Pontifical Mission Societies Website and Children's Publication Awarded Top Press Honors

NEW ORLEANS -- At the Catholic Media Convention in New Orleans June 4, general excellence honors were awarded to the Pontifical Mission Societies for two of its mission animation efforts. The Catholic Press Association awarded second place for general excellence to the Societies' website, redesigned in 2009, www.onefamilyinmission.org. In presenting the award, the judges noted: "The intro page is nice and clean. Provides easy access to their Missions and MISSION magazine. The rest of the site is also clean and well organized. It is full of helpful information to educate users. Some nice connections are made too, with their YouTube, blogger (missionreport.org) and Facebook presence." The Pontifical Mission Societies new media manager is Patty Macias.

Also under Ms. Macias' supervision, as education director and managing editor, is the publication of the HolyChildhood Association, It's Our World. That grade specific newsletter for young people also took second place general excellence among specific interest newsletters. Judges observed: "In a nutshell, a well-constructedteaching tool. Writing, color, typography, photos and graphics work together to engage young minds. The 'At aGlance' is a great feature only surpassed by all the activities."

National Director Monsignor John E. Kozar, who is also publisher for all materials of the Pontifical MissionSocieties, said of the honors: "We are gratified and humbled by the recognition from our collaborators in the journalism field. We strive to make our mission animation outreach the best it can be, in all media, in order to helpyoung and old come to know of their needed commitment and support to the Church's mission ad gentes."

The Catholic Media Convention brings together Catholic newspaper and magazine professionals (Catholic PressAssociation), as well as those involved in the audiovisual and electronic media, and diocesan communicationsdirectors (Catholic Academy of Communication Arts Professionals). (June 2010)

Pontifical Mission Societies Honors Catholic Journalists - and Let's the World Watch!

NEW YORK - As Catholic journalists gather in New Orleans for the Catholic Media Convention June 2 to 4, the Pontifical Mission Societies will pay tribute to those who have demonstrated excellence in reporting on the worldwide mission of the Church - and the world can watch. The Archbishop Edward O'Meara Awards will be presented during that meeting on June 3, at 9:45 a.m. CST - and the Pontifical Mission Societies will carry the presentation, made by National Director Monsignor John E. Kozar, on its LiveStream Channel (www.livestream.com/1missionfamilylive).

"The Pontifical Mission Societies are charged with bringing Catholics to an understanding of their responsibility for the Church's mission to all nations," explained Monsignor Kozar. "These awards recognize the invaluable partnership with the Catholic press as, together, we do just that."With our LiveStream coverage, we are converging media to give the widest recognition to these award winners," Monsignor Kozar added.

The awards, named in honor of a former National Director, also cite the collaboration between Catholic media and diocesan directors of the Pontifical Mission Societies, both in terms of World Mission Sunday promotion and general articles on world mission in Catholic newspapers.

The Catholic Media Convention brings together Catholic newspaper and magazine professionals, as well as those involved in the audiovisual and electronic media, and diocesan communications directors. More information on these awards and the awards presentation, as well as a complete list of winners, may be found at www.onefamilyinmission.org. (May 2010)