
The Diocese of Youngstown and The Catholic Echo received several awards at this year’s Catholic Media Association Awards ceremony, which was held the last day of the association’s conference in Phoenix from June 24 to 27.
In the general awards, Catholic Echo photographer Brian Keith brought home second place in “Best Feature Photo” for an image he captured at the Our Lady of Guadalupe Mass at St. Columba Cathedral on December 12, 2023 (image below). He received an honorable mention for the same image in the Magazine category.

Other awards for The Catholic Echo in the Magazine Division include:
First Place
Best Story and Photo Package- By Two Individuals or More
“Fe, Familia y Fiesta”
Mary Ellen Pellegrini, Paulina Montaldo, Brian Keith, Jimmy Joe Savage and The Catholic Echo Staff
(Found on Page 17 at this link.)
Second Place
Best Personality Profiles- Religious Leader
“Have You Seen My Brother?” by Pete Sheehan
Third Place
Best Regular Column – Art, Leisure, Culture and Food
“Faith Fact” by Collin Vogt and Pete Sheehan
Third Place
Best Photograph- Scenic, Still-life or Weather Photo
“Mill Creek Park in Spring” by Brian Keith
(Found on the cover at this link.)
Honorable Mention
Best Regular Column- Bishop’s Column in a Diocesan Magazine
“Walking by Faith Together” by Bishop David J. Bonnar
Honorable Mention
Best Website- Magazine
The Catholic Echo
The Diocesan communications department was also well-represented at the awards ceremony, receiving the following awards in the Communications Department Division:
Second Place
Best Press Release
“DOY Announces Plans for Archive Facility at Former Saints Cyril and Methodius Church” by Dennis Biviano
Third Place
Best Podcast- News
“Diocese of Youngstown Announces Plans for Archive Facility at Former Saints Cyril and Methodius Church” by Dennis Biviano, Robert Gavalier, Bishop David J. Bonnar, Joan Lawson, Hannah Shaw and the Diocese of Youngstown Communications Department
Honorable Mention
Best Use of Graphics in Social Media
“Guess the Saint Saturday,” by Michael Houy
(See the campaign on Facebook and Instagram)
Next year’s conference will be held in Atlantic City, New Jersey, in June.