GIFTS

Men are rediscovering the importance of the spiritual life. And Father Larry Richards is helping them do it. While some writers apply a one-size-fits-all approach to the Christian life, Father Richards draws on his many years of ministry and his own experience as a man to inspire other men as men. In Be a Man!, he recounts his struggles to learn true manhood, as well as the inspiring stories of others he has served in his decades as a priest. He tells men how to focus on the right goal, how to live as a beloved son of God, of the need to acknowledge one's faults and to live according to the Holy Spirit, to be a man of true love and of wisdom, to appreciate properly the differences between men and women, to pursue holiness, and to make a difference in the world. Not preachy but direct, Father Richards challenges men to be strong, without putting on a mask of false strength or machismo. He calls men to admit their weaknesses and limitations, while urging them to find strength in faith and genuine love to overcome their sins and faults. Although a celibate priest, he minces no words when it comes to the place of sexuality--for the unmarried man as well as for the married man. He shows that true manliness is not opposed to love but thrives on it. Father Richards stresses that a relationship with Christ reveals the meaning of a man's life and his identity as a man. He inspires men to become the true heroes they long to be--men of authentic courage, compassion and integrity. This is a highly readable book for men by a man who knows how to talk to men about the things that matter most.

After the horrific Virginia Tech massacre in April 2007, all of us are now aware of the major disasters that can strike our students at college. But each year more than 500,000 college students become victims of crimes and accidents that rarely get reported in the media.

Protect Yourself at College College is based on three years of extensive research and interviews with college and security officials. It provides parents with a vital tool to give their students as they pack up for school. School administrators will want to hand out this book to each student entering the freshman class. It covers everything from dorm safety to binge drinking, from spring break concerns to date rape, from walking the campus to keeping your computer safe, from fraternity hazing to taking the bus. Every chapter includes real-life examples and a checklist of safety suggestions and prevention measures that will ensure students do no become a crime statistic.