Keeping the Faith Alive

Toronto is a multicultural city. Everywhere you go, you meet people of different nationalities, colour and faith. Canada puts a high premium on tolerance and equality of rights, which is good. Except that in the desire to be politically correct, people avoid any mention of God or religious reference because it might offend someone. Even the Christmas tree in front of our city hall is no longer called Christmas tree but holiday tree. And in stores and offices, people must not say “Merry Christmas” but “Happy Holidays”.

And yet, Canada is the only country I know of that has two government-funded educational systems – one public and one Catholic. The children enjoy Catholic education up to high school for free. To me, this is such a great blessing because the school reinforces Catholic teachings, and guides the kids through their first communion and confirmation. In such a liberal and free-thinking society, it is important for the children to get a good, solid Catholic foundation.

The Catholic faith is vibrant here in Toronto, thanks largely to immigrants, especially Filipinos. There are many Catholic communities. And every church you go to is always full. In our previous parish, going to mass was like walking into a church in the Philippines. About 80% of the parishioners were Filipinos, and for a few years, the parish priest and assistant parish priest were both Filipinos.

Sunday mass is one of the non-negotiables we have set for our children. There are no excuses when it comes to attending mass on Sundays, even if they have to go to work, or even if it is snowing heavily. The kids tell me that some of their classmates only go to mass twice a year – on Christmas and Easter Sunday. I reply that this is the way we want them to grow up, keeping their faith alive and receiving regular spiritual sustenance through the Holy Mass.

The kids are not active in our new community as we would like them to be, but for now, we are happy that they are continuing to live and practice their Catholic faith.

For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, virtue with knowledge, knowledge with self-control, self-control with endurance, endurance with devotion, devotion with mutual affection, mutual affection with love. If these are yours and increase in abundance, they will keep you from being idle or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Peter 1:5-8)