The Central Minnesota Catholic magazine and Office of Communications received seven awards from the Catholic Media Association for work published in 2022. The awards were announced June 9 at the 2023 Catholic Media Conference held in Baltimore, Maryland. The gathering featured workshops, keynote speakers and an awards ceremony.
First Place — Best Electronic Newsletter: The Central Minnesota Catholic’s “Monday Morning Update” by Barb Simon-Johnson, marketing manager, and Joe Towalski, editor
“Terrific visual presence in compelling bright and clear photos and well-written teasers sweep readers into the accompanying website. The consistent opening page bulletin inserts immediately provide a helpful tool for parishes. Two-column design format with photos and heads draw readers into content that is local, community and global, addressing life and faith in diverse settings. It is hard not to click in!”
First Place — Best Online Content Not Published in Print – Photo Content: Photos: “Holy oils for coming year blessed at chrism Mass” by Dianne Towalski, digital media manager
“The compelling photos come together to tell a clear, cohesive story. Through a series of close-up shots at just the right moment, the photographer does a good job at capturing various details that we often overlook during the celebrated event.”
Second Place — Best Online Content Not Published in Print – Photo Content: “Two Crosiers profess solemn vows in Onamia” by Dianne Towalski
“The high-quality photos capture the celebration of two Crosiers and the profession of their vows. The small selection of photos reflects a joyful day of faith. The different angles of various moments of the ceremony makes the reader feel they were in the church at that very moment.”
Second Place — Best Regular Column – Bishop’s Column in a Diocesan Magazine: “From the Bishop” by Bishop Donald J. Kettler
“The consistency of message, tone and voice coupled with the insightful content makes this column stand out.”
Second place — Personality Profiles- Laity: “Holy Spirit at the heart of Mora man’s card ministry” by Dianne Towalski
“A very sweet read. Hit all the right notes — we learned about this kind man and the reason he writes these compassionate letters.”
Honorable Mention — Best Diocesan Fundraising Appeal Produced by a Communications Department Staff: 2022 Bishop’s Annual Appeal designed by Barb Simon-Johnson
Honorable Mention — Multimedia Journalist of the Year: Dianne Towalski