St. James Plant Manager Serves Christ, Community

By Irene Lagan
Herald Staff Writer
(From the issue of 1/23/03)

FALLS CHURCH — At the end of the work day, most people climb into their cars or onto the Metro and head for home, where there is a division between home and work life. For Bill McCarthy (pictured at left in photo), the plant manager at St. James Parish in Falls Church, the parish is literally both. McCarthy’s commute is a walk next door.

McCarthy, a carpenter by trade, has devoted his service to the Church for almost 12 years. With the assistance of a staff that consists of both a construction and a maintenance crew, McCarthy has successfully renovated the church, rectory, school and convent and has built a new gym that serves the Catholic community and others.

As plant manager, McCarthy is responsible for making sure that everything runs smoothly on the parish campus. From light bulbs to snow removal to security, McCarthy’s job is to be attentive to every detail of the physical plant.

"I am essentially an in-house caretaker," said McCarthy, who lives next door to the rectory with his wife and three sons. "It is a very cost effective way to do things. We haven’t had any kind of a disaster or emergency in over 10 years. That is amazing for old buildings."

In addition to maintenance and construction, McCarthy helps formulate and enforce policy for use of space in the parish. "My life is one of constant interruptions," he said. "It’s something you get used to around here. I am the wall of separation between the priests and crazy, annoying maintenance problems. My job enables the priests to carry out their spiritual duties."

McCarthy relishes the family life of the parish. "Fortunately, we have a really good community here at St. James. This is a large, active parish and sometimes I have to say ‘no’ to people. When I do, my wife teases me and calls me ‘Mean old Mr. McCarthy.’ Like all families we have our spats and get over them. But everything I do is in the best interest of the parish."

Prior to working at St. James, McCarthy, a native of Loudon County, owned and operated a construction company that frequently did contract work for the Arlington Diocese. When the economy slowed in the early ’90s, McCarthy began looking for more stable work in order to provide for his family. His name came to the attention of Msgr. William Reinecke, then-chancellor of the diocese, who hired him to renovate St. James Church and rectory.

When Msgr. Cosby was assigned as pastor of St. James in 1993, McCarthy stayed on to complete renovation of the convent and to undertake some new construction projects. "Msgr. Cosby and now Father O’Brien, our current pastor, are builders," McCarthy said. "In 1993, we began with renovating the convent, and since then, we have turned the school upside down." McCarthy and his crew converted the old school gym to a state-of-the-art library, "the finest in the diocese." Last year, he and his crew completed the music and art studios, and renovated half of the classrooms and the cafeteria. In addition, the school has a computer lab and will soon have resource rooms for children in the special education program.

Most of the construction projects take place during the summer months. "We come full circle and maintain all the construction we undertake during the summer months. When school is in session, McCarthy and his crew focus on maintenance and custodial work. Recently, they completed their first historical renovation project of the church steeple.

McCarthy has a strong work ethic. "I came here because I wanted to do something that made a difference. When I hire people I want them to be connected to the parish or diocese because I want them to care, to be motivated, to be connected in faith and in work."

For McCarthy, the parish has a special significance, as many people in his own family were baptized or married at St. James. The parish maintains a traditional setting and vibrant atmosphere. According to McCarthy, parishioners take pride in the parish and are very active. The three daily Masses, he said, are all well-attended. In addition to more standard parish activities, parishioners take part in art and music classes, as well as athletic activities, all made possible by the renovations and additions of McCarthy and company.

In addition to school renovations, McCarthy oversaw the construction of the Joseph P. Knecht Gymnasium. Dedicated in 1999, the gym is named for a former parishioner and close friend of McCarthy’s who died in an excavation accident. When school is not in session, the gym is occupied by men’s and women’s basketball teams, the Knights of Columbus and other community groups who take advantage of the state-of-the-art facility.

"This was one of the best things we’ve done," McCarthy said. "This gym is of great service to Catholics and to the wider community."

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