We do experience glimmers of goodness. Here are a few gems to remind you that there is hope for humanity. Jani Kelly, a gifted poet and wheelchair bound resident of Josephinum in downtown Seattle, has become a local legend. We’ve included three of her poems. Barbara Lloyd McMichael writes about Teen Feed, an organization that has been feeding at-risk youth for forty years. Evolutionary biologist Dr. Peter Corning wrote “The Fair Society: An An Ideology for the 21st Century” that profiles the mutually beneficial relationship that can be sustained by human beings. His book with a similar title shows that human beings are hardwired to have an innate sense of fairness. Documentary filmmaker and author John de Graaf is currently directing a documentary about the life of Ecological Economist Herman Daly. A Kickstarter fundraising campaign has been launched to raise the funds that will allow John de Graaf’s team to finish the film, which has already been completed photographed and scripted. ––Patricia Vaccarino
Jani Kelly: A Poet Laureate For The Soul by Patricia Vaccarino Today Jani Kelly, a gifted poet and wheelchair bound resident of the Josephinum in downtown Seattle, has become a local legend. Her words are part prayer, part poetry, with a sprinkling of passion and a good dose of mysticism. On those cold, dark days when all is lost, and nothing will sustain you, Jani’s voice rings with the truth. This poet laureate speaks to your soul.
The Fair Society: An Ideology for the 21st Century by Dr. Peter Corning Evolutionary biologist Dr. Peter Corning profiles the mutually beneficial relationship that can be sustained by human beings. His book with a similar title shows that human beings are hardwired to have an innate sense of fairness. His biologically grounded approach to social justice is a bridge between capitalism and socialism.
Teen Feed: Building Trust and Confidence, One Meal at a Time by Barbara Lloyd McMichael For forty years, Teen Feed has been serving at-risk youth in Seattle’s University District. Ever since its founding, Teen Feed’s Meal Program finds itself hosting more than 50 young guests at each meal. And staff volunteers are always on hand to provide other items their guests might need to help get through another day: bus tickets, warm clothing, referrals to shelters, or simply a chance to talk. Advocates are also trained in trauma-informed conversation and de-escalation techniques.
ECONOCLAST, a New Film by John de Graaf Launches A Kickstarter Campaign Filmmaker and Author John de Graaf has announced that after a 50-year filmmaking career, he is currently well into what will almost certainly be his final film, ECONOCLAST: HERMAN DALY AND THE GOSPEL OF GROWTH. A Kickstarter fundraising campaign has been launched to raise the funds that will allow John de Graaf’s team to finish the film. John de Graaf has donated nearly all of his time to this project, but there are other costs--for editing time, music, graphic art, archival film footage and promotion. –Patricia Vaccarino
Book Review: BRAWLER Stories by Lauren Groff Lauren Groff’s collection of stories share only one common thread: the loud, squawking desperation of working-class lives that inevitably come to an end in a one-two knockout punch. I’m glad to see a writer of considerable merit depicting working-class characters, but the collective grief of the characters is so huge that it obliterates their individual identities. –Patricia Vaccarino
Book Review: Learning to Pray: A Guide for Everyone by James Martin, SJ If you like laundry lists about prayer, then this book is for you. Father James includes a quote by the Jesuit astrophysicist Guy Condolmagno: “God is bigger than religion.” God is also bigger than Catholicism. Most of all, God is, indeed, bigger than Father James Martin. When we think about prayer, we ought to probe the true meaning of Catholicity, which is greater than universality and really means wholeness. Wholeness is where deep prayer resides. - Patricia Vaccarino
Three Poems by Jani Kelly