John, I judge that I'm about 7-10 years older than you.

I was an altar server, pre-Vatican II; I served as a lector, post-Vatican II.

I attended Catholic parochial schools, a private Catholic prep school, and a Catholic university.

Like you, youth lends itself to optimism, but the ravages of the Church which happened after Vatican II were sad, very sad, indeed.

I'm not cynical, but much wiser now.  I now realize that fairy tales are for the young.