By David Karas | Correspondent

Realfaith TV, the diocesan faith-based teen television program that takes on the challenging issues facing today’s young people, was presented with its third Gabriel Award June 21 at a ceremony held during the annual Catholic Media Conference in Indianapolis.

Named for St. Gabriel the Archangel, patron saint of television, radio and all digital communication, the Gabriel Awards are presented annually by The Catholic Academy of Communication Arts Professionals in recognition of work that proclaims value-centered views of society and humanity, primarily through the media. For 47 years, their presentation has been the culmination of an intensive screening process and blue ribbon judging.

Realfaith TV was honored in the category of Local Religious Release for the episode titled “Too Young to Die: Grieving Teenagers,” which deals with the difficult struggle that teens face when one of their friends or contemporaries dies. Now in its 13th year of production, Realfaith shared the spotlight this year with other Gabriel winners from across the industry, including such noteworthy organizations as EWTN, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, National Public Radio, Family Theater Productions and Elixir Films. 

Other 2012 winners in various categories, included The Maximus Group for its general release films, “The Mighty Macs” and “The Way,”  EWTN’s TV show, “The Way of the Cross for Kids,” and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation for its show, “The Fifth Estate: Stories from the River’s Edge.” Gary Sinise, a Catholic actor who stars in the TV drama “CSI: New York” but who is perhaps best known for his role as Lt. Dan in the 1994 film “Forrest Gump,” received the Gabriel Personal Achievement Award, presented by the Catholic Academy of Communication Arts Professionals.

In Indianapolis, Rosemary Kimball, associate director of the diocesan Department of Radio and Television, was presented with the coveted statuette on behalf of the many individuals – adults and teens alike – on the Realfaith team to the applause of assembled representatives of local, national and international broadcast and theatrical organizations. In accepting the Gabriel, Kimball took the opportunity to praise the teens who make Realfaith TV possible.

The popular program won its first Gabriel Award in 2007 for the program, “Companioning a Pregnant Teen,” and in 2008 for “Overcoming Eating Disorders.” The show has also received numerous national communications awards from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops as well as other professional organizations.

“Too Young to Die: Grieving Teenagers,” is a prime example of the mission the drives Realfaith TV, said Marianne Hartman, director of the Department of Radio and Television and executive producer of Realfaith TV.  She also credited the teen cast and crew members who serve as the driving force of the show that is directed at their peers.

This episode, which looked at the grieving process through the perspective of teenagers, shone the spotlight on the courage of the teens to “share their faith in a remarkable way in public in a culture that doesn’t always promote values and Christian-centered messages,” Hartman said.

The teens, she said, “are the essence of Realfaith TV.”
Noting that the series shoots in the summer, she added: “I’m grateful to the teenagers for sharing a big portion of their summers.  They show great courage in sharing their faith with our viewers during studio discussions and face to face with teenagers selected at random on the boardwalk in Seaside Heights.

“Like the angel Gabriel, they are bringing God’s message to others.”

The winning episode was also selected to receive honors at the 33rd Annual Telly Awards, a global honor bestowed on both secular and non-secular entities. The award-winning episode can be viewed online at www.realfaithtv.com/videos/too-young-to-die-grieving-teenagers/