The Catholic Post received three awards for journalistic excellence and a children’s book by Father Dominic Garramone, OSB, of St. Bede Abbey also captured a top prize in judging of material published in 2010 sponsored by the Catholic Press Association of the United States and Canada.

Editorials by Thomas J. Dermody took first place in both “Best Editorial” categories — on a local issue or on a national/international issue — in the Catholic Post’s circulation division.

Meanwhile, a Dec. 12 story by Jennifer Willems on the annual area-wide Thanksgiving meal coordinated by Deacon Bob Vogelbaugh of Moline captured third place in the “Best Feature Writing” category.

The awards were announced on the final evening of the Catholic Media Convention held June 22-24 in Pittsburgh, Pa. Judging was done by journalism faculty members from Marquette University in Milwaukee and Loyola University of Chicago.

In awarding it first place as best editorial on a local issue, judges said Dermody’s “Catholic Cemeteries an Important Mission” scored points “for spotlighting people who do vital work, but are not usually journalistic subjects.”

Dermody also received first place in the national/international editorial category for “Tiger’s Confession, Our Reconciliation,” which judges praised for “cleverly playing off the news — tying the mea culpas of Tiger Woods and other celebrities to the need for Catholics to go to confession.”

Willems spent Thanksgiving Day 2010 with Deacon Vogelbaugh and others who fed 2,500 people at the 40th annual such dinner he has hosted on the holiday. Judges said the resulting story, titled “‘Mr. Thanksgiving’ and family of 2,500 will do it again,'” was a “well-constructed feel good piece that balances accessible language when relating events with articulations of deeper values and meanings occurring in the Thanksgiving Day feast.”

TOP CHILDREN’S BOOK
Meanwhile, among book award winners, Father Dominic’s book “Brother Jerome and the Angels in the Bakery,” published by Reedy Press of St. Louis, was named top Children’s Book. Judges called it “an absolutely wonderful resource to read with or to children. Its simplicity of message and presentation make it perfect for all ages. Exceptionally written and beautifully illustrated in warm, soft colors, this book presents a strong yet simple message about faith and the persistence of prayer.”

It was the second major award for Father Dominic’s book this year. On May 19 in New York City, “Brother Jerome and the Angels in the Bakery” received a Christopher Award. The book, illustrated by Richard Bernal, tells the story of a monk who struggles with a new bakery and perseveres by relying on faith in God.

FATHER DIETZEN RECALLED
Also at the convention, the late Father John Dietzen was remembered during the presentation of the Catholic Press Association’s highest honor, the St. Francis de Sales Award.

Father Dietzen, a former associate editor of The Catholic Post who was the Catholic press’ foremost question-and-answer columnist in recent decades, was one of three finalists for the recognition. He died during the nomination process in March. His nomination claimed that “no Catholic press writer was more connected to his audience, and likely none got more reader response” than Father Dietzen, whose “Question Box” column appeared in The Catholic Post for 40 years, was syndicated by Catholic News Service, and spawned several book compilations.

This year’s St. Francis de Sales Award recipient, Bob Zyskowski, also has ties to The Catholic Post. He began his career in Peoria and paid tribute to both Father Dietzen and longtime Post editor and publisher Msgr. Robert G. Peters, with whom he worked in the early 1970s.

Zyskowski is now associate publisher and general manager of The Catholic Spirit newspaper in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, and is a former president of the Catholic Press Association.