America Media receives record 48 awards from Catholic Press Association

America Media received a record 48 awards at the 2018 Catholic Press Association Awards for its video, audio, print and online coverage.

America Media provides smart, Catholic content on faith and culture across a variety of platforms, from compelling editorials and features in America magazine, to compelling visual journalism through America Films; as well as groundbreaking new podcasts.

America Media was recognized by the C.P.A. for “setting an incredibly high bar for intellectualism and spirituality,” with top accolades including first place awards for Best Magazine of the Year, Best Editorial, Best Column (“Of Many Things”), as well as recognition for original stories like “Ministry and Millennials,” “What is the Catholic response to the rise of nationalism?” and “Christianity’s Russian Temptation.”

The winners were announced at the 2018 Catholic Media Conference, an annual event gathering the best in Catholic journalism, hosted this year in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

First Place

Best Magazine/Newsletter of the Year (National General Interest Magazines): “America Magazine” by The Editors

Best Editorial: “Catholics Must Combat Racism and Bigotry at Every Turn” by The Editors

Best Regular Column (General Commentary): “Of Many Things” by Matt Malone, S.J.

Best Regular Column (Family Life): “Simcha Fisher” by Simcha Fisher

Best Feature Article (National General Interest Magazine): “Lessons on evangelization from the largest parish in the United States” by Leah Libresco

Multimedia Journalist of the Year: Zac Davis

Best Reporting on a Special Age Group: “Can the Catholic Church keep millennials from passing it by?” by Zac Davis

Best Analysis Writing: “De-Christianization in the West is a real threat. But Putinism isn’t the answer.” by Sohrab Ahmari

Best Reporting of Social Justice Issues (Rights and Responsibilities):“What is the Catholic response to the rise of nationalism?” by Robert W. McElroy

Best Reporting of Social Justice Issues (Solidarity): Beyond the Wall: Stories from the other side of the immigration crisis by Ashley McKinless

Best Reporting of Social Justice Issues (Dignity and Rights of the Workers): “Can Catholic social teaching help solve the labor crisis?” by Rachel Lu

Best Reporting of Social Justice Issues (Care for God’s Creation): “The Spirituality of Standing Rock” by Eileen Markey

Best Original Poetry: “The Christmas Spectacular” by Joe Hoover, S.J.

Best Freestanding Presentation of Online Video (News): “Meet my dad: The Republican who's hosting Muslim refugees” by America Films

Best Freestanding Presentation of Online Video (Feature): “The Catholic Church in China | A Short Documentary” by America Films

Best Multimedia Package (Series): “Fr. James Martin, S.J.: Spirituality in Solidarity” by James Martin, S.J. & America Films

Best Illustration with Graphic Design or Art Work: “I pardoned a convict who killed again. Here’s why I still believe in mercy.” by Andrew Zbihlyj

Best Use of Video in Social Media: “Trump & Francis: a history in tweets” by America Films

Second Place

Best Magazine or Newsletter Website: “America Magazine” by America Staff

Best Podcast: “Jesuitical” by Eloise Blondiau; Eric Sundrup, SJ; Ashley McKinless; Zac Davis; Olga Segura

Best Editorial:“President Trump's Dangerous Nationalism” by The Editors

Best Regular Column: “The Good Word by Terrence Klein” by Terrence Klein

Best Review: “How did she lose? Bob Shrum on Hillary Clinton and the 2016 election” by Robert M. Shrum

Best In-Depth Writing: “Looking for hope in Gaza” by Matt Malone, S.J

Best Feature Article (National General Interest Magazine): “When a Jew and a Catholic Marry” by Mark Oppenheimer

Best Original Poetry: “The Rio Grande (South)” by John Poch

Best Multimedia Package (News): “Lessons on evangelization from the largest parish in the United States” by Leah Libresco & Jeremy Zipple

Best Freestanding Presentation of Online Video (News): “Louisiana's Cajun Catholics Eucharistic Procession” by America Films

Best Illustration with Graphic Design or Art Work: “A life of service is never easy. Having autism can make it even harder.” by Andrew Zbihlyj

Best Single Photo (Best Photograph): “What do you do with the mad that you feel?” by Shawn Tripoli

Third Place

Best Redesign: “America - The Jesuit Review” by America Staff

Best Coverage of Violence in Our Communities:

• “A Black (and Blue) Lives Matter protest shows how deep the divide is in Chicago” by Judith Valente
• “Las Vegas and the fatalism of “thoughts and prayers” by Jason Blakely
• “Are gun manufacturers and politicians morally complicit in mass shootings?” by Gerald J. Beyer

Best Coverage of Ecumenical/Interfaith Issues:

• “Cardinal Cupich and Lutheran Bishop Miller commit to reconciliation on Reformation anniversary by Angelo Jesus Canta
• The House of Abraham by Leopoldo A. Sánchez
• A Lutheran’s love letter to Pope Francis” by Aana Marie Vigen

Best Multimedia Package (Feature): “Prayer, puppets and pleas for peace in Gaza” by Matt Malone, S.J. & America Films

Best Multimedia Package (Series): “Hurricane Maria” by J.D. Long-García & Jose Dueño

Best Regular Column (Arts, Leisure, Culture, & Food): “Bill McGarvey” by Bill McGarvey

Best Review: “Reflecting on the frightening lessons of 'The Handmaid's Tale'” by Eloise Blondiau

Best Book Review Section: “13-Nov-17” by James Keane

Best Layout of Article or Column (National general interest magazine): “Racism is a sickness of the soul. Can Jesuit spirituality help us heal?” by Bryan N. Massingale

Honorable Mentions

Best Use of Video in Social Media:“Blessing of the Animals” by America Films

Best Cover (4-color, large, over 6 x 9 1/2"): “The Lives Beyond the Wall (January 23, 2017)” by Shawn Tripoli

Best Essay: National General Interest Magazine

• “Lords of Charity” by Nathan Schneider
• “A life of service is never easy. Having autism makes it even harder.” by Gus Hardy

Best Special Issue, Section or Supplement: “The Health of Health Care (June 12, 2017)” by The Editors

Best Personality Profile (Person of interest): “El Sueño Americano de Junot Díaz” by Olga Segura

Best Coverage of Immigration: “Miscellaneous” by Jan Albert Hootsen; Cecilia González-Andrieu; The Editors

Best Feature Article (National General Interest Magazine): “Walking with Peter” by Michael J. O'Loughlin

(For the full list of CPA 2018 award recipients, click here.)