It wasn’t that long ago that I would get the National Catholic Reporter and the National Catholic Register mixed up (Shhhh!). I also didn’t know what a blog was, how to enjoy a beer or why I was Catholic. Since then, getting such things straightened out has made just about all of the difference in my life.

I can’t tell you how excited I am to be blogging for the Register. It is such a humbling opportunity to be in the company of so many inspiring Catholics. Have you met some of the other writers here? I’ve been reading stuff from just about every single one of them for years. It is a great honor to now be working with them.

Their resumes are extremely intimidating. All have distinguished careers as either professional journalists, theologians or writers. Altogether, they have probably published over 30 books.

You’re probably wondering where all of my published works are. Well, I don’t have any books I’ve written. However, I can assure you that (like Chesterton) I do have at least one book that I never wrote. And like every book I never wrote, it is by far the best book I’ve ever written. So there.

Many of the other bloggers have also traveled to exotic places all over the world to speak, write or report about our Faith. They’ve amassed a diversity of perspectives and international experiences that give them the ability to communicate the truths of our faith in a uniquely effective way.

A number of them are on regular radio shows as well.

I have none of that stuff. And the reason I point this out is not entirely for the sake of inspiring somebody out there to send me and my family on a tour of exotic places around the world to promote a newly published book I never wrote on a bunch of radio shows. That’s just part of it. I also do so to express my great hope that the experiences I do have will contribute uniquely to this Register adventure.

There’s something else you should know about me. I don’t remember the 70’s - like, at all. And huge chunks of the 80’s are a total blur. I wouldn’t say that I was a real “wild child.”  But I was a child.  In fact, being born in 1980 meant I was destined to be a child for pretty much that entire decade.  Now, this year I will turn 30. 

But you probably have a birthday this year, too.

What I’m trying to say in all of this rambling is that I find great comfort in joining the team here.  Despite all of our diversity - you, me and the other bloggers (and the entire Church) - we share a much more important unity.

We haven’t met yet.  But we’ve probably been breaking bread and praying together for years…maybe decades.  It’s a real blessing to get to continue that together here.  I look forward to getting to know you all.  Thanks for having me!