The Omaha guide., 1934-06-02
EDITORIAL
THE CHURCH INQUIRY COLUMN
Rv
Madeline E. Sterling.

IIduOluIe T.. OCeTunY.
In talking the othe day to Mrs. Ora Glass. a nro-
nlnent member OF st. Benedict's Colored Catholic Church
the question was asked, 'How did you become a Catholic ~
Mrs. Glass Immediately began by telling of her childish
Tears OF all Nuns and Priests, brought on by the MANY
weird and fanciful tales, told her from babyhood. hy re-
latlves and friends.
she was taught to believe that these religious per
sons would swoop down upon her and in the long and
heavy folds of their habits, conceal and carry her away
to some dark cellar or dungeon, and there torture her
fOr no apparent reason).
According to Gods own plan, this little girl grew to
mtellgent and useful womanhood. She began to curb
her terrible fears, and restrain herself from running away
to hide, the moment she saw a gdod Sister Cd a Priest ap-
preaching. Shyly, at first, she began noticing the kindly
expreresslon on each of their faces; she saw much
beauty and sincerely Of their friendly smile, and this
question arose in her mind, "Can these people be guilty of
such cr1mes?" Aroused by a haunting wonder, if she
ID not been led to believe malicious tails, all those long
years and by a natural sense of curiosity, she at last
mustered sufficient courage to enter a Caholic Church;
early one Sunday morning, in Los Angeles, Cal
-fornia.
Here you get a picture of this timid little lady of
the colored race, entering a large church far from her
own people and friends that was conviently located close
to the people for whom she acted as a maid. With heart
pounding from ar only halfsmothered fear, she at last crossed the
threshold. and gides quickly into a vacant ew, n tn rear
Her " are opened wide with establishment 1t the most gracious
beauty of the house in which God dwels--she listens, ectacy shining from
her intelligent face, to the beautiful music that seemed to fill the very air
she breathes-she was more than impressed Will the So Dignity of the
Mass, and the devout attitude of the kneeEng throng about her.
And when the Priest entered the pulpit and read a familiar text )
from the BibIe-one that she had often read-and preached a wonderful
sermon that she could rear and understand, two old reliable thories were
expoed at once (se had been taught that the Catholics never used a
Bible and that everything they did or said was unexplainabIe and
a secret), but IS she listener to these thing and occasionally looked about
her again she questioned herself WHY ARE THESE PEOPLE HERE?"
s*"HAvE THEY BEEN CAUGHT UP IN THE FOLDS OF SOME NUNS
HABIT AND SPIRITED AWAY TO A DARK DUNGEON AND THERE
TORTURED TO THE POINT OF DEATH, BEFORE CONSERVING TO
BECOME A MEMBER OF THIS CHURCH, If o she concluded, their
appearances are very decievng.
Mrs Glass left that church amuch wiser and more determined
young woman----H became her habit to attend Mass there each Sunday
morning---She gradually adapted the customs of the Catholics, by blessing
herself with water from the 'front.' on entering the church; by conflicting;
and following the prayers at Mass until she a thought to be a member Of
CATION "a fvoabIy impressed with all she heard n saw Never the
slightest occcurance to bring to her mind any Of the old fears that had Sc
hampered her youth.
At last fully decuded to become a rea Catholic, she approached the
pastor of tt parish, Father Phillips, and ssked to be instructed. He
willingly began the task; nd after a period of several months, she was
baptized, and received Communion. and Confirmation more then 20
years ago. -----