Catholic Near East Welfare Association broke a new record at the Catholic Media Conference, held in Atlantic City, 16-19 June, earning 63 awards for its communications, marketing and media efforts.
Among the top honors, the Catholic Media Association honored ONE Magazine as Magazine of the Year in the Mission Magazines category, noting, “the presentation is robust, colorful and professional, with a polished overall design. The issues are well-curated, featuring strong writing and effective use of photography. The content is topical and offers a healthy variety that keeps each edition engaging and relevant.”
CNEWA also received firsts for the blog’s coverage of social justice issues and topical news, and Elizabeth Belsky, CNEWA’s marketing manager, was named Advertising Business/Marketing Professional of the Year.
The awards were conferred during the conference banquet on 19 June. The CMA has more than 365 member organizations and includes more than 900 individual professionals.
Below is a complete list of CNEWA’s awards, as well as award-winning photographs and select comments by the panel of judges who assessed this year’s nominations. Congratulations to all our contributors!
Our Big Winners
Landscape of Loss, ONE magazine, June 2025
article by Fatima AbdulKarim, photos by Samar Hazboun, video by Samar Hazboun and Yad Abdulqader; title and lead-in by Laura Ieraci
“This article combines vivid on-the-ground reporting, strong narrative control, and a clear sense of historical and political stakes. The piece is especially powerful in the way it moves from one family’s daily life in Bethlehem to the larger pressures reshaping Palestinian society and threatening the survival of the Christian community.”
First: Best Feature Article, Mission Magazines
First: Best Writing In-Depth
First: Best Title and Lead-In
Second: Best Multimedia Package, Feature
Second: Best Multimedia Package, Social Justice Issues
At Death’s Door, ONE magazine, September 2025 web exclusive
article and photos by Diaa Ostaz, video by Diaa Ostaz, Ahmed Danaf and Monzer Abu Nahel
“A powerful story that documents the humanitarian crisis in Gaza with depth and urgency. It brings readers and viewers into the somber reality of conflict — especially for children.”
First: Best Multimedia Package, Feature
First: Best News Video-Diocesan and National News Organizations
Second: Best Multiple Picture Package, News
No Alternative to Dialogue, ONE magazine, December 2025
article, photos, audio and video by Anna Klochko
“An ambitious and deeply engaging first-place package that uses print, web, audio and video to illuminate a difficult subject with both gravity and humanity.”
First: Best Web and Print Package
Second: Best Video, Feature: Diocesan and National News Organizations
Third: Best Story and Photo Package by an Individual
Honorable Mention: Best Multimedia Package, Feature
Honorable Mention: Best Multiple Picture Package, Feature
In Need of a Lifeline, ONE magazine, June 2025
article by Rosabel Crean, photos and video by Ahmad Fallaha
“The photographs elevate the narrative in a way that really takes the reader to the location and makes the people’s experience feel real. Great job of capturing emotions through the combined photos and narrative.”
First: Best Multiple Picture Package, News
Second: Best Story and Photo Package by Two or More Individuals
Second: Best Photograph, Scenic, Still Life or Weather Photo
Third: Best Photograph, National/International Event
Beacons of Hope, ONE magazine, September 2025
article by Anna Klochko, photos and video by Konstantin Chernichkin
“A beautifully conceived and highly effective feature that shows how parish life can become a real engine of healing, dignity and solidarity in the midst of war. The article stands out for its breadth and specificity: It does not speak in generalities about suffering, but shows concrete ministries, local leadership and small-scale acts of service that together form a powerful portrait of hope in action.”
Second: Best Feature Article, Mission Magazines
Third: Best Reporting of Social Justice Issues, Solidarity
Honorable Mention: Best Reporting of Social Justice Issues, Call to Family, Community and Participation
The Fallout, ONE magazine, September 2025
article by Lorenzo Milne, photos and video by Petterik Wiggers, title and lead-in by Laura Ieraci
“The visual elements transport the reader to the location and convey the right balance of emotions and information. … Great work at bringing together the visual and narrative elements into a compelling story.”
Third: Best Story and Photo Package by Two or More Individuals
