Criterion staff honored for excellence in journalism
The Criterion’s coverage of the National Catholic Youth Conference in Indianapolis last November won third place in best reporting on special age group, children and teenagers, in the Catholic Press Association’s (CPA) 2013 awards competition.
Criterion staff report
Staff members of The Criterion were recently honored for excellence in journalism by three organizations.
The recognition included awards from the Catholic Press Association (CPA), the Knights of Columbus and the Society for the Propagation of the Faith.
Assistant editor John Shaughnessy and staff writers Sean Gallagher and Natalie Hoefer each won individual awards from the CPA, and the staff was honored for its coverage of the National Catholic Youth Conference in Indianapolis last November.
The CPA awards that staff members won include:
Third place—Best Reporting on Special Age Group, children and teenagers, for the staff’s coverage of the National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC) in Indianapolis last November.
The “ ‘Signed. Sealed. Delivered.’ ” package, published in the Nov. 29, 2013, issue, featured in-depth staff coverage of the three-day gathering of 23,000 young people.
“Quality and wide-ranging coverage of the National Catholic Youth Conference,” judges wrote.
Third place—Best Reporting on Special Age Group, young adults, for a series of stories that Shaughnessy wrote about how young Catholics are getting involved in the Church.
Judges wrote, “Rather than lecturing, showing young Catholics in action in ‘Operation Leftover’ brings your readers into the story of life and faith.”
Honorable Mention—Individual Excellence, writer. Shaughnessy was recognized for his work in The Criterion.
“An excellent news writer who is performing an excellent service for his readers,” judges wrote.
Honorable Mention—Best Feature Story, for a story that Hoefer wrote “Hurt, help and hope: Couples seek support, healing after suffering miscarriage, stillbirth and early infant loss.”
“Story is full of excellent quotes, insights and information for those struggling with miscarriages and stillborn deliveries,” judges wrote.
Honorable Mention—Best Original Poetry, for poems that Hoefer wrote about “Divine Mercy’s Gift; What Marriage Is; and Christ the King.”
Judges wrote, “Among three beautiful poems is a definition of ‘marriage.’ ”
Honorable Mention—Best Regular Column on Family Life, for Gallagher’s monthly “Faith and Family” column.
“Good headlines,” judges wrote. “Beginning with the personal as a means to illustrate a deeper point is effective.”
Shaughnessy also received a second place award from the international Knights of Columbus organization in its annual Father Michael J. McGivney awards competition, which honors stories that highlight unique volunteer efforts.
Published in April of 2013, “An unusual course of faith: Golfer hopes ‘fore’ support during cross-country journey for student scholarships,” focused on 24-year-old Luke Bielawski’s effort to hit a golf ball from California to South Carolina to raise $100,000 for Providence Cristo Rey High School in Indianapolis.
Shaughnessy was also recognized as a 2013 Archbishop Edward T. O’Meara journalism award winner for outstanding world mission news coverage.
He won honorable mention in the Society for the Propagation of the Faith’s “interview with missionaries” category for his story “Learning a Lesson in Love: Sisters grow in lives of faith through missionary service around the world.”
The story, published last November, featured Erin and Lauren Gahimer of SS. Francis and Clare of Assisi Parish in Greenwood and their missionary work overseas.
The awards are named for the late Archbishop O’Meara, who served as the national director of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith from 1966 to 1979 and was shepherd of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis from 1979 to 1992. The society is responsible for informing Catholics about the Church’s worldwide mission and advising them of ways they can participate in that mission.
“It’s an honor that our staff has been recognized for their commitment to bringing the readers of The Criterion some of the best Catholic journalism in the country,” said Greg Otolski, associate publisher of The Criterion. “Whether it’s news reporting, feature writing or commentary, our reporters and columnists work hard and deliver each week at telling the good news of how Jesus Christ is alive and working through his Church in the people of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis.” †
