person has something to say, they often keep it to them-
selves. They avoid confrontation,” he notes. “They’re not
as expressive as the younger generation...and there is a
gap of interaction between the two. The youth are rarely
involved in events with the older people.”
Tira says the full effect of a gap between second and
third generation Filipino Canadians is still to come, since
influxes of Filipino immigrants didn’t start in Canada
until the 1960s. “The fact is that most ethnic Filipino
churches are just beginning to work with this issue,” he
told Faith Today. “While the first generation Filipino-
Canadians are linguistically adaptable (most services are
held in English even in first generation churches), and
are culturally adaptable, the succeeding generations of
Filipinos do present some challenges to the ethnic Fili-
pino-Canadian churches. Styles in decision-making are
markedly different, so this affects church management,
and there are shifts in communication style.”
ifthey don’t eat, they don’t meet
Yet, one thing is for certain. Whatever the topic, however
it is expressed, it will most certainly be discussed over a
table full of food. Hospitality is one of the biggest hallmarks
of the Filipino community and it is unanimous among pastors that part of Sunday worship is sharing a meal at church
after every service and at almost every other event. “If a
Filipino pastor is gaining weight, it’s a sure sign that he’s
doing his job,” says Torres. “If a congregation is looking for
a new building, the first question is ‘Is there a kitchen?’ No
kitchen? No church,” laughs Napa. ft
