The Catholic Spirit received 12 awards, including an honorable mention for Newspaper of the Year, from the Catholic Press Association June 15 at the Catholic Media Convention in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
The Catholic Spirit’s honorable mention for Newspaper of the Year recognized its excellence among non-weekly newspapers with circulations of 25,001 or higher.
Catholic Spirit photographer Dave Hrbacek also received an honorable mention for Photographer of the Year.
Other awards The Catholic Spirit received among non-weekly newspapers with circulations of 25,001 or higher included:
- First place for best in-depth new or special reporting for “Switching sexes? Transgender ideology and the Church” by Jonathan Liedl.
- First place for best reporting on senior citizens for “Shot down: WWII vet recalls ordeal inside German prison camp” by Dave Hrbacek.
- First place for best feature photo story for “Into the north woods: Catholic Youth Camp” by Dave Hrbacek.
- First place for best reporting on vocations for “Priesthood ordination” by The Catholic Spirit staff.
- First place for best coverage of pro-life issues for “Cathedral baby” by Maria Wiering, “Sidewalk counselor” by Dave Hrbacek and “Modern adoption” by Jessica Trygstad.
- Second place for the best explanation of the Church’s position on marriage for “Catholic marriage vs. secular culture” by Jessica Trygstad, “Recommitting: The Church’s new marriage rite” by Father John Paul Erickson and “Our marriages support our priests” by Brad Parent.
- Second place for best reporting on children and teens for “East to west: A day in the life of Catholic schools” by Dave Hrbacek.
- Second place for best sports feature for “Vikings offensive coach Shurmur keeps spiritual playbook ready” by Matthew Davis.
- Third place for best news writing on a local or regional event for “Belle Plaine Catholics say ‘no thanks’ to Satanic monument.
- Third place for best news writing on a national event for “Father Stanley Rother” by Maria Wiering.
The Chicago-based Catholic Press Association is an association of Catholic media in the United States and Canada.
