The Bishop and the Butterfly: Murder, Politics, and the End of the Jazz Age
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    Interview With Bay Area Catholic Author Stefan Salinas Part Two

    By Orion on Sat, 06/10/2017 - 12:23am |
     
     
     
    Originally posted at Radical Second Things. 

    How did you become aware of the story of the Muslim craftsman who built a chair for the Pope?
     
    Through hours of Google searches!  After determining that the silly peace narrative I made up about Muslims and Catholics was too preachy and bland, I looked to the internet for a true and recent inspirational story out there.  Something kid-friendly.  They hit the international news when the chair was only partially complete, and I caught up with it in April of 2015 (the chair was finished that June).  The Lord sure knows how to engage us.  
     
    As a lover of religious art, and a person who has been fortunate enough to have been able to make things to be installed in churches, finding this interfaith story about artists who make things for mosques and churches - well can you not see how it’s as if the Holy spirit thought, “Now this story needs to be told to younger generations to come, but who exactly shall I choose for the job?” 
     
    Which churches were your favorite to depict in either book?
     
    For the first book, I do favor modern churches, especially since they are almost never included in children’s literature.  As the churches are all located in San Francisco, I have worshipped in some and often pass by others day after day, so they have become architectural friends and acquaintances.  
     
    How does one choose a favorite?  I do so love the bold statement the Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Assumption’s form makes. The stained glass from St. Vincent de Paul was a pure joy to paint, but see I took RCIA and was baptized there, so how can I separate the window’s exquisite beauty from my fond memories of the space?
     
    As for the second book, my choices were limited to the actual structures in Zavidovici and Sarajevo.  There’s something positive, formal and approachable about St. Joseph’s church, so that would be my pick.  Yellow churches are like sunshine to me.  Think of St. Anne’s of the Sunset in San Francisco.  Yes it is a tall, imposing structure, but the peach paint softens its personality, as if it is saying, “Hello, please feel free to step inside.”
     
    What was the reception like toward your work at the Bay Area Book Festival?
     
    Being that it was my first BABF, I am not sure what constitutes a good year from a leaner one.  The “Family Activities Zone” as Milva Street was named, featured mostly independent authors, and I think we did pretty well collectively.  The experience was worth it.