The Criterion honored as nation’s best weekly Catholic newspaper
The Criterion received the first-place national award for the Best Weekly Newspaper with a staff of six or more people from the Catholic Media Association of the United States and Canada during its annual conference on July 7 in Portland.
Criterion staff report
For the first time in its history, The Criterion won the highest award presented by the Catholic Media Association of the United States and Canada (CMA) for its work in 2021.
Judges honored the archdiocesan publication with the first-place national award for the “Best Weekly Newspaper with a staff of six or more” people during the annual CMA conference on July 7 in Portland, Ore.
“I like the vibrant, youthful feel of this newspaper! Even aside from the special coverage of NCYC [the National Catholic Youth Conference] there is a lot of coverage of youth and young families, and the cover photos exude youthfulness and energy—very positive!” judges wrote. “The format is welcoming [portable]. There is a good variety of news and opinion.”
Staff members cited for their work by the CMA include Mike Krokos, John Shaughnessy, Sean Gallagher, Natalie Hoefer, Brandon A. Evans and Ann Lewis.
Archbishop Charles C. Thompson, who is the publisher of The Criterion, congratulated the staff for winning the best newspaper award and noted the work of the Catholic press is needed now more than ever.
“Our culture needs the voice provided by our staff and other Catholic journalists. Their mission includes spreading the good news of the Gospel, and these powerful and transforming stories are often overlooked by the secular media,” said Archbishop Thompson. “We’re grateful to be able to serve the people of central and southern Indiana by reporting on the local Church, as well as bringing them news of the Church from around the world.”
All told, The Criterion won 20 press awards from the CMA, Woman’s Press Club of Indiana (WPCI) and National Federation of Press Women (NFPW) for the 2021 calendar year.
CMA awards
Staff writer Natalie Hoefer was awarded first place in the “Best Personality Profile—weekly newspaper with a staff of six or more,” for her article, “Advocate with Down syndrome promotes employment for ‘friends like me.’ ” The story focused on Mark Hublar, a member of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish in New Albany, who is a motivational speaker advocating for employment of those with disabilities.
“The writer does an excellent job of conveying their subject’s humility and grace,” judges wrote. “Employing the perfect amount of secondary sources gives the personality profile added dimension.”
Assistant editor John Shaughnessy won a first-place award for “Best Sports Journalism—Sports Feature or Column” for his story, “Faith, family and Seton community help small school star live his NBA dream.”
The article profiled Desmond Bane, a Richmond native and graduate of Seton Catholic High School in Richmond, and his journey to playing professional basketball for the Memphis Grizzlies.
“Very compelling story and well-written profile. Great work by the writer of capturing Bane’s humility, faith and focus and dedication to his family,” judges noted. “Especially enjoyed the anecdote of Bane returning to his old neighborhood to play hoops with neighborhood kids. These moments are defining.”
In the same category, Shaughnessy also captured second place for his sports column, “A special Father’s Day gift comes with a catch—from God.”
The piece reflected on the gift of a baseball glove given to the author by his children on Father’s Day and the lifetime of memories it brought back.
“Absolutely loved this column,” a judge wrote. “The descriptive personal writing brought out an array of emotions in me, the reader. The simple baseball glove and how it can create memories that last a lifetime. Kudos, Mr. Shaughnessy, for the trip down memory lane.”
Hoefer was awarded third place for Best Reporting of Social Justice Issues—Call to Family, Community and Participation, for her story “Hispanic Family Camp offers ‘a chance to encounter Jesus’ and improve families,’ ” which focused on a camping event in Brown County for Spanish-speaking Catholics.
“The story was unique and well written,” judges said. “I enjoyed reading about the camp and the participants’ faith formation.”
Shaughnessy received third place recognition in the “Best Personality Profile—weekly newspaper with a staff of six or more,” for his story, “Even a frightening threat didn’t stop Joan Hess from sharing God’s light in people’s darkness.” It highlighted the outreach the retiring director of Catholic Charities Tell City provided to residents of the southwestern Indiana town for many years.
“This is a well-drawn portrayal of how one woman made a specific difference,” judges noted. “The writer’s use of significant detail about the ways God moved in this woman’s work help build the picture of her attitude toward helping others.”
