CHARLOTTE — For the third consecutive year, the Catholic News Herald has earned the Catholic Media Association’s top award among non-weekly Catholic newspapers in the U.S. and Canada.
The General Excellence Award recognizes the publication that most demonstrates consistent quality and originality of overall content, writing and headlines, editorials, art and graphics, design and usability.
The Catholic News Herald, the official news outlet of the Diocese of Charlotte, received a total of 18 awards for its work in 2024 – among the highest number of awards since its founding in 1991. Awards recognized coverage including the installation of Bishop Michael Martin and Tropical Storm Helene.
The Catholic Media Association’s annual awards spotlight the work of Catholic print and digital publications of dioceses, wire services, religious orders and other Catholic organizations throughout the U.S. and Canada.
Awards were announced June 27 during the association’s annual conference, held this year in Phoenix.
“We are grateful to our parishes, schools and ministries for their support of the Catholic News Herald’s work to spread the Gospel and tell the stories of our diocese,” said Liz Chandler, the diocese’s communications director. “As Pope Francis said of all Catholic media earlier this year, communicating, for us, is not a tactic or a technique – it is an act of love.”
The Catholic News Herald has previously been recognized as the nation’s best non-weekly diocesan newspaper for its work published in 2012, 2018, 2019, 2022 and 2023.
The Catholic News Herald also won:
• First place: Best Annual Report – (Arch)Diocesan Finances: “Diocese of Charlotte Annual Report,” by Matt Ferrante, David Puckett and Liz Chandler
• First place: Best Layout of Article or Column: “Lent: Don’t Just Survive – Thrive!,” by David Puckett
• First place: Spanish Best Layout of an Article or Column – Newspaper: “Las Siete Palabras de Cristo,” by César Hurtado and David Puckett
• Second place: Best Print Special Supplement – On a Bishop’s Transition: “Welcoming Bishop Michael Martin,” by Catholic News Herald staff
• Second place: Best Print Special Supplement – Regular Special Supplement: “A Holy Death: Catholic End-of-Life and Funeral Planning Guide,” by Trish Stukbauer, David Puckett and Kevin Eagan
• Second place: Best Multimedia Package – News: “The Light of Hope: Guadalupe Torch Leaves Message of Hope and Consolation,” by César Hurtado
• Third place: Best Coverage – Disaster or Crises: “Helene Relief: Relief flows in, You are not alone, Grieving residents greet bishop,” by Christina Lee Knauss, Liz Chandler and Catholic News Herald staff
• Third place: Best News Writing on a Local or Regional Event – Non-Weekly: “Helene Relief Efforts,” by Christina Lee Knauss and Liz Chandler
• Third place: Best Story and Photo Package – By Two Individuals or More: “Monsignor Anthony Marcaccio Passes Away, Leaving ‘Living Legacy’,” by Liz Chandler and Mary Ann Luedtke
• Third place: Best Feature Writing: “Cocina Vicentina nutre cuerpos y almas,” by César Hurtado
• Third place: Best Story and Photo Package – By an Individual: “La Luz de la Esperanza,” by César Hurtado
The Catholic News Herald also received honorable mentions in:
• Best Layout of Article or Column: “Seven Last Words of Christ,” by David Puckett
• Best Single Advertisement Originating with the Publication: Room at the Inn, by David Puckett and Kevin Eagan
• Best Personality Profile – Non-Weekly: “Stan the Band Man,” by Lisa Geraci
• Best Multiple Picture Package – Feature: Honoring Mary, Queen of Heaven, by Spencer K.M. Brown and David Puckett
• Best Print Special Supplement – Regular Special Supplement: Celebrating Vocations: A Rising Spirit of Service, by Catholic News Herald staff
• Best Photograph – General News Photo: “You Are Not Alone,” by Liz Chandler
Established by the second Bishop of Charlotte, the Catholic News Herald’s mission is to “serve Christ and connect Catholics” by informing and inspiring audiences through print and digital coverage of the work of the Church in western North Carolina, the U.S. and the world. Funded in part by the diocese’s 93 parishes, the print edition is mailed every two weeks to more than 62,000 registered households in the diocese, and its website and social media channels are updated daily.
— Catholic News Herald
