The Catholic Courier and its newly launched Spanish-language publication, El Mensajero Catolico, recently earned 19 awards from the Catholic Press and New York Press associations for work published during 2005.
The CPA, which represents more than 600 Catholic publications in the United States and Canada, presented the Courier and El Mensajero with 11 awards May 29 during its annual convention in Nashville, Tenn.
The NYPA, a trade organization representing the state’s non-daily community newspapers, presented the Courier with eight awards April 7-8 during its annual convention in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.
CPA — The Courier:
Best Local Retail Campaign: First place went to a series of advertisements created by staff designer Linda Jeanne Rivers on behalf of Stella Maris Retreat & Renewal Center.
“This was, visually, a very attractive ad series,” judges wrote.
Best Chart or Information Graphic: Second place for a map of the renovated Sacred Heart Cathedral by Rivers and Graphics Manager Matt Saxon. The judges described the map — which appeared in February in the Courier’s SHC commemorative booklet — as simple and straightforward.
“What elevates this to second place is the dual use of the key,” they wrote.
Individual Excellence — Writer/Editor: Second place went to Staff Writer Jennifer Burke for a portfolio of articles on stem-cell research, end-of-life issues, sacraments, miracles and Catholic dating Web sites.
“Jennifer Burke’s strong reporting, her choice of topics, her ability to keep the reader constantly in mind and her effort to be as useful as possible to the reader distinguish her work,” judges wrote.
Best Web Site: Third place went to the Courier’s Web site, www.catholiccourier.com, which judges said was “notable for its effort to build a complete archive of its articles, extending someday back to 1889.”
Best Seasonal Issue: Third place for the Courier’s Lenten-themed March issue.
“The result is a strong issue with a range of stories supporting its focus on Lent,” judges noted.
Best Front Page/Tabloid: The Courier earned an honorable mention for its January, February and March front pages.
Best News Writing on a Local/Regional Matter (circulation of 40,001 and above): Staff Writer Mike Latona earned an honorable mention for his November article about the consolidation of several urban parishes in Rochester.
CPA — El Mensajero:
General Excellence: Third place among Spanish-language publications went to El Mensajero for its mix of local, national and international news relevant to Hispanic Catholic readers.
“Local stories are well-written, and most of them have great pictures and catchy headlines. Local stories are relevant and brief, which makes them easy to read,” judges wrote. It is notable that this category is judged on the submission of three consecutive issues. With its October, 2005, launch as a monthly publication, El Mensajero had just three issues to submit.
Best Personality Profile: First place for Staff Writer Annette Jim√©nez’ profile of Connie Casta√±eda, a public official in Brockport.
“Jim√©nez, without editorializing, shows the challenges and achievements of this role model,” judges wrote.
Best In-Depth Analysis: First place went to Jim√©nez’ article about the evolution of diocesan ministry to Spanish-speaking Catholics, alongside the growth of the area Hispanic population.
“The theme of discrimination and the development of the text follows an orderly path that makes it an excellent piece,” judges noted.
Best Photo Story: Staff Photographer Mike Crupi earned an honorable mention for his photo essay on Rochester’s Puerto Rican Festival. The essay appeared in the inaugural October issue.
Also during the CPA convention, Burke’s October cover article about the church’s position on stem-cell research received an honorable mention from the National Right to Life Committee. Staff Writer Rob Cullivan’s October article about the famine in Niger also was highlighted for inclusion in a media kit distributed by Catholic Relief Services.
New York Press
Photographic Excellence — Division 4: First place went to the Courier for its overall use of photography.
“All of Mike Crupi’s photos are beautiful. The light, the details, the composition and the technical quality are all noteworthy,” judges wrote.
Picture Story — Division 4: First place for Crupi’s May photo essay on Catholic Family Center’s Catholic Youth Organization cheerleading tournament.
Picture Story — Division 4: Second place also went to Crupi, this time for his June photo essay about a CPA-sponsored tour of Poland.
Art Photo — Division 4: Second place for Crupi’s March photograph of sunlight shining through icicles.
“This photo made me think of hope with its rays of sunshine battling through the tentacles of ice,” judges noted.
Feature Photo — Division 4: Second place went to Crupi’s February photograph of a young Catholic-school student bowling.
“Great sense of time — photo lets you feel emotion of the young bowler,” judges wrote.
Best Small-Space Advertising Campaign: Second place for the series of advertisements Rivers created for Stella Maris Retreat and Renewal Center.
“Beautiful color! Great layout on all the ads — follows a similar look and theme throughout,” judges wrote.
Best Color Ad Created By the Newspaper — Division 4: Second place for an individual advertisement Rivers created for Stella Maris Retreat and Renewal Center.
“Good design decision with placement of text overlaying the photo,” judges noted.
Coverage of Health, Health Care and Science: The Courier took third place for a series of articles about such health-related topics as stem cells, AIDS, depression and end-of-life issues.
“Articles balance outside views on Catholic teachings and health with church doctrine (and) beliefs,” judges wrote.
