Archdiocese of Newark, Jersey Catholic, garner press awards

The Archdiocese of Newark Office of Communications and the archdiocesan news outlet, Jersey Catholic, have been nationally recognized for their work in communications and Catholic Journalism. 

At last week’s Catholic Media Association Press Awards ceremony held in Baltimore, Maryland, the Archdiocese of Newark received seven award-winning placements. The awards ceremony is held annually to recognize Catholic media outlets and dioceses’ communications departments across the nation for their outstanding work in engagement and communication. 

The Archdiocese communications team received an Honorable Mention for Best Initiative or Campaign, for “The Synod on Synodality in the Archdiocese of Newark,” on how the Archdiocese is participating in the Catholic Church’s three-year process of listening and dialogue. 

Joseph Jordan, Social Media Specialist, was honored with two honorable mention awards for Sports Writing and National News Writing.  

In the category, Best News Writing One Shot – National Event, Jordan’s story “Cardinal and clergy abuse survivor forge friendship of healing, activism” won an Honorable Mention. The article details the friendship of Mark Joseph Williams, a clergy abuse survivor, and Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R., Archbishop of Newark, and was published on the 20th anniversary of the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, more commonly known as The Dallas Charter. 

Jordan also garnered an Honorable Mention in Best Sports Journalism for his story “’God was in that moment:’ Saint Peter’s University priests on Peacocks’ historic NCAA run” on the university men’s basketball team’s historic tournament run to the NCAA’s Elite Eight.  

Jessica Miano, Communications Specialist, garnered an Honorable Mention in the Best Reporting on Catholic Education category for “Young Catholics want more engagement at Church: Synod Report.” 

Jaimie Julia Winters, the Communications Manager and Editor of Jersey Catholic, received an Honorable Mention for her article titled “A deep Catholic faith lies behind the 1970s allegory ‘Hope for the flowers.'” The piece delves into the life and work of a writer and artist at Grailville, a Catholic lay community for women in the 1950-60s. Winters was recognized in the Best Personality Profile category. 

Maxim Almenas, Catholic Cemeteries Marketing Manager, also garnered two awards for his work promoting Catholic Cemeteries. He won an Honorable Mention in the category Best Freestanding Presentation of Online Video on the Clergy — “Why Christ’s Resurrection Can Help You During Grieving Stage,” which features Father Paul Houlis, Chaplain of Gate of Heaven Cemetery and Mausoleum in East Hanover. 

Almenas’ piece on a Mass for deceased clergy, “Mass for deceased clergy celebrates their impact on communities and future vocations,” won Honorable Mention for Best Multimedia Package – Depiction of Religious Life. 

Maria Margiotta, Director of the Office of Communications, congratulated the Archdiocese of Newark team and all the CMA award recipients.

“Your achievements not only inspire us but also remind us of the vital mission and service of our Church and ministry,” Margiotta said. “May all the outstanding contributions serve as a catalyst for even greater accomplishments to inform, inspire and educate and keep us all connected to our faith.”  

To read daily stories about the Archdiocese of Newark and its parishioners visit Jerseycatholic.org. Sign up here to receive Jersey Catholic’s weekly newsletter. Follow us on social media   @NwkArchdiocese on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. 

The Catholic Media Association, established in 1911, acknowledges the work of those in Catholic media through its award programs. As a global network of Catholic communicators, the CMA recognizes the diversity of media available today and facilitates a wide variety of honors programs for its members and those in related professions. The 2023 Press Awards program included approximately 2,700 entries in 472 categories, with more than 160 organizations entered in this year’s program.