Works by five professors in Notre Dame’s College of Arts and Letters were honored with 2013 Catholic Press Association (CPA) Book Awards, and a sixth faculty member received CPA recognition for an essay he wrote for America magazine.
John S. Dunne, John A. O’Brien Professor of Theology, received first place in the category of spirituality–soft cover for his book, Eternal Consciousness.
According to the CPA, Dunne’s book “focuses on the quest to explore eternal consciousness and its meaning in relation to the fulfillment of one’s self. He shares his insight that eternal life is the deeper life of relatedness to others, to God, and to self. This well-written book, enhanced by the inclusion of his original songs, provides the incentive for readers to continue the personal search.”
First place in the history category went to Timothy Matovina, professor of theology and executive director of the College’s Institute for Latino Studies.
Latino Catholicism: Transformation in America’s Largest Church, the CPA says, is “a towering and timely overview of the Latino Catholic experience in America from the 16th century to the present, with particular focus on the important ways the U.S. Catholic Church, its evolving Latino majority and American culture are mutually transforming one another.”
Matovina’s book also won the 2012 College Theology Society Best Book Award and was included on Choice magazine’s list of Outstanding Academic Titles for 2012.
Notre Dame’s Happy Returns: Dublin, the Experience, the Game won first place in the design and production category. The book was written by Brian Ó Conchubhair, associate professor of Irish language and literature, and Susan Mullen Guibert, assistant director in Notre Dame’s Office of Public Relations, with photos by Matt Cashore, Notre Dame’s senior university photographer.
“The dust jacket of this book features elements that certainly capture the attention of anyone with Irish blood in his/her veins,” the prize citation reads. “Houses along the banks of the River Liffey, a football, some of Dublin’s famous doors and a typical Irish cottage. In almost 200 full-color photographs, the taste and feel of Ireland is brought to the reader.”
Thomas F. O’Meara, O.P., professor emeritus from the Department of Theology, was awarded second place in the faith and science category for Vast Universe: Extraterrestrials and Christian Revelation.
The CPA called the book “a mind expanding work by a brilliant theologian [who] explores the question of the enormity of the cosmos, extraterrestrial life, and its impact on our understandings of incarnation, grace, and community in a way that is sensitive to science. The perspectives of past thinkers help the reader imagine the incredible possibilities, while encountering the depth and breadth of the love of the Creator in a new way.”
The Chapels of Notre Dame, by Lawrence Cunningham, John A. O’Brien Professor of Theology emeritus, with photography by Matt Cashore, won third place in the popular presentation of the Catholic faith category.
It is “an astonishingly handsome book with sparkling focus: the Catholic faith as celebrated every day in our preeminent Catholic university—in 61 different chapels on Notre Dame’s campus,” the CPA says. “It’s a creative book idea done beautifully with great photos and text.”
Timothy P. O’Malley, director of Notre Dame’s Center for Liturgy and an associate professional specialist in the Department of Theology, won second place in the CPA’s best essay category for “Waiting for Gabriel,” published in America magazine. O’Malley’s essay was described as "heartfelt and tender, and an unflinchingly personal reflection.”
Learn More >
- Department of Theology
- Department of Irish Language and Literature
- Brian Ó Conchubhair faculty page
- Lawrence Cunningham emeritus faculty page
- Timothy Matovina faculty page
- Timothy P. O’Malley faculty page
- Thomas F. O’Meara emeritus faculty page
- Arts and Letters faculty bookshelf
- Eternal Consciousness
- Latino Catholicism
- Vast Universe
- The Chapels of Notre Dame
- Notre Dame’s Happy Returns
- Catholic Press Association
