The Criterion is honored as nation’s best weekly Catholic newspaper
The cover of the November 24, 2023, issue of The Criterion is seen in this image. The coverage of the National Catholic Youth Conference in Indianapolis in that issue garnered the award for first place in the category "Best Reporting on a Special Age-Group--Children and Teens Younger than 18" by the Catholic Media Assocation of the United States and Canada. The Criterion was also honored by the organization as the best Catholic weekly newspaper for the second time in three years.
Criterion staff report
For the second time in three years, The Criterion won the highest award presented by the Catholic Media Association of the United States and Canada (CMA) for its work in 2023. It also won the award in 2021.
Judges honored the archdiocesan publication with the first-place award for the “Best Weekly Newspaper” at the annual CMA conference on June 21 in Atlanta.
“High-quality news coverage across the board, from reporting on local parish events, to essays, analysis, and a special section of reporting on the National Catholic Youth Conference,” judges wrote. “The paper makes efforts to reach across demographics of the readership, and the issues are consistently impressive.”
Staff members cited for their work by the CMA include Mike Krokos, John Shaughnessy, Sean Gallagher, Natalie Hoefer, Brandon A. Evans and Ann Lewis.
Archbishop Charles C. Thompson, who is the publisher of The Criterion, congratulated the staff for winning the best newspaper award for the second time in three years and added the recognition is well deserved.
“Our team is very committed to the newspaper’s evangelizing mission, and it is always affirming when they get recognition for their dedication and hard work,” Archbishop Thompson said.
“The award exemplifies the commitment that our newspaper’s staff brings to each issue about the power of Jesus Christ and the Catholic faith to inspire and transform lives,” Archbishop Thompson continued. “They work hard to deliver the good news of how Christ is alive and working through his Church in the people of the archdiocese.”
All told, The Criterion won 15 press awards from the CMA, Woman’s Press Club of Indiana (WPCI) and National Federation of Press Women (NFPW) for the 2023 calendar year.
CMA awards
The Criterion staff was awarded first place in the “Best Reporting on a Special Age-Group—Children and Teens Younger than 18” category for its coverage of the 2023 National Catholic Youth Conference in Indianapolis.
“Excellent writing, engaging graphic design and colorful pages make this a joy to read,” judges wrote. “The perfect entry that would be of interest to all ages, particularly young adults.”
Assistant editor John Shaughnessy won first place in the Best Feature Writing category for a weekly newspaper for “ ‘Amazing Grace’: From heartbreak and rage, woman answers God’s challenge with a remarkable promise.” The story focused on Page Zyromski and the friendship she developed with inmate Stephen Todd Booker, who had murdered Zyromski’s grandmother in 1977.
“An incredible story of forgiveness and faith portrayed with great emotion and detail,” judges wrote. “This story dives into the human condition. It’s well-written and well-reported.”
Reporter Natalie Hoefer was awarded third place in the “Best Photograph—National/International Event” for a photo she took of a National Catholic Youth Conference participant engaging in a phone conversation during its opening session.
“Enjoyable image that conveys the joy and captures the smiles of the subjects among the loud and large sea of people behind them. The clarity and focus of the photo is noteworthy,” judges wrote.
Shaughnessy also earned an honorable mention award in the “Best Reporting on a Special Age-Group—Young adults (18-40)” category for a series of three stories.
The stories included: “Young woman’s time with Christ leads to memorable moment for her husband, son”; “A time of defending the Blessed Mother leads to a renewed faith and a marriage”; and “An unlikely faith journey of 6,250 miles draws a young woman closer to Christ.”
“These three articles provide in-depth stories of engaging faith for a woman and her family as they celebrate Christian initiation; for a woman’s devotion to the Blessed Mother and the transformative effects on her life; and a Children’s Museum project featuring sacred spaces,” judges wrote. “Each is descriptive, containing a good story, good quotes and accompanying photos.”
Editorial writer Daniel Conway received an honorable mention award in the “Best Editorial on a National or International Issue—weekly newspaper,” for “A true Christian cannot be anti-Semitic,” which focused on the disturbing rise in anti-Semitism in the United States and in Europe in recent years.
WPCI awards
The recognition for work completed during the 2023 calendar year began in May when Hoefer was honored by the Woman’s Press Club of Indiana (WPCI). She garnered five first-place awards in the state competition. The first-place winners were:
—In-depth Reporting: “Mental Health and Wholeness” series.
—Specialty Articles/Religion: “St. Thomas More family wins Knights of Columbus International Family of the Year award.”
—Special Articles/History: “Hidden jewel St. Rita Church receives recognition.”
—Photographer/Writer: National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC) coverage.
—Feature Story, Print-based Newspaper: “David’s House helps marginalized find hope, joy.”
All of her WPCI first-place entries advanced to the NFPW national competition.
NFPW awards
Hoefer’s recognition from this national organization were:
—First Place—Photographer/writer for NCYC coverage.
—Second Place—Special Articles/History: “Hidden jewel St. Rita Church receives recognition.”
—Third Place—Feature Story, Print-based Newspaper: “David’s House helps marginalized find hope, joy.”
—Honorable Mention—Specialty Articles/Religion: “St. Thomas More family wins Knights of Columbus International Family of the Year award.” †
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