Every year is a rebirth and a fresh start, yet we should reflect on the past year to learn from our experiences and learn how to forge ahead.

As we look back on 2013, there have been many struggles in the fight for comprehensive immigration reform, yet there have been rays of hope within the Latino community. Many of the efforts of dedicated Latinos have been recognized, including the ordinary people and activists who fight for what they believe in -- and have even risked their lives to be heard; there has been introduction of the first Latin American Pope, and the actions of good Samaritans and everyday heroes in their own right who have been celebrated. 

While there are too many to list, here are a few 'Top Feel-Good Latino Moments of 2013' that came to mind:

The First Latin American Pope:

Pope Francis, 77, otherwise known as Jorge Bergoglio, became the first Jesuit pope and the first non-European pope from the Americas in 1,200 years. He is also the first pope to choose as his namesake Francis of Assisi, the 13th century patron saint of the poor. Rightfully so, as he has made "society's most vulnerable -- the sick, the elderly, immigrants and children -- the focus of his ministry."

From priesthood to the pivotal role of Archbishop of Buenos Aires in 1998, to cardinal in 2001, Pope Francis's life would be forever changed following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI in Feb. 2013. On Mar. 13, 2013 the papal conclave elected Bergoglio, now affectionately named Francis. 

Pope Francis came from humble beginnings -- he worked briefly as a chemical technician and nightclub bouncer before entering seminary -- and he recently became TIME Magazine's Person of the Year for 2013.

Pope Francis stood out "as someone who has changed the tone and perception and focus of one of the world largest institutions in an extraordinary way," Time managing editor Nancy Gibbs told TODAY. "So much of what he has done in his brief nine months in office has really changed the tone that is coming out of the Vatican. He is saying, 'We are about the healing mission of the church, and not about the theological police work that had maybe been preoccupying us.'"

The Passing of the Torch at the Washington, D.C. Immigration Fast for Families:

While many prepared for the holidays by shopping and cooking their favorite recipes, many dedicated activists and community leaders continued to fast in an effort to raise awareness of the estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants currently in the U.S. who they believe deserve a path to citizenship.

The pressure on lawmakers for immigration reform didn't end at the National Mall, when activists Cristian Avila of Mi Familia Vota, Dae Joong Yoon of the National Korean American Services Consortium and Eliseo Medina of the Service Employees International Union, completed their 22-day fast -- they passed the torch onto a new group of fasters such as, Rep. Joseph Kennedy III, among others.

Kennedy, who accepted a small cross from Medina, a longtime immigration rights activist and labor leader, continued his fast until mid-day today and reportedly planned to "pass it on" to others activists.

"Immigration reform is something that's been important to my family. My uncle was a champion of it when he was in the Senate," Kennedy said in reference to his great uncle, the late Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass.), The Washington Post reported. "At this point, we need to get some movement on this bill and whatever we can do to try to break the logjam is important, so I wanted to be a part of it."

Spain's Lottery Brings Christmas Cheer to Thousands During a Recession:

¡Viva Santa Claus y la lotería! Good ol' San Nicolás came a little early this Christmas in Spain, dispersing $3.4 billion-dollar lottery to thousands in a country that has been suffering from an economic crisis and an unemployment rate over 25 percent.

For 200 years, the Spanish Christmas lottery has literally become a treasured tradition.

Millions of Spaniards had been glued to their televisions as 2.5 billion euros ($3.4 billion) in prize money was distributed in a four-hour TV show. Unlike lotteries that offer one large jackpot, Spain's yuletide drawing sprinkled a variety of winnings on thousands of ticketholders.

TV stations across the country broadcasted stories of the lottery winners, bringing a ray of light to Spaniards across the country during dark fiscal times

President Obama Celebrates Kennedy Center Honorees Carlos Santana & Puerto Rican Opera Singer Martina Arroyo:

Dubbed "a pioneer of Latin rock 'n' roll," Mexican-American Carlos Santana and renown Puerto Rican opera singer and Harlem native, Martina Arroyo, were among the five Kennedy Center Honorees, which is considered "the nation's highest honor for influencing American culture through the arts."

