“I was 46 years old when I was ordained a Deacon of the Archdiocese of Toronto, and so at this point in my life, I was a layman for much longer than I’ve been a Deacon. In fact, that will probably not change—I don’t expect to live till I’m 93. For some things, that can be a significant advantage over those who have been priests longer than they were laymen; for I remember very clearly what it was like being a married layman, going to Mass week in and week out, so often wondering why this rich intellectual and spiritual heritage that is ours in the Church, so relevant and practical, is just not being shared with these people whom I see around me at Mass, many of whom were struggling to keep their children quiet after making it through the cold and the snow to get there in the first place.”
