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WIIITBY FREE PRESS, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1980, PAGE 1l The Chureh Speaks BISHOP ROBERT B. CLUNE By THE RT. RZV. ROBERT B. CLUNE Auxiliary Bishop of Toronto As many already know, a new Roman Catholic' Parish was recentiy established in east Whitby to serve the spiritual and temporal needs of Çatholics and others already living in the area called Pringle Creek. Much development is presently taking place and more is certainly expected in the future. The new parish is called Roly Family. The pastor is Father Gerard Breen, formerly of St. -Benedict's Church, in Rexdale. Masses are being held on Sunday at St. Paul's School at 200 Garrard Street.. Father Breen is residing at 19 Hialeah Crescent, just off Thickson Road. his telephone number'is 576--. 209. When a new parish is established, it is probably as logical a time as any, to ask the question: "What is a parish intended to I New panih serves spiritual needs VOLVO. AT TODAY'S PRICES9 IT'S WORTH A LONG HARD LOOK, WE'RE pLEASED TO ANNOIJNCE TUIE INTRODUCTION 0F VOLVO CANADA LEASING. CALL TODAY FOR MORE INFORMATIONMM IT'S SURPRISINGLY AFFORDABLE! TAUNTON MOTORS LTD. Taunton Road East at Wilson OSHAWA "DURHAM REGIONS' VOLVO DEALER" 723-0209 Toronto 686-1525 1 I )e'?" 1 remember asking myself that question some fifteen years ago when Archbishop Pocock asked me to establish St. Wilfrid's Parish in Downsview. 1 had lived in parishes ail my life and had more or less taken their purpose for granted. But now that I had to establish a new parish, 1 feit I had to define more precisely what a parish is. Mfter much reading and reflection, the definition that 1 feit most comfortable with was: A parish is a community that believes; worships; loves; and witnesses. A parish is first of ail a community. Sometimes we say that people are a community because they live in the same locality or institution. That may or may not be commumity. Real community is based upon committed relationships. It is people who have committed themselves to one another and recognize a responsibility to and for one another. A parish is a special kind of community. It is a commumity that is bound together by faith. Faith is trust, but more par- ticularly it is the surrender of self to the Lord. By faith we recognize that God is Our Father, that Jesus is our brother and the Spirit has been sent to give us a share in the life of God and the strenght and grace to live as God has called us to and Jesus, has taught us. A parish is a community of believers that worships. Wor- ships is more than coming to church on Sunday, or other times. Worship is not only believing that God is our Father and we are Ris children, worship is living out that relationship each day and every hour in love and obedience. Worship will mean that we will corne together on Sundays and at other times to honour God, to pray and .ask for help and forgiveness and to inspire and encourage one another as God's people. Many people say that they pray better alone and that may be true. Private prayer is very important, but a community of believers must corne together to strengthen the bonds of fraternity, love and faith. A parish is a community of believers that loves. As Jesus taught His disciples, ail the prophets and the law are summed up in command to love God and one another as God has loved us. Later Jesus would say: "Love one another as I have loved you." The comznunity that calis itseif Christian must be identified by its love. That means that memnbers of the parish com- munity must, at least, try to know one another. And more than that, they must try to help one another, encourage one another SHUR- GAN bas them ail, each offers balanced, top quality, palatable nutrition Because Shur-Gain people know about animais and The nutrition leveis meet or exceed recommen- animai nutrition. they not oniy make different rations dations of the National Research Council. And the taste for pups and aduit dogs, but they make them in appeal.. . weii, let your dog answer that one. te tn vraM irrivn ave Andi t.ash Ask vour Shur-Gain dealer for a free sampie. You is a completeiy balanced feed requiring nothing more for'your dogs health and enjoyment. The high standards of ingredients in Shur-Gain s assured by Canada Packers' well known reputation for quality. Canada F 95st. Cia Toonto, Dundas St. E. Burns St ____ ____ ____ ___ n Consumers Dr. CÇooper-Smnith iý Shur-Gain Dog Foods and related pet care items. YoulIl find their vaniety. quality and £prices ail to your satisfaction. Shur-Gain C >,àDog Food.. .a refreshung aterative. rn Solutions Paccefs Limiled ait Avenue West Ontario M4V I P2 Cooper-Smnit/t 119 CONSUMERS DR. WHITBY 16 CELINA ST. OSH-AWA 668-1114 723-1139 1 and share their joys and sorrows. The meznbers of a Parish Community cannot and must not be indifferent to one another. The early Chrisitian communities were recognized by their love. People would say: "See how those Christians love one another." Seeing their lvoe, they would want to know more about them and often times this led to conversion and niem- bership in the communlty of faith. Finally, a parish community must witness. Jesus camne to save ail men and to cail thern to union and love with God and one another. During His lifetime, Hie went frorn town to town preaching the Good News. Ris loving heart was deeply touched by t.he rnany people He met who seerned to be so lost and confused; "lIike sheep without a shepherd". Jesus prepared Ris disciples by His teaching, but especially by Ris own loving relationship with the Father and with everyone. As the earthly phase of Ris life drew to a close, Hie commanded His apostles and disciples to take the Good News to everyone, even to the ends of the world. The Divine Com- mand for the followers of Jesus to be missionary is as valid today as it was then. To be Christian is to accept the respon- sibility of trying to share your faith and love with everyone. May the establishment of this new parish of Holy Family recaîl to each of us; "What it means to be parish," and inspire each of us to be more faithful members 0f our parish com- munity. D. THAPAR Denture Therapist 214 Dundas St. E., Whitby 6687797 HOURS: Mon.- Sat. & Evonings By Appointment OnIy