FAITH Catholic’s publishing partners, staff, and freelancers won 61 honors at the second virtual Catholic Press Awards on June 10, 2021, including 33 awards for FAITH Lansing, the company’s first title. Parable magazine, published by the Diocese of Manchester, NH, was recognized as Diocesan Magazine of the year.

"Recognition from the Catholic Media Association is an honor and one that we value highly,” said FAITH Catholic President and CEO Elizabeth Solsburg. “To receive these awards from the nation’s leading organization of professional Catholic communicators means our efforts and those of our publishing partners are appreciated by the very people who know how challenging and important this work is. It’s truly gratifying that the dedication, talent and hard work of all the editors, writers, designers, photographers, marketers and collaborators on our team is noticed and applauded."

“And while the honors from the Catholic Press are wonderful,” Solsburg continued, “it is even more satisfying to know that our publications are being read." She cited recently completed readership survey results that show Catholics spend time with each issue and that reading these magazines helps them know their faith better so they can share it. "Our goal with these publications is to help equip missionary disciples," Solsburg said. “Based on our most recent readership surveys, our publications are doing just that -- helping people grow as disciples who go out and evangelize.”

"The long term effects of the pandemic on engagement with the Church are not entirely clear, but one thing is certain — the role of Catholic communicators to help bishops and pastors facilitate evangelization is more important than ever. Our work is crucial to the mission of the Church — the Great Commission,” Solsburg said. “Winning awards for it is the icing on the cake.”

Content Evangelist congratulates the following recipients of Catholic Media Association awards:

2021 Catholic Press Awards

Diocesan Magazine of the Year: Parable Magazine
Third Place: FAITH Lansing

FIRST PLACE AWARD WINNERS

Best Single Ad Campaign with Publication – Color
FAITH Erie, “I’m All Ears”

Best Ad Campaign Originating with the Publication for Advertiser
FAITH Erie – Catholic Foundation of NWPA 2020 Campaign

Best Cover Black and White – Any Size
FAITH Erie, Pieta Perfection

Best Regular Column – Bishop’s Column in a Diocesan Magazine
Parable Magazine, Bishop’s Message

Best Regular Column – Spiritual Life
Parable Magazine, “7 Days a Pastor”

Best Feature Article – Pandemic
FAITH Erie, “Priests in Pandemic”

Best Reporting of the Celebration of a Sacrament
The Central Minnesota Catholic, “Montana’s Story”

Best Reporting of Social Justice Issues – Solidarity
FAITH Erie, “Path to Civility”

Best Special Section
FAITH Lansing – Young Catholics section

Best Multiple Picture Package – News
FAITH Lansing – Catholics Connect: “Catholics Staying Connected”

Best Story and Photo Package
FAITH West Tennessee, “Saying Goodbye to a House of Prayer” by Karen Pulfer Focht

Best Photograph – Scenic, Still-life or Weather Photo
FAITH Lansing, “Choosing the Better Part During Lent”

SECOND PLACE AWARD WINNERS

Best Single Ad Campaign
FAITH Erie – 1:38 Women’s Conference

Best Use of Typography
FAITH Lansing, “Should we commit to Marriage?”

Best Regular Column – Arts, Leisure, Culture and Food
FAITH Lansing, Culture Column

Best Regular Column – Spiritual Life
FAITH Lansing, In the Know with Father Joe Column

Best Essay – Diocesan Magazine
FAITH Lansing, “How Will I Maintain My Relationship with Christ And His Church After I Graduate?”

