For Immediate Release
New Book Calls Catholics to Reclaim the Public Square Through Faith-Driven Public Service
Summary
COLUMBUS, Ohio—A new book by longtime Westerville councilman Michael Heyeck calls Catholics and people of faith to reengage the public square with courage, humility, and a renewed commitment to the common good. Drawing on more than 30 years of elected service, What Are We Looking For? Reflections of a Catholic Serving in the Public Square explores the intersection of Catholic faith, American civic life, and local government leadership.
The book blends memoir, history, and Catholic social teaching to examine religious liberty, conscience in public service, and the growing tension between faith and secular culture. Inspired by a homily on the Feast of Christ the King, Heyeck’s work encourages readers to move “beyond church walls” and rediscover public service as a vocation.
Intended for readers interested in the intersection of faith, politics, and civic engagement, What Are We Looking For? is $19.99 in 260-page paperback. It can be purchased from Catholic Treehouse’s website at www.catholictreehouse.com or on Amazon.
Full Text
COLUMBUS, Ohio—After more than three decades in elected office, longtime city councilman Michael Heyeck is sharing his story and a message he believes is urgently needed: people of faith must not retreat from public life. His new book—What Are We Looking For? Reflections of a Catholic Serving in the Public Square—offers a deeply personal and faith-informed exploration of civic service, religious liberty, and the pursuit of the common good.
Blending memoir, history, and Catholic social teaching, the book chronicles Heyeck’s journey from a young Catholic raised in Newark, New Jersey, to becoming the longest-serving member of the Westerville, Ohio City Council. Over more than three decades of elected service, he experienced firsthand the challenges of navigating faith, conscience, and political responsibility in a rapidly changing cultural landscape.
At its core, the book argues that faith and civic life cannot be separated without consequences. Heyeck writes that modern society often pressures believers to keep their faith private, limiting religious expression to homes and houses of worship. In response, What Are We Looking For? encourages readers to reengage the public square with clarity, charity, and conviction.
“This book was born from a moment of challenge and reflection,” Heyeck said. “I realized that many Catholics feel hesitant to bring their faith into public life. My hope is to show that public service can be a vocation rooted in faith, conscience, and the common good.”
The book was inspired by a homily delivered at Heyeck’s parish in 2019 that urged Catholics to move “beyond church walls.” That moment sparked a five-year journey of writing, reflection, and research. The result is a work that goes beyond personal storytelling to examine the broader relationship between Catholic teaching and American civic life.
Throughout the book, Heyeck reflects on key issues facing believers in public service, including:
- Religious liberty and the First Amendment
- Church and state in modern society
- Conscience and moral decision-making in government
- The role of local government in shaping communities
- The importance of the common good in public policy
Rather than offering a partisan perspective, Heyeck emphasizes the importance of serving people rather than political parties. His experience at the local level—where accountability is immediate and community relationships are personal—provides a unique lens on governance and civic responsibility.
“Local government is where policy meets real life,” Heyeck said. “It’s where decisions affect neighbors, families, churches, and businesses directly. That level of service requires humility and a strong moral foundation.”
The book also explores Heyeck’s lifelong Catholic faith and how it shaped his understanding of service. Drawing from Scripture and Catholic social teaching, he presents public service as an extension of faith through action and responsibility.
In addition to civic themes, What Are We Looking For? reflects on American history, the evolution of political culture, and the growing tension between secularism and religious belief. Heyeck acknowledges the complexity of modern public life and the “gray areas” faced by people seeking to live out their faith while serving diverse communities.
Despite these challenges, the book carries a hopeful message. Heyeck believes that individuals can still make a meaningful difference in their communities and that public service remains an essential path for advancing the common good.
The release of What Are We Looking For? comes at a time of increasing polarization and declining trust in public institutions. Heyeck hopes the book will encourage readers to view civic engagement not as a career path reserved for a few, but as a calling open to many.
“This is not just a memoir,” he said. “It’s an invitation. We need good people—people of faith and goodwill—to step forward and serve.”
Reflecting Heyeck’s long-standing commitment to community service, all proceeds of the book are being donated to the Catholic Foundation. What Are We Looking For? is $19.99 in 260-page paperback. It can be purchased from Catholic Treehouse’s website at www.catholictreehouse.com or on Amazon.
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For Further Information
Media contacts:
- Michael Heyeck, Author
- Michael LaMorte, Catholic Treehouse, Publisher
Product Page: https://catholictreehouse.com/products/what-are-we-looking-for/
On Amazon: https://amzn.to/40wcaFq
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