Detroit Catholic earns six honors at annual Catholic Press Awards, held virtually for the first time

DETROIT — In its first year of publication, the Archdiocese of Detroit’s “Unleash the Gospel” magazine was named Diocesan Magazine of the Year by the Catholic Press Association of the United States and Canada.

The annual Catholic Media Conference, June 30-July 2, was supposed to take place in Portland, Ore., but shifted to being a virtual conference because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

On July 2, the Catholic Press Association announced its 2019 winners, with “Unleash the Gospel,” edited by Christine Warner, being named diocesan magazine of the year.

The publication also won best illustration with graphic design or art, with a special mention for the June/July issue. The Oct./Nov. issue won second place for best cover, highlighting work by Mike Marshall.

The magazine also took second in best e-newsletter.

“Our team is so honored to receive these awards from the Catholic Press Association for Unleash the Gospel Magazine's editorial content, layout design and custom illustrations,” Warner told Detroit Catholic. “This recognition is a testament to how God is working in our archdiocese and through our team to unleash the Gospel. We’re thankful to the many contributors who have supported the mission of the magazine through the beauty of their faith and the generosity of their talent.”

Detroit Catholic, in its second year as an online publication, earned six honors in various categories for reporting it did in 2019.

Staff reporter Dan Meloy earned a second-place in Best Reporting on Social Justice Issues – Option for the Poor and Vulnerable for “Graduation Day Brings Smiles, Joy For GED Recipients Through Catholic Charities’ Hispanic Outreach” and an honorable mention in Best Investigative News Writing – Diocesan Newspaper for “The Modern Biblical Scroll: Reddit Offers Catholics Community Chance To Ask Hard Questions.”

Editor Mike Stechschulte placed second in Best Sports Journalism with “Pastoral Note Calls for CHSL, CYO to Cease Sporting Events On Sundays” and an honorable mention for Hot Topic – Best coverage on the Sexual Abuse Crisis for “Independent Review, Lifelong Monitoring Of Priests Part of Archdiocese of Detroit’s Response To Abuse.”

Freelance writer Karla Dorweiler placed third in Best Reporting on a Special Age Group  – Young Adults (18-40) with “Why Do Young ‘Nones’ Convert To Catholicism? Detroit-Area Researcher Has Answers.”

Photographer Naomi Vrazo placed third in Best Photograph – General News Photo for “Vintage-Style Procession Photo Sets Catholic Internet Abuzz.”

“While it’s nice to be recognized and these awards mean a great deal to our staff, what matters more to us is keeping Catholics connected to the news and stories that matter to them,” Stechschulte said. “We’re privileged every day to serve the body of Christ by telling the stories of faith, hope and love that exist in our community. We look forward to continuing that mission even in the midst of a historic pandemic.”

Elsewhere in the Archdiocese of Detroit Communications Department, Archbishop Allen H. Vigneron’s podcast “Eyes on Jesus,” produced by Ron Pangborn, took second place for Best Podcast Program.

Creative Director Paul Duda and videographer Joe Pelletier placed third in best freestanding presentation of online video depicting religious life with “Vocations: The Call.”

And the newly designed aod.org received and honorable mention for best website for a diocese.