Editor's note: We're beyond thrilled that two of our very own CatholicMom.com contributors, Marge Fenelon and Maria Johnson, are winners of the Excellence in Publishing Awards this year. You'll find their award-winning books in the Inspiration category--and these books truly are inspirational! Congratulations, Marge and Maria!

The Association of Catholic Publishers (ACP) is pleased to announce the winners of the new Excellence in Publishing Awards, which will be given out at the 20th Annual Catholic Marketing Network International Trade Show in Schaumburg, Illinois. The goal of these awards is to recognize the best in Catholic publishing.

“In the midst of this Year of Mercy, it is not surprising to see winners that focus on mercy and kindness explicitly,” stated Therese Brown, executive director of the Association of Catholic Publishers. “What is truly interesting are the number of award-winning titles that illustrate those traits in the lives of ‘saints,’ some canonized and others not.”

The 2016 “Book of the Year” is To Be One in Christ by Fernando A. Ortiz and Gerard J. McGlone, SJ, from Liturgical Press. “This book will be very helpful for a Church called to embrace multicultural, multiethnic and multilingual issues that face pastoral ministers,” commented one of the judges. “With an in-depth examination of theological, cultural, sociological, and ecumenical perspectives, this book will be a useful companion for pastors, parish life, and all in pastoral formation. This book should be required reading for all pastors and those in seminary formation.” The “Book of the Year” is selected from among the first-place finishers.

Liturgical Press walks away with 6 awards including 3 first place finishers and the Book of the Year. Loyola Press followed closely behind with 4 winning titles. A total of 12 different publishers received honors.

The following titles are the 2016 winners of the “Excellence in Publishing Awards” by category.

Biography

1.    Flannery O'Connor by Angela Alaimo O'Donnell (Liturgical Press)

2.    Pure Act: The Uncommon Life of Robert Lax by Michael N. McGregor (Fordham University Press)

3.    Oscar Romero: Prophet of Hope by Roberto Morozzo della Rocca (Pauline Books and Media)

Children’s Books

1.    Drop by Drop by USCCB Department of Justice, Peace, and Human Development (Loyola Press)

2.    Green Street Park by USCCB Department of Justice, Peace, and Human Development (Loyola Press)

3.    Everybody Has a Body:God Made Boys and Girls by Monica Ashour (Pauline Books and Media)

General Interest

1.    Vatican II: The Complete History by Alberto Melloni (Paulist Press)

2.    The Gaze of Mercy by Fr. Raniero Cantalamessa (The Word Among Us)

3.    Pope Francis' Revolution of Tenderness and Love by Cardinal Walter Kasper (Paulist Press)

Inspirational

1.    My Badass Book of Saints by Maria Morera Johnson (Ave Maria Press)

2.    Our Lady, Undoer of Knots by Marge Fenelon (Ave Maria Press)

3.    Saint Peter: Flawed, Forgiven, and Faithful by Stephen J. Binz (Loyola Press)

Prayer and Spirituality

1.    Just Prayer by Alison M. Benders (Liturgical Press)

2.    Sanctuary: Creating a Space for Grace in Your Life by Terry Hershey (Loyola Press)

3.    Welcome, Faithful Presence: A Week of Praying the Hours with Henri Nouwen by David Haas (Clear Faith Publishing)

Resources for Ministry

1.    To Be One in Christ by Fernando A. Ortiz and Gerard J. McGlone, SJ (Liturgical Press)

2.    Mystagogy of the Eucharist by Gilbert Ostdiek, OFM (Liturgical Press)

3.    Proclaim the Gospel in Song: More Warm-Ups for the Musician's Spirit by Alan J. Hommerding (World Library Publications)

Scripture

1.    Divine Mercy (part of the Threshold Bible Study series) by Stephen J. Binz (Twenty-Third Publications)

2.    Luke: My Spirit Rejoices! (part of the RENEW Scripture Series) by Martin Lang (RENEW International)

Theology

1.    Abounding in Kindness by Elizabeth Johnson (Orbis Books)

2.    A Holy Yet Sinful Church by Jeanmarie Gribaudo (Liturgical Press) (tie)

2.    Jesus and Salvation by Robin Ryan (Liturgical Press) (tie)

The Association of Catholic Publishers (ACP) is a membership organization of Catholic publishers, those who provide services to Catholic publishers, and individuals who work with Catholic publishers. The ACP provides opportunities for members to further the Catholic publishing industry, promote Catholic publishing and reading, and engage those they interact with, including retailers, pastoral leaders, individual customers, and staff.