I am 77 and way too many years have gone by for hope to remain.  I maintain a curiosity about Catholicism as, at best, a familiar anachronism.  I have fond memories of my earlier albeit naive years when I still considered myself to be practicing.  I now believe in the gospel of St. Rhett Butler:  Quite frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn.  To those hopefuls:  stop wasting your time.  Things will not change substantively.  Spend your time working for some possibilities rather than silly wishful thinking.  Sorry if I have hurt feelings  ... actually, no, I'm not sorry.