1. How Being Southern Made Me A Better Catholic. As humbling as it is to admit that the most read post of the past year (and of all time) on this blog is from a guest writer, I can’t think of someone better to be able to make the claim than The Ironic Catholic. One of my goals this year was to find ways to promote the writing of others I admire for both their content and skill as writers. Little did I know that my first invitation would be so well received. It made very happy when Susan agreed to take time from her busy schedule to write this post on Southern Catholicism. It is a great description of my experience growing up Catholic in the South.

2. How to Celebrate Holy Days of Awesome. There are now several posts on why I feel we should consider doing away with Holy Days of Obligation in favor of Holy Days of Awesome. It seems that more than a few of you agree. That’s awesome!

3.God’s Men Versus the Yes Men. It made me happy that our annual diocesan priest retreat could be of benefit to many Catholics who were not with my brother priests and I at Lake Junaluska. Sister Timothea Elliott provided us with great food for thought and prayer in her presentations on the prophets. I am looking forward to another set of talks with her this coming month as she speaks to us about this year’s Lenten readings.

4. Patron Saints of the Roller Derby. I must admit that before writing this post, I was unaware of just how many people there are today who, like myself, love both the saints and the roller derby. It has also given me two new saints to add to my list of favorites.

5. The Man in Black on the Man in White. My fellow blogger and neighbor, Frank Weathers, suggested I check out a novel by Johnny Cash on the Apostle Paul. Since I like both Cash and Paul, this was a no brainer.

6. 234. Because whether it is Texas, or any other place, the life of every person has value. Yes, even criminals and terrorists are made in the image and likeness of God.

7. Onward Christian Soldiers. Each day in the life of the Christian is a battle against the forces of evil. Do you have your weapons ready?

8. Call No Man Father. Have you ever wondered why Catholics call their priests father? This is the post for you.

9. It’s Football Time in Tennessee. This post celebrates pre-game rituals at Neyland Stadium and the New Roman Missal. Who would have thought that those two things went together?

10. Women in the Church. The only podcast to make it into the top ten is on the topic of women in the Church. It surprised me that for the most part the feedback I received was that my commentary was not traditional enough. My guess was that the podcast would be criticized for not being sufficiently progressive. Oh well, shows you what I know.

Once again, thanks to all the readers of this blog. I am humbled by your continued support and ask for your prayers for the new year.

It’s time again for Elizabeth Esther’s Saturday Evening Blogpost. This month I chose my post on Carnac the Magnificent. Carnac has been visiting St. Thomas Parish to share jokes as well as his knowledge of the Catechism. You can check him out here.

And a record book was written before him of those who fear the Lord and trust in his name. And they shall be mine, says the Lord of hosts, my own special
possession, on the day I take action. And I will have compassion on them, as a man has compassion on his son who serves him. (Malachi 3:16-17)

Earlier this week I had the opportunity to have lunch with a fellow Knoxville Catholic blogger, Frank Weathers.

Frank and I had only met on one previous occasion this past New Year’s Eve but have had many occasions to communicate online. One of the highlights of our visit was seeing firsthand where Frank works. His description of his call to be an archivist is nothing short of amazing, but I will leave that story to him. Frank works for the Knox County Archives, which is in the East Tennessee History Center, a place which I have learned holds over 300 years worth of records that chronicle the grades of countless high school students, the arrests of innumerable criminals, and the marriage and divorce of more people than I would have suspected possible.

As I walked with Frank through the stacks and stacks of records of our city, he shared with me his revelations that have come from this particular job, that there is much more being recorded about each one of us than we can ever truly realize. That D you made in chemistry back in the day may seem forgotten, but it is still on the books.

How much more so are the more serious aspects of our lives? As I made my way through the Knoxville archives I couldn’t help but think of the many sins of my life that I would just as soon be expunged from God’s records.

The good news for us is that our God is full of compassion to those who seek his forgiveness. But that being said, we might want to remember that there is someone in heaven keeping a record of all our actions, both those we would be proud of and those that would cause us shame.

In honor of the closing of the polls in the Cannonball Catholic Blog Awards, Deacon Sean Smith was kind enough to answer some questions about the most under appreciated and most spiritual canons in the code of canon law. He also has some words of wisdom for priests who might be considering firing cannons in their parishes.

There are only five hours left in the voting for the sixth annual Cannonball Catholic Blog Awards. This blog still holds a slim lead in the category of Best Under Appreciated Blog. As we approach the closing of the polls my mind keeps returning to the words of the infamous Ricky Bobby whose father once told him, “If you ain’t first, you’re last!” Please consider visiting The Crescat to cast your vote for this blog or one of the other excellent blogs who have been nominated this year.

For the second year in a row this blog has been nominated in the annual Cannonball Catholic Blog Awards. Blessed is the Kingdom is in the running again for Best Under Appreciated Blog and Best Spiritual Treat. You may cast your vote at The Crescat by clicking here.

There are quite a few good blogs that have been nominated. A few of my favorites are:

The Deacon’s Bench and Whosoever Desires under the category Best Blog by a Religious

No Wealth But Life under the categories of Best Armchair Theologian and Best Under Appreciated Blog

Enlarging the Heart under the category of Best Visual Treat

Secret Vatican Spy and Marc Cardaronella under the category of Best New Kid on the Block

Pithless Thoughts under the category of Best Blog by a Heretic

A Minor Friar and Joe Versus the Volcano under the category of Best Spiritual Treat

….and remembering that the last shall be first, Ironic Catholic under the category of Most Hifreakinlarious (and it seems she may have some competition this year from the Bad Catholic)

I hope you will find the time to check out these and the many other blogs that have been nominated. Let the cage match begin!