PAGE 14, WEDNESDAY JANUARY 19, 1983, Wl The Church Speaks Sponsored by the WHITBY MINISTERIAL ASSOCIATION By MOST REV. ROBERT B. CLUNE Auxillary Bishop of Toronto "Survey Finds Most Leave Religion Out of Christ- mas" was the rather provocative headline for an ar- ticle on the religion page of the Toronto Star for Pot Pourri CLASSES 12.50 a lesson Greenware, Duncan supplies and paints. Custom Firing. s. .Rf SHO ELIBICONTPLACE,SONTO JANUARY 25, 26,27,28,1983 10:00 A.M. - 6:00 P.M. DAILY invitation-al'olstein Sale Wednesday, Januarys26 ......... 1:30 P.M. Hereford Winter Classic Sale Thursday, January 27 .. .. .. .. . .. 1:00 P.M. Country & Western Entertainment January 26, 27, 28 .............. 6:00 P.M. Ladies Program .................... Daily LA CONTESSA HAIR SALON SUPER SPECIALS 2* Mondays * *Perms - ½ 2Price* Wednesdays ½ 2Price on every other service (except Perms) (Thisoffer applies to Suzanne only.) We also do a complete makeover. Call for your appointment now. 119 GREEN ST., WHITBY 668-9262 HITBY FREE PRESS Dec. 24, 1982. The article by Religion Editor, Tom Harper, was based on the findings of two surveys conducted by Reginald Bibby, Sociology Professor at the Univer- sity of Lethbridge, on the religious and social atti- tudes of Canadians. For some time now it has been obvious to most people fewer Christians are 'actively' practising their Christian Faith. Where the difference of opinion might be, is in the number of those 'not practising'. As a rule of thumb, I have heard it said that among our Catholic people, one third practise their faith regularly; one third practise it period- ically; and the other third have, to all intent and purposes, given up on their Catholic Faith. This would mean that if you had a parish of 1,800 families, as we do here at St. John the Evangelist in Whitby, you could expect a regular attendance of some 600 families, occasional attendance by another 600 families, and as far as the remaining 600 are concerned, you might be contacted for a funeral, but most likely, not. I would say that this estimate of practising and non-practising Catholics is more or less verified at St. John's. As Catholics, we usually use the multiple of four members per family. At this rate, we should have approximately 2,400 regular worshipers. Our parish church seats 750 people. Since we have four Masses on the weekend, our capacity would . be 3,000. I think that most would estimate that attend- ance is around 2,400. Reginald Bibby's surveys confirm that only one in three are weekly church attenders, whereas in the late 1940's, an average of two in three Canadians at- tended religious services weekly. His survey also showed that only one in three school-aged children are currently receiving religious instruction in their churches. Certainly among Catholics, the number of children receiving religious instruction would be much greater, since the attendance at our Catholic Schools in on the increase.year after year. How- ever, it is true to say a large number of these child- BRIAN DEEGAN DENTURE THERAPY CLINIC HARWOOD AVENUE SOUTH AJAX, ONTARIO 683-6074 ren are only receiving religious instruction and are not being introduced to the practise of Faith because their parents do not actively practise the Faith at home or at church. It is, with only rare ex- ception, that the Faith can be passed on to children on the basis of instruction only. I am sure we all remember the old adage: "Example speaks louder than words". Another saying apt for this situation is "Faith is caught, not taught". Reginald Bibby's survey also discovered that "Only 50 per cent of Canadians are sure that Jesus was divine". If we assume that the population of Canada is 26 million, this means that 13 million Canadians believe that Jesus is divine. The survey also asked Canadians, who claim to be Christians, if they were 'active Christians'. Some 40 per cent, or approxi- mately 8,400,000 Canadians, said that they were 'ac- tive'. However, the difficulty with this number of so-called 'active' Christians is trying to define what one means by 'active'. According to Reginald Bibby's definition of 'ac- tive', four elements are required: a specific belief; a religious practise; a minimum knowledge of one's church belief; and, a livid experience of God in one's life, such as to experience His Presence and nearness. Using Reginald Bibby's definition of an 'active Christian', the survey established that only half of those who described themselves as active, or 4,200,000 Canadians, are in reality 'active Christians'. This substantiates the figure that only one in three Christian Canadians are actively prac- tising their Faith. Because so many Christians are not actively practising their Faith, it means that the Christian Church is not going to be too effective in trying to convince the 50 per cent of Canadians who do not believe that Jesus is divine, that He is really the Son of God and the Savior of the world. This is parti- cularly unfortunate at this time because Bibby's survey shbws "some 40 