HARRISBURG — Ray Haywood did not set out in life to be an author. This husband, father and parishioner of St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Charlotte is a car salesman. But something happened in 2015 that propelled him to pen a book encouraging men to be godly influences in their families.
The book, “Tools to Ready the Journey: A Father’s Guide to a Faith-Filled Family,” was released on the feast of St. Joseph, March 19.
The book stems from a private revelation Haywood experienced, in the form of a weeping crucifix in his office at the car dealership. He purchased the handmade crucifix made of fish bone on vacation in June 2015 in Mexico, and after hanging it in his office that October, he noticed moisture dripping from it.
Haywood consulted his parish’s priests, who encouraged him to pray and contemplate the meaning of this private revelation.
Shortly afterward, he recalls, “I woke up with an overwhelming feeling that I had to write a book. Within a matter of 10 minutes, the title of the book and all of the chapters were outlined. I felt overwhelmed with the knowledge of the content that needed to be shared, as if every experience up to that point in my life was with this one purpose in mind.”
In his search for answers regarding this experience, Haywood says, “I have always been led to encouragement – encouragement to reach into the lives of men and share with them the value of leading their family’s faith journey by building the foundation of faith found in the New Covenant and in the sacraments shared in our one, holy, Catholic and apostolic Church’s teachings.”
He explains that at the time of his prayer to strengthen his family’s faith, it had stopped at that – his family. “Through a moment of grace, I realized God’s intent within my prayer was to reach into and strengthen His/our faith-filled family,” he says.
In writing this book Haywood felt an undeniable call to action to reach into the hearts of young men and fathers who are building the foundation of faith within their families.
“I felt a clear calling to share life lessons and competencies to help guide the way of young men to a clearer perspective of a father’s rightful place within the faith-filled family – to give clarity among all the confusion this world places before them as stumbling blocks,” he explains.
In his book, Haywood says, “As fathers, we must understand and accept that every decision and position we take, through our words and actions, affect our families. If we become complacent to what society dictates as acceptable, then we separate our families from our foundation of faith.
“If we fail to challenge false truths, perceived as reality for those living in and of this world, and we fail to protect our families from the many worldly causes that try to capture their hearts, then they will lose their way as they face the world on their own.”
The book consists of 13 chapters, a study guide and other resources including a website and Facebook page designed to generate conversation and encouragement among fathers.
Says Haywood, “It is now time to reach into the hearts of young men and fathers and challenge them in humility to seek out truth, to understand truth as it is shared, and to take their rightful place within the family they are held accountable by God to lead. Before we can lead, we must first follow.”
— SueAnn Howell, senior reporter
For more information
At www.trjfathersguide.com: Learn more about “Tools to Ready the Journey: A Father’s Guide to a Faith-Filled Family.” It is available in hardcover, paperback and as a Kindle eBook online at www.amazon.com.