Y2K Problem . . . in Churches? Parishes and Schools in the Archdiocese of Newark will address issues relating to the impending millennial computer glitch known as "Y2K" at a seminar to be held from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on March 10, 1999, at the Archdiocesan Center in Newark. "Awareness is the first step toward Y2K readiness," said Rev. John Connolly, director of educational technology for the Archdiocese. Participants will learn five ways to cope with the possible problem: assessing computer systems for Y2K problems, fixing them, testing the fixes, forming contingency plans and preparing for the possible litigation. According to Fr. Connolly, programs that are most vulnerable to the Y2K problem include databases, spreadsheets and accounting programs. "Basically, any computer program that deals with date or monetary information could be affected," he said. "including fax machines, voice mail and phone systems, photocopiers, fire and burglar alarms and schedule systems. We rely more on time-sensitive data than we imagine." Fr. Connolly predicts that, without the proper attention given to this matter, the year 2000 may bring unprecedented problems to schools and parishes that have come to rely on technology for their everyday functions. "For example," he said, "school and church bells that are electronically programmed to sound at particular times on certain days may not operate, or may operate incorrectly. Also, any records of Baptisms, births, deaths, confirmations and marriages that are kept on computerized databases face difficulties if the program's internal clock rotates back to January 1, 1900, instead of 2000." The seminar, open to designated representatives from all parishes and schools in the Archdiocese, will be presented by John Arendas, district supervisor of technology from Bergen County Technical Schools and Special Services and director of the Bergen Educational Technology Training Center and Joann Montroni, technology specialist. For more information about Y2K and its possible effect on Catholic institutions, visit the following link on the Vicariate for Education's website: Y2K.
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