Michael J. Ruszala's Blog

I am honored to be presenting for the Northern Erie Lay Vicariate Lenten Lecture Series at 7:30 PM Monday, March 14th at St. Leo the Great Church!

Click here to watch on live-stream.  Click here to download slides. 

From ancient Jewish rabbis through the Bible and into the Church in every age, Michael the Archangel has quite the story to be told, and even more so, quite the job still to do! This prince of the heavenly host and protector of God’s people is seen behind the scenes from the most ancient of times down to the present day.

In this book, we will piece together what the Bible and tradition tell us about angels in general, their being and roles, and about where St. Michael may fit in with the choirs of angels. We trace the interaction with and devotion to St. Michael throughout Church history, recounting various apparitions, healings, prayers, and notable churches named after the archangel.
Amazon Customer Review: "This book is a very thorough description of angels and how they fit in with the devil and human beings. In describing St Michael the author goes back to the writings between 300 & 200 BC. He describes what was written about him in the old as well as the new testaments of the Bible. He then describes how St Michael was honored by early Christians. He then talks about his aide to those in Medieval times and even how he had an impact on Pope Leo XIII in 1884. The conclusion of the book is a Litany in Honor of St Michael. I would easily classify this book as one I would recommend to everyone." - JL Borsberry
Click here for Kindle | Click here for softcover

Wyatt North's A Reader's Study of the Gospels series, written by Michael J. Ruszala, contains an engaging narrative and commentary on each gospel.

A Reader's Study of the Gospels: The Gospel of John assists the reader to understand the fourth gospel's theology and symbolism in presenting Jesus as God’s eternal Word, the Light of the World, the Bread of Life, the Good Shepherd, and much more.

Amazon Customer Review: "This book taught me quite a bit about the Gospel of John. I learned many items that I never before realized: from the Prologue statements of 'In the beginning was the Word' and its parallel to the Book of Genesis thru the Agony in the Garden and the band of soldiers (600 men) to the Resurrection Epilogue being similar to earlier events in the life of Jesus. The author's style made this book very interesting but also very informative with much information I never heard before. You will not be disappointed by this book." -JL Borsberry

Click here for Kindle | Click here for Softcover

Wyatt North's A Reader's Study of the Gospels series, written by Michael J. Ruszala, contains an engaging narrative and commentary on each gospel.

A Reader's Study of the Gospels: The Gospel of John assists the reader to understand the fourth gospel's theology and symbolism in presenting Jesus as God’s eternal Word, the Light of the World, the Bread of Life, the Good Shepherd, and much more.

Amazon Customer Review: "This book taught me quite a bit about the Gospel of John. I learned many items that I never before realized: from the Prologue statements of 'In the beginning was the Word' and its parallel to the Book of Genesis thru the Agony in the Garden and the band of soldiers (600 men) to the Resurrection Epilogue being similar to earlier events in the life of Jesus. The author's style made this book very interesting but also very informative with much information I never heard before. You will not be disappointed by this book." -JL Borsberry

Click here for Kindle | Click here for Softcover

The world needs saints to show it the way to true humanity. The Church needs saints to show it how to live out its calling.The witness of the lives of the saints is a powerful testimony to the reality of God’s plan and the possibility for truly following it in one’s life. So often, we do not see this witness. We see hypocrisy and mediocrity among Christians. That is why we must look to the saints — the ones who really followed the words of Christ and let them be carried out fully in their lives. The saints also give us a reason to hope. Saints were not born; they were made through a life of cooperation with God’s grace despite many difficulties, weaknesses, and temptations.This book, written from a Catholic perspective, provides an overview to the lives of the saints celebrated the entirety of the Roman calendar. It covers the whole Church year, and makes for inspirational spiritual reading any time of the year, providing an introduction to the patron saints for many walks of life. Included are the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Joseph, Apostles like St. Peter and St. Paul, early martyrs like St. Perpetua and St. Felicity, early evangelizers like St. Patrick, medieval giants such as St. Thomas Aquinas, American saints such as St. Elizabeth Ann Seton and St. John Neumann, and many others.

Click here for Kindle | click here for softcover

The world needs saints to show it the way to true humanity. The Church needs saints to show it how to live out its calling.

This book, The Lives of the Saints: Volume IV (October – December), brings to completion a series of four volumes on the lives of the saints, covering the memorials, feasts, and solemnities of the whole Church year, in addition to several of the many optional memorials. This last volume brings with it some of the most beloved of the saints, including St. Therese of the Child Jesus, the Holy Guardian Angels, St. Francis of Assisi, St. Cecelia, and St. Nicholas.

Click here for Kindle | Click here for softcover on Amazon

The world needs saints to show it the way to true humanity. The Church needs saints to show it how to live out its calling.The witness of the lives of the saints is a powerful testimony to the reality of God’s plan and the possibility for truly following it in one’s life. 

So often, we do not see this witness. We see hypocrisy and mediocrity among Christians. That is why we must look to the saints — the ones who really followed the words of Christ and let them be carried out fully in their lives. The saints also give us a reason to hope. 

Saints were not born; they were made through a life of cooperation with God’s grace despite many difficulties, weaknesses, and temptations. 

If we want to see the greatest and best of what Christianity is capable of, we must look to the saints.

Click here for Kindle | Click here for softcover on Amazon

The world needs saints to show it the way to true humanity. The Church needs saints to show it how to live out its calling. The witness of the lives of the saints is a powerful testimony to the reality of God’s plan and the possibility for truly following it in one’s life. So often, we do not see this witness. We see hypocrisy and mediocrity among Christians. That is why we must look to the saints — the ones who really followed the words of Christ and let them be carried out fully in their lives. The saints also give us a reason to hope. Saints were not born; they were made through a life of cooperation with God’s grace despite many difficulties, weaknesses, and temptations. If we want to see the greatest and best of what Christianity is capable of, we must look to the saints.

Click here for Kindle | Click here for softcover on Amazon

"This short, interactive booklet is an essential tool for any youth preparing to serve at Mass or training for the role of acolyte. Key terms, liturgical guidance, and practical tips are presented in a simple and friendly tone with questions, activities, and full-color photos. Servers continually change as older children move to other roles or serve the parish in other ways, and new children require training. Guide for Altar Servers is a practical, complete, and cost-effective tool."

Click here for softcover on Amazon

"The world needs saints to show it the way to true humanity. The Church needs saints to show it how to live out its calling. The witness of the lives of the saints is a powerful testimony to the reality of God’s plan and the possibility for truly following it in one’s life. So often, we do not see this witness. We see hypocrisy and mediocrity among Christians. That is why we must look to the saints — the ones who really followed the words of Christ and let them be carried out fully in their lives. The saints also give us a reason to hope. Saints were not born; they were made through a life of cooperation with God’s grace despite many difficulties, weaknesses, and temptations. This book, written from a Catholic perspective, provides an overview to the lives of the saints celebrated from January to March on the Roman calendar. It is the first in a series, which will cover the whole Church year. It makes for inspirational spiritual reading any time of the year, providing an introduction to the patron saints for many walks of life. Included are the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Joseph, Apostles like St. Peter and St. Paul, early martyrs like St. Perpetua and St. Felicity, early evangelizers like St. Patrick, medieval giants such as St. Thomas Aquinas, American saints such as St. Elizabeth Ann Seton and St. John Neumann, and many others."

Click here for Kindle | Click here for softcover on Amazon