The Hawaii Catholic Herald took home nine* Catholic Press Association awards this year for work done in 2019.
The annual awards for those in U.S. and Canadian Catholic media were given out virtually on July 2 via a prerecorded video streamed on Facebook and YouTube. Normally the CPA announces the awards at the yearly Catholic Media Conference‘s concluding banquet, which was set to take place in Portland, Oregon, until COVID-19 canceled the in-person event.
Instead, the CPA organized a three-day virtual conference with Zoom workshops, regional roundtables and a Vatican keynote speakers panel. Pope Francis also sent a first-of-its-kind letter to the Catholic Media Conference.
“Indeed, the experience of these past months has shown how essential is the mission of the communications media for bringing people together, shortening distances, providing necessary information, and opening minds and hearts to truth,” the pope said.
“Media can be large or small, but in the Church these are not the categories that count,” he added. “In the Church we have all been baptized in the one Spirit and made members of the one body (cf. 1 Cor 12:13). As in every body, it is often the members who are smallest who, in the end, are those most necessary.”
There were 3,100 entries from across North America in this year’s CPA awards. Here’s what the Herald, the Diocese of Honolulu’s biweekly newspaper, won:
First Place
Best Reporting on the Celebration of a Sacrament, Non-Weekly Diocesan Newspaper, Circulation 25,000 or Less
For “Day of Great Joy,” package on the ordination of Fathers Romple Emwalu and Vincent Ahn Vu – Story by Patrick Downes, photos and video by Anna Weaver
The award recognizes “an article about one of the seven sacraments: baptism, confirmation, Eucharist, penance or reconciliation, anointing the sick, holy orders and matrimony. Judges will consider the reporter’s creativity and ability to tell a compelling story, as well as photographs, artwork or videos that accompany the article.”
Judge’s comment: “This article has stunning photos and is organized in a clear manner. The writing is descriptive and professional. The article draws in readers at every point and leads them through to the end.”
First Place
Best Reporting of Social Justice Issues: Life and Dignity of the Human Person
For “Making your end-of-life decisions in advance,” on Catholic advance health care directives – Story by Patrick Downes
The award recognizes “an article or column about one of the seven themes of Catholic social teaching.”
Judge’s comment: “Compelling, clear, and approachable writing on end-of-life care, a topic that is important to everyone. This entry stands out in a very crowded field for providing readers the information they need to know and consider when making care directives for themselves and their loved ones. Well done.”
Second Place
Best Layout of Article or Column, Non-Weekly Diocesan Newspaper, Circulation 25,000 or Less
For “What are your plans for Lent?”“What are your plans for Lent?” – Lenten section, Layout by Patrick Downes, Photo selection by Anna Weaver
The award “recognizes the best use of graphics, text and/or photography in a single article or column.”
Judge’s comment: “A clean, spare design well serves the subject matter of Lent, as does the purple color choice. Separating each story in a box allows the reader to easily pick their material, creating a handy “guide” for Lent that is thoughtful. The attached art sets a mood to accompany each piece, further creating the feel of a “guide.” Visually appealing.”
Second Place
Best Reporting of Social Justice Issues – Call to Family, Community and Participation
For “Families helping families,” on Family Promise program – Story and photos by Anna Weaver
The award recognizes “an article or column about one of the seven themes of Catholic social teaching.”
Judge’s comment: “Author’s ability to balance telling the story of this mission while connecting it to larger concepts in an eloquent way made this piece stand out.”
Second Place
Best Photograph — Holy Days/Liturgical Seasons
For “Scenes from Holy Week,” photo of Bishop Silva holding a candle at the cathedral’s Easter Vigil Mass, taken by Anna Weaver
The award is for a single photo in color or black and white, submitted both individually and in the context of the page it ran on.
Judge’s comment: Great job by the photographer to make a really nice image in a technically difficult lighting situation. It was also a nice story-telling moment.”
Third Place
Best Personality Profile – Non-Weekly Diocesan Newspaper, Circulation 25,000 or Less
For “A fighter turned believer,” Story and Photos by Patrick Downes
The award is for entries that “answer two questions: (1) Who is this person? and (2) Why does he/she make a
difference? Stories should have an eye for atmosphere and significant personal details, as well as stated beliefs
and accomplishments. Judges will consider the quality of writing and ability to convey through words a sense of
the whole person.”
Third Place
Best Reporting on a Special Age-Group: Children and Teens Younger than 18
For “The Child in All of Us,” about Catechesis of the Good Shepherd religious education program, Story and some photos by Anna Weaver, Other photos by Joan Hiel
The award is for a story, series, picture or special event. “Coverage should be of what members of the age group are doing, not simply of events.”
Judge’s comment: “This is a very interesting topic that could help many people all across the world who are trying to bring religious education to young children. Nice pictures to accompany the narrative, too. Great job of explaining a topic that is so practical.”
Third Place
N537a: Best Feature Writing – Non-Weekly Diocesan Newspaper, Circulation 25,000 or Less
For “The Parish Pantry,” by Patrick Downes, on local parish food pantries and programs.
The award is for “stories covering a group, trend or event of general interest, not “hard” or breaking news. Story
should exhibit thorough reporting, but should be distinguished by the quality of its writing, its accessibility, and
its human-interest value.”
Honorable Mention
Best Annual Report – (Arch) Diocesan Finances
For “Diocesan Stewardship Report,” by Patrick Downes
The award is for 2019 reports that show “accomplishments in the previous year (calendar year or fiscal year), showing accountability for proper use of resources and services offered to the larger community.”
*Due to a CPA program error, the Hawaii Catholic Herald learned it received an additional award in feature writing after this story was first published.