This is what happens when you don't look in your own backyard

Reality Bites By James Norton

(The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries of The Somerville News belong solely to the authors of those commentaries and do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville News, its staff or publishers.)

Ok, I took a break from writing my personal opinion here to focus on other newspaper business. So what – at least my family got a temporary break from cringing over my latest public declaration. Fact is, I never realized how many people gave a crap about whether I might write week to week - until this past week – when more than a few people asked when I would return.

Well here I am – and instead of writing about something that will make you all warm and fuzzy inside, I am going to bitch about St. Ann’s. Yes, you read that right.

This past weekend was the end of the yearlong celebration of St. Ann’s 125th Anniversary – and I knew nothing about it until two days beforehand. Now before you get into the “why does he think he is special” routine, read on and understand.

I will admit, I am not a regular attendee at Sunday Mass – in fact, I cannot remember the last time I went to church. That not withstanding, I had my First Communion there, I was Confirmed there, I went to grade school there – graduated in 1982 – and I was an altar boy for a period of time in the 1970’s there. Oh yeah – both of my children were Baptized there – I almost overlooked that not so small item.

Now you’re thinking – well, maybe Jamie has moved or hasn’t been involved with the community in any way so as to possibly get in touch – that doesn’t wash either. I have spent the better part of the 39.5 years of my life living within four blocks of the church, am a former elected official, have been doing real estate since I graduated high school (my last name is on the sign in case you didn’t know) and I am the editor of the local newspaper. Now you see what I am getting at?

Maybe this goes to speak to the drop in the number of active parishioners, which may have accelerated St. Ann’s being combined with St. Catherine’s?

Maybe I have it all twisted up and it was a fluke that I was overlooked?

Hey in this city, anything is possible.

So I decided to get in touch with my old friend Jim McCarthy – who graduated from St. Ann’s with me in 1982 – and whom I am still friends with today. I asked him if he knew anything about the event – he said he did not. He might live in Melrose now, but his parents still live in the same house and have the same phone number from when Jimmy went to St. Ann’s.

Don’t get the wrong idea and start thinking I am not a respectful person of the church or any religion for that matter, because I have spent a certain amount of time studying different religions over the years and have always remained faithful to the Catholic church, although I don’t physically go there on a regular basis. And not that it would mean anything to anyone else other than me, but I even have the main switchboard at The Vatican programmed into both of my cell phones (feel free to ask to see for yourself if you like). My family may have just cringed –whoops.

The point I am trying to make is that community organizations – be they religious, youth or some other type of basis – need to adapt to the changing times without alienating their current membership - all the while attracting non-familial involvement. This is not an easy task in 2007 and beyond – I see the same recurring problems in many of the organizations I belong to or have been part of over the years.

Now can someone explain why I suddenly feel guilty for writing this?

Comments

[The Mole]

Wait until Dr. Mrs. McCarthy reads this. You will be doing penance for years.

The Mole

[DickyBird]

Yes James we should all "LOOK in the Mirror" and then in"Our own back yard" because their but for the Grace of God go all of us. I think you will agree?

[James Norton]

Dicky -

I couldn't agree more. We should all subscribe to that credo (pun intended). Enjoy the good weather today.

JN

[Statistician]

Wait a few years and there will be NO parishioners left. Thanks Bob. The Vatican? Irrelevant at best, these days. Mostly used to hide Catholic criminals from around the world.

[JN]

JN,

"need to adapt to the changing times without alienating their current membership -"

What are they suppose to do? Start their own 311 system?

You usually find this information out when you attend church regularly and read their weekly bulletin. All the information you want to know are in these bulletins.

JMO

[Matt Goodman]

What is it exactly that you expected the church volunteers to do? Send a postcard to everybody who didn't bother to show up for mass anymore? Even if they had spent the time and money to do that, would that have motivated you to go?

[James Norton]

Matt -

I didn't say anything about what SHOULD have been done specifically, especially not by volunteers - if organizations (be they religious or not) didn't have volunteers, they wouldn't be able to survive for any length of time - not in today's social climate. You seem agitated that I don't physically go to church anymore, and as a result, nobody should spend the time to reach out to someone like me. That's a shame you think that way and it only goes to reinforce the point I was attempting to make in the first place.

For your information, I have spoken to over a dozen people who either went to St. Ann's school or had kids that went to St. Ann's who never knew anything about it - and yes, as a matter of fact, it would not only have motivated me to go, but I suspect I might have put some kind of advertisement for FREE in the newspaper I am the Editor of, since you feel the need to get snotty about it. Unfortunately because of a prior committment and only finding out about it a couple of days beforehand, I was unable to attend but really wish I could have - for a number of reasons.

The point of my column obviously went way over your head, and that sucks. Enjoy the sunny day.

JN

[Philip Fitzgerald]

"The point of my column obviously went way over your head"

HA.

The dreck you write wouldn't go over the head of a worm. It's not that the reader is dumb - it's that you are INARTICULATE.

Editor? Please.