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station to heaven, but because they honestly believe what is taught there and wish to share in the work being done. To be a Catholic is now a decision; those who make that decision will carry heavy responsibilities if you and I take seriously the ideas of contemporary social doctrine. Yet the prospect of joining together on a new basis of understanding, recognizing one another as brothers and sisters, and joining in a work that is of immense importance to the nation and the world, is surely exhilarating. You and I together, trying to learn not only how to find signs of hope but learning from one another how to be signs of hope--that, I think, is probably the most hopeful thing around.