The Catholic Press Association gave its top award for books on liturgy to Sister Mary McGann’s new book, Precious Fountain . In addition, judges in the national competition gave two awards and two honorable mentions to Heart magazine, published by the Society of the Sacred Heart, U.S. Province, since 2003.

The judges described Sister McGann’s book as “a fascinating, well-written and cutting edge book about the particularity of the worship experience of a San Francisco African American parish.”

Heart received second place for “general excellence” among magazines published by religious orders, and first place in the “best essay” category for a report by Barbara Carey, RSCJ, in the Spring 2004 issue on science and religion.

In addition, the magazine received two honorable mentions, including one for its Spring 2004 cover in a competitive category that that included all Catholic magazines, including the national subscription publications.

In awarding Heart the general excellence award, the judges commended the magazine for “well-written articles and information, good cover and interior design, good use of color.”

Sister Carey’s essay, “Gateways to Reality,” was described as “enlightening and engaging … a complex subject presented in readable language.”

The second honorable mention awarded to Heart was for an article by Pamela Schaeffer, the magazine’s editor, about Sister Mary Brady’s ministry in the Adirondacks, which appeared in the Winter 2004 issue.

Precious Fountain tied for first place with Preaching to a Multi-generational Assembly by Andrew Carl Wisdom, O.P. Both books are published by Liturgical Press.