Catholic news in 2011 was dominated by the introduction of the English translation of the Roman Missal, which went into effect the first Sunday of Advent.
Pope Benedict XVI and Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan were the top newsmakers, while the economy and a year of uprisings — some violent, some peaceful — were closely watched by Catholic leaders.
Chief among them was the democracy movement in Arab countries and parts of Africa, resulting most notably in the toppled regimes of Egypt and Libya, and the killing of Muammar Gaddafi.
The death of Osama bin Laden during a raid by U.S. commandos was a controversial topic, as was health care and immigration.
Economic woes also led to revolt, and prime ministers in Greece and Italy were forced to resign. Unrest and protest even spread to this country, with the ongoing Occupy Wall Street movement.
Severe weather also plagued the world. One of the worst natural disasters was the earthquake and tsunami that led to nuclear crisis in Japan.
Pope Benedict approved a miracle attributed to the intercession of Pope John Paul II, and cleared the way for beatification.
That was the news that affected the world.
On a smaller scale, here are some of the stories that had Catholics in South Carolina talking:
PRO-LIFE EVENTS
—Despite frosty temperatures, supporters flocked to the Statehouse for the S.C. Catholic Youth Rally for Life and annual Stand Up for Life march and rally in January.
—40 Days for Life promoted daily prayer vigils outside abortion clinics and reported several success stories.
—Life Chain kicked off Respect Life month in October.
—The Rosaries for Life campaign ended with a final tally of 42,816 rosaries.
—Teen Life Fest attracted about 150 youth to St. Joseph’s Catholic School in the Upstate.
JANUARY
—The diocese began a new vocations campaign.
FEBRUARY
—Deacons at their annual retreat paid tribute to Msgr. Joseph R. Roth, who died just three months later.
—The restoration of the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Charleston earned the Carolopolis award from the Preservation Society.
—Diocesan schools celebrated Catholic Schools Week.
—Precious Blood of Christ Church on Pawley’s Island celebrated its 25th anniversary.
MARCH
—Catholics joined an ecumenical protest at the Statehouse calling for a “moral budget” that doesn’t place the economy over the well-being of people.
—Deaneries hosted Rite of Election and Call to Continuing Conversion ceremonies for about 550 people.
—The S.C. Conference of Catholic Women honored Sister Canice Adams, of the Sisters of Sts. Cyril and Methodius, and Cherrin Moore as women of the year.
—Patriarch Bechara Peter Rai was installed as the new leader of the Maronites.
—Bishop Robert E. Guglielmone wrote a letter on immigration asking for reform that respects human rights and families.
—St. Benedict Church in Mount Pleasant was dedicated.
APRIL
—The Poor Clares celebrated their 800th anniversary.
—Holy Trinity in Dallas and St. Mary’s in Houston were chosen as the new seminaries for the diocese.
—The Miscellany received three awards from the S.C. Press Association.
—Pascua Juvenil drew about 150 Hispanic teens to its spiritual youth conference.
MAY
—Pope John Paul II was beatified in a Mass attended by more than 1 million people.
—The Knights of St. Peter Claver’s annual district conference was held in North Charleston.
—Catholic leaders debated the morality of killing Osama bin Laden.
—Mark S. Good was ordained to the transitional diaconate.
—St. Anthony of Padua Church in Greenville hosted the annual Black Catholic Heritage Celebration.
—Members of the Vietnamese community celebrated Our Lady of La Vang.
JUNE
—Oratorian Father Agustin Guzman was ordained.
—St. Philip Neri Church broke ground for its new building.
—The Felician Sisters in Kingstree announced they would build a new 6,000 square-foot outreach.
JULY
—Fathers William S. Hearne, S. Matthew Gray and David D. Nerbun were ordained into the priesthood.
AUGUST
—The St. Katharine Drexel volunteer house was converted into a residence for men and blessed by Bishop Guglielmone.
—Diocesan Catholics attended the Native American Tekakwitha Conference in Arizona.
—St. Michael held its groundbreaking for a new church.
SEPTEMBER
—The Office of Vocations released a new poster, calling on the faithful to “Do Whatever He Tells You.”
—Events were held to commemorate the 10-year anniversary of 9/11.
—Bishop England graduate Sister Maris Stella Vaughan professed her final vows with the Dominican Congregation of St. Cecelia.
OCTOBER
—Franciscan Father Gregory John Hartmayer was ordained and installed as 14th bishop of Savannah.
—The diocesan Hispanic celebration drew a crowd of about 650 people.
NOVEMBER
—The inaugural Native American Heritage Celebration Mass was held at St. Anthony of Padua Church in Greenville.
—The Bishop’s Stewardship Appeal surpassed its goal of $2.5 million.
—The National Catholic Education Association Chief Administrators of Catholic Education held their conference in Charleston.
—On the first Sunday of Advent, the church started using the new translation of the Roman Missal.
DECEMBER
—Father Filip P. Wodecki was ordained into the priesthood.
—Ancestors and traditions were honored at the Vietnamese Martyrs’ Celebration.
—Bishop Guglielmone signed an updated diocesan policy regarding sexual misconduct or abuse.
—Misa de Gallo and Simbang Gabi brought Filipino communities together for a Christmas tradition dating back to the 1600s.
—Our Lady of Guadalupe celebrations incorporated faith and festivities.
—Interfaith groups across the state held prayer vigils aimed at overturning the new state immigration law.
In Memoriam
Sister Mary Dorothea McCarthy, Sisters of Our Lady of Christian Doctrine
Dominican Sister Joan Looney
Sister Cecilia Regina Livingston, Daughters of St. Paul
Adrian Dominican Sister Ruth Kennedy
Franciscan Sister Catherine Rose Gale
Franciscan Sister Irene Kelly
St. Clare Sister Mary Lucy Reynolds
Msgr. Joseph R. Roth
Adrian Dominican Sister Patricia Eileen Consier
Ursuline Sister Margaret Mary Schwartz
Sister Mary Powell, Sisters of St. Mary of Namur
Father Filemon Juya
Oratorian Father William F. Pentis
Deacon Joseph Kemper Jr.
Deacon John Peter Klein
Ursuline Sister Carmelita Grantz
Trappist Father John Joseph Sorce
Sister Mary Clement Fine, Sister of Charity of Our Lady of Mercy
Father Louis J.P. Kennedy
Adrian Dominican Sister Geraldine Megel
St. Clare Sister Venita M. Baham
Archbishop-Emeritus John F. Donoghue of Atlanta
Trappist Brother Gregory Krug