As life enters a new rhythm in later years, many Catholics find themselves with more time for reflection and spiritual growth. The responsibilities of work, parenting, and daily obligations give way to new opportunities to focus on what truly matters: preparing for eternal life and growing closer to God.
In Reaching for Heaven, Michael Amodei, a lifelong Catholic and seasoned editor at Ave Maria Press, offers fourteen practical ways to enrich your faith as you strive for heaven. Blending humor, personal stories, and down-to-earth advice, he helps older Catholics rediscover purpose and peace while deepening their relationship with Christ and His Blessed Mother.
“This book is a kind of wake-up call,” Amodei writes, “a chance to become a better Catholic so that when we face that one-on-one with Jesus, we don’t have to fear what is coming.”
Through memories drawn from his own life—including his view from the fifty-yard line at Notre Dame Stadium—Amodei demonstrates how to build a life plan rooted in timeless Catholic practices. By taking small, intentional steps, readers will learn to:
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Cultivate a deeper prayer life through the Liturgy of the Hours
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Engage with Scripture by joining a Bible study or class
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Make a pilgrimage to a holy site such as Lourdes or the Grotto at the University of Notre Dame
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Heal past wounds by apologizing and making amends
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Strengthen family bonds through words of gratitude
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Grow in devotion to Mary through acts of consecration
By using memory and gratitude as spiritual tools, Amodei guides readers to live intentionally, reflect meaningfully, and prepare confidently for their final meeting with Christ. Each chapter includes questions for reflection and discussion, making this an ideal resource for personal prayer or small-group study.
About the Author
Michael Amodei is executive editor and curriculum development manager at Ave Maria Press, where he writes and edits Catholic high school religion textbooks. He is the author of Reaching for Heaven, Send Out Your Spirit, Catholic Essentials, The Ave Guide to the Scriptural Rosary, and The Ave Guide to Eucharistic Adoration.
Amodei earned degrees in English and religious education from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles. He has served as a director of religious education, youth minister, teacher, and coach. He leads the Ave Maria Press chapter of Catholic Relief Services, is a member of the Association of Catholic Publishers, and a third-degree Knight of Columbus. He lives with his family in South Bend, Indiana.
