The Monitor and Peces, the Diocese’s two print publications, received four awards from the Catholic Press Association of the United States and Canada during the 2015 Catholic Media Conference held June 24-26 in Buffalo, N.Y.

Peces, Red de la Esperanza (Network of Hope), the Diocese’s Spanish-language quarterly newspaper, was presented with two second place awards. One was in the category of Best Online Presentation of Multi-Media Visuals for two online sites, “Cristo Para Todos" and "Espatiespami.com.” The Cristo Para Todos page featured television episodes of the diocesan Spanish-language program that explored a variety of topics from a Catholic perspective, images from the skit and studio taping, and the schedule of how to watch the program on TV. Espatiespami.com is a companion blog for CPT whose title means "He is for you, He is for me," illuminating again that Jesus is for all. In Espatiespami.com, the writers share different reflections and angles for the month's episode of Cristo Para Todos.

Peces also earned second place in the Best Coverage of Family category for its Summer 2014 issue, which reported on an array of family-based events and programs.  In their remarks, the CPA judges commended the variety of themes included.  They wrote: "The writers were not limited to one angle of 'the family' and showed that strengthening the family can take many forms." 

Peces is edited and produced by Matthew Greeley, associate director of the diocesan Office of Communications, and coordinator of Spanish language communications, with the support of freelance personnel. The winning issue highlighted different aspects of family life as important elements of our Church experience. Among the recognized articles were those covering the realities of immigrant families, the experience of a couple falling in love, physical and spiritual well-being of seniors, as well as how couples who have been together for some time begin the process to convalidate their marriages.

Greeley shared that one of the goals for Peces is "to build a sense of family identity among our diocesan community. While some issues speak more loudly for specific audiences, we are one Church family and we want Peces to be an instrument that fosters that sentiment." 

The Monitor, the Diocese's bi-weekly newspaper, won second place in the category of General Excellence, competing with diocesan newspapers across the United States and Canada in the 1-17,000 circulation category. In evaluating submissions for General Excellence, which included three consecutive issues published in 2014,  the judges reviewed a wide range of each newspaper's attributes, including story quality, subject matter, layout and use of graphics, and editing.

In their comments supporting their second place choice, the judges said, “The Monitor reads like a large circulation paper, impressive magnitude of stories, sections and graphics included in each issue. The headings (World, News, Youth, etc.) are very helpful to guide the reader toward a particular section. Overall, this paper was well written, thoughtfully laid out and excellent on all fronts.”

The judges specifically commented on The Monitor’s Oct. 23, 2014, edition in which comprehensive coverage was given to the 200th anniversary of Sacred Heart Parish, Trenton. Sacred Heart is the oldest parish in New Jersey. The judges stated that it was “a tour de force in journalism." They added, "Strong photos, well-crafted historical background coupled with stories on today’s Catholic community in historic architectural settings make for compelling reading.”

The Monitor’s Senior Living section was also recognized with a second place award in the Best Regular Special Supplement category. The judges described the supplement as "well rounded, useful and appealing."

Each year the Catholic Press Awards competition is judged by several dozen professionals in communications and journalism who are connected with Catholic, secular or corporate entities.