Foundational Principles of a Disciple of Jesus

by Fr. Peter Samuel Kucer, MSA

These foundational principles were written with the intention of delineating how to be a faithful, healthy, charitable, and truthful disciple of Jesus. Each one is intended to be understood in relationship with the other principles from the perspective of our life of faith as each bead in a decade of the rosary is to be prayed in relationship to the other beads from the perspective of a mystery of faith. Practicing them is like putting “on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” (Ephesians 6:10-11)

Paperback: $14.95 | Kindle: $9.99

TESTIMONIALS

“Fr. Peter Samuel Kucer, MSA, has produced quite a grand opus in his collection of works on Marian Devotion, Catholic Church History, East and South East Asian History, Catholic Apologetics, Protology and the Priesthood, Western Civilization, Political Science, and now foundational principles on discipleship. Each of his books provides wisdom for the beginner and clarity for the educated.” – Dr. Sebastian Mahfood, OP, author of The Narrative Spirituality of Dante’s Divine Comedy

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

OTHER CATHOLIC PRACTICAL THEOLOGY BOOKS

Improving your Kids’ Body Image through Catholic Teaching: How Theology of the Body and Other Church Teachings Can Transform your Life

The Second Edition of Raising Kids with a Healthy Body Image: A Guide for Catholic Parents

by Dr. John C. Acquaviva

Improving your Kids’ Body Image through Catholic Teaching: How Theology of the Body and Other Church Teachings Can Transform your Life is the unique approach to the body image crisis that impacts many children. From a young age, our kids are under immense pressure from a variety of sources that can determine the value of their bodies. But God has something to say about this as well. Saint John Paul II’s wonderful teaching known as Theology of the Body is the book’s guiding force. Along with Scripture and the Church’s Sacraments, this book is an excellent parenting tool to guide your child so they see the worth of their bodies as designed by our Creator. In addition, this book discusses the numerous causes of a poor body image and includes chapters on how to instill fitness and sound nutrition into your family life.

Paperback $16.99 | Kindle $9.99

INTERVIEWS

Listen to “Episode 16: Cynthia Toolin-Wilson interviews John Acquaviva concerning his book Raising Kids with a Healthy Body Image (February 27, 2020)” on Spreaker. Ave Maria Radio’s Catholic Connection Interview with Teresa Tomeo on Improving Your Body through Catholic Teaching Listen to “John Acquaviva Interview concerning his book Improving Your Body Image Through Catholic Teaching (December 16, 2019)” on Spreaker.

Interview with Ken Huck on Radio Maria’s Meet the author. May 18, 2017.

REVIEWS

• Catholic Mom.Com from an anonymous mom
• Sports and Spirituality Part 1 (Dec. 6, 2017) and Part 2 (Dec. 9, 2017) from Annie Stricherz

News on the Book:

SueAnn Howell, “St. Matthew parishioner pens guide for Catholic parents on raising kids with a healthy body image,”

Videos about how Photoshopping works (from page 36)

About the Author’s Radio Program, now on Carolina Catholic Radio

TESTIMONIALS

“Building upon the timeless teachings of the Church, edified by saints and scripture, and penned from a practical parent’s perspective, Improving your Kids’ Body Image through Catholic Teaching is a great tool to help you raise happy, healthy and holy children. John C. Acquaviva takes on challenging topics with compassion and candor in a faith-filled yet totally accessible way. Stop shying away from the tough yet essential conversations and serve your family with an equipped and inspired perspective!”  – Lisa M. Hendey, Founder of CatholicMom.com and author of The Grace of Yes

“Rooted in the Truth of the Catholic Church, this inspiring book offers everything parents need to help their children become the body-confident people God created them to be. Using Saint Pope John Paul II’s Theology of the Body, Scripture, and the teaching of the Church, this must-read will help you and your child navigate the minefield of body image pitfalls our culture perpetuates to rediscover the God’s purpose for their bodies–to glorify Him. Spiritual and practical, this edifying book belongs on every parent’s bookshelf.” – Kate Wicker, Journalist & Speaker Author of Weightless: Making Peace With Your Body

“There is an epidemic of distorted body image fed by popular culture and causing great distress among far too many of our sons and daughters. Dr. John Acquaviva delivers it a devastating one-two punch in his masterful melding of the findings of modern science with the timeless wisdom of the Catholic Church on the true dignity and importance of the human body in harmony with the soul. Every Catholic parent should read, re-read, and put to use Improving your Kids’ Body Image through Catholic Teaching. Indeed, every parent — period.” – Kevin Vost, Psy.D., author of Fit for Eternal Life and Memorize the Mass!

As a model and actor who travels speaking about his Catholic faith I am intimately familiar with the destructive lie the media feeds us daily about body image and the meaning the life. This book is a must-read for anyone raising children or those simply seeking to better understand how to navigate through this physically and spiritually dangerous culture war we find ourselves in. – Mario St. Francis Herrera, Model & Actor turned Lay Catholic Evangelist

Improving your Kids’ Body Image through Catholic Teaching is a book all parents need, whether they are Catholic or not. John C. Acquaviva goes right to the heart of the issues that can plague a young person with despair because of a negative body image. In a conversational tone, he sets us back on track with Catholic teaching and shows how to appreciate our bodies as the gifts that they are.” – Dr. Stacy Trasancos, Chair of the Science Department, Kolbe Academy

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

John holds a PhD in exercise science and is a professor at Wingate University.

