For the church in 2011, there were moments of great joy and happiness that instilled in us a great sense of hope for the future. But, there were also moments of great struggle that forced us to seriously take a look at ourselves and think about where we could make improvements so that we can continue spreading the message of Christ’s salvation throughout the world.

This year’s Top Catholic Stories debuts with numbers ten through six.

10. Questions of Pope’s Health

In the last few months, the secular media went into a frenzy of sorts when Pope Benedict XVI began using a mobile platform during the processions at celebrations in St. Peter’s Basilica. Those within the media almost immediately started questioning whether Benedict XVI’s health was deteriorating.

The platform was first used by Benedict in October of this year. In advance of the Mass, Vatican spokesman Fr. Federico Lombardi issued a short statement informing the public that the platform was being utilized to reduce fatigue. For now there is nothing more to the story. However, that hasn’t stopped some from speculating about possible successors to Benedict. People need to relax, this is not that big of a deal. Popes are people and people get old–there is not much more to this story than that.

9. Vatican Use of Technology

This year, we saw the Vatican embrace new technology like it has not done in several years. From the launch of the Vatican’s news portal through the use of an iPad, the first ever tweet by a Pope, and to the revolutionary blogger meet-up, the Church is beginning to embrace the ever changing world of the internet and social media. But, is it too little, too late?

There is no doubt in anyone’s mind that the Catholic Church has fallen behind churches of other faiths, who have been embracing new technology for decades. There is a lot of ground to make up. Hopefully the new evangelization will furthermore inspire and empower Catholics around the world—clergy and laity—to spread the Gospel message of Christ into cyberspace. However, if officials at the diocesan and parish levels refuse to venture into this world, we will lose an entire generation of people who rely on the internet and social media for news and information.

8. The Indictment of Bishop Finn

Bishop Finn | Credit: AP

On October 14th, Bishop Robert Finn of the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph was indicted by a county grand jury on the charge of failing to report the sexual abuse of a minor. The charge stems from the May arrest of a priest from the diocese, Father Shawn Ratigan, for possession of child pornography. According to several reports, diocesan officials knew Fr. Ratigan had such pictures in his possession and, rather than removing him from ministry immediately, moved him to a retreat center where he continued to have access to children. Following an independent review of its actions in regards to the Ratigan case, the diocese was found to be negligent in following its own guidelines in such cases. The review also disputed the claims made in media reports that Bishop Finn possessed any knowledge of the presence of child pornography by Father Ratigan.

Bishop Finn was able to avoid the indictment by entering into an agreement with the Clay County Prosecutor’s Office. According to the terms of the agreement, Finn must meet with the prosecutor every month for the next five years and provide details to what steps the diocese is taking to prevent sexual abuse of minors.

In a statement released after the agreement, Bishop Finn wrote: “I am grateful for this opportunity to resolve this matter and to further strengthen our diocesan commitment to the protection of children.” He added, “The children of our community must be our first priority. Each deserves no more and no less. I stand ready to do all within my power not only to satisfy this agreement but also to ensure the welfare and safety of all children under our care.”

7. Archbishop Chaput named head of Philadelphia Archdiocese

Credit: Charles Fox, Philly News

On July 19th, Pope Benedict XVI accepted the resignation of Justin Cardinal Rigali and named Denver’s Archbishop Charles Chaput as the ninth archbishop of Philadelphia. The move, which had been widely speculated in the weeks prior, is being called the biggest news maker for episcopal appointments the United States has seen in years and rightfully so. In the months leading up to the appointment, the Philadelphia church had been rocked by new allegations of sexual abuse by priests and a grand jury investigation into the mishandling of abuse cases.

Dealing with difficult situations is not foreign to Archbishop Chaput. Throughout his tenure as shepherd of the Denver Archdiocese, Chaput developed the reputation of being swift, tough and no-nonsense. Based on the current situation in Philadelphia, a shepherd with this kind of reputation is what is needed. As our good friend over at Whispers in the Loggia put it, Chaput’s appointment as Philadelphia archbishop represents “nothing short of a hurricane.”

After his first few months on the job, Archbishop Chaput has already begun making quiet but substantial changes within the structure of the Archdiocese. As one person put, the place has been in bad shape for years and whatever Chaput does to change the current culture is welcome. My prayers continue for the people of Philadelphia and Archbishop Chaput.

6. World Youth Day Madrid

Credit: David Ramos/Getty Images Europe

On August 16th, World Youth Day 2011 officially kicked off its ceremonies in Madrid, Spain with an opening Mass celebrated by Cardinal Antonio Maria Rouco Varela. World Youth Day was started by Pope John Paul II in 1984. Since then, the event has evolved into a week-long journey of spiritual growth and a massive celebration of global Catholicism.

