Catholic America owes a debt of gratitude to the recently deceased Dominican Friar, Edward Schillebeeckx, who was a leading voice for the reforms of II Vatican Council. His landmark work, Christ the Sacrament of Encounter with God, published in English in 1963, guided the council's sacramental theology, but also made him a victim of assaults from Vatican bureaucrats who couldn't or wouldn't catch up with modern theology.

It's all right for the groundhog to become enamored of his own shadow, but it's unbecoming in Catholic clergy. Narcissism, I fear, is weakening the Church. We did not need a papal pronouncement to recognize that every cultural thermometer today reads a cooling towards organized religion and a rising social temperature for consumerism, sexual exploitation, and immediate gratification. I understand why there would be a tendency to "write off" a sinful world to focus on an inner-directed faith primarily concerned with one's own salvation. I just believe that narcissism - even if it is clerical and spiritual - can go awry.

The recent passing of Boston College theologian Mary Daly merits a few words of tribute to this Catholic feminist and a few questions about her contributions. Mary Daly was "in place" with a doctorate in theology and a faculty position at a prominent Catholic institution in 1966 when the full impact of the Second Vatican Council was working its way through the grass-roots of Catholic America. Surprising to her critics and satisfying to her supporters is the way everyday Catholics of 2010 accept premises once considered radical. (I recommend reading Joan Chittister's insightful comments.)

The greatest tragedy for Haiti's Catholics may not be the destruction of the cathedral and dozens of churches, schools and convents. Rather, the most telling result of the earthquake upon the Church in Haiti may be the death of the archbishop and about 100 priests and seminarians. As reported by NPR, these clerics and future priests lost their lives during the ill-fated moments that leveled Port-au-Prince. In order to keep at bay the vigorous proselytizing by evangelical groups, Haiti's Catholic Church will probably have to launch an extraordinary lay ministry.

Comedian Sarah Silverman suggested that we "Sell the Vatican. Feed the world." Speaking on the eve of the October 2009 UN-sponsored World Food Day, Silverman was with TV talk show host Bill Maher, another celebrity often making uninvited recommendations to religion. But despite the fireworks about selling off church treasures to feed the poor, the idea is not new and not restricted to outspoken non-Catholics.

Here are ten predictions with a Catholic America twist for 2010.

A recent Pew survey points to a drift away from institutionalized religion and a robust tendency towards spirituality. I'll leave a detailed examination of the numbers to others, but I think Catholic America needs to revisit the spiritual side of religion expressed in the term "spirituality."

My first encounter with cheating was in Catholic grade school. Unfortunately, that was not my last encounter. Once "cheating" is defined as "breaking the rules of behavior for temporary advantage," Catholic America is forced to conclude that some people continue to cheat when applying the Church teaching to real life situations. This cheating is not about sin, but about how sneaky people fake their way for temporary advantage.

Here are some recent examples:

The word "agony" describes the rosary's first Sorrowful Mystery. It also describes the pain felt in the clash of opinions between Catholic laypeople and some clergy. Such agonizing moments seem to be increasing, especially between Catholic politicians and bishops.

Consider two of the most high-profile clashes: U.S. Sen. Robert Casey, Jr. of Pennsylvania and the erstwhile Bishop of Scranton, Joseph Martino; and U.S. Rep. Patrick Kennedy of Rhode Island and Bishop Thomas J. Tobin of Providence.

In citing the worst prayers in the world, I start with the thanksgiving of the Pharisee in the Gospel (Luke 18:10). He was thankful he was not like "other people." His conversation with God was replete with political and religious prejudices against others whom he scorned. It was a bad prayer and you don't have to take my word for it; listen to Jesus.

Note: U.S. Catholic bishops gave final approval Tuesday to an English translation of the Roman Missal that has been in development for years. After the Vatican gives its final authorization, the new translation will be adopted by parishes nationwide, possibly next year.

Sometime soon, Catholic America will be asked to "unlearn" our cherished prayers at Mass. As a result of a command to retranslate the Roman Missal, we are on schedule to be reprogrammed when praying at Mass. I am usually in favor of change in order to further the work of the Church, but in this case I wonder why we are trading in English for Latinese.