A title for Father Norton
-
- June
- 16
Talk about a nice parting gift for Father Stephen Norton, the outgoing president of Kennedy Catholic H.S. in Somers.
His baseball team on Saturday won the Class B New York state championship, the school’s first title.
Norton, of course, is one of many New York priests who have been given new assignments at the end of the month. Many in the Kennedy H.S. community are quite upset about his reassignment to a parish in Dutchess County. (LATE ADD: I understand that at least some priests who were told by phone that they would be reassigned have not received letters from the archdiocese making the moves official. Hmmm.)
Several Kennedy parents and others insist that Norton did himself no favors with higher-ups by opposing plans for a new church on the high school grounds—ironically, right where the baseball field is.
This entry was posted
on Monday, June 16th, 2008 at 12:57 pm by Gary Stern.
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The world of religion, we don't have to tell you, is vast. The purpose of this blog is for Stern to note, flag and comment on some of the more interesting religious developments on the scene – weighty and quirky, somber and laughable, far away and just down the road. He won't interpret Scripture, take sides in conflicts or judge anyone. But he will take advantage of the journalist's license to observe.
Congratulations Father Norton! A great illustration of, “If it ain’t broke, break it.”
Don’t make too much of not receiving letters. This is simply par for the course. In addition to being unjust and corrupt the officials at 1011 are also incompetent and inefficient. But that’s all it means.
AMEN! Ricardo——- well put
The men on the personnel board are not business men they are priests. They didn’t major in human resources or banking.
oh boy, May – I don’t think there is any difference between priests and businessmen at 1011. I agree, however, that they didn’t study human resources.
They were taking Business 1011 when they should have been learning compassion, honesty, humility and love – to name a few. As a catholic, I was taught that it is as much of a sin to sit by and watch a wrong happen and not step in, as it is to commit the sin yourself.
So, is the curriculm Business 1011 and Sinning 1011? If you don’t think so .. then, defend them.
Fr. Has a vision for Kennedy, a plan for a thriving future.
Don’t forget the State Basketball title won by Kennedy during Fr. Norton’s stay at Kennedy. Oh yes, how about the thriving performing arts department, with a band that has played at hospitals in the area and full musical productions.
How about the students, who have grown in faith while Fr. Norton has been at Kennedy, there is no finer example of a priest.
Yes as good Catholics we too must try to understand the logic behind his transfer. BUT….......pray as I might I don’t get it. Fr. Norton is an excellent teacher, he is an educator, an academic administrator. So why is he being sent to a parish that has a pre-school (operating in the black). How are his talents in academia being used??? How is this best for the Archdiocese as a whole. We are building this school, we have a future.
We are doing great things here in Westchester. While always keeping Jesus Christ at the center of our progress, because that is what Fr. Norton is teaching us.
Oh did I forget to mention that the parents have been spiritually strengthened and are learning more about their faith from Fr. Norton?
He attends every school event, he starts each one with a prayer. He is at the door with a handshake and a blessing for all.
This isn’t just about the school or the students this affects the whole community.