Fr. David Endres has been named the 2024 recipient of the Jerome Award, the annual award given by the Catholic Library Association (CLA) “in recognition of outstanding contribution and commitment to excellence in scholarship which embody the ideals of the Catholic Library Association.”  The Jerome  Award ceremony will take place during the CLA Virtual Spring Conference on April 25-26, 2024.

David Endres is a priest for the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Ohio. He holds a Ph.D. in Sociology from the Catholic University of America and is dean of The Athenaeum of Ohio and of Mount Saint Mary’s Seminary and School of Theology, both in Cincinnati. He also serves these institutions as professor of church history and historical theology. He has published widely on Catholicism, especially on the history of the Catholic Church in the United States.  Fr. Endres is the editor and author of several books, the most recent of which is Slavery and the Catholic Church in the United States: Historical Studies (2023 Catholic University of America Press). He is currently preparing a biography of Archbishop William Henry Elder, second archbishop of Cincinnati. He is active in the United States Catholic Historical Society, serving as editor of its quarterly, U.S. Catholic Historian. His current research interests are U.S. Catholic History; immigration and ethnicity; antebellum and late nineteenth century.

The Jerome Award, established in 1992, is presented by the Academic Libraries, Archives, and Library Education Section through the Jerome Award Committee. Named after St. Jerome, Doctor of the Church (331-420), patron of librarians, it is awarded in recognition of outstanding contribution and commitment to excellence in scholarship which embody the ideals of the Catholic Library Association.

Jason Reynolds has been named the 2024 recipient of annual the St. Katharine Drexel Award given by the Catholic Library Association (CLA) which recognizes individuals or organizations who have, through their works, made an “outstanding contribution to the growth of high school librarianship” The Award ceremony will take place during the CLA Virtual Spring Conference being held on Thursday, April 25 and Friday, April 26, 2024.

Jason Reynolds is the best-selling author of numerous award-winning works spanning various genres, including but not limited to: picture books, early readers, graphic novels, YA Novels, poetry, short stories, and podcasts. His gift with words, and his sensitive reflections on relationships of every kind, allows readers to see the world through the eyes of his fully-fleshed characters who are, by turns, silly, exuberant, anxious, thoughtful, and brilliant. Readers feel like they are running on the team with the kids in his Track Series; exiting school with the kids in Look Both Ways: A Tale Told in Ten Blocks; exploring summer adventures with the family in As Brave as You, figuring out first jobs along with The Boy in the Black Suit; and thinking through the tough questions as we ride in the elevator Long Way Down. Reynolds’ generous, collaborative spirit with other authors and illustrators, allow his words and ideas to resonate with readers/thinkers of every age. We are dancing in the Schomburg Library when There Was a Party for Langston (Illustrated by Jerome Pumphrey and Jarrett Pumphrey), we are exploring the apartment building along with Stuntboy (Illustrated by Raúl the Third), we are teasing out the “unwelcome truths” in All American Boys (with Brendan Kiely), and feeling the struggle to breathe in Ain’t Burned All the Bright (with artwork by Jason Griffin). In addition to being the recipient of a Newbery Honor, a Printz Honor, an NAACP Image Award, and multiple Coretta Scott King honors, Reynolds has served as the 2020-2022 National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature.. He is on faculty at Lesley University, for the Writing for Young People MFA Program and lives in Washington, DC. More about the Author: https://www.jasonwritesbooks.com

The Catholic Library Association’s The St. Katharine Drexel Award was established in 1966 under the title Certificate of Merit and renamed in 2002. Presented by the Children and High School/Young Adult Library Services Section through the St. Katharine Drexel Award Committee, the St. Katharine Drexel Award recognizes an outstanding contribution to the growth of high school librarianship.

Eric A. Kimmel, beloved author of over 150 children’s books, is the 2024 recipient of the Regina Medal, the prestigious annual award given by the Catholic Library Association (CLA) for a “continued, distinguished contribution to children’s literature.”  The Regina Medal Award ceremony will take place during the CLA Conference on April 25-26, 2024.

Kimmel has written books for children of all ages.  He is perhaps most famous for his 1990 Caldecott Award Honor Book Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins. Growing up in Brooklyn, Kimmel could hear numerous languages spoken as he walked his neighborhood. His youth provided him with many experiences so he could better value getting to know people and the cultures that created them.

The Catholic Library Association is honored and privileged to be able to add the Regina Medal to Kimmel’s already extensive list of honors and awards. In addition to the Caldecott Honor, he is a five-time recipient of the National Jewish Book Award and was presented in 2008 with the Sydney Taylor Lifetime Achievement Award by the Association of Jewish Libraries. Various state school librarian associations have awarded him honors, including Iowa, Oklahoma, and Oregon.

Catholic school librarians may be particularly interested in The Lady in the Blue Cloak: Legend of the Texas Missions, which explores the history of these churches as well as many aspects of Catholic devotional life. This title received the June Franklin Naylor Award from the Daughters of the Republic of Texas in 2006 for best portrayal of Texas history for grades K-6. Another title of interest could be Brother Wolf, Sister Sparrow: Stories About Saints and Animals, which introduces readers to twelve saints and animals associated with them.

Ascension Press has been named the 2024 recipient of the Aggiornamento Award, the annual award given by the Catholic Library Association (CLA) “in recognition of an outstanding contribution made by an individual or an organization for the renewal of parish and community life in the spirit of Saint John XXIII (1881-1963).” The Aggiornamento Award ceremony will take place during the CLA Spring Conference on April 25-26, 2024.

Ascension Press has published and distributed religious books, magazines, brochures, and pamphlets that teach, encourage, and edify Catholics around the world. Perhaps Ascension Press is best known for its collaboration with Fr. Michael Schmitz, creating the podcasts The Bible in a Year and The Catechism in a Year, which numerous Catholics and non-Catholics alike have enjoyed throughout the world.

Accepting for Ascension Press is CEO Jonathan Strate. He first started at Ascension Press in 2014 as Director of Technology. He later became COO in 2017 and then CEO and owner in 2021. During his tenure, Ascension Press created new products such as The Great Adventure Catholic Bible, and Jesus: The Way, the Truth, and the Life, as well as expanding its evangelistic presence online.

Jonathan Strate lives in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia with his wife and six children. He is an active Catholic evangelist who prior to working at Ascension Press was very active in young adult ministry. He serves the archdiocese as a Knight of Columbus and a Knight of the Immaculata.

For more on Ascension Press: https://ascensionpress.com/

“Blessed be our God! Our sister, Phyllis Petre, has been called to an everlasting dwelling place with the saints at the age of 83. She died on December 12, 2023 in Buffalo, NY. Let us thank God for the gift of her life; let us thank Mary Our Mother for the gift of her service. Together, let us pray that she may rest in the peace of Christ.”

Online obituary, including a photo: https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/buffalonews/name/phyllis-petre-obituary?id=53862706