With over 33 years of experience counseling people as an accountant and CPA, author Paul Ramunni reveals in his book The Poor Catholic; The Road to Grace, his thoughts and conclusions as to what really plagues people and keeps them from enjoying a full and satisfying life. Many of the people he encounters in his CPA practice struggle with money problems, bankruptcy, divorce issues, family crisis and work problems to mention just a few. Universally, he hears about how people feel too busy, stressed out, overcommitted, and in general, simply overwhelmed by life. Many sense that they are missing something important in life. What they may not realize is that there's a direct link between their personal problems and the condition of their spiritual life.  Improving our personal connection with God will yield better answers to the real life problems we face every day. How does this work?

When we physically and mentally spend more time with God in learning about Him and how He works, the relationship with Him becomes more personal. He then has a greater opportunity to directly affect the decisions we make, and as a result they generate better results for us.

The Poor Catholic; The Road to Grace is a book that encourages Catholics to take a new and closer look at God. It asks the reader to consider making up his or her own mind about Him. Is He real or not? Do you have an active personal relationship with Him, looking for His help and advice on a daily or even moment by moment basis? Do you think of Him as you do a close, personal friend? Or is He more like a distant acquaintance that you may see or meet infrequently?

These are the kinds of questions that can directly impact  the health of a person's spiritual life. The book asks the reader to consider these and other similar questions from a personal point of view rather than as a member of a large congregation. This helps engage the reader as it draws them personally into the conversation. It also explains the benefits of such a close relationship and how it will not only prepare us for eternal life but also help us cope with our daily challenges now.

The word “poor” in the book’s title is used to describe a state or condition of need in a person’s life. Jesus said in John 15:5, (the parable of the vine and branches) that "...Without Me you can do nothing ." The poor Catholic is someone who lacks this kind of closeness with God and consequently is more likely to experience a great emptiness or dissatisfaction in life. We may feel that there is something important missing or lacking in our lives but are at a loss to identify it correctly. Maybe we were abused or hurt by someone close to us earlier in life. Or perhaps, because of our busy schedules and overcommitted lifestyles, we have just never achieved that level of peace and satisfaction that brings true contentment. This book  explains that what might be missing is an all important close connection with God on a personal level. Having a relationship such as this would fill the lonely and empty feelings we may be experiencing, yielding a greater sense of personal peace and joy.

The book goes on to address the related question of what it takes for a Catholic to gain eternal life. Will experiences such as being raised in the Catholic faith as a child, being confirmed, going to Mass most Sundays and holy days, supporting the church financially simply be enough to gain us entrance into heaven? Or is there something else that's required?

The Poor Catholic portrays God as one who is anxious for us to return and be with Him. It is very much like the story of the prodigal son, who left the safety and love of his father only to return to him repentently after experiencing many setbacks in life. It gives us a new way to reach God each day as we step onto “The Road to Grace,” which is best described as a spiritual walkway to God where we experience His support and grace. As we move along this path, we commit to follow Christ each day and He blesses and empowers us with His grace and love. Our walk toward Christ is filled with surprising revelations about His true nature and His personal desires for us.

The author uses the example of his own personal life journey, as he moved away from God and then back again, to build a story about the reality of God and how He works in each of our lives. The reader will learn to see major issues such as sin, the process of salvation, forgiveness, prayer, love of God and neighbor and the existence of heaven and hell in a new descriptive light. These and other issues are discussed in the book in a very practical way as they relate directly to the Bible and our daily life experiences.

The Poor Catholic contains over 340 references to specific Scriptures with the vast majority being explained in simple and logical terms. There are numerous references to the Catechism of the Catholic Church as well. It was written this way to help people become comfortable with the idea of reading and studying the Scriptures for themselves.

The Poor Catholic also addresses one of the biggest issues for Catholics today, that of how to live out our faith in a public setting. It covers a number of the major barriers that prevent Catholics from evangelizing others while trying to live out their faith every day. Similarly, the book talks about both Catholics and non-Catholics who are just going through the motions of being Christian but who are no longer spiritually alive in the Holy Spirit. It portrays the Holy Spirit as being our protector, healer and a personal tutor to all who want to learn more about Christ and God’s ways.

Finally, The Poor Catholic deals with the issue of heaven and hell and how God will decide who goes there. It offers a plan in the form of a series of steps that a person can take to help them find their way home to the Lord. In essence, it becomes a personal roadmap back to God. The plan offers great comfort and direction to Catholics, former Catholics and Christians who have been hurt in life and especially those who have left the Catholic Church and want to come home.