Criterion staff honored for excellence in journalism

Criterion staff report

Staff members of The Criterion were recently honored for excellence in journalism by two organizations.

The recognition included awards from the Catholic Press Association (CPA) and the Women’s Press Club of Indiana (WPCI).

The recognition for work completed in the 2016 calendar year started in June when staff writer Natalie Hoefer was honored by WPCI. She garnered two first‑place awards: one for her story on the local Mass celebrating the canonization of Mother Teresa of Calcutta, and the other for photos from the farewell Mass celebrated for Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin last December. Both first-place honors advanced to the National Federation of Press Women’s Communications Contest for further judging.

Hoefer received a second-place award in writing for her profile of 82-year-old Maria Moko, who fled the Soviet invasion of her home country of Hungary in 1956. She also earned a third-place award in enterprise reporting from the WPCI for her story on a “shocked” Cardinal Tobin discussing his new role in the Church.

The staff received more recognition on June 23 in Quebec City during the Catholic Press Association’s annual awards program.

Reporter Sean Gallagher was awarded first place in the Best Reporting on Vocations to Priesthood, Religious Life or Diaconate for his package of stories: “Six brothers enter more deeply into family, faith through the priesthood;” “Siblings in priesthood, religious life support each other in ministry;” and “Brother priests offer advice to parents to foster vocations in the home.” The stories featured three sets of brothers who were ordained to the priesthood for the Church in central and southern Indiana in recent years, two sets of brothers and sisters who are archdiocesan priests and religious sisters, and advice from the priests on how to foster vocations in the home.

“Brotherly love. The importance of family. The power of regularly attending Mass as a family. Prayer,” judges wrote. “It’s all here in this warm, fuzzy examination of three sets of brothers who are now priests—and two priests whose sisters are also Church sisters. And the message is presented beautifully by writing that avoids chronology and instead focuses on telling a story.”

Editor Mike Krokos was awarded first place in the Best Editorial on a Local Issue category for “Prayers are needed to help our nation’s wounds and divisions,” which focused on how our nation needed to come together after another shooting aimed at law enforcement—this one in Dallas, Texas—resulted in the death of five policemen.

“Vivid descriptions of the violence and devastating interactions between law enforcement and citizens bring the editorial’s message to life,” judges wrote. “The plea bridges the gap by calling for deeper understanding and prayer for all.”

Assistant editor John Shaughnessy was awarded second place in the Best Sports Journalism: Sports Feature category for his story, “A father’s lesson, a son’s gift: Magical moment at baseball game strikes to the heart of a beautiful relationship.” The piece focused on a special moment at a baseball game between two school‑age students that resulted from one of the young boy’s loving relationship with his late father.

“This highly touching piece touches on the innocence of youth and how children at any age can be raised with a faith foundation that stresses kindness and selflessness,” judges wrote. “The writer’s style and judicious use of quotes create an emotionally compelling story. A true gem of a story that many of us can relate.”

Hoefer received a third-place award in the Best Original Poetry category for several “My Journey to God” entries: “The Love of Christ”; “Marriage Reflection”; “Pilgrimage Pondering”; and “The Hoosier Cardinal.”

“Effectively evoked emotional response,” judges wrote. “Mostly good word choice and structure. Good awareness of targeted audience.”

Shaughnessy also received honorable mention recognition in the Best News Writing on a National or International Event by a diocesan newspaper for his series of stories in Rome on Cardinal Tobin’s installation into the College of Cardinals last November.

As a staff, The Criterion also received two honorable mention awards for a special farewell issue dedicated to Cardinal Tobin and his four years of ministry to the archdiocese.

The awards came in the Best Supplement or Special Issue: Best One-Time Special Issue category, and the Best Supplement or Special Issue: Best Special Supplement on a Bishop’s Transition category.

“The support of the people across the archdiocese is critical to the success of The Criterion, and everyone in the Church in central and southern Indiana can take pride in the high quality of journalism produced by our staff,” said Greg Otolski, associate publisher of The Criterion. “As these awards demonstrate, The Criterion is one of the leading newspapers in the country in helping people understand what is happening in the local Church as well as the larger Church throughout the world. The stories we tell are often ignored by the secular media and need to be heard.” †