Catholic Harvard Student Produces Hilarious Andy-Rooney-Style Videos For CatholicTV

27-year old Matt Weber hosts the most downloaded podcast at Harvard University’s iTunes channel. When he’s not interviewing celebrities like Harvard president Drew Faust and Academy-Award-Winning director Davis Guggenheim, or when he’s not working towards his Master’s degree in education, Matt produces short videos for CatholicTV.

His weekly “labor of love” is producing these one to two-minute videos. Viewers find his videos hysterical while at the same time relevant because they deal with real issues of faith such as confession and family life.

Weber started producing videos for CatholicTV after a chance encounter with CatholicTV President Fr. Robert Reed in a restaurant. Since Weber was a CatholicTV viewer, he took advantage of what he called “a celebrity sighting” by greeting and talking with Fr. Reed. Soon thereafter, Weber began producing videos for CatholicTV.

“I hope to reach out to young adults. I hope to inspire people and make them laugh. When I’m producing these short videos, it’s almost like a form of prayer. I want to show that there are young people who still care about God, religion, and the Catholic faith” said Weber during a phone interview with CatholicTV.

Perhaps the most unique characteristic of Weber’s videos on CatholicTV is their use of humor throughout. One video shows Weber praying in front of a statue of the Virgin Mary. His own voice describes his fears that people who see him praying outside might think that he suffers from schizophrenia.

Another of his videos begins with him saying “I have a confession to make, I don’t like going to confession.” Later in the video, he says “I do like COMING from confession, it’s probably one of the best feelings in the world”.

“I hope to be the Andy Rooney of CatholicTV” said Weber. Matt Weber’s videos appear frequently on the live CatholicTV talk show “This is the Day”. They also air throughout the week on CatholicTV between various shows or on CatholicTV’s “Blinks” show.

Matt Weber’s latest video is entitled “Family Vacation”. This video features Matt and his family on a vacation in Washington, D.C. This video will also be added to CatholicTV’s website.

The live talk show This is the Day airs each Tuesday and Friday at 10:30AM and is rebroadcast throughout the week.

More information about This is the Day is available at http://www.CatholicTV.com/this-is-the-day

Matt Weber’s videos can be found at http://www.CatholicTV.com/catholic-faith

CatholicTV to Broadcast Mass of Ordination on May 22

Cardinal Sean O'Malley and Deacon Gregory Vozzo (photo: Gregory L. Tracy)

On May 22nd, CatholicTV will air the Mass of Ordination from the Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Boston. The three men being ordained to the priesthood are Deacons Guy Sciacca, Daniel Moloney, and Gregory Vozzo.

Cardinal Seán O’Malley described the transitional deaconate ordination of the same 3 men in his blog saying, “Though every ordination is a great blessing, this was certainly [a] small class for us. It was a visible reminder of the situation the Church was in six years ago.

In fact, it is a testimony to the faith of these men that they had the courage to come forward, even at that very difficult time. As I often say, following the Gospel is the ultimate counter-cultural action.” The transitional deaconate Mass took place earlier this year and also aired at CatholicTV.com and CatholicTV.

The Ordination Mass on May 22nd will air at 9AM and will be rebroadcast at 8PM. It will be rebroadcast again on Sunday at 1PM.
Before attending the seminary, Deacon Daniel Moloney, attended Yale University and received his doctorate from the University of Notre Dame.

More information about Deacon Daniel Moloney can be found at http://www.bostoncatholic.org/Events-Calendar/Event-Detail.aspx?id=14734

Before attending seminary, Guy Sciacca was a Financial Administrator at Harvard University for more than 16 years. Deacon Sciacca is quoted on the Office of Vocations website as saying, “Prayer is the center of my life. If I do not pray then I don't consider my day to be complete. It is important for me to begin my day by getting on my knees and asking the Lord for the grace for what I may need for the day. Throughout the day, I call on the Lord often, when daily life seems to overwhelm me and I am brought back to what is really important.”

More information about Deacon Guy Sciacca can be found at http://www.vocationsboston.org/StandardProductCatalogue_ProductDetails.aspx?ProductID=38

Deacon Gregory Vozzo said, “seminary life isn't as strict as I thought it might be. I'm not giving up being the person I was before; just becoming a better person - that is, more oriented toward Christ, more balanced and mature, and happier than I've ever been in my life.”

More information about Deacon Gregory Vozzo can be found at http://www.vocationsboston.org/StandardProductCatalogue_ProductDetails.aspx?ProductID=51