You may have noticed, but I'm not usually able to be described as "upbeat."

Seriously.

If there's any descriptor that fits my mindset, it's "hopeful, but not optimistic." It only sounds paradoxical. Trust me, it's not.

So it is unusual for a news story to leave me heartened. But this one did.

The link is to the transcript of a roundtable of Catholic laity recently conducted by the Detroit News and occasioned by the election of Benedict XVI.

A diverse group, but in large measure mostly in agreement. And that's what's so heartening about it.

Read the whole thing.