The Central Minnesota Catholic magazine and Office of Communications received 14 awards from the Catholic Media Association for work published in 2024. The awards were announced June 27 at the 2025 Catholic Media Conference held in Phoenix, Arizona. The gathering featured workshops, keynote speakers and an awards ceremony.
Communications Category
First Place — Best Diocesan Printed Fundraising Appeal-Produced by Communication Department Staff: 2024 Bishop’s Annual Appeal, Barb Simon-Johnson, Dianne Towalski, Kristi Anderson, and Anna Kampa
Honorable Mention — Best Use of Social Media: Diocese of St. Cloud, Dianne Towalski
Honorable Mention — Hot Topic — 2024 Election: Greater St. Cloud Area Faith Leaders election videos, Dianne Towalski and Joe Towalski
All-Member Category
Third Place — Best Use of Video on Social Media — News Organization: Catholic Sisters Week, Dianne Towalski
Second Place — Best Social Media Campaign-Liturgical Seasons: Open the Gifts of Advent — Advent Social Media Campaign, Dianne Towalski
Honorable Mention — Best Social Media Campaign-The Eucharistic Revival: St. Cloud Diocesan Delegates at the Eucharistic Congress, Dianne Towalski
Honorable Mention — Best Podcast — Social Justice Issues: Rural Immersion Program podcast series, Amber Walling
Honorable Mention — Best Diocesan Electronic Newsletter: FridayFeed, Dianne Towalski, Kristi Anderson and Amber Walling
Magazine Category
First Place — Best Promotional Advertisement: Marian Route promotion, Barb Simon-Johnson
Third Place — Best Regular Column — General Commentary: Ask Father Tom, Father Tom Knoblach
Third Place — Best Seasonal Issue or Section: Advent’s Gift is Discovering All Things New, Central Minnesota Catholic Staff
Third Place — Best Reporting of Social Justice Issues — Care for God’s Creation: Living our Faith on God’s Holy Land, Amber Walling and Paul Middlestaedt
Honorable Mention — Best Coverage of Social Justice Issues: Social Justice Issues 2024, Amber Walling, Dianne Towalski, and Paul Middlestaedt
Honorable Mention — Best Story and Photo Package — By an individual: Hand-carved Crosier Features Bishop Neary’s Coat of Arms, Dianne Towalski