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Black Catholics tell their stories through quilt, video By Michael D. Wamble “We wanted to do something to bring people into the church in a creative way that reflects our African-American history,” said Rosanne Swain of St. Sabina Parish. How does one piece together the patchwork of being black and Catholic? For more than 200 families, young adults and elderly members at St. Sabina, expressing the ways they are connected by the fabric of faith was accomplished via needle and thread, laminated photos, rhinestones and glitter, and other material by the creation of a quilt. Along with the parish family quilt, parishioners also expressed themselves on paper in the form of a testimonial book on how they've been faithful to God and God has been faithful to them. In her own family, Swain said her husband, John, Jr., wrote down their story while she formed the quilt square. “It is one way to share our story. It is a historical piece in which 100 years from now people can learn about us. It's also a way we can pass on our tradition of faith,” said Swain, who chaired the committee that fashioned the quilt. Stories of being black and Catholic in Chicago also are being assembled in other ways. Members of over 40 parishes throughout Cook and Lake counties, have used VCRs in church basements and parishioners’ dens in preparation for the upcoming Black Catholic Convocation 2000, to be held Nov. 3-4 at De La Salle Institute, 3455 S. Wabash Ave. During the July 29-30 weekend, the video, “Black Catholics in Chicago,” produced by Loyola University and the Archdiocese of Chicago, was shown following each of the Masses at Holy Name of Mary Parish on the South Side. The video is a way to share the collective story of black Catholics. Marionette Phelps, director of catechesis at St. Laurence, Our Lady of Peace and St. Philip Neri parishes, agreed that the video has opened up lines of communication. “The video gives people a chance to talk about their experiences in the church, with the church, for the benefit of the church,” said Phelps, instrumental in preparing St. Laurence for the event. Describing a convocation group mostly comprised of seniors—that followed a showing of the video— Phelps said seniors recounted times of joy and pain during the Q & A period. “It was like opening the floodgates,” said Phelps. “It was as though people have been waiting all these years to answer these questions and tell their stories.” Said Swain, “It’s not often people feel open to share their testimonies of faith and their struggles to become better followers of Christ. But when it happens, it’s powerful.”
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