Shaughnessy also earned a third place award in the “Best Reporting on a Special Age-Group—Senior Citizen” category for his story “Bill Farney refuses to slow down, setting a pace to make the most of his life.” The piece profiled the 90-year-old volunteer, a member of St. Pius X Parish in Indianapolis, who continues to give back to the community.
“This is a beautifully written piece that captures the servant’s heart of the subject,” judges noted. “This piece is informative and fun to read while revealing the subject’s dedication to service and zest for life and sharing his life with others.”
Shaughnessy also received third place recognition for “Best Reporting on a Special-Age Group—Young adults ages 18-40” category for his series, “Finding a Home, Living the Faith.”
The stories included: “The coolest thing”: ‘In a life of adventures, a young woman finds the best place to savor her great joys,’ ” a feature on the faith journey of Tekla Bidwell, a member of St. Jude Parish in Indianapolis; “I could trust everything with him”: ‘A mother’s advice and the eyes of faith help a young adult find his path to God,’” a profile of Saul Llasca, who leads the archdiocese’s Office of Hispanic Ministry; and “Why are You Catholic?”: A question leads a couple to a deeper bond with Christ, the Church and each other,” an article about Sean and Paige Hussey and how faith has become the centerpiece of their marriage.
“Beautiful stories that show the importance of knowing why you are Catholic and how your faith plays a part in your life,” judges said.
Editor Mike Krokos received a third-place award in the “Best Editorial on a National or International Issue—weekly newspaper with a staff of six or more,” for “Words and our response to ongoing civil rest,” which reflected on the Jan. 6, 2021, storming of the U.S. Capitol in Washington.
“While occasionally given over to cliché,” the judges wrote, “this ethos-driven appeal to civility makes an insightful case for personal conversion as one solution to the broad problems of American partisanship.”
In the same category, editorial writer Daniel Conway received honorable mention recognition for his piece “The path to unity, one step at a time.” The editorial reflected on how deeply divided the Church in the U.S. was at the beginning of 2021 and how it needed to work to find the common ground that Catholics—and all Americans—could build on in troubled times.
Hoefer received honorable mention recognition in the “Best Regular Column—Spiritual Life” category for her monthly column “Love’s Litmus.”
Freelancer Katie Rutter, who is a member of St. Charles Borromeo Parish in Bloomington and does work for The Criterion and other Catholic organizations, received Honorable Mention for “Best Reporting on Vocations to Priesthood, Religious Life or Diaconate—Series” with Catholic News Service staffer Carol Zimmerman for their package on vocations during the COVID-19 pandemic.
WPCI awards
The recognition for work completed during the 2021 calendar year began in June when Hoefer was honored by the Woman’s Press Club of Indiana (WPCI). She garnered five first-place awards and a second-place award in the state competition. The first-place winners were:
• Special Articles—History: “One-room Navilleton schoolhouse museum brings memories of the past to life;”
• Special Articles—Religion: “Parish secretaries across the archdiocese serve people of God as ‘ministers of presence’ ”;
• Columns—Informational: “Love’s Litmus,” two entries: “Acts of kindness offer hope in sorrow,” and “Couple’s actions and attitude show love is not resentful;”
• Photographer-writer: contributed five articles and 10 photos to team coverage of National Catholic Youth Conference;
• Special Articles—Education: “Schools find ‘grace to tackle, move forward’ from pandemic challenges.”
All of her WPCI first-place entries advanced to the NFPW national competition.
Hoefer’s second-place WPCI entry was:
• Personality Profile: “Advocate with Down syndrome promotes employment for ‘friends like me.’ ”
NFPW awards
Hoefer’s recognition from this national organization were:
• Third Place—Columns, Informational: “Love’s Litmus,” two entries: “Acts of kindness offer hope in sorrow,” and “Couple’s actions and attitude show love is not resentful.”
• Honorable Mention—Photographer-writer: contributed five articles and 10 photos to team coverage of National Catholic Youth Conference.
• Honorable Mention—Specialty Articles, History: “One-room Navilleton schoolhouse museum brings memories of the past to life.” †