per cent of Canadians who have no traditional Christian commitment, are searching for a meaning and purpose in life - they say they are disillusioned with material pursuits and the failure of science to solve human problems". "The paradox of this Canadian Christmas" Professor Bibby noted, "is that most (Christians) will not embrace the person of Christ and the Faith which is its focus, while many are looking for the very answers which He allegedly came to provide." One time Jesus took a survey himself and asked His disciples "Who do the people say that I am?" (Luke 9:18). The disciples answered, "John the Baptist; but others say Elijah; and others, that one of the old prophets has risen." The Jesus asked the disciples to tell Him not what other people thought, but what did they think of Him. "But who do you say that I am?" It was Peter who answered "The Christ of God". Jesus continued His instruction to the disciples by warning them that it is not enough for the Follower of Jesus to say that "Jesus is Lord", but a living and a doing is required. It is Jesus who then said, "If any man would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me. For whoever would save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for My sake, he will save it...For whoever is ashamed of Me and of My Words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when He comes in His Glory,and the Glory of the Father and of the Holy Angels." Big Brother Appreciation This Wednesday, Jan. 19, Wheelies Family Roller Arena, 901 Burns St. E., Whitby, is host- ing an Appreciation Night for all big brothers in Durham Region. Wayne Mancuso, owner and manager of Wheelies has donated use of his facility because he feels this is a good way to show appre- ciation to the big bro- thers for the work they are doing, and also as an activity for them and their little brothers. Skating begins at 6:30 p.m. and continues to 9 p.m. Big Brothers in- vite anyone interested in becoming a big brother to come out and meet some of the people involved with the organization. For more information about the Appreciation Night, or for informa- tion on becoming a Big Brother, call Jean Walker at Big Brothers of Oshawa-Whitby at 579-2551. 91 Station St., Ajax 683.0311 Roger's Travel GOLDEN TOUR -Presents- A Personally Escorted FIRST CLASS TOUR ENGLAND-SCOTLAND-WALES April 28 to May 14 17 Fun-Packed Days • Planned itinerary • Tour Manager • Roger as your personal social director e•lncludes round trip airfare • First class hotel accommodations • Breakfast and dinner (except London and Edinburgh breakfast only) • Plus much, much more including surprise evening in London. Canadian CALLTODAY! E per person Too beautiful tobe missed. ESCORTED GOLDEN TOUR June 28 to July 13 ALA3KAN CRUISE - YUKON - M.A.T. See the beautiful Canadian Rockles, cruise aboard the Sun Prin- cess, discover the historic Yukon and North West Territories, on a magnificent train ride, see the Arctic Circle, Skagway, Dawson CIty, wind up the tour at the Calgary Stampede. Cal today For Further Details ROGER'S Travel Bureau 600 King St. E., East Mail next to Miracle Mart 579-2261 ;.S ACTA -ACTA ROGER'S World Travel inc. Dundas St. E., Whitby, Whitby Mal next to Miracle Mari 571-2221 DANFORTH TYPEWRITER R EN TAL S Electric typewriter'66.00 for 3months. Manual typewriternd0.00 for 6 months (Latest. models - maintenance included - short & long term) Availhable Service & Repairs 408 Dundas Stret West 2940 Danforth Ave. Whitby Toronto 666-1131 est. 1ao 698-2589 WHEN SHE'S READY FOR MUSIC, SHE'S READY FOR A PIANO..... And our rentail program gives her the chance to learn on the very best. Have a new piano in your home f rom only *49.95/month. Call now for details. ALL NfUSIC MIDTOWN MALL OSHAWA 571-2100 91 Station St., Ajax Sitter held at bay Durham Regional police were called in to help a 12-year-old baby- sitter who was being held at bay by her em- ployers' Doberman Pin- cer dog. Police say the baby- sitter, who was looking after a 7-year-old child, was unable to leave the basement of the home because the dog stood several feet away and bared its teeth each time the babysitter moved. She managed to get to a phone to call her mother, who called police about the inci- dent. The dog was ap-- parently trained at obe- dience school. The babysitter alleg- ed that the child ordered the dog to "watch her", and she was unable to reach the child upstairs. No charges have been laid. Woman charged in theft An Oshawa woman has been charged with possession of stolen goods under $200 in con- nection with a break-in at the Whitby Medical Centre last week. A small quantity of Tylenol pills and co- deine syrup were reported missing from the Medical Centre on the morning on Jan. 10. Police say drugs were found at a residence on 432 Malaga Road in Oshawa during an in- vestigation into another matter. Charged with posses- sion of stolen goods un- .der $200 is Cindy Gallagher, 23, of 432 Malaga Rd. in Oshawa. Gallagher is scheduled to appear in provincial court Jan. 20. 683-0311