Richard D. Greensfelder, a retired admissions director from Baltimore, has published his debut novel, 50 Parachutes for 72 Virgins, a suspense story that blends religious themes with a terrorist plot. The book, now available on Amazon, follows Archbishop Rooney, who organizes a peace summit at Chicago's Sears Tower Skydeck just before Christmas. The summit brings together 12 representatives from each of six groups: Christians, Hebrews, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, and Atheists, totaling 72 participants. The 50 parachutes in the title refer to 'Plan Z,' a futuristic escape plan for the tower if all else fails.
Greensfelder explains the title: 'The title comes from the number of clerics assembled for a peace summit to help bring back the world to regaining a conscience.' The novel is a classic good-versus-evil tale, with love and forgiveness pitted against hate and revenge. Archbishop Rooney, an outspoken character, does not shy away from critiquing modern society's drift from God. He believes a world devoid of conscience is dangerous, and he points to 1963 as a critical year when prayer was 'inadvertently banned' from public schools. Rooney asks his sidekick, Fr. Tommy Schaefer, 'Do you think 13 trillion 'The Lord's Prayers' would have made a difference? Damn right they could have!'
The Archbishop has long warned that 'Evil fills the void whenever God is pushed away,' a phrase that resonates throughout the story. The novel serves as a wake-up call for a country he sees as drifting away from religious values. Greensfelder says, '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 inspire readers to be more caring. He holds a B.S. in Business Administration from the University of Baltimore, where he played on a national championship soccer team in 1975. The book is available in paperback and e-book on Amazon at https://a.co/d/0fGomUvu, and more information can be found at www.50parachutes.com.
The novel's release comes at a time when discussions about faith in public life are prominent. By framing religious decline as a security issue, Greensfelder adds a provocative voice to the debate. Whether readers agree with his perspective, the book's premise—that spiritual emptiness can lead to societal danger—invites reflection on the role of religion in modern times. As the story unfolds, it challenges readers to consider what values they hold and what they might be willing to fight for.
