Diocesan publications garner 10 Catholic Press awards
July 29, 2019 at 12:37 p.m.
The Monitor and Peces, the Diocese’s two print publications received a total of 10 awards at the 2014 Catholic Media Conference held June 18-20 in Charlotte, N.C.
The Monitor received eight awards, including one of the Catholic Press Association’s highest journalism awards for diocesan newspapers – that of First Place, General Excellence.
Peces, the diocese’s Spanish publication, was presented with two CPA awards.
Apart from the CPA honors, the National Society for the Propagation of the Faith, presented a special Archbishop Edward T. O’Meara Award to The Monitor recognizing the journalistic writings of the late Msgr. Richard L. Tofani, who served as diocesan mission director for 24 years. To see related story, click here.
In the competition for General Excellence, The Monitor competed with diocesan newspapers across the United States and Canada in the 1-17,000 circulation category. It was the second General Excellence win for The Monitor in recent years; in 2012, the diocesan paper received the top spot award.
In selecting the winners for General Excellence, the judges reviewed aspects of the paper, including the quality of the stories; the subject matter; the layout, and the editing.
The entry submitted by The Monitor in the General Excellence category was comprised of three consecutive issues that were published in 2013.
Commenting on the top win, the CPA judges wrote: “Well-written local stories complemented by excellent photography first strike a reader. Creative interior layouts feature an interesting array of stories and features.”
The CPA presented First Place Awards to The Monitor for:
Best Editorial – National/International Issue (1-17,000 circulation) to Rayanne Bennett’s op/ed titled “The moral impact of a living wage.” Written as a Monitor editorial just prior to Christmas, the piece offered a Catholic perspective on the plight of minimum wage workers and the debate of raising the minimum wage. Bennett is associate publisher of The Monitor and executive director of communications for the Trenton Diocese.
Of Bennett’s piece, the judges cited how “concise and clear writing grace this editorial about minimum wage. The tie into Christmas and theological precedent in Church teaching and practice enriches the argument.”
Click here to read the award winning editorial.
Best Front Page Tabloid (1-17,000 circulation) to Rayanne Bennett, The Monitor’s associate publisher, Clara Baumann, production coordinator, and staff.
In their review, the judges cited: “Great use of typography. Refers were very nicely done…they don’t compete with each other, more important elements.”
The CPA presented Second Place Awards for:
Best Promotional House Ad to Rayanne Bennett, associate publisher, and Clara Baumann, production coordinator. The ad, which is titled, “We have pix that are priceless,” shows a mix of attractive photos with a message designed to direct readers to view the photo gallery on The Monitor’s website: www.trentonmonitor.com.
The CPA judges noted how “This ad held firm to promoting just one thing and used good imagery and compelling copy.”
Click here to visit The Monitor's photo gallery.
Best Redesign to Clara Baumann, Valerie DiGiacomo and Staff.
The CPA judges exuberantly stated: “This was a big change – from a ‘newspaper front’ to a ‘magazine front.’ You did it well!”
The CPA presented Third Place Awards for:
Best Multimedia Package for News to The Monitor Staff, Department of Radio and Television, Patrick Dolan and Rose O’Connor for “Anniversary Blessings.” The multi-media coverage includes video, story and photo coverage highlighting the Sacrament of Matrimony. Featured in the coverage is the diocesan event which brought 270 married couples who were celebrating milestone wedding anniversaries in 2013 together for a Mass in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton, during which they received a blessing from Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M.
The CPA judges commented on the “Very nice usage of multi-media to examine this event.”
Click here to view the "Anniversary Blessing" coverage.
Best Special Supplement of Special Issue with Editorial Emphasis – Best Regular Special Supplement. The Monitor staff was recognized for its “Senor Living” supplement in this category.
The CPA judges remarked: “What was most striking bout this was its joy in senior living, a joy that was reflected in every story. Another point was its completeness. This section covered many aspects of aging, often with helpful advice.”
