Catholic Media Association names North Texas Catholic Best Diocesan Magazine in 2026
The North Texas Catholic was named Best Diocesan Magazine by judges for the Catholic Media Association
ATLANTIC CITY, NJ — Judges for the Catholic Media Association awarded the North Texas Catholic 16 awards, including Best Diocesan Magazine, an honor which the magazine has won three times.
The CMA judges praised the North Texas Catholic, stating, “The publication is well organized and packed with a strong variety of content, making it a solid and well-executed issue overall. Its use of color keeps it visually engaging and easy to navigate, while the mix of local and international topics feels timely and relevant to the church. Strong use of staff photography adds authenticity and visual depth, and the thoughtful integration of QR codes enhances the experience by providing access to additional imagery.”
The Diocese of Fort Worth was also recognized with a third-place finish for its podcast, Light, Catholic, Action! Host Sissel Anderson came in second place for podcaster of the year, and Juan Guajardo, diocesan director of creative services, was awarded second place in the videographer of the year category and an honorable mention as photographer of the year.
The North Texas Catholic received 15 additional recognitions for individual articles: 11 in English and four for its Spanish-language reporting.
The official news publication of the Diocese of Fort Worth, the North Texas Catholic publishes a print issue bimonthly and maintains a website and social media accounts for up-to-date reporting.
The awards were the culmination of the 2026 Catholic Media Conference, held this year in Atlantic City, NJ. The Catholic Media Association, which organized the June 16-19 conference, includes members and sponsors from prominent news publishers including EWTN, OSV News, Faith Catholic, and more than 360 other member organizations.
Individual writing awards include:
- Best obituary, second place: Matthew Smith (Father Ronald Mohnickey)
- Best seasonal section, second place: Jennifer Johnson, Maria Diaz, Christina Benavides (Advent companions)
- Best writing, in depth, second place: Susan Moses (Who is my neighbor?)
- Best reporting of social justice — call to family, third place: Joan Kurkowski-Gillen (Alone, but with God)
- Best feature, diocesan magazine, third place: Christina Benavides (Creator's content)
- Best reporting on social justice — human dignity, third place: Susan Moses (Crafted with care)
- Best sports reporting, honorable mention: Brenda Raney, Mary Rampellini, and Lisa Moore (On Target, Horse Power, The Lord and the Board)
- Best reporting on young adults, honorable mention: Jennifer Johnson (Seeking the next step)
- Best reporting on social justice — rights and responsibility, honorable mention: Joan Kurkowski-Gillen (Where justice meets mercy)
- Best video, papal election, honorable mention: Juan Guajardo
- Best video, ordination, honorable mention: Juan Guajardo
Spanish-language reporting:
- Best reporting on family, first place: Violeta Rocha (Un camino al altar y el cielo)
- Best reporting on the jubilee year, first place: Violeta Rocha (Abren con jubilo la puerta sana)
- Best reporting, Catholic education, second place: Christina Benavides (Cultivando lideres de la fe)
- Best reporting, celebration of a sacrament, third place: Karla Silva (Llamados a ser testigos de Cristo)