This year, Pope Benedict came together with several hundred thousand youth from around the world to celebrate faith. At last count, over 2 million people participated in World Youth Day activities this year, making it the third most attended in history. Among those in attendance were 14,000 priests and 800 bishops who concelebrated the closing Mass with Pope Benedict XVI

During the event, pilgrims from around the world were given a special gift from the Holy Father–the YouCat. This particular book is a small catechism that provides young adults and youth with answers to the basic questions of our Catholic faith.

The most important realization that emerged from WYD Madrid was the vision of so many young people embracing and celebrating their faith in the public square. The youth of today are not afraid of standing up for their beliefs, displaying their faith to anyone they encounter. The youth are no longer the future of the Church…the youth ARE the Church. After seeing the images from Madrid this year, we can all be filled with tremendous hope and joy because Christ is working wonders throughout the world.

We are less than a week away from the implementation of the Third Edition of the Roman Missal! Hard to believe, isn’t it. To put it another way, we’re at crunch time. Priests throughout the United States and other English-speaking countries should be pretty much well-versed with their new parts (if not, may God help them next weekend). That said, WE, as lay people, should also be getting ready to welcome the changes in the Mass with an open heart and mind.

Another publisher that has produced several resources to help those of us in the pews prepare for this history-making change is Ascension Press. A few weeks ago, they sent me some review materials that some of you may find helpful in the coming weeks as we embark on this new experience.

Ascension offers lay people—and maybe some priests and deacons—the opportunity to embrace the changes in the Mass by highlighting their biblical roots. “A Biblical Walk Through the Mass” was written by Edward Sri who received a doctoral degree from the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome. Sri has authored several best-selling Catholic books and is the co-founder of the Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS).

I have really been out of the loop in terms of blogging over the last few days…well, weeks. Life has a way of interfering in the things we want to do in order to accomplish the things we need to do. Over the last couple of weeks, things have been more than a little hectic with school work, family life, and my participation in various groups within the parish.

First things first, I guess I should be thankful I am still alive after dealing with project deadlines, homework assignments, and tests for school. This semester has been the busiest of my entire life–and I am only taking three classes, one of the smallest class loads I have ever taken. For some reason, I wanted to give myself an extra challenge and decided to register for two research classes. One of them is an online course, which was the biggest mistake I have made to date. Trying to teach yourself how to conduct research is not the easiest thing in the world and

Beginning on November 26, 2011 at Vigil Masses across the country, the Catholic Church in the United States will begin utilizing the Third Edition of the Roman Missal for the celebration of the liturgy. As the First Sunday of Advent comes ever closer, individual Catholics are turning to every resource possible to find information on what types of changes they will experience at Mass.

In preparation for this historic moment for the Church, many Catholic publishing companies have begun to release materials that assist those in the pews. As we have discovered over the last few months, many of the changes may pose quite a challenge to some; others, however, may adapt fine to the new translation. No matter what your level of readiness, there is sure to be a publication that will help you make the transition to the new words and understand exactly why the Church has embarked on this unique journey.

One such publishing company, Our Sunday Visitor, has released a collection of materials to help every member of the Catholic family prepare for the implementation of the Third Edition of the Roman Missal.

The company has produced several items that help children understand the new words of the Mass. In “My Mass Book,” the Mass is broken down into a language that allows children to understand what the liturgy is all about. The book also includes the people’s responses and brief explanations of the various parts of the Mass. It also grabs the children’s interest with vibrant illustrations. I would absolutely recommend this book for children in Grades 2-4 so that they are able to recognize the importance and the beauty of the liturgy.

In a letter to U.S. President Barack Obama, Archbishop Timothy Dolan, president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishop, has renewed his commitment to defending the Defense of Marriage Act. The message, dated September 20, 2011, comes in response to recent actions taken by the Obama Administration that threaten the very existence of marriage.

Over the last several months, the United States Justice Department has shifted its attitude toward the Defense of Marriage Act from simply not defending it to challenging its constitutionality altogether. That move, in itself, is unconstitutional, some have argued, because the role of the executive branch of government is to enforce the laws, even those it does not necessarily support.

Within the letter, Archbishop Dolan reaffirms the USCCB’s support for the institution of marriage. Dolan also reiterates the “immeasurable personal dignity and equal worth of all individuals,” including the dignity of those with same-sex attraction, the main supporters of the repeal of DOMA. Furthermore, the archbishop refutes the claim that the support of DOMA is “rooted in prejudice and bias.”