The Catholic Courier and El Mensajero Católico recently earned a total of 22 awards from the Catholic Press Association for work published during 2013.
The Catholic Press Association, which represents Catholic publications in the United States and Canada, presented the awards June 20 during its annual convention in Charlotte, N.C.
Catholic Courier awards
The Courier won the following awards:
* Best Freestanding Online/Multi-Media Presentation of Photo Gallery or Slide Show: The Courier‘s staff swept this category, earning first-, second- and third-place awards as well as an honorable mention. Photo Editor Mike Crupi won first place for his Aug. 8, 2013, audio slideshow, "Camp allows emotional, spiritual growth," about the camp experience at Camp Stella Maris in Livonia.
"Very nice slide show telling the story of an extended event," the judges remarked.
Crupi also took second place for his April 29, 2013, audio slideshow, "Students give Locks of Love," which chronicled the experiences of several students at Siena Catholic Academy in Brighton as they donated their hair to Locks of Love.
"Nice slide show telling a touching story of a one-time event," the judges said.
Former Staff Photographer Tamara Tirado earned third place for "Triduum and Easter in the diocese," in which she documented some of the Triduum and Easter 2013 events at six parishes throughout the diocese.
"Some nice photos, evocative of the moment," the judges wrote.
Crupi also received an honorable mention for his Sept. 11, 2013, audio slideshow, "School, community mark 9/11 anniversary," in which he documented a Sept. 11 remembrance service at St. Agnes School in Avon.
"A fresh topic, handled well," the judges remarked.
* Best Photo Story Originating With a Newspaper: Crupi earned first place for "Harvesting fall’s bounty," a series of five photographs depicting migrant workers picking apples at a Brockport orchard.
"Tightly photographed, well edited. The story unfolded without a lot of distracting images," judges said.
* Best Seasonal Issue: The Courier’s staff earned first place for the newspaper’s March 2013 Faith & Family section, which included more than a dozen articles about Lent and the sacrament of penance.
"First sentence sets the tone of explaining Lent and penance aided by sidebars that touch on all questions readers might have especially that this includes priests, confidentiality and terns (sic). Very comprehensive," the judges remarked.
The Courier’s staff also earned an honorable mention for the newspaper’s December 2013 Advent-themed Faith & Family section.
"Main story touches on a major concern and other stories offer tips on celebrating the true meaning of the season — giving trees and charity appeals. Especially useful was dealing with grief at this time of year," the judges said.
* Best News Writing Originating With the Paper on a Local or Regional Event: Staff Writer Amy Kotlarz won second place for her November 2013 story about measures diocesan parishes are taking to prevent fraud.
"A forward looking spin on a difficult topic after several instances of fraud. Stories offered positive solutions without glossing over the harm that was done," the judges said.
* Best Coverage of the Papal Transition — Pope Francis’ election and the transition process: The Courier‘s staff earned third place for the newspaper’s papal-transition coverage in the April 2013 issue.
"The priceless behind-the-scenes story provides an intimate portrait of the Cardinal who would be pope," the judges said.
* Best Analysis/Background/Round-Up News Writing: The Gerard E. Sherry Award: Staff Writer Mike Latona received an honorable mention for his November 2013 story about President John F. Kennedy and his influence on Catholic politicians.
* Best Electronic Newsletter: The Courier’s staff earned an honorable mention for the weekly "Catholic Courier eNews." (Readers can sign up for this free newsletter by sending an e-mail to LatestNews@CatholicCourier.com.)
"Graphics make Catholic Courier an inviting read," the judges said.
* Best Multimedia Package for News: The Courier’s staff received an honorable mention for its online package, titled "Diocese receives new bishop." Posted on Nov. 6, 2013, this package brought together stories, videos and photo galleries about Pope Francis’ appointment that day of Bishop Salvatore R. Matano as ninth Bishop of Rochester, his introduction to the people of the diocese and his first Mass at Sacred Heart Cathedral.
"Nicely organized additional online/digital content," the judges wrote.
El Mensajero awards
El Mensajero won the following awards:
* Best Lead Article: Staff Writer Annette Jiménez won first place for August 2013 articles about literacy efforts in Rochester and the Brockport Migrant Education Program.
"A practically perfect lead article. Good quotes, extensive background research and a feel-good angle, despite all of the problems faced by the children," the judges remarked.
* Best Coverage of Immigration: Jiménez earned first place for her coverage of local immigration issues.
"Comprehensive, aggressive, sensitive coverage of national politics and policy, dubious local enforcement practices, services provided by the diocese and other agencies, immigrants living and serving, and volunteers supporting immigrants and reform. Tremendous," the judges wrote.
* Individual Excellence: Jiménez won first place for a body of work from 2013.
"From Annette Jiménez, we learn so much not only about the church but about Rochester, about poverty, about how we can help one another," the judges said.
* Best Photograph — Best Feature Photo: Tirado won first place for "Misa para la sanacion" ("Mass for healing"), which depicted Father Bob Werth anointing a child during a bilingual healing Mass.
"What a wonderful image. The look in the child’s eyes (and) the connection to the priest. The photographer captured the decisive moment of an emotional event," the judges remarked.
* General Excellence — Publication: El Mensajero earned second place in this category.
"Many of the articles have useful information for readers. It remains a newspaper that would interest me even if I were not Catholic because of the community news. Coverage for the immigration issue was well planned," the judges wrote.
* Best News Writing Originating With the Publication — Local/Regional Event: Jiménez won second place for her March 2013 article, "Se enfocan en cuidado de ninos" ("Focus on child care"), about the need for child-care subsidies for low-income families.
"Great example of a story that can grow immensely through the use of poignant quotes," the judges wrote.
* Best In-Depth Analysis: Jiménez earned second place for her April 2013 article, "Programa ayuda a estudiantes sin casas" ("Program helps homeless students"), about the Rochester City School District’s program for homeless students.
"Informative and certainly useful for readers," the judges said.
* Best Online/Multi-Media Presentation of Visuals: Crupi earned second place for "La liga hispana empieza la temporada de beisbol" ("Hispanic baseball league kicks off season"). This package about the Rochester Hispanic Youth Baseball League combined audio, video and still photos.
"Great editing job, taking full advantage of all tools," the judges said.
* Best Newspaper Website: The staff earned third place for the paper’s bilingual website, es.elmensajerorochester.com.
"Good movement and use of video make this an appealing web presence," the judges remarked.
* Best Multiple Picture Package Originating With the Newspaper — Feature: Crupi received an honorable mention for "Misa honra a Nuestra Senora de la Providencia" (Mass honors Our Lady of Providencia"), which documented a Mass celebrating the feast day of Our Lady of Providencia, the patroness of Puerto Rico.
"Main photo was very nice," the judges said.
