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!
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Good to see that you’re here, Matthew! And you ARE unique…just like everyone else! ;-)
Matt,
We’re so happy to see you here. As much as I already like your writing and energy, I’m excited to see you really grow and develop here at the National Catholic Register. Don’t fret about the age issue - you’re going to be new fresh perspective that broadens and attracts audiences of all ages.
Congratulations!
Great first entry, Matt! It’s great to see a young person writing on here and living out the universal call to holiness that Pope John Paul II encouraged our particular generation to follow. And, your closing paragraph is a real gem! What a beautiful thought. I think that I’ll have to add that to the book I’ll someday write. ;)
Congrats Matt! I look forward to reading more.
reading this article is such a blissful experience *sounds too much maybe. but I felt so.
for me, it’s because how your life turned way better while in fact you just lose many.
you know what I mean.
With no surprise to you, my favorite part, Matt, was the beer line. Was that a fruit our time at NCYC? Anyone can recite the Creed but only a true Catholic at heart can enjoy a beer and not sin. As Chesterton says, “Certainly the safest way to drink is to drink carelessly.” The alcoholic and the Puritan equally fail at caring too much about the drink. Keep up the good work. T
Congratulations Matt - well deserved!
I hadn’t realised you’re 10 years younger than me before - you have wisdom beyond your years.
awesome Matt- you’re the best! Robert
Great to find U here. Congratulations !! May God bless you, your new family & home at NCR. Keep up the great work ! May God bless u with humility, wisdom & deeper faith as you journey with your new Family at NCR. Do we still get to see your stuff on FB ? Or do we have to check NCR daily ?
Thank you all so much! This is going to be fun! Please let me know what kinds of stuff you enjoy hearing about the most.
And yes, I will still be posting over on Fallible Blogma…but not quite as often. You can read more on that here: http://www.fallibleblogma.com/index.php/facebook-twitter-and-future-of-fallible-blogma/
But I will also be writing about 3 posts a week here exclusively at the Register. You’ll have to get those here. I think the “get the RSS feed” next to my bio should be working soon…if you want to follow that way.
Kevin, NCYC was some great fellowship. I’m still perfecting my beer drinking. Need more practice. :-)
Hope you’re all having a wonderful week!
Welcome, Matt! I’m so glad to see you blogging here! We old fogies need your youthful perspective and enthusiasm. :)
Love the line about not knowing the difference between the Register and Reporter! I used to be the same way. Now of course I’m very versed at which is which:-) Welcome, and I’m looking forward to your future articles!
Hey Matt! You’re moving up in the world…and deservedly so! You’re one wise guy for a youngun’. :) And I mean that with the utmost respect.
Looking forward to continuing to read the wisdom that you write so well. Thank you for sharing it with us.
Manya
Great to have you here!
I just turned 30 and I lived in the 70’s for about a month, and I’m lucky if I travel outside of Ohio ; ) I’m happy to see you writing for the National Catholic Register Blogs!
Great intro! I was born in 1969 but I don’t remember the 70’s (what a great thing!) and I only remember vague parts of the 80’s (mostly the music for some reason..hmm…probably because they play 80’s hits on the radio from time to time when I’m driving in the car).
I look forward to reading your reports. Interestingly, I think amassing a great deal of knowledge and/or travels can also hinder a person’s outlook.
I’m at the bottom of the barrel myself, been there for much of my life (financially and job wise, sadly enough: worked all those retail and waitress jobs that really suck the life out of you or at least, the perspective that humans are nice….you see so many bad customers), so I like the underdog viewpoint the best. They get their hands dirty and know what it is like to be a servant (like Jesus said).
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