In a literary landscape often dominated by secular themes, a new novel seeks to reignite the conversation about faith and morality. Richard D. Greensfelder, a first-time author from Maryland, has published "50 Parachutes for 72 Virgins," a work that blends religious and spiritual elements with the suspense of a thriller. The title itself is provocative, referencing both a planned peace summit and a futuristic escape plan for Chicago's Sears Tower, dubbed "Plan Z."
The story centers on Archbishop Rooney, a character who is unapologetically outspoken about the world's moral decline. He organizes a peace summit bringing together representatives from various faiths—12 Christians, 12 Hebrews, 12 Muslims, 12 Buddhists, 12 Hindus, and 12 Atheists—at the Sears Tower's Skydeck just before Christmas. The Archbishop hopes this gathering will be a step toward global peace, but terrorists have other intentions. The novel is a classic tale of good versus evil, where love and forgiveness battle hate and revenge.
Greensfelder's narrative is a call to remember the values that once defined communities. Archbishop Rooney laments the loss of what he calls the "God Old Days" (G.O.D.), pointing to 1963 as a turning point when prayer was banned from public schools. He asks his sidekick, Fr. Tommy Schaefer, a rhetorical question: "Do you think 13 trillion 'The Lord's Prayers' would have made a difference? Damn right they could have!" The Archbishop also coins a phrase that resonates today: "Evil fills the void whenever God is pushed away."
The author, who retired as a Director of Admissions at a private school, explains his motivation: "I have written the book to remind folks about what made the 'The Good Old Days.' Love, sound values, the truth, forgiveness, charity, helping others, etc. are virtues that make this world a better place for our children and our children's children. It's a call to move back closer to God where we all are safer."
Greensfelder, a devout Catholic, hopes his stories will inspire readers to be more caring. The book is available on Amazon in paperback and E-book at https://a.co/d/0fGomUvu. For more information, visit www.50parachutes.com.
The novel arrives at a time when discussions about the role of religion in public life are increasingly polarized. By framing the narrative around a peace summit threatened by terrorism, Greensfelder underscores the stakes of a society that, in his view, has drifted from its spiritual foundations. The book serves as a wake-up call, urging readers to consider the consequences of a world devoid of conscience.
