Catholic New York Earns Newspaper of the Year Honor

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Catholic New York was cited as a Newspaper of the Year winner, and also received a dozen other writing, photography, layout and Spanish-language honors in the annual awards competition of the Catholic Press Association of the United States and Canada.

The awards were presented at the closing banquet of the annual Catholic Media Conference in St. Petersburg, Fla., June 21.

Catholic New York placed third in the Newspaper of the Year category for nonweekly publications with circulations of 25,001 or more. The judges said the biweekly newspaper “provides insightful journalism into issues (facing) the archdiocese and its parishioners, with extensive stories about the faithful and the clergy accompanied by thoughtful commentary on issues facing the Church.”

It was the first time since 2016 Catholic New York was selected for one of the top honors.

Cardinal Dolan received second-place honors for his “To Whom Shall We Go?” column, a perennial favorite. “Powerful, well-organized storytelling that leaves readers with important messages. The Way of the Cross column was especially outstanding,” the judges said.

The “Editor’s Report” column by John Woods placed first for General Commentary. The judges cited the column’s “likeable style that pulls the reader into the story” and also said the “style, insight and connection of the topic to faith make each column a joy to read.”

In Reporting on the Celebration of a Sacrament, news editor Christie L. Chicoine and photographer Maria R. Bastone placed first for a front-page story about a street Mass in Manhattan on a searing Sunday afternoon. “The writer uses excellent sensory detail to put the reader at the Mass of which she writes,” the judges said. “There is excellent reporting, interviewing and using just the right quotes and moments in the Mass to present.”

Mary DeTurris Poust’s columns placed third in the Spiritual Life category, and the judges remarked that she “opens herself up in her columns to…reveal her own spirit (and) to let us find the Spirit in our lives.”

Mary Ann Poust placed third for her Editorial on a National/International Issue for “Reckoning for Offensive Words,” which the judges called “very well argued.”

In Spanish-language awards, reporter Armando Machado took second place for Reporting on a Local Issue for a four-page section of stories about the Encuentro V in the Archdiocese of New York. “This collection of stories from Catholic New York is superior including historical background and interviews, as well as the conclusions and challenges identified by attendees,” the judges said.

An award for Layout of an Article or Column went to production manager and graphic artist Leah Bossio for a two-page package about the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. “The variety in the photographs and the balance in the design make this an effective, attractive package,” the judges said.

CNY photographers also did well, picking up five awards.

Three were earned by Mary DiBiase Blaich, who received first-place honors for Multiple Picture Package-Sports for photos of the CYO cheerleading championships. The judges said she “included a nice collection of images that gave a sense of what the event was like. A nice variety of action and reaction.”

She was also recognized for second- and third-place entries in the Photo Story-Feature category. One illustrated a visit by a guide dog to Our Lady of Good Counsel School on Staten Island and the other showed a benefit concert at Our Lady Star of the Sea Church on Staten Island by a choir from Kingston, Jamaica.

Ms. Bastone took second place in the Feature Photo category for her “Buddy Bench” image from Our Lady of Mount Carmel School in Elmsford. “A sweet, touching moment,” the judges said. “Excellent anticipation by the photographer in capturing a fleeting moment to capture this story in an impactful way.”

She also combined with photographers Chris Sheridan and Nate Whitchurch to deliver a comprehensive spread of Holy Week photos from around the archdiocese, which received an honorable mention for Photo Story-News.