Award-Winning Children's Literature

CHANDLER, AZ (June 14, 2011) – The judges of the 2011 Purple Dragonfly Book Awards contest, which recognizes excellence in children's literature, have spoken. Our Treasure, written by Michele Elena Bondi and illustrated by Kristina Marie Pope, is the winner of two second place awards in the Educational/Instructional and Religion categories, and three honorable mentions in the Children’s Picture Book, Best Cover Design, and Best Illustrations categories.

“Winning any place in the Purple Dragonfly Contest is a huge honor because in order to maintain the integrity of the Dragonfly Book Awards, a minimum score of 72 out of 80 must be earned for a 1st Place award, 64 out of 80 for a 2nd Place and 56 out of 80 for an Honorable Mention,” explains Linda Radke, president of Five Star Publications, the sponsor of the Dragonfly Book Awards. “Competition is steep, too, because there is no publication date limit as long as the book is still in print.”

In Our Treasure, children learn that there is priceless Treasure waiting for them whenever they want to become very rich. Do you know where “Our Treasure” can be found? The beautiful hardcover keepsake picture book about the Eucharist, published by Joseph Karl Publishing (2010), retails for $16.00 and can be purchased at Joseph Karl Publishing, Amazon.com, Baker & Taylor, Quality Books Inc., and Faith @ Work. For a complete list of winners including all 1st and 2nd places and Honorable Mentions, visit www.FiveStarBookAwards.com and click on “Winners.”

The Chocolate Dragonfly Book Awards contest, which is open to any and all books about or relating in some way to food, is already underway with an August 1 deadline for entries; as is the Royal Dragonfly Book Awards, which honors all genres of books in 50 categories, with a February 1, 2012 deadline. However, Royal Dragonfly submissions postmarked December 1, 2011 or earlier are eligible for the Early Bird reward: a free e-copy of The Economical Guide to Self-Publishing or Promote Like a Pro: Small Budget, Big Show. The 3rd Annual Purple Dragonfly Book Awards contest will launch following notification of the Chocolate Dragonfly winners.

For complete winners' lists including 2nd Place and Honorable Mention wins, rules and entry forms for any of the Dragonfly Book Awards contests, visit www.FiveStarBookAwards.com. For more details on Five Star Publications, email info@FiveStarPublications.com or call 480-940-8182.

Also by Michele Elena Bondi, Your Personal Apostolate: Accepting and Sharing the Love of God.

Visit Fatima Online

SAN FRANCISCO, CA (May 13, 2011) - Ninety-four years ago today, three Portuguese youngsters were contemplating the miraculous apparition they’d just experienced. From that day forward, those children – and the tiny village of Fatima – offered the world a new message of hope through the Virgin Mary’s fervent call to prayer, penance and conversion.

On the 94th anniversary of Our Lady’s first appearance to Francisco and Jacinta Marto and their cousin, Lucia dos Santo, Ignatius Press today launched a website, FatimaForToday.com, devoted to Our Lady of Fatima and available resources for anyone interested in exploring the mysteries and blessings of Fatima.

FatimaForToday.com provides quick access to a variety of books and videos on Our Lady of Fatima, and it enables parishes and organizations to schedule Fatima-related events – including visits by Fr. Andrew Apostoli, C.F.R., one of the world’s foremost experts on Fatima.

“We are thrilled and humbled by the opportunity to bring FatimaForToday.com to life on the 94th anniversary of Our Lady’s first appearance at Fatima,” said Ignatius Press President Mark Brumley. “The message of Fatima is as relevant and important today as it was when Mary first presented it to the children. We hope that the new website will support that message by serving as the source for information and resources covering every aspect of Fatima.”

“The message of Fatima has often been described as a brief summary of the essentials of Christian living,” Fr. Apostoli writes in his new book, Fatima for Today. “Our lady of Fatima has given us a great reminder of these essentials for our difficult times.”

In addition to Fr. Apostoli’s book, the new website provides access to the groundbreaking film The 13th Day and the follow-up docu-drama Finding Fatima. Also available is information on a booklet What Happened at Fatima, published by Catholic Truth Society, and a variety of other books and videos that will bring Fatima to life for people of all ages. There’s even a Fatima coloring book for children!

Fr. Apostoli, a founding member of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal, has been teaching and preaching retreats and parish missions for several decades. He hosted the EWTN TV special “Our Lady of Fatima and First Saturday Devotion,” and Catholic TV developed and aired a three-part series on Fatima for Today earlier this year.

More resources for visiting Fatima online:

www.fatima.org
www.ewtn.com/fatima/index.htm

www.culturalcatholic.com/LadyFatima.htm

Pope Benedict XVI and Fatima

Catholic Apps: Free Mobile Apps for Download from Pauline Books & Media

Boston, MA (May 26, 2011) - Pauline Books & Media and the Daughters of St. Paul are excited to announce the release of a new series of free mobile apps for iPhones, iPads, and Android phones. Called “Catholic Bookmarks,” these apps offer peace, solace, comfort, and hope to those in need of reassurance in God’s unconditional love and mercy.

Pauline Books & Media Catholic Bookmarks smartphone format offers users a unique way to explore the Catholic tradition on-the-go, right in the midst of their daily lives.

Each app features:

• 25 excerpts from a popular Pauline Books & Media book with the same title as the app
• Message from the author
• Handy navigation
• Intuitive and beautiful interface
• Integration with e-mail, Twitter, etc. for easy sharing with others

These latest additions to Pauline Books & Media’s growing collection of Catholic apps continues to demonstrate the publishing house’s passion for the mission of evangelization through all modern means available.

The following apps are currently available in Catholic Bookmarks for download on Android Market and iTunes: Surviving Depression, Making Peace with Yourself, and See Yourself through God’s Eyes.

We hope that these free app downloads will be helpful aids to guide users to deepen their faith and discover the love God has for them. If you enjoy these downloads, please consider posting reviews/ratings on the iTunes app store and Android Market.

Ignatius Press: Four New and Inspiring Films

PORTLAND, OR (May 20, 2011) - Top liturgical publisher OCP and renowned Catholic recording artist, John Michael Talbot have announced the digital release of the new CD Worship and Bow Down, available at OCP.org.

This past February, Worship and Bow Down received national attention when Talbot and OCP took Facebook fans behind the scenes of the recording process by posting videos, pictures and updates of the actual CD recording sessions. Due to the overwhelming fan interest garnered by the Facebook previews and touring by Talbot, OCP has opted for an online release of an MP3 playlist of the album—over a month before the actual CD release, set for June 21, 2011.

Worship and Bow Down, a lush mix of 17 contemplative tracks and a ‘contemporary-chant’ Mass setting (Mass of Rebirth), features rich orchestral instrumentation and multi-layered choral arrangements alongside John Michael’s unmistakable vocals and solo guitar.

Of the album’s use of ancient texts and melodies—like in the track, “Kyrie,” alongside modern favorites including “Sacred Silence”—Talbot says, “I pray that Christians everywhere will find that this project brings together the ancient and the new, the traditional and the progressive, the East and West through music that, I hope, facilitates genuine worship and praise.”

Fans are encouraged to visit ocp.org/30105658 to purchase the MP3 playlist for Worship and Bow Down. Those wishing to pre-order the CD (release date set for June 21, 2011) may visit ocp.org/30105240 or call OCP at 1-800-LITURGY (548-8749) to place their order.

For additional information, media requests or questions please contact Erin McClellan, 503.460.5363, erinm@ocp.org