Best Interview
FAITH Lansing, “I made a vow to make a difference in people’s lives”

Best Explanation of Marriage
FAITH Lansing – Explanation of Marriage

Personality Profiles- Laity
NC Catholics, “When Shulman showed up”

Best Reporting of Social Justice Issues – Call to Family, Community and Participation
FAITH Lansing, “Jo comforts children who have been abused”
FAITH Lansing, “There is always hope, there is always help”

Best Special Issue
FAITH Lansing – The Church in a Time of Pandemic

Best Special Section
Parable Magazine, “Our Faith in Action: Stories that Model Catholic Social Teaching

Best Photo Story – Feature
FAITH West Tennessee, “Saying Goodbye To A House of Prayer” by Karen Pulfer Focht

Best Photograph – Feature Photo
FAITH Lansing, “After a called and gifted workshop, Katrina uses her gifts ‘to bring Christ more fully into the world’”

Best Photograph – Scenic, Still-life or Weather Photo
FAITH Lansing, Culture column, “Savoring an Austrian Easter Tradition”

Best Photograph – Catholic Education
FAITH Lansing, “I can’t even express what Catholic school gave me”

Best Photograph – National/International Event
FAITH Lansing, “Father Chas Canoy and a parish full of palms”

THIRD PLACE AWARD WINNERS

Best Layout or Article Column – Diocesan Magazine
FAITH Erie, Pieta Perfection

Best Regular Column – Bishop’s Column in a Diocesan Magazine
Cross Roads, From the Bishop

Best Feature Article – Pandemic
FAITH Lansing, “How has the Church continued to serve the people of God during this crisis?”

Personality Profiles – Laity
Parable Magazine, “The ‘Home of Boundless Love’”

Best Reporting on a Special Age Group
FAITH Lansing – Young Catholics issue

Best Reporting of Social Justice Issues – Solidarity
Cross Roads, “The Hazard of Food Insecurity”

Best Reporting on Vocations to Priesthood, Religious Life or Diaconate
FAITH Lansing, Ordination 2020

Best Seasonal Issue or Section
The Central Minnesota Catholic – March issue, “Lent”

Best Multiple Picture Package – Feature
Unleash the Gospel, “St. Joseph-Lake Orion”

Best Photograph – Photo Illustration
FAITH Lansing, “The Church in a time of pandemic”

Best Photograph – Portrait
FAITH West Tennessee, “We Are the First People and Catholics Too” by Karen Pulfer Focht

Best Photograph – National/International Event
FAITH Lansing, “Eucharistic blessings at 10,000 feet”

Best Photograph – Pandemic
Cross Roads, “New Ways of Doing and Being Church”

HONORABLE MENTION AWARD WINNERS

Best Layout or Article Column – Diocesan Magazine
Parable Magazine, The Mass, Part II “What Happens at Mass?”

Best Cover for Color – Large (over 6x9 ½)
FAITH Erie, June 2020 “Pandemic”

Best Regular Column – Bishop’s Column in a Diocesan Magazine
The Central Minnesota Catholic, From the Bishop
Southwest Michigan Catholic, The Bishop’s Perspective

Best Regular Column – General Commentary
Southwest Michigan Catholic, From the Editor Victoria Cessna
FAITH Lansing, GoodLife

Best Interview
FAITH Lansing, “It’s amazing how your life can change”

Best Interview – Laity
FAITH Lansing, “I Made a Vow to Make a Difference in People’s Lives”

Best Reporting on a Special Age Group
FAITH Erie – 30 and Under
Parable Magazine – Young Missionary on a Path to a Deeper Faith

Best Reporting on Catholic Education
FAITH Lansing, “I Can’t Even Express What Catholic School Gave Me!”

Best Reporting of Social Justice Issues – Solidarity
FAITH Lansing, “How much do I have to love my enemies?”
FAITH Lansing, “The Holy Family belongs to each one of us”
FAITH Lansing – Special Report – Racism: what does the Church say?

Best Special Section
FAITH Lansing – Racism
FAITH Lansing – Stories from the Pandemic

Best Multiple Picture Package – Feature
Unleash the Gospel – The Church in Detroit’s Response to Coronavirus

Best Photograph – Portrait
FAITH Lansing, “How will I maintain my relationship with Christ and his Church after I graduate?”
FAITH Lansing, “After a called and gifted workshop, Katrina uses her gifts ‘to bring Christ more fully into the world’”