mations and party celebrations. One of the major differences between my family and my neighbors were our religious beliefs. My family was of the Christian faith and my neighbors the Catholic religion.
             The first time I entered their church I was stunned by its size. It was decorated with huge stained glass windows, the statue of Mary holding an infant, and an immense altar with Jesus on the cross on the wall behind it. My church was quaint and simple. Small stained glass windows of saints lit up the room and Jesus on the cross looked down onto the small altar at the front of the church.
             The occasion for this visit was a baptism that was to follow the regular service. The service progressed very similar to those of my faith. However, "Hail Mary" was said several times. This was foreign to me. When it was time for the congregation to participate in communion my friend's parents went to the altar. My parents and my friend remained seated. I, not yet old enough to participate in communion, was confused why these people were not partaking. I asked my mother, "Why aren't you going up?" I was told to "hush". I turned to my friend and asked her the same question. She responded, "Because I didn't go to confession yet." I asked, "Where do you go for that?" She pointed to a small booth to the left of the church. I became quiet as the rest of the service continued.
             After the service and the baptism had finished, we were introduced to the priest as we were leaving the church. As an inquisitive child, I did not hesitate to ask him why my friend was not able to receive communion since she had not gone to confession. At length, he informed me he was the vessel in which her sins against the Lord and His laws were forgiven and she would have to pay penance by praying to the Mother Mary on her rosary before she could join the congregation in receiving the body ...