There were two brown box type confessionals, left and right of the aisles. Surprisingly, the left side was crowded, about ten rows full! The confessional on the right side was empty. We soon found out why.

The confessional curtain swished open and the priest shouted “Will some of you come over here?” Of course a few did, but after a few minutes peace we suddenly heard that priest yell- “You did what!?” Thus the mystery of peoples’ unwillingness to suffer indignities was understood. The priest was Canon Ryan.

In spite of his reputation Canon Ryan was really loved by his parishioners, and among my recollections was watching his proud doffing of his tall hat, left to right to a cheering crowd, mostly his cherished Italians, during a parochial procession!
Wilf Sudlow