April 6, 2018 at 1:53 p.m.
CATHOLIC PRESS ASSOCIATION
The Evangelist wins eight national journalism awards
The awards were handed out at the annual convention of the Catholic Press Association, which represents Catholic newspapers and magazines. The convention was held last week in Buffalo.
There are more than 200 Catholic newspapers and magazines in the country. The Evangelist, the second-largest newspaper in the Capital Region and the area's largest weekly newspaper, is mailed every week to about 36,000 homes in the Albany Diocese. (To add subscriptions, call 518-453-6688 or email [email protected].)
The CPA awards, which were judged by journalists from both the religious and secular press, were given for material that appeared during 2014.
AWARDS
The Evangelist won eight CPA prizes:
• first place in the category of "best regular column by a bishop or archbishop" for the last few columns penned by Bishop Emeritus Howard J. Hubbard before his successor was installed;
• second place for individual excellence as an editor for Kate Blain (individual excellence award categories combine entries from Catholic newspapers, magazines, newsletters and Spanish-language publications throughout North America);
• first place for individual excellence as a writer for Angela Cave;
• first place in the category of "best feature photo story" for photographer Nate Whitchurch's coverage of "Nativity scenes," the dress rehearsal for a Christmastime nativity pageant at St. Michael's parish in Cohoes;
• second place in the category of "best news photo story" for Mr. Whitchurch's coverage of a confirmation ceremony at Great Meadow Correctional Facility in Comstock;
• honorable mention in the category of "best multiple-picture package" for Mr. Whitchurch's photo story on the Diocese's Black Apostolate celebrating its 30th anniversary;
• third place in the category of "best seasonal issue" for The Evangelist's Dec. 18, 2014, Christmas issue; and
• honorable mention for "best regular column on family life" for columns by freelance contributor Bernadette Bonanno.
JUDGES' REMARKS
The judges called Bishop Emeritus Hubbard's columns "strong, well-written columns on topics of widespread interest - the Common Core standards, world hunger and Bishop Hubbard's retirement. The Bishop addressed the first two topics with factual information, Church and biblical references and practical suggestions. In the third column, he focused on the chrism liturgy to welcome his successor and issue a farewell -- both, in the context of the sacraments that use the holy oil."
Regarding editor Kate Blain, the judges cited "her dedication to the paper and her hard work over the years. She is responsible for the layout and editing of the paper, which is superior. Additionally, she writes feature articles for the paper and is dedicated to providing up-to-date news to her readership. The columns she writes and the overall papers are strong. Editors who roll up their shirtsleeves and report always win over their newsrooms. Kate Blain not only provides outstanding leadership of her publication (as seen by her management of a tough deadline with the naming of a new bishop), but she takes on the deadline coverage herself."
Former staff writer Angela Cave, who has moved on to a position in New York City, received kudos for the "really great variety" of her articles, including in-depth biographies about members in the community and an analysis of cell phone use in churches: "Some of us either do something in great quantity, or do something of great quality, but rarely do we do both. The submitted stories demonstrate great care as a reporter and amazing creativity."
Photographer Nate Whitchurch was complimented repeatedly for his three awards: The judges said his coverage of a confirmation ceremony for prison inmates was a "nicely-told story with compelling photographs," and that he captured the Black Apostolate's 30th anniversary celebration at St. Joan of Arc parish in Menands with "nice variety" of "well-lit" photos with "good composition." His first-place coverage of a rehearsal for the Christmas pageant at St. Michael's parish in Cohoes was deemed "far different than the usual Nativity play photos...much more compelling to see the children getting ready and some in their candid moments." The judges said the photo spread "makes one feel like they are seeing a real parish event taking shape. The photographs were nicely done, and the photographer captured some really nice moments."
The Evangelist's Christmas issue received high praise from the judges: "[A] very well put together Christmas issue, from the wonderful front-page combination of a Bishop's message, Scriptures and pictures of children taking part in a Christmas pageant (including three of the cutest angels heaven could offer) to inside stories, including one parish's 'Undie Sunday,' when underwear was donated for the homeless, and a warm reflection of a Christmas when a needy family found someone even more needy."
The remarks referred to Bishop Edward B. Scharfenberger's first Christmas message to the Diocese; photos of the Nativity play at St. Michael's parish in Cohoes; underwear collections for the needy by St. Vincent's parish in Albany, St. Lucy/St. Bernadette in Altamont and St. Madeleine Sophie in Schenectady; and a reflection contributed by parishioner William Daubney of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Albany on giving up his Christmas gifts in 1953 to give ice skates to a child in need.
Bernadette Bonanno of St. Mary's parish in Albany has contributed several perspective pieces on family life to The Evangelist, and the judges noted her "sense of humor and human insight," saying: "Even the headlines -- 'Devil on my shoulder' and 'An "I Love Lucy" Christmas' -- make one smile and want to read further. And then the reader finds himself/herself thinking more about the lessons inherent in each story."
Read the winning articles and see more winning photos at www.evangelist.org. [[In-content Ad]]
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