The CPA presented an Honorable Mention Award in the Best News Writing Originating with the Paper on a Local or Regional Event (1-17,000 circulation).
Lois Rogers was acknowledged for her piece on “Going the Distance: Despite burden of devastating illness”, Ernst makes strong case for life.” The story tells of Bernard Ernst who was motivated to speak out against the pending “Death with Dignity” bill. If adopted, the bill would give people whose doctors say they have less than six months to live the right to commit suicide and establish the mechanism to do so. Rogers, who is now retired from her position as features editor, continues to freelance for the diocesan newspaper.
Click here to read the award winning story.
Spanish Award categories
The Peces staff received first place in the Best Column – Spiritual category for “Pachacutec, Terremotos del Corazon” by Javier Bustamante. Peces used the amazing coverage of the Eucharistic Congress offered by The Monitor and added to it the components of the Congress that really focused on our the Spanish-speaking community, such as the multicultural event and the main stage presentation with Father Carlos García. What really helped share the excitement and grandeur of the weekend event were the wonderful photos that captured the spirit and faith of the diocesan community.
The CPA judges recapped that “Javier Bustamante’ column is headed “Pachacutec,” the Quechua word for “tremors for the heart.” His columns are deeply personal, filled with detail, and they move the reader to engage with Bustamante’s themes of spiritualty in intimate, family settings.”
In the Best Coverage of The Year of Faith category, Peces also took a second place award for “Congreso Eucaristico, el Ano de la Fe.”
Pachacutec is the profound column by Javier Bustamente, director of youth and young adult ministries for the Diocese of Metuchen, in which he touches on life events that cause “earthquakes of the heart,” making use of this Quechua word from the Peruvian indigenous culture. To date, Javier has delved into his relationship with his father, his mother, his travels to the United States as a young teen, his marriage and the birth of his daughter… sharing moving events from a faith perspective.
The CPA judges stated: “Impressive comprehensive coverage devoted to this issue. Great job from all reporters.”
[[In-content Ad]]Related Stories
Saturday, December 20, 2025
E-Editions
Events
The Monitor and Peces, the Diocese’s two print publications received a total of 10 awards at the 2014 Catholic Media Conference held June 18-20 in Charlotte, N.C.
The Monitor received eight awards, including one of the Catholic Press Association’s highest journalism awards for diocesan newspapers – that of First Place, General Excellence.
Peces, the diocese’s Spanish publication, was presented with two CPA awards.
Apart from the CPA honors, the National Society for the Propagation of the Faith, presented a special Archbishop Edward T. O’Meara Award to The Monitor recognizing the journalistic writings of the late Msgr. Richard L. Tofani, who served as diocesan mission director for 24 years. To see related story, click here.
In the competition for General Excellence, The Monitor competed with diocesan newspapers across the United States and Canada in the 1-17,000 circulation category. It was the second General Excellence win for The Monitor in recent years; in 2012, the diocesan paper received the top spot award.
In selecting the winners for General Excellence, the judges reviewed aspects of the paper, including the quality of the stories; the subject matter; the layout, and the editing.
The entry submitted by The Monitor in the General Excellence category was comprised of three consecutive issues that were published in 2013.
Commenting on the top win, the CPA judges wrote: “Well-written local stories complemented by excellent photography first strike a reader. Creative interior layouts feature an interesting array of stories and features.”
The CPA presented First Place Awards to The Monitor for:
Best Editorial – National/International Issue (1-17,000 circulation) to Rayanne Bennett’s op/ed titled “The moral impact of a living wage.” Written as a Monitor editorial just prior to Christmas, the piece offered a Catholic perspective on the plight of minimum wage workers and the debate of raising the minimum wage. Bennett is associate publisher of The Monitor and executive director of communications for the Trenton Diocese.
Of Bennett’s piece, the judges cited how “concise and clear writing grace this editorial about minimum wage. The tie into Christmas and theological precedent in Church teaching and practice enriches the argument.”