His courses include Anatomy & Physiology, Strength & Conditioning, Sports Nutrition, Exercise Physiology, and Weight Loss, Weight Gain & Body Image.

Over the years, he has given hundreds of presentations to fitness professionals, prospective teachers, and Catholic Church adult congregations, youth groups, and campus ministries.

His other book, Improving Your Body Image Through Catholic Teaching, is currently available on Amazon.

Dr. Acquaviva resides in Matthews, NC, with his wife Alecia and three children, Clare, Luke and Abigail.

OTHER PRACTICAL THEOLOGY BOOKS

The Art of Listening to Young People: A Pastoral and Scientific Guide

by Amoris Christi

Listening is a form of encounter that allows us to be with another person, to see through their eyes, and to journey with them. The Art of Listening to Young People uniquely blends extensive scientific research with pastoral experience and theology to provide guidance and inspiration for youth ministers, spiritual directors, formation advisors, therapists, and anyone else who desires to better accompany young people today.

Paperback: $14.95 | Kindle: $9.99

TESTIMONIALS

“The book’s cogent presentation of the importance of listening to the young, as an essential way of accompanying and leading them, manifests an attentive response to Pope Francis’s reflections on the education of children, where he says: ‘The real question, then, is … where [our children] are existentially, where they stand in terms of their convictions, goals, desires and dreams. The questions I would put to parents are these: ‘Do we seek to understand ‘where’ our children really are in their journey? Where is their soul, do we really know? And above all, do we want to know?” (Amoris Laetitia, 261; citing General Audience Catechesis, May 20, 2015)'” – Cardinal Christophe Pierre, Apostolic Nuncio

“The Art of Listening to Young People is an integrated contribution, confidently grounded in the complementarity of faith and reason, which unites authentic Christian principles with astute practical wisdom, supported by scientific research. This work gives a refreshing perspective on encountering young people with compassion and clarity – committed to receiving another as a human person with dignity and facing the challenges of the times with the Gospel imperative to “Be not afraid!” For anyone ministering to young people, this piece serves as a most valuable guide in navigating the shadows of today’s culture with the bright light of truth and Christian charity – a most important topic for this age of the Church. It’s a deeply beneficial and encouraging read!” – Monsignor James P. Shea, President, The University of Mary

“‘I hear you.’ How often does this expression mask the reality that we have heard words with our ears but have not really listened to the person in front of us? The Art of Listening to Young People calls all who are called to accompany young people to understand them better and truly listen to what they are saying. Drawing from psychology and the social sciences as well as from great leaders of the Catholic tradition, the authors call us to care enough to make sure that it is obvious to young people that we are truly listening to them. While there are skills to learn, we are not presented with a recipe, but with good advice for improving in what is truly an art, as the title says. Thanks to Amoris Christi, a program that is expert in working with young people, for producing this great work.” – Fr. Alfredo I. Hernández, Rector/President, St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary, author of Formation Activities and Catholic Seminarians

“The book The Art of Listening to Young People is a profound helping hand and resource book for those who wish to accompany young people in one-on-one settings like mentoring, formation, spiritual direction or counseling.” – Bishop Joy Alappatt, St. Thomas Syro-Malabar Eparchy of Chicago 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Amoris Christi is a Catholic, nonprofit organization devoted to the formation of Christian leaders, based in Delray Beach, FL. It is an affiliate of Jesus Youth, which is an international Catholic movement of pontifical right. This book was authored by Amoris Christi’s multidisciplinary research wing, the Institute for Excellence.

OTHER CATHOLIC PRACTICAL THEOLOGY BOOKS

Handbook for Catholic Religious

by Fr. Bevil Bramwell, OMI

Reflecting on the theology of the presence of Christ in the world, particularly from the point of view of the aesthetics of religious life as understood from the writings of Hans Urs von Balthasar, John Paul II and Benedict XVI, Fr. Bramwell explains that a particular problem for Religious in the 21st century is that they are trying to pray, live and work in an age that is antagonistic to such a life. If religious life is ever separated from its relation to and expression of the life of Christ, then it is no longer religious life as the Church understands it. For this reason, Fr. Bramwell gets to grips across the pages of this book with the existential challenges that face serious Religious every day. 

