Clarion Herald wins 16 awards from the Catholic Media Association

By the Clarion Herald

The Clarion Herald won 16 national awards, including seven for first place, at the annual Catholic Media Association (CMA) Conference, held virtually June 8-10.

In addition to those national awards, Clarion Herald editor Peter Finney Jr. received the Cardinal John P. Foley Award, presented to a member of the Catholic media who demonstrated excellence and innovation in Catholic storytelling on various media platforms, including, but not limited to, video, podcasts, photo spreads, blogs or a multimedia melding of platforms. (See story)

The Clarion Herald’s award-winning entries can be viewed online here.

The seven first-place awards were as follows:

► Best Video Panel Discussion: NOLA Catholic Parenting, by associate editor Christine Bordelon: “How COVID has affected Catholic education” (bit.ly/3xeQVau); and “The pain of miscarriage” (bit.ly/3wgCdQh).

The judges wrote: "Christine Bordelon is excellent. She has a real gift for this. 'On Miscarriages' is so well done. 1 in 4 pregnancies end this way; silent grief; faith angles; anon. It's just inspirational. It pulls you in and keeps you there. And everyone could learn from it. It's like you're there; listening to and discussing something the whole world should hear."

► Best Multimedia Package: Violence in Our Communities, by Finney, “‘Enough is enough’: Are we our brother’s keeper?” (bit.ly/3ix9iDy).

The judges wrote: "The package brings together multimedia elements to allow the reader to engage with the information from different access points, and thus it succeeds in meeting its goal. The elements fit together well and avoid redundancy whilst being woven together in a cogent way. Nice job."

►  Best Podcast on Topical News: NOLA Catholic Parenting, by Bordelon: “How the pandemic is affecting children’s mental health (bit.ly/3wdzmI3); “The pain of miscarriage” (bit.ly/35af5He); “How COVID has changed education” (bit.ly/3iCM1A7).

The judges wrote: "What sets the NOLA Catholic Parenting Podcast apart from the other great entries in this category is its ease in achieving a good balance of science and belief. The podcast features deeply personal discussions where topics are properly introduced and integrated to faith."

►  Best Regular Column on the Pandemic by Finney, “John Barry: First, last and always, tell the truth” (bit.ly/3gorkFw); “Deacon Durr: God has kept me here for a reason” (bit.ly/3pKNW7s); “Healing touch in the midst of the pandemic” (bit.ly/2TieNvt).

The judges wrote: "Peter Finney produced rich work in his coverage of COVID for the Clarion Herald. He brought us a priest who moved from the local Jesuit High to the front lines with great details of the priest's battles such as bringing cotton swabs with holy oil. He also introduced readers to a Tulane University professor and a deacon battling on the front lines. Great writing for great people and great stories."

►  Best Reporting on Children and Teens Younger than 18 by Kids’ Clarion editor and Clarion Herald staff writer Beth Donze: “St. Charles Borromeo launches ‘Operation Christian’ to blanket military men and women in prayer” (bit.ly/3xdO2qB); “St. Matthew the Apostle students enlarge ‘green footprint’ at Spillway” (bit.ly/3cyPQCD); “Christian Brothers’ City Park garden cultivates green thumbs” (bit.ly/3iwL9Nk); “Fr. Tompson’s ‘dream school’ celebrates its first med student” (bit.ly/3gnaXJf); “Written with love: Card ministry at St. Rita, N.O., fosters connectivity” (bit.ly/3ghYpEl).

The judges wrote: "What a bright and creative layout! This series of articles is packed with festive photos and a variety of heartwarming topics. The colorful and unique formatting is eye-catching and fun!"


►  Best Feature Writing by a Diocesan Newspaper, “Honey ministry lends ‘sweet’ note to abbey life,” by Donze (bit.ly/3xdVFxb).

The judges wrote: "This is a very interesting topic. I think everyone would learn something from this article, and not just about beekeeping and honey making. This is an uplifting story that would draw in a reader from outside the faith. The sources quoted in the article really make great connections between their honey processing activities and their church work, which is something many people could learn to do and understand. Really great work!"

►  Best Print Special Supplement: Mommy & Me (bit.ly/3v7RgKV), designed by Clarion Herald art director Cheryl Dejoie-LaCabe.

The judges wrote: "Beautiful design. Timely and good articles. Great overall piece."

The Clarion Herald won second-place awards for:

►  Best Blog on Topical News: “Loving thy neighbor,” by Jenny Dendinger (bit.ly/3gtISjx); “Time to clean house,” by Ty Salvant (bit.ly/2TMQR3l); “With patience emerges beauty,” by Ana Borden (bit.ly/3wfC13J); “Learning acceptance,” by Kristen Bourgeois (bit.ly/3cxOhF3); and “Marriage in the time of corona,” by Casey Sprehe (bit.ly/3vcSFja). 

►  Best Diocesan Catholic Directory (2019-20), coordinated by Jonelle Foltz and Dejoie-LaCabe.

There were four third-place awards:

►  Best Regular Column on Family Life by Dr. Heather Bozant Witcher, “Our twins’ milestones remind me of the sheer gift of life” (bit.ly/3zlwBGe); “If COVID has taught us anything, it is to care for others” (bit.ly/3xc3Rht); “Class of 2020: You will get through this experience” (bit.ly/3ivoQYn).

►  Best SIngle Color Ad Originating with the Publication: Second Harvest Food Bank, by Dejoie-LaCabe and MJ Cahill.







►  Best Regular Column on Racial Inequities, “To change racism we need to transform our racial perceptions,” by Don Boucree (bit.ly/3gtARLg); “Church has battled, been marred by the stain of racism,” by Josephite Father Anthony Bozeman (bit.ly/3vfEkCF); and “Race barriers can shatter with common cause,” by Kevin Fitzpatrick (bit.ly/3gcwQvV).


►  Best Feature Photo Story: “Mr. Mardi Gras” and “Mr. Manresa,” by Finney.

Receiving honorable mention recognition were:

►  Best Freestanding Video Panel Discussion: NOLA Catholic Parenting, by Bordelon.

►  Best Feature Writing: “You just can’t stop the music at Mater Dolorosa,” by Donze (bit.ly/3cyF4fs).

►  Best Reporting on the Life and Dignity of the Human Person: “Faith leaders call for an end to solitary confinement,” by Donze (bit.ly/2Tin5U7).

Finney’s five entries submitted for the Cardinal Foley Award nomination were “‘The Pharmacist’: Crusader for life” (bit.ly/3gaT0OZ); “A candid conversation: ‘Where do we go from here?” (bit.ly/3goxV2v); “Even in death, their 70-year marriage stayed on track” (bit.ly/3gctHML); “Mr. Holland’s Masterpiece: Resurrecting a life” (bit.ly/3gewFQV); “‘Mr. Mardi Gras’ and ‘Mr. Manresa’” (bit.ly/358fcmD).

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