1. Pope Benedict XVI
- He moved hearts and captivated our imaginations with his visit to the United States in 2008. His writings, his homilies and his general presence inspire me to try to be a better, more loving and giving Catholic.
2. Sister Helena Burns – Otherwise known as the “Media Nun”, Sister Helena runs a blog called “Hell Burns” (catchy title, huh?) and is one of the most forward thinking media minds I know. This Daughter of St. Paul is constantly on the lookout for new uses of media to evangelize. Next time you’re in Chicago, look her up at the Pauline Book and Media Center on Michigan Avenue. You’ll be inspired!
3. Fr. Frank Pavone – National Director, Priests for Life and Missionaries of the Gospel of Life; President, National Pro-life Religious Council; and Pastoral Director, Rachel’s Vineyard, Fr. Pavone is a tireless advocate for the right to life of every person. I admire Fr. Pavone’s endless conviction and courage.
4. Teresa Tomeo – Author, speaker, internationally syndicated radio show host and just generally cool woman Teresa Tomeo wrote one of my favorite books of 2008. Her openness and honesty in Newsflash: My Surprising Journey from Secular Anchor to Media Evangelist makes it the type of book that has the power to bring countless souls back into our Church. If you haven’t read it yet, do so immediately, and buy a copy for a friend!
5. Matt Maher – In 2008, Matt launched his groundbreaking CD Empty and Beautiful and played for Pope Benedict XVI’s visits to the United States and to World Youth Day. He continues to travel the world, spreading his faith and inspiring the young and the young at heart through the gift of his music. As I stood in the crowd during Matt Maher’s performance at the Los Angeles Religious Education Congress and listened to his music with tears streaming down my face, I had the realization that God put Matt on this earth to share his tremendous gifts of spirit and song. When I need a mini retreat, all I have to do is pop in Matt’s CD and I’m moved to prayer.
6. Sarah Bauer- If Matt’s music moved me to tears in 2008, Sarah Bauer’s made me smile and helped me to complete a marathon. Her CD “Radiance” is, without contest, the most played on my iPod. In 2008, Sarah married Christopher Sansone, her co-writer and the love of her life. Her infectious music and amazing ability to capture emotion in song make her my favorite female Catholic recording artist of 2008.
7. Mark Shea - When you say “Catholic blogger” the name Mark Shea is one of the first that comes to my mind. In 2008, I had the tremendous opportunity to meet Mark in person at the Catholic New Media Celebration and was bowled over by both his wit and his humility. This spot on my “most fascinating list” was a toss up between Mark Shea and Jeff Miller, the Curt Jester, but Mark let me drive him around in my rental car when we were in Atlanta, so he won the coin toss this year.
8. Jennifer Willits- Jennifer Willits, the better half (sorry Greg!) of Sirius/XM radio’s popular show “The Catholics Next Door”, had a breakout year in 2008. This popular star of the viral hit “That Catholic Show”, Jennifer transitioned from podcaster to radio personality with style and grace. Jennifer truly is the mom next door who shares all aspects of her faith with wit, honesty and an open heart. This lovely mother of four boys will welcome her first daughter in 2009.
9. Fr. Roderick Vonhögen- Founder and CEO of the Star Quest Production Network (SQPN.com), Fr. Roderick ministers to a virtual parish around the globe every day through his “Daily Breakfast” podcast. Fr. Roderick recognized early on the tremendous potential of using new media to evangelize to the masses. He is one of the most holy men I’ve ever met, plus he speaks multiple languages fluently, has boundless energy, and is a kid at heart. Fr. Roderick inspires me and so many others to live life to its fullest every day.
10. Danielle Bean- Admit it moms, we all want to be Danielle Bean when we grow up. Faith filled wife and mom of eight, homeschooler, editor of a major magazine and the most popular Catholic mom blog on the web, author and speaker, Danielle is as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside. We’re all trying to figure out how she “does it all” even though she keeps telling us she doesn’t. I’d like to interview Danielle for my “most fascinating” special so that we could have a slumber party afterward and stay up all night chatting.
