Finding Inspiration in the pages of William Kevin Stoos’ The Wind and the Spirit

When he’s not out on assignment like the Bring-Back-the-Spittoon project that followed his latest Canada Free Press (CFP) column Chew on This: Confronting Anti-Tobacco Chewing Senators at the World Series, ‘Hugh Betcha’ has an entire other life. The lovably rascally ‘Betcha’ is Catholic author/columnist William Kevin Stoos. The Wind and the Spirit: Stories of Faith and Inspiration, second in the Stoos short stories series is now listed on Amazon.com. For the world weary and the Recession-bound these inspiring short stories are a veritable pick-me-up and a refreshing reminder that the Almighty never gives up on us.

This is how the author describes his stories: “Illustrating how the Holy Spirit speaks through people, circumstances, and serendipitous events, proving once again that Coincidence is the name God uses when He wants to remain anonymous.” Stoos, now an attorney, turned to writing when he returned home after serving his country in the Armed Forces and we’re glad he did. The unassuming Stoos is the kind to shine his light on the talent of others. Amazingly he wrote in response to CFP’s congratulatory note on The Wind and the Spirit that his short stories are just the “little thing” he does for “the wonderful women who pray for us.” (The cloistered Carmelite nuns to whom he donates the proceeds from his book sales).

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Some little thing! The current book market is dominated by television network talking heads expanding their lectures on unwashed masses. Rarely do we find stories of faith and inspiration on the bookshelves. For me reading this treasure trove of Stoos latest short stories in The Wind and the Spirit was like coming upon a perfect orchid in the snow. This is what I wrote to Stoos after reading some of the stories in his book. “I sat down enrapt and particularly liked the story of Father Jacob and the Christmas Candle. “It also made me stop to think that I have not prayed enough for guidance from the Holy Spirit, which I started to do immediately after reading your book. “The timing of the book's arrival was also special as it came on a day when the spirited wind was whipping maple leaves onto the window pane of my office. “From now on when I hear the wind outside, I will think of both the Holy Spirit and my dear talented friend Kevin.” I should have added that CFP is so proud to be able to list William Kevin Stoos as a senior columnist. The Wind and the Spirit 138 pages - $22.95 ISBN: 978-1-60976-458-6 ISBN / SKU: 1-60976-458-7 This book is also available at Amazon.com or BarnesAndNoble.com