On Dec. 29, star-filled tribute performances were given for each honoree at the Kennedy Center, which aired on CBS. 

Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor Received the W.E.B. DuBois Award:

One of the highlights of 2013 for the 59-year-old US Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor was receiving the W.E.B. DuBois Award, Harvard University's highest honor in the field of African and African-American studies.

The Hutchins Center for African and African-American Research, which presents the medals, credited Sotomayor with being the first Latina to serve on the high court and for speaking frequently of her upbringing, helping to influence and inspire children trying to succeed in the face of adversity.

"I try to remember that paying forward is an obligation that I must not only undertake but that gives meaning to all our lives," Sotomayor said during her acceptance.

Sotomayor's parents came to New York from Puerto Rico during World War II. Her father worked in a factory and didn't speak English. Born in the Bronx, N.Y., Sotomayor grew up in a public housing project, not too far from the stadium of her favorite team -- the New York Yankees. Her father died when she was 9, leaving her mother to raise her and her younger brother on her own. Her mother, whom Sotomayor describes as her biggest inspiration, worked six days a week to care for her and her younger brother and instilled in them the value of an education. 

She later graduated summa cum laude from Princeton University and went on to attend Yale Law School, where she was editor of the Yale Law Journal. In her three-decade career, she has worked at nearly every level of the judicial system. She became President Obama's pick to replace retiring Justice David Souter on the Supreme Court in 2009.

Spanish-born, Cuban-descended Richard Blanco Shines:  

Spanish-born, Cuban-descended Richard Blanco read the inaugural poem. He was the first immigrant, the first Latino and the first openly gay poet to receive the honor.

"As a historic inaugural poet, public speaker, teacher and memoirist, he continues to travel the world, inviting audiences to reconnect to the heart of the human experience and all of its beautiful diversity," according to Blanco's official website. "Through the power of his words and presence, Blanco taps into our unspoken dreams, hopes and frustrations. He captures the human spirit and condition, in all of its complexities, opening up our minds and encouraging us to see beyond our differences to share in the universal experience of our humanity."

"Blanco's moving story speaks to the amazing American spirit in all of us," said singer Gloria Estefan.

According to the Huffington Post, other memorable Latino moments from 2013 include:

Record Number of Latinos in Congress:

"In January, a record-number of 31 Latinos took seats in Congress, including three senators."

Carlos Arredondo to the Rescue:

"Costa Rican immigrant Carlos Arredondo became a nationally praised hero when he helped rush Jeff Bauman to receive medical attention after his legs were blown off in the Boston bombings in April. One of the most unforgettable images of 2013 was that of Arredono pinching one of Bauman's arteries closed to staunch the bleeding as he rushed from the scene with an emergency responder and a volunteer. (It's worth pausing to note that at one point Arredondo had lived in the United States as an undocumented immigrant. Luckily he wasn't deported.)"

Sebastien De la Cruz Shut Down The Haters:

"When 11-year-old mariachi singer Sebastien de la Cruz took the stage to sing the National Anthem before game three of the NBA Finals in June, he faced a deluge of criticism from Twitter haters wondering why a 'Mexican' took the honor.

"Unfazed, de la Cruz answered his critics with class, saying: 'They don't know my life. My father was actually in the Navy for a really long time... People don't know, they just assume that I'm just Mexican. But I'm not from Mexico, I'm from San Antonio born and raised, a true San Antonio Spurs fan.'"

First All-Latina Leading Cast In Prime Time:

"Actress-Producer-Activist Eva Longoria made TV history in 2013 with the debut of "Devious Maids," featuring an all-Latina leading cast. While the show marked a move forward in an industry that often leaves Latinos out, the show was also criticized for reinforces stereotypes of Latinas as over-sexed maids."

A New Spanish-Language Film Record:

"'Instructions Not Included' set a new record at the box office, becoming the most successful Spanish-language film to hit the silver screen in the United States."

Home Run Derby Champ:

"Cuban-born Yoenis Céspedes became the first person to win the Home Run Derby after getting passed up for the MLB All-Star Game."