The Catholic Spirit wins 10 national press awards for 2020 work

The Catholic Spirit received 10 awards from the Catholic Media Association June 10 at its annual Catholic Media Conference, held virtually this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The awards included first place for best coverage of a disaster or crises, first place for best reporting on senior citizens, second place for best reporting on young adults, and second place for best reporting on celebration of a sacrament.

In addition to The Catholic Spirit, the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis was also given an honorable mention for the best COVID pandemic outreach communications plan for its promotion of the COVID-19 Anointing Corps. And the Minnesota Catholic Conference won third place in the best podcast series for its “Bridge Builder: Catholic Faith and Politics — Catholics at the Capitol.”

The Catholic Spirit’s 2020 CMA Awards are as follows:

First place: Best coverage of a disaster or crises: “Catholics soul-search on Floyd’s death, role in healing” by Maria Wiering, Joe Ruff and Barb Umberger (June 11, 2020), “South Minneapolis sought refuge at parish rectory” (June 11, 2020) by Maria Wiering, “New CCF funds help Minneapolis families rebuild lives upended by riots,” by Maria Wiering (June 25, 2020).

First place: Best reporting on senior citizens: “(Almost) reaching a century” (Nov. 19, 2020) by Dave Hrbacek; “Archbishop Hebda, Bishop Cozzens bless senior care residents amid COVID-19 pandemic” by Barb Umberger (May 7, 2020), “She has a dream” by Dave Hrbacek (Sept. 24, 2020).

Second place: Best reporting on young adults: “Destined for Life” (Jan. 16, 2020) by Dave Hrbacek, “Mad Men’ meets men of the cloth” (Jan. 16, 2020) by Maria Wiering, “Love in the time of Coronavirus” (April 9, 2020) by Dave Hrbacek

Second place: Best reporting on celebration of a sacrament: “Going in where few will tread” (Nov. 19, 2020) by Maria Wiering

Second place: Best reporting on social justice issues, solidarity: “Shared faith” (March 12, 2020) by Maria Wiering

Third place: Best reporting on local politics: “Catholic school leaders protest St. Paul relief fund exclusions, city relents” by Barb Umberger (April 9, 2020), “Pro-life supporters oppose St. Paul abortion resolution” by Dave Hrbacek (March 26, 2020), “Masses allowed to resume, but for many, 10-person limit too small” by Joe Ruff and Maria Wiering (May 27, 2020)

Third place: Best feature photo: “Girl praying rosary” (Oct. 22, 2020) by Dave Hrbacek

Honorable mention: Best front page (June 11, June 25, July 16, 2020, issues) by Caron Olhoft and staff

Honorable mention: Best analysis/background new writing, diocesan paper: “What to make of Black Lives Matter” (Sept. 10, 2020) by Jonathan Liedl

Honorable mention: Best portrait: Father Andrew Jaspers for “Going in where few will tread” (Nov. 19, 2020) by Dave Hrbacek