S11E1: The President | Opportunists (John F. Kennedy)
Holy Donors
Hello and happy new year! We’re so glad you’re back with us for our newest season of Holy Donors. This season, we’re taking a look at the life and philanthropy of our former president, John Fitzgerald Kennedy. JFK’s fame makes this season unique. Because most everyone already knows JFK and has opinions on his political legacy, our hosts are only going to talk about Kennedy’s military and political history as it pertains to his philanthropy. Instead, our hosts have made a conscious decision to focus on Kennedy’s life, not as a president, but as a Catholic man in America. Born in May 1917 to an Irish Catholic family in Boston, John Fitzgerald Kennedy (Jack) was the second child to Rose and Joe Kennedy. Rose was a quiet woman, very devout and pious. JFK’s father, Joe, on the other hand, was quite an opportunist. He found (or created!) opportunities to acquire power and money, and he wasn’t afraid to use connections (and sometimes coercion!) to get what he wanted. All told, JFK’s childhood wasn’t brimming with love and happiness. He went to a boarding school where he was picked on by other students, he was seriously ill multiple times as a child, his mother wasn’t openly affectionate, and his father had a clear favorite child (and it wasn’t him!). JFK’s father, Joe Sr., created an atmosphere of competition in his family. He had big dreams for his children, and he insisted that they do something important with their lives. When Joe Sr. heard from a friend about the potential power of government leaders, he started pushing his children, especially Jack, to enter politics. How will Joe Sr.’s dreams affect JFK’s future? Join us next week to find out! --- Recommended reading: "Jack: A Life Like No Other" by Geoffrey Perret "An Unfinished Life: John F. Kennedy" by Robert Dallek --- Holy Donors is brought to you by Petrus Development (petrusdevelopment.com) in cooperation with RED-C Catholic Radio (redcradio.org). For more about Holy Donors please visit our website at holydonors.com or find us @HolyDonors on Instagram and Facebook. Holy Donors: Bringing you inspiring stories of radical generosity that have changed the world.