"Brightness Springs" is a parable about a group of space explorers from Earth who travel aboard the space ark Noah to find a world to inhabit. An enchanting tale unfolds when the explorers, led by botanist Pete Smith, discover the planet Brightness with its "sky of lavender and orange clouds" and "two full moons" where humans and animals live in harmony with one another.
The explorers, known as the "Sleepers," have wondrous adventures on their journey. They become friends with a tenderhearted, gracious people who live simple lives on small farms, people capable of making enchanting music and creating exquisite artwork. The Bright People are gifted with "powers of prayer": they are people who know God is "absolute love and being."
The author says his new book is at heart about transformation.
"Brightness Springs" is filled with poetic descriptions of the natural world, the beauty of an oriole flying across a shaft of light, "orange pulsed bright" leaving behind a dusting of "specks of gold."
"When you are close to God," Butterworth explained, "everything he has created is more intensely beautiful."
The book also includes a lyrical collection of poems and parables by Butterworth that reflect Catholic spirituality and contemplation.
