The Monitor earns eight Catholic Press Awards in 2017 competition

The Monitor recently was honored with eight awards in the Catholic Press Association’s 2017 Journalism Competition. Award winners were announced June 23, during the closing event of the three-day Catholic Media Conference, held this year in Quebec City.

The awards recognized the work of The Monitor staff and freelance partners, as well as the contribution of the Department of Multimedia Production for its video journalism. You can read the judges' remarks, HERE.

The list of awards follows. You can see the award-winning stories and photos by clicking the links provided:

BEST SPORTS PHOTO (All Circulation Categories)
First Place: “Web Gem” by John Blaine

BEST SPORTS JOURNALISM (All Circulation Categories)
Third Place: “Faith a key component in Paralympian's journey to Rio” by Rich Fisher

BEST REPORTING ON VOCATIONS TO PRIESTHOOD, RELIGIOUS LIFE OR DIACONATE (Non-Weekly Diocesan Newspaper, Circulation 25,000 or less)
Second Place: “ With the People: For Father Abadilla, being present, showing compassion hallmarks of priesthood; Community Builder: Father McCormick has priestly heart for changing the world” by Mary Stadnyk, Christina Leslie

NEWSPAPER OF THE YEAR (Non-Weekly Diocesan Newspaper; Circulation 25,000 or less)
Second Place: The Monitor staff

BEST COVERAGE OF MOTHER TERESA'S CANONIZATION (Non-Weekly Diocesan Newspaper; Circulation 25,000 or less)
Second Place: The Monitor, “ In the Hands of a Saint; To Witness History; Mother's Great Day” by Mary Morrell, Dorothy K. LaMantia, Lois Rogers, John Batkowski, Ken Falls

BEST COVERAGE OF PRO-LIFE ISSUES (Non-Weekly Diocesan Newspaper; Circulation 25,000 or less)
Second Place: “ Cancer survivor fights assisted suicide bill; Assisted suicide bill passes Assembly, advances to Senate; Doctors, patients argue against NJ bill they call 'state-sanctioned suicide'” by Jennifer Mauro; Joe Moore photos; The Department of Multimedia Production in coordination with The Monitor

BEST REPORTING ON ECUMENICAL AND INTERFAITH ISSUES (Diocesan Newspaper)
First Place: “Sibling continues bishop's mission to improve Muslim-Christian relations; Faith leaders come together for interreligious dialogue in Hightstown; Hundreds join in food, faith dialogue at interreligious luncheon” by Dorothy K. LaMantia; Jennifer Mauro

BEST REPORTING OF SOCIAL JUSTICE ISSUES: Call to Family, Community and Participation (All Circulation Categories)
Second Place: “Immigrant family finds stable future thanks to Catholic Charities” by Patrick Brown

(Caption: This picture by photographer John Blaine, a freelancer with The Monitor, won first place in the category of Best Sports Photo in the 2017 Catholic Press Award competition. This photo captures Red Bank Catholic center fielder Pat Leonard making a catch for an out May 11, 2016, during the Monmouth County Tournament championship vs. Christian Brothers Academy.)