The Parish of the Lost City

1) To me the neighborhood of St. Nick's parish seems warm.

2) Courses of action that are obviously inefficient and unprofitable are not necessarily so for both parties involved. One group may benefit immensely while the other group suffers, but there is a bigger picture. Though Bertucci's and Bohac's businesses may suffer, they build a loyal base of support for future contracts and new customers. They are investing in a profitable reputation, which will reap long-term advantages against future competition and economic prosperity from loyal customers when faced with economic recessions.

3) If the business is profitable, nepotism is a good thing because it insures that future employers and employees will be just as devoted to their jobs as their predecessors. It also maintains discipline within the business because everyone wanted to help their family members get a job at the factory; yet if any employee misbehaved and had to be fired, none of their family would ever be hired by the company. Hence nepotism established a sort of "guild" identity in the work place where quality and responsibility was enforced for the sake of significant others.

4) No it does not but a distinction must be made as to the purposes of the authority of both priests. Msgr. Fennessy's authority was respected and honored by those Catholics who were faithful. The good Msgr. ws respected out of love for him and his service to the parish members. In contrast Fr. Lynch 's authority was also respected and honored by faithful Catholics, but more significantly by rebellious Catholics. Faithful Catholics respected priestly authority out of love regardless of whether it was Fr. Lynch or Msgr. Fennessy; yet rebellious Catholics despise authority, and would not respect Msgr. fennessy's authority but for the fear of incurring Fr. Lynch's wrath. Hence Fr. Lynch's authority was necessary for the rebellious Catholics, for if they would not obey out of love then they would obey out of fear.

5) Usually someone who joins a convent does so because they do not see holy discipline as restrictive. However this does not come from any religious devotion, because there are plenty of devout Catholic laymen who do see religious life as restrictive despite their devoutness. There are those who are blessed with that vocational calling see the "restrictions" and find freedom from worldly hinderance to pursue greater obedience to God's will.