A Matter of Faith Part Two
Part Two of the story of Fatima for today’s world combining Barbara’s gift of storytelling with musical links from her musical The Miracle of Fatima. Randolph Swoops, the cynical owner of the Miracle Theater rediscovers his faith while learning about the message of Fatima, as the three young ghosts from 1917 guide him on a transformative journey.
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a matter of faith
summary of part one
Rehearsals for The Miracle of Fatima musical began at the Miracle Theater under the direction of Aleta Gomes. The Producer, Murray Swoops is the son of Randolph Swoops, the owner of the venue and the financial backer. Randolph warns his son that unless he sees a return on his investment he will shut the show down and close the theater for good.Little does he know that the ghosts of the three Fatima children from 1917 have returned and have taken up residence in the theater. Sent by their Beautiful Lady from heaven they must use all their ghostly skills to keep the show running, the theater open and most importantly help Randolph Swoops discover his faith and believe in miracles.
The Fatima ghosts, the children cast to portray them on stage, their understudies and finally Maria Garcia, (the grandmother of Megan who is playing the lead), conspire to help Randolph change his mind and heart about the future of the theater and show. Maria is a woman of profound faith, often praying her rosary as she sits in the balcony watching rehearsals. This angers Randolph until she is “convinced” by all the children that she must win him over by taking to lunch. This does not work at all.
The Ghosts of Fatima transport the children back in time to allow them to experience the events of 1917. When Randolph and Maria, who watch every rehearsal from the balcony begin hearing things from the various scenes they think it is merely sound effects, until Murray insists that none are being used.
The Ghost of Lucia places her hands on Randolph’s shoulders (not that he can feel her) and she puts him in the mayor’s office as he interrogates her harshly. He is truly unsettled by the experience, and he disappears.
And like Randolph and Maria the village is divided into two camps those who believe them and those who do not – the non-believers. Even the parents of the children are on different sides causing heartache for young Lucia, whose suffering comes at the hands and word of her mother.
Part One of our story ends with Lucia’s return to her cousins who are curious about the interrogation, wondering what it would take to make someone believe.