The Catholic Standard newspaper and website of The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington received 10 Catholic Press Awards during the Catholic Media Association’s 2023 conference held June 6-9 in Baltimore. Competing with Catholic publications across the United States and Canada, the Catholic Standard was recognized for writing, photography and columns in its newspaper and for its website.

Also at the June 9 Catholic Media Association’s awards banquet at the Marriott Hotel in Baltimore, it was announced that El Pregonero – the Spanish-language newspaper and website of The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington – received the Spanish publication of the year award in the newspaper division. Competing with Spanish-language Catholic publications, El Pregonero received 22 Catholic Press Awards.

The following are the 2023 Catholic Press Awards received by the Catholic Standard in the Catholic newspaper division.

First Place, Best News Writing Series – International Event: “Russia’s invasion of Ukraine,” with articles by Richard Szczepanowski, the Catholic Standard’s managing editor; Mark Zimmermann, the Catholic Standard’s editor; and Catherine Buckler, the Catholic Standard’s reporter; and with photos by Andrew Biraj, then the Catholic Standard’s staff photographer; Mihoko Owada, the Catholic Standard’s manager for digital media and photography; and by freelance photographers Javier Diaz and Matthew Barrick.

The articles and photos in that series included:

“On day Russia launches Ukraine invasion, prayers for peace,” story by Mark Zimmermann, photos by Mihoko Owada; 

“Ukraine is being crucified and the world watches,’ archbishop says,” story by Richard Szczepanowski, photos by Andrew Biraj; 

“Together in prayer, Ukrainian Catholics in Washington area hold memorial service for war victims,” story by Mark Zimmermann, photos by Andrew Biraj; 

“Students at St. Michael School in Ridge reach out to counterparts in Ukraine,” story by Richard Szczepanowski; 

“The world cannot remain indifferent;’ Catholic agencies and individuals scramble to help Ukrainians displaced by war,” story by Richard Szczepanowski; 

“Catholic University law student from Ukraine describes how horrors of war there have hit home,” story by Mark Zimmermann, photo by Javier Diaz; 

“Panelists at CUA reflect on ‘suffering and hope’ in war-torn Ukraine,” story by Mark Zimmermann, photos by Javier Diaz; 

“After fleeing Ukraine, student feels at home at DeMatha,” story by Mark Zimmermann, photo by Andrew Biraj; 

“Stone Ridge students host Giving Day to support World Central Kitchen’s relief efforts for Ukraine,” story by Catherine Buckler, photos by Andrew Biraj;

“Cardinal and Ukrainian metropolitan archbishop lead prayer service for those killed in Ukraine war,” story by Richard Szczepanowski, photos by Matthew Barrick. 

Commenting on that series, judges for the 2023 Catholic Press Awards noted, “Connecting a world event that is foreign to many in the audience while also intimate to others is no easy feat,” and added that the authors of those articles provided “an entry point for any Catholic to connect” to that world event.

First Place, Best News Writing on a Special Age Group, Senior Citizens: “‘One blessing upon another’ for trailblazing couple who were among the first students to integrate Sacred Heart School in 1950,” story by Mark Zimmermann, photos by Mihoko Owada and Andrew Biraj. 

Commenting on this article, contest judges praised the account of Rohulamin Quander and Carmen Torruella-Quander, who were among the first four students of color to integrate Sacred Heart School in Washington, D.C., and later married each other, noting that the story offered a “truly remarkable account of trailblazers” and was “wonderfully uplifting.”

Second place, Best Regular Column by a Bishop or Archbishop – “What I Have Seen and Heard” columns by Cardinal Wilton D. Gregory, the archbishop of Washington. Submitted columns included “Cardinal’s reflections on being in quarantine,” and “Being together again at Mass.”

Praising Cardinal Gregory’s columns, contest judges noted, “The warmth in the writer’s voice creates a sense of optimism, even when discussing the unknowns of a post-Covid world. That tone coupled with historical context provided to help readers see a path forward helped this piece stand out.” 

Second place, Best Coverage of Catholic Education –  “‘Every day with Norah is a gift:’ Pre-kindergarten class at St. John’s School in Hollywood, Maryland, includes little girl with Down syndrome,” story by Mark Zimmermann, photos by Ashley Barnas. 

Contest judges noted, “What a remarkably thoughtful heart warmer of a story with equally wonderful pictures that tell how a bunch of wiggly, energetic pre-K students romp through the day along with Norah, a non-verbal child with Down syndrome. She has a full-time aide who helps her get through the day and thoughtful administrators who even provided a doll with a G tube to replicate the tube Norah uses to get nourishment and medication. It’s all designed to teach us a lesson we all need – we are all different, and that difference does not make us better or worse. It just makes us a part of humanity.” 

Second place, Best Photograph – National or International Event: “‘Ukraine is being crucified’: Ukrainian Catholic archbishop joins Pope Francis in urging an end to Russia’s assault on Ukraine,” photo by Andrew Biraj. 

Praising the photo, contest judges called it “a fine image filled with color and emotion.”

Third place, Best In-Depth News/Special Reporting – Non-Weekly Newspaper: “‘One blessing upon another’ for trailblazing couple who were among the first students to integrate Sacred Heart School in 1950,” story by Mark Zimmermann, photos by Mihoko Owada and Andrew Biraj.

Judges noted, “Framing a whole social movement through the plight of one couple brings the humanity of that time to the forefront in a way that grips the reader in a vivid manner.”

Honorable mention, Best Web Site, Newspaper: Catholic Standard of The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington, cathstan.org 

Honorable mention, Best Photo Gallery or Slideshow:  “Cardinal Wilton Gregory ordains 10 new priests for The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington,” photos by Andrew Biraj, Catholic Standard website.

Honorable mention, Best Regular Column, Spiritual Life, “Faith in Action” columns by Msgr. John Enzler. Submitted columns included “Calming the storms and helping those who help others;” “When the gift of Resurrection becomes even more powerful;” and “This problem is still here, and people are still dying.” 

Honorable mention, Best Photograph – Feature Photo: “Saints come marching in: On All Saints Day, St. Francis International School has a parade of saints and everyday heroes,” photo by Andrew Biraj.