Five book authors with ties to the Diocese of Rochester garnered awards during the Catholic Press Association’s annual convention.
Father Charles E. Curran, a priest of the Diocese of Rochester, earned second place among theological books for The Moral Theology of Pope John Paul II, published by Georgetown University Press
“This timely work is an essential review of the legacy of Pope John Paul II, and the state of ordinary magisterial teaching during his pontificate,” judges wrote.
Mark Hare, columnist for Rochester’s Democrat and Chronicle and a member of the Catholic Courier’s board of directors, earned second place among family-life books for Watching My Friend Die: The Honest Death of Bob Schwartz, published by ACTA Publications.
Father Kevin McKenna, pastor of St. Cecilia Parish in Irondequoit, tied for second place among pastoral-ministry books with his You Did It for Me — Care of Your Neighbor as a Spiritual Practice,published by Ave Maria Press.
“This readable, well-documented work by a scholarly and active priest-pastor reminds us of our human solidarity even as it compels its readers to consider some of the church’s best-kept secrets — the social and societal dimensions of Gospel mandates,” judges wrote.
Msgr. William H. Shannon, professor emeritus of Nazareth College in Rochester and a frequent contributor to the Courier, received third place in the category of popular presentation of the Catholic faith for Here on the Way to There: A Catholic Perspective on Dying and What Follows, published by St. Anthony Messenger Press.
“What makes the dreaded subject of death and dying so accessible and palatable are the wonderful stories which the author uses to make his points full of hope and unmistakable joy,” judges wrote.
Peggy Rosenthal, a parishioner at Blessed Sacrament Parish in Rochester, earned an honorable mention for her poetry compilation, Imagine a World: Poetry for Peacemakers, published by Pax Christi. Rosenthal is the wife of Deacon George Dardess.
