The hardworking staff, which is Jewish by attraction, has lived next door to St. Mary of the Assumption in Brookline Village for 25 years, during which we’ve observed – yes – 25 Christmas Eve Midnight Masses.

(For decades our mother, St. Agnes of 89th Street, would ask us, “Want to come to Midnight Mass with me, Johnny?” To which we eternally replied, “Happy to take you there, Mom.”)

But back to St. Mary’s: This year’s Midnight Mass seemed to be woefully under attended. We counted about 15 cars parked on the Linden Street/LindenPlace Triangle. Way less than previous counts.

So all those stories about Pope Francis’s rejuvenation of Cathaholics (tip o’ the pixel to brother Jim for that designation) – grain o’ salt, yeah?