Paperback: $19.95 | Kindle: $9.99

TESTIMONIALS

“Fr. Bramwell’s expression of the intensity and beauty of religious life is an inspiration to all the faithful, strengthening their love and giving them hope for joyful and eternal communion with the Triune God.” – Dr. Cynthia Toolin-Wilson, author of Survivor: A Memoir of Forgiveness

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Fr. Bevil Bramwell, OMI, has been a professor and spiritual director in high schools, research schools, seminaries, and universities. He received his UEd and BSc from the University of Natal in South Africa; an S.T.B. from the Gregorian University in Rome; an STL from the Weston Jesuit School of Theology; and his PhD from Boston College. Father speaks English, French, Italian, and Afrikaans fluently, while being able to read and speak less fluently German, Spanish, Dutch, Latin, and Greek. Many groups including his own community, the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, as well as the National Catholic Education Association have invited his presentations and lectures. His publications include an undergraduate textbook on the theology of the sacraments, book reviews, and numerous articles for technical spiritual journals as well as the pastoral periodicals: Priest; Homiletic and Pastoral Review. Fr. Bramwell has published Laity: Beautiful, Good and True: Hans Urs von Balthasar’s Theology of the Laity, The World of the Sacraments, and The Catholic Priesthood: A 360 Degree View.

OTHER CATHOLIC PRACTICAL THEOLOGY BOOKS

Keep the Basket away from the Casket: Seven Indictments against the Collection of Mass Offerings in Church

by Fr. Eugen Nkardzedze

TESTIMONIALS

“Excellent. Well written. Message to the point. We need it. Publish it.” – Bishop George Nkuo, Bishop of Kumbo. 

“This book is a catechetical treasure, rich with theological reflections on the collection and use of money in the Church. It is a well-articulated theology of money with appropriate and apt biblical references that emphasize the divine preference of mercy to sacrifice, the role of charity as the kingpin of all virtues, and that abuse of money does not take away its use.” – Rev. Kushu Solii Ngah (Ph.D/STD Syst, Theo.) [from the book’s Foreword)

“Thank you for writing this book, and may it be used in many houses of priestly formation.” – Dcn James Keating, PhD, Prof of Spiritual Theology, Kenrick Glennon Seminary, St Louis Missouri.

“This slim publication is a treasure trove that should be publicised throughout the Church in Cameroon – not only in the Ecclesiastical Province of Bamenda. Hence, the urgent need to consider a French edition.”
– Martin Jumbam, author of From the Highlands of Nkar to the World

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Fr. Eugen Nkardzedze is a priest from the Diocese of Kumbo serving as fidei donum in the Diocese of Beaumont, Texas. He received a PhD in systematic theology from the Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C. He recently published the very high selling The Spirituality of Humor and Laughter: Why Good Things Happen to Bad People.

OTHER PRACTICAL THEOLOGY BOOKS

From Where Shall Come Our Help? The Lament of Abused Persons

by Henry Onwusoro Ogbuji

TESTIMONIALS

“Fr. Dr. Henry O. Ogbuji’s book, From Where Shall Come Our Help? The Lament of Abused Persons, sheds light on the nature of domestic violence and its impacts in Nigeria. He uses the Psalmist’s lament (Ps 121:1) as a guide to help readers understand the plight, frequency, forms, and responses to domestic violence against women. Unfortunately, Nigerian laws do not criminalize the perpetrators of domestic violence due to a male-centered perspective. Fr. Henry stresses that recognizing domestic violence as a problem is the first step to finding potential solutions. This book is an invitation to theological and scholarly discourse on this evil that affects the most vulnerable population in Nigeria and beyond. It is an essential book for everyone.” —Sr. Adaku H Ogbuji, CCVI, PhD, author of Dealing Effectively with Domestic Abuse: The Ministry of Reconciliation and Healing

“Henry Ogbuji offers an insightful analysis of the crisis of domestic violence in Nigeria. Drawing from a wealth of theological sources, the author puts forward an ecclesial framework to address the effects of violence towards the most vulnerable, especially women. This study is a valuable resource to pastors, preachers, priests, community organisers, and educators supporting healthy and robust communities of faith.” —Luis Menendez-Antuna, Assistant Professor of New Testament, Boston University School of Theology

“Rev. Dr. Henry Ogbuji masterfully articulated the devastating consequences of domestic violence in Nigeria and offered profound theological and scholarly solutions to address this malaise. From Where Shall Come Our Help is a must-read and should serve as a vade mecum for all clergy, counselors, therapists, and everyone involved in caring for victims of domestic violence. I hope this work will sting civil and ecclesiastical leaders to consciousness to do more to prevent domestic violence and provide resources for victims.” —Dr. Aloyius Sunny Ochasi, Clinical Bioethicist and Professor, St. Joseph’s University, Philadelphia, PA

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Henry Onwusoro Ogbuji is a priest of the Catholic Archdiocese of Owerri, Nigeria. Ordained in 2003, he has served his diocese in various pastoral and administrative capacities as associate pastor, pastor and associate Diocesan Finance Administrator. One of the major pastoral challenges he has had as a pastor involved ministering to victims of domestic violence. Hence, it became an area of interest for him during his graduate studies in the US. He obtained a Master’s degree in Theology at Boston College (2017) and a doctorate in Transformational Leadership from Boston University (2022). Upon graduation from Boston University, the author returned to his home diocese in Nigeria and has since been engaged in pastoral ministry. Writing is poignant aperture to share his uniquely striking ministerial and academic experiences with a wider audience.

OTHER PRACTICAL THEOLOGY BOOKS