Top Ten most fascinating Catholics in 2008 and Jean of Catholic Fire decided to make it into a meme and tagged me.
- Pope Benedict XVI. Yes at the top of everybody's list, but for good reason. Oh B16 how do I love thee, let me count the ways. Or maybe too many to count. If John Paul II becomes generally known as Pope John Paul the Great, I think Benedict will be known as Pope Benedict the Pretty Awesome Also.
- Rosalyn Moss. Jewish convert first as an Evangelical and then later Catholic and unto recently on the staff of Catholic Answers. This year she became Sister Rosalyn Moss with a new order she received permission to start called "Daughters of Mary, Mother of Israel's Hope." I have loved her wisdom on Catholic Answers as she mainly answered spiritual questions with great wisdom.
- Fr. Frank Pavone. The tireless pro-life advocate who is a modern St. Paul for the pro-life movement. He speaks everywhere and is willing to use whatever medium to advance the culture of life. His YouTube videos on abortion are excellent.
- John C. Wright. Mr. Wright came into the Church this year at Easter. He had been an atheist until his conversion to Christ and then later to Christ's Church. I do so enjoy all of his books which are in the Science Fiction/Fantasy genre. His blog is also one of the most interesting. Whether he is advancing the cause for the Space Princess movement, the cogent responses he has made to atheists, or the multitude of other topics on his blog I always delight when there is a new post.
- Fr. Roderick Vonhögen. When I first heard of the Catholic Insider podcast and that it is was created from a priest in the Netherlands I was rather skeptical of the orthodoxy of the contents. The first episode I heard was when he was at Rome on the Day Pope Benedict XVI was elected. His joy and excitement at Josef Ratzinger being elected convinced put my hesitations aside. Over the years as he went on to start the Star Quest Production Network and his daily show during the week called the Daily Breakfast he has continued to entertain and delight me as he talks about everything from culture, gaming, entertainment, to theology to advance the truth of the Catholic faith.
- Doug Kmiec. Yeah right.
- Archbishop Charles Chaput, OFM. The bishop is a favorite of mine for years and this year was no exception. He spoke out multiple times this year and not just about the election. Whether he is speaking out to defend life, sex abuse, immigration, etc - he has been willing to engage the media instead of complaining about how unfair it is. This year he wrote the book "Render onto Caesar."
- Bishop Martino. There were many bishops who spoke out this year and who responded to the silly comments from Nancy Pelosi and Joe Biden. But I especially give the tip of the Jester's hat to Bishop Morlino for saying "The USCCB doesn't speak for me." It is certainly the bishop who is the primary teacher in his diocese and his excellency takes this seriously. Too many bishops allow the USCCB provide cover so they don't have to be as strong as they could be, not so in this bishops case.
- Jimmy Akin I am a great fan of Catholic Answers and all the people on their staff. Tim Staples was a great addition to them. I started listening to Catholic Answer on my way into the Church and it was Jimmy Akin who had the most influence on me. I love his ability to explain the faith and the multiple examples he uses to do so. Especially enjoy when he brings science fiction into it as a way to explain something. I am also amazed at the amount of his knowledge in multiple areas, but really love that he never tries to go farther than what he knows. He tries to explain what the Church actually teaches and not to go beyond with his own opinion on a subject. This year though he had many memorable responses. My favorite was when the show was almost over he asked his opinion on Galileo and he responded "he was a big jerk." Now that was funny and and accurate diagnosis on the brilliant but egotistical man who clashed not only with theologians but with other scientists around him.
- Laura Ingraham My favorite talk show host and a convert to the Catholic faith in recent years. I do so enjoy her show which addresses more than just political matters and talks about the toxic culture. She invites on and engages those who support abortion and are part of pro-abortion organizations. These conversations are usually quite good and really expose the logic used to defend the indefensible. She also often has on her friend from EWTN News Raymond Arroyo and this usually makes a great segment on they talk on politics and culture. My one caveat is that she really needs to learn what the Church's teaching is on torture. Ironically she interviewed a former head interrogator in Iraq and it was he that talked about torture and how it would damage any person using it.
