For a few months, we’ve had a Vocations Committee forming in the parishes. We’ve been looking at ways to encourage vocations—to the priesthood, to religious life, to Christian marriage—among our people, especially our young with their whole lives ahead of them.

One suggestion was to have Andrew and I answer a list of 20 questions about ourselves. So, let’s begin—just a few questions at a time.

What did your parents do?

My mother was a schoolteacher. She taught what we used to call home economics (largely cooking and sewing). Now I believe it’s called “life skills.” My father was both an accountant and a musician. Doing taxes and people’s books was steady work. But, his great love was the music, especially jazz. From them, I learned to love both kitchens and concert halls.

What is your favorite church hymn?

I have to admit it: It’s one that never shows up in Catholic hymnals: Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer. Strong melody matched great words that speak our journey through the desert to the promised land. (In my opinion: way better than “You Will Cross the Barren Desert”.) It functions as a national hymn for Wales—you might hear it sung at Welsh soccer and rugby matches (and royal weddings and funerals).