Clarion Herald: Third in U.S. Catholic press for 'General Excellence'

By Peter Finney Jr.
Clarion Herald

The Clarion Herald won 16 national awards, including third place from the Catholic Press Association of the United States and Canada (CPA) for general excellence among weekly diocesan Catholic newspapers in the highest circulation category, at the annual Catholic Media Conference July 2. 

The awards were announced at the conference, which was scheduled to be held in Portland but was was conducted through digitial means.

In evaluating the Clarion Herald based on three consecutive issues –  Oct. 26, Nov. 2 and Nov. 9, 2019 – the CPA judges wrote: “A lot of content here in a deceptively large news hole. Lots of variety, voices, columnists.” 


Those three issues are available to view at  http://clarionherald-la.newsmemory.com. Click on “search archive” and look for the issue dates.

In addition to the third place for general excellence, the Clarion Herald won 14 other national awards, including five for first place:

Best News Writing on a Local or Regional Event: “Managing our holy water,” by Clarion Herald executive editor Peter Finney Jr., on the Sisters of St. Joseph’s donation of their former motherhouse property on Mirabeau Avenue for an ambitious – and still to be built – flood mitigation project ( https://clarionherald.org/news/managing-our-holy-water).


The judges wrote: “An exemplary piece. Excellent reporting, analysis and storytelling. … International news meets care for the environment, told through a local church angle. A complex situation explained very simply and clearly. The writing is very comfortable and familiar, but also precise. There’s even a story arc: calamity becomes opportunity, is met with prayer and innovation, and becomes hope. ‘Managing our holy water’ is a brilliant headline.”

Best Reporting on the Celebration of a Sacrament: “Ordinands share the stories behind their chalices,” by associate editor Christine Bordelon, reporter Beth Donze and Finney on the significance and symbolism of the chalices of the new priests ordained in 2019 ( https://clarionherald.org/news/ordinands-share-the-stories-behind-their-chalices).


The judges said: “This article is cleanly laid out and the formatting is consistent and pleasing to the eye. This is a fascinating topic, and the creator of this article has portrayed it beautifully.”

Best Regular Special Supplement: “Mommy & Me,” which offered features and commentaries by young parents about how to rear their children with a Catholic mindset. ( https://clarionherald.org/news/mommy-me-section-2019)

The judges said: “This issue is adorable! The header graphics used throughout really bring the articles together. The cover is engaging and the articles are thoughtfully written. 

Best Feature Photo and Best Color Photo: “An Angel Eye’s View,” by photographer Frank J. Methe, of children kneeling down to watch the Litany of the Saints during the 2019 priesthood ordination ( https://clarionherald.org/news/an-angels-eye-view).



The judges wrote: “Maybe the most impressive composition in the competition. There are a ton of characters involved, and each furthers the story. The standing priests visually guide your eyes to the children, which lead your eyes to the kneeling priests. The foreground diagonal guides your eye further and then the blurred focus redirects your eye yet again. Masterfully designed. … There’s a lot going on, and some unique story-telling. An unusual perspective that stood out.” 

The Clarion Herald received five second-place awards:

Best News Writing on an International Event: “Houston, we have a problem,” for Finney’s coverage of an environmental presentation by Father Eduardo Scarel on Pope Francis’ encyclical “Laudato Si” ( https://clarionherald.org/news/houston-we-have-a-problem).

The judges wrote: “Carmelite Father Eduardo Scarel refuses to wander in the wilderness on climate change. ‘I believe in God, but climate change is a matter of fact.’ He dismisses skeptics with one word: Baloney. And he says, ‘We can develop new ways and not bury our heads under the soil.’ Such useful and entertaining quotes coupled with substantiating data make this a highly readable piece about the climate change debate, which Scarel likens to the debate years ago about tobacco. And Scarel pulls in a strong alley, Pope Francis, who linked care for the poor with care for the environment. This wonderful combination of facts, issues and moral obligation becomes an enticing invitation to ponder the issue. And by the way, awesome headline.” 

Best Personality Profile: “Humble service animates 2019 Regina Matrum,” by Beth Donze, who profiled Catholic mother of the year Donna Hummel of St. Catherine of Siena Parish in Metairie ( https://clarionherald.org/news/humble-service-animates-2019-regina-matrum).



The judges said: “This piece was nicely organized with the perfect amount of description and background information to reveal the subject’s personality. Nicely done.”

Best Regular Special Supplement: “Catholic Schools Week: A Spirit-filled Mosaic,” by the Clarion Herald staff. 

The judges wrote: “This issue has a creative and eye-catching cover. Each article is laid out neatly and draws in readers with colorful graphics and easy-to- read font.”

Best Photo Story: “Joining hands: Hard Rock collapse,” which included Finney’s photographs of a Mass celebrated for first responders by Oblate Father Anthony Rigoli on Canal Street near the site of the hotel’s collapse ( http://clarionherald-la.newsmemory.com and go to Oct. 26 issue).

The judges said: “A very touching and powerful moment captured with expert photography.”

Best Diocesan Directory, coordinated by Jonelle Foltz and designed by Cheryl Dejoie-LaCabe, with advertising overseen by M.J. Cahill. 

The Clarion Herald won a third-place award for Best News Writing on a National Event: “Abuse survivor Marie Collins: Laity must take lead in reforms.” Finney reported on the Irish woman whose abuse as a teenager finally came to light and forced massive changes in accountability in Ireland ( https://clarionherald.org/news/abuse-survivor-marie-collins-laity-must-take-lead-in-reforms).

The judges wrote: “A clergy sexual abuse survivor walked out of a Vatican council to start her own campaign of getting laypersons to push the council and the church into reform because church leadership isn’t getting the job done. That’s the point of this thought-provoking article that gets right to the issue — Marie Collins is as traumatized by church response as she is to church abuse. We read of her frustration and also of her cordial meeting with an archbishop. A compelling story about the complex issue of abuse and reaction to that abuse.”

There were four honorable mentions:

Best Personality Profile: “Father Fontana: Devote more attention to food during Lent,” a Holy Smoke feature by Donze in which Catholic devotion and tradition were explored ( https://clarionherald.org/news/fr-fontana-devote-more-attention-to-food-during-lent).

Best Single Color Ad: “St. Joseph Church Altar,” by senior graphic artist Cheryl Dejoie- LaCabe.

Best Reporting on a Special Age Group: “Gathering in bountiful numbers,” in which Bordelon profiled the annual March for Life in Washington, D.C. ( http://clarionherald-la.newsmemory.com and go to Jan. 26, 2019, issue).

Best Sports Photo: “Cabrini head volleyball coach,” by sports editor Ron Brocato for his shot of ebullient Cabrini High volleyball coach Kasey Dennies soaking in the championship ( https://clarionherald.org/news/cubs-crescents-jaguars-queens-of-la-volleyball).