- Greg and Jennifer Willits. They started the Rosary Army as an organization to make and then give away Rosaries "Make them, Pray them, Give Them Away." This lead to them later starting the Rosary Army podcast which was one of my favorite shows. This year they got a job as hosts on The Catholic Channel part of Sirius satellite radio with their show "The Catholics Next Door." They can also be heard on XM radio now also. Recently they announced that they were quitting the podcast, but while I was sad to hear this I understood their reasons. Over the years they have seemed more like family members than a couple with a podcast as I followed the ups and downs of their family life. So while I miss them on the podcast, satellite radio listeners have gained a funny, orthodox, and entertaining Catholic couple.
Now such a list can go on and on and I could name so many of my fellow bloggers whose blogs have entertained and taught me along with Catholic Podcasters. I would also give a shout out to my Twitter/Facebook/Plurk friends
Plus here is an honorable mention for a future facinating Catholic who I met via Twitter/Plurk. He got dragged into an Easter Mass this year by a friend and at the Mass was converted to Christ from atheism. Since then he has been reading everything he can on the Catholic faith and is discerning a call to the priesthood. I do love his zeal and it reminds me of my own awakening into the Catholic faith and the joy of discovering the truth.
I tag the following for this meme.
Known as 
LOL on #6. Fascinating covers a lot of ground. Scandal is fascinating.
Minor correction: Abp. Chaput's order is "O.F.M.Cap." rather than simply "O.F.M.". I'd say that priest-bloggers Fr.John Zuhlsdorf and Fr. Philip Neri Powell, O.P. (both of whom are converts) should qualify as "most fascinating" too.
I don't know about this. It doesn't seem to fit into the task of encouraging Christian humility in one another, and it puts a lot of pressure on people.
I agree with your list, though I do not like or consider CA as a resource nor should laypersons for the faith and or what to believe. CA has a definite left leaning tilt though I do enjoy it at times
One can just go to EWTN or even the Vatican website instead of reading the Mark Sheas of the world on CA
With respect to Mr Akin, his blog was once great but now his going on 2 year obesession with Sci-fi leaves me sickened
This will be fun...even if it means putting down the chocolate snowman (he really should do the chocolate Maccabees again some year - they really did look a bit like elves... ) that St. Nicholas left and typing with both hands.
Quick question on No. 8: Wasn't it Bishop Joseph Martino of Scranton who said, "The USCCB doesn't speak for me?"
If you think that Catholic Answers leans to the left, and that Jimmy Akin is obsessed with science fiction because he posts about it every once in a while... you're obviously an outlier, yourself!
That is a very good list! Well done! Has anyone heard how Sister Rosalyn Moss is doing with her new community?
"Whether he is speaking out to defend life, sex abuse,..."
Maybe that is not the best way to put it. :-7
Thank God for Fr. Pavone. I photocopy his little cards (you're allowed to) and leave them in the back of churches all the time.
Rosalyn Moss: I've heard her speak a few times. What a story. Another one to Thank God for! I can't wait to see her order's new habits. I was under the impression they were taking religious names.
I'd replace Kmiec (joke that it/he is) with Fr. Corapi.
:-D
Indeed PMcGrath! Though both are strong and faithful bishops who have been in the news this year and although Bishop Morlino is originally from Scranton, there are two bishops to keep straight 1) Joseph Martino, Bishop of Scranton (PA) - to whom Jimmy was referring and 2) Robert Morlino, Bishop of Madison (WI)
...then there's Robert Morneau also of Wisconsin (Green Bay), Alabama-born Nuncio Joseph Marino, the Vatican's Renato Cardinal Martino, and retired Milanese Carlo Cardinal Martini - who is probably the most unlike the others, though, presumably, all the above enjoy his namesake beverage from time to time...
I enjoyed reading your list, Jeff, and have to say that Rosalyn Moss is truly one of the most fascinating Catholics around. She is not only gifted with wisdom and knowledge, but she acts on her beliefs. Excellent list!
About 10 years ago, I wrote a Jesus Rap for a Cursillo week-end. It is now on You Tube, and has been very successful. Hope anyone tuning to this Catholic site will enjoy it. I was doing it for my children and grandchildres. And, my granddaughter put it on You Tube without my knowledge. Janiece