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Discovery of an
aborted fetus at a closed Catholic school brings
the rude shocks of modern life crashing down on a
rural community where passion and prejudice run
deep but usually stay below the placid smalltown
surface. The incident is particularly unnerving to
Father
Karl, a
disillusioned old priest with a troubled past who
longs for a peaceful retirement.
Alan
Kemp, the
parish music director, who had been an investigator
in the Air Force, is asked by a friend in the
bishop's office to look into the situation. What he
finds is a well of resentment among teachers in the
local public school district who suspect that the
diocese plans to reopen the old school (called Holy
Innocents) to compete for state education
funds.
As the mystery
deepens, several local figures, each with a unique
involvement in the life of the town, shed light on
the investigation and touch Alan personally. He
acquires two unexpected allies: Sister
Elaine, an
edgy, ecologically aware nun with an interest in
"new age" therapies, and Pastor Matt, a bright, young Evangelical minister
who has taken over a local congregation from his
much-admired but deeply conflicted father.
Alan finds himself
embroiled in some of the hottest controversies
behind today's headlines. He discovers that there
is more going on than religious prejudice or
competition for money. And through his relationship
with a beautiful but withdrawn nurse named
Jessie, Alan confronts several difficult
realities about sex, love and the nature of
attraction between men and women. He also becomes
painfully aware of how innocence can be destroyed
by suffering.
But he discovers an
encouraging truth: It is possible for well meaning
people to join together and act on what they
believe is right, despite the religious and
emotional forces that too often divide them.
NOTE TO EDUCATORS
AND ORGANIZATIONS:
- HOLY
INNOCENTS IS PERFECT FOR:
- Adult Discussion Groups
- Youth Moral Issues Study
- Social Justice Reflection
- Book Clubs/Reading Groups
- Homily Development
Inquire by
e-mail about discounts available on group
orders:
companypub@sbcglobal.net
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