Click here to read the award winning editorial.
Best Front Page Tabloid (1-17,000 circulation) to Rayanne Bennett, The Monitor’s associate publisher, Clara Baumann, production coordinator, and staff.
In their review, the judges cited: “Great use of typography. Refers were very nicely done…they don’t compete with each other, more important elements.”
The CPA presented Second Place Awards for:
Best Promotional House Ad to Rayanne Bennett, associate publisher, and Clara Baumann, production coordinator. The ad, which is titled, “We have pix that are priceless,” shows a mix of attractive photos with a message designed to direct readers to view the photo gallery on The Monitor’s website: www.trentonmonitor.com.
The CPA judges noted how “This ad held firm to promoting just one thing and used good imagery and compelling copy.”
Click here to visit The Monitor's photo gallery.
Best Redesign to Clara Baumann, Valerie DiGiacomo and Staff.
The CPA judges exuberantly stated: “This was a big change – from a ‘newspaper front’ to a ‘magazine front.’ You did it well!”
The CPA presented Third Place Awards for:
Best Multimedia Package for News to The Monitor Staff, Department of Radio and Television, Patrick Dolan and Rose O’Connor for “Anniversary Blessings.” The multi-media coverage includes video, story and photo coverage highlighting the Sacrament of Matrimony. Featured in the coverage is the diocesan event which brought 270 married couples who were celebrating milestone wedding anniversaries in 2013 together for a Mass in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton, during which they received a blessing from Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M.
The CPA judges commented on the “Very nice usage of multi-media to examine this event.”
Click here to view the "Anniversary Blessing" coverage.
Best Special Supplement of Special Issue with Editorial Emphasis – Best Regular Special Supplement. The Monitor staff was recognized for its “Senor Living” supplement in this category.
The CPA judges remarked: “What was most striking bout this was its joy in senior living, a joy that was reflected in every story. Another point was its completeness. This section covered many aspects of aging, often with helpful advice.”
The CPA presented an Honorable Mention Award in the Best News Writing Originating with the Paper on a Local or Regional Event (1-17,000 circulation).
Lois Rogers was acknowledged for her piece on “Going the Distance: Despite burden of devastating illness”, Ernst makes strong case for life.” The story tells of Bernard Ernst who was motivated to speak out against the pending “Death with Dignity” bill. If adopted, the bill would give people whose doctors say they have less than six months to live the right to commit suicide and establish the mechanism to do so. Rogers, who is now retired from her position as features editor, continues to freelance for the diocesan newspaper.
Click here to read the award winning story.
Spanish Award categories
The Peces staff received first place in the Best Column – Spiritual category for “Pachacutec, Terremotos del Corazon” by Javier Bustamante. Peces used the amazing coverage of the Eucharistic Congress offered by The Monitor and added to it the components of the Congress that really focused on our the Spanish-speaking community, such as the multicultural event and the main stage presentation with Father Carlos García. What really helped share the excitement and grandeur of the weekend event were the wonderful photos that captured the spirit and faith of the diocesan community.
The CPA judges recapped that “Javier Bustamante’ column is headed “Pachacutec,” the Quechua word for “tremors for the heart.” His columns are deeply personal, filled with detail, and they move the reader to engage with Bustamante’s themes of spiritualty in intimate, family settings.”
In the Best Coverage of The Year of Faith category, Peces also took a second place award for “Congreso Eucaristico, el Ano de la Fe.”
Pachacutec is the profound column by Javier Bustamente, director of youth and young adult ministries for the Diocese of Metuchen, in which he touches on life events that cause “earthquakes of the heart,” making use of this Quechua word from the Peruvian indigenous culture. To date, Javier has delved into his relationship with his father, his mother, his travels to the United States as a young teen, his marriage and the birth of his daughter… sharing moving events from a faith perspective.
The CPA judges stated: “Impressive comprehensive coverage devoted to this issue. Great job from all reporters.”
[[In-content Ad]]