Creative Notes

From Our Creative Crusaders

BY REBECCA SMITH '99 AND KIMBERLY STALEY '99

Staying with the Catholic Church

Trusting God’s Plan of Salvation

By David G. Bonagura Jr. ’03 Scepter Various scandals have rocked the Church, and Catholics are facing a crisis of faith in the institution they believe Christ founded. “Staying with the Catholic Church” shows how the Church is a perfect body with imperfect members, and it reassures readers that Christ remains the head of His Church, even as sinners minister to sinners within her.

According to Bishop John O. Barres, S.T.D., J.C.L., Diocese of Rockville Centre, New York, this “timely and readable book will be a blessing for anyone who wishes to understand why many Catholics still love their Church and remain faithful to the Splendor of Truth that the Church teaches.”

Bonagura teaches at St. Joseph’s Seminary, New York, and at Catholic Distance University (online). The author of “Steadfast in Faith: Catholicism and the Challenges of Secularism,” his essays have appeared in America, National Review Online and The Wall Street Journal.

10 Hidden Heroes

By Mark K. Shriver ’86 Loyola Press

With his fun-filled and inspiring seek-and-find book, “10 Hidden Heroes,” Shriver helps children develop counting skills while highlighting the various ways they can be real-life heroes in their everyday lives — and proving that acts of kindness and generosity can be found all around them.

“I have always loved the expression, ‘If you can see it, you can be it,’” says Kelly Corrigan, author of the New York Times bestseller, “Tell Me More.” “In that spirit, what could be more impactful than to teach a generation of children (and future heroes) to look for the everyday heroes in every circumstance?”

Shriver is chief strategy officer of Save the Children Action Network in Washington, D.C. A New York Times bestselling author, he lives with his wife, Jeanne, and their three children in Maryland.

Familia

An American Story of Betrayal and Revenge

By Joseph D. Kringdon ’80 iUniverse From the villages of Puerto Rico and Cuba to the concrete jungle of the South Bronx, “Familia” takes readers on a wild ride as a family strives to live the American Dream. Filled with betrayal, intrigue and revenge, this fast-paced suspense story investigates an “accidental” death, while delving into an immigrant family’s compelling past, including its relationship to a ruthless crime syndicate. Highly rated on Amazon, readers “couldn’t put it down,” calling it a “gripping,” “must-read urban thriller,” “infused with intrigue and passion.”

A self-described “survivor of the South Bronx,” Kringdon is the oldest child of Puerto Rican and Cuban parents. Driven to ascend the “barrio” via education, he was the first of his family to graduate college.

Never Enough

A Navy Seal Commander on Living a Life of Excellence, Agility, and Meaning

By Mike Hayes ’93 Celadon Books In “Never Enough,” Hayes, a decorated former U.S. Navy SEAL commander, helps readers apply elite SEAL-level skills to their everyday lives, highlighting key lessons in leadership, authority and service for their personal and professional lives.

“‘Never Enough’ is a brilliant and wonderfully insightful compilation of stories and timeless lessons gained from a successful life and career…,” says Frank D’Souza, co-founder of Cognizant Technology Solutions.

Hayes, currently chief digital transformation officer at VMware, lives in Westport, Connecticut, with his wife and daughter. He has pledged to donate all profits from the book to The 1162 Foundation, which helps to pay off Gold Star family mortgages. ■