Jolly Ol' St. Nick's

1) St. Nick's Parish seems warm. There is a sense of belonging that accompanies ordered living, especially when that order comes not from official regulations (like in today's gated communities) but from the unspoken "way of doing things", the unspoken way of life. Close-knit neighborhoods like those in St. Nick's Parish were able to provide many types of support structures for families when they needed it -- which is unlike the rampant "mind your own business" mentality that many of us grew up with.

2) Because efficiency and profit were not primary motives for all of the individuals involved, either consumer or producer. Loyalty, honesty, respect, and community were more important. That is not to say that they weren't motives -- it is just that they weren't primary motives. And, in the long run, it was worth more to Bertucci's and Ben Bohac to build loyal bases of customers -- it was better for business as well as better for their priorities.

3) Nepotism inspired in the workplace a sense of trust and duty that cannot be accomplished in the "every man for himself" workplace philosophy, or the "climb to the top by stabbing the backs of your peers" philosophy. Having family in the workplace made work a more organic part of everyday life: for the individual AND for the family. Work was a natural outpouring of other parts of one's life, instead of a segregated section that has little or nothing to do with the rest of living other than providing income. It was a family affair, and both the family and the employers were stronger for it.

4) A good athlete doesn't necessarily need a sadistic gym teacher -- there are many athletes who are internally motivated and need only guidance. However, there are some who would need the "firm hand" of a Fr. Lynch in order to excel; without it both they and the rest of the "team" would suffer.

5) In many ways, joining a convent was less restrictive than not joining. The opportunity to work "in the fields" of the best educational system around was one area where this is true. Also, life in general already contained many constraints -- the "unspoken ways of life" mentioned above in #1. With this in mind, religious life wasn't necessarily more restrictive, it was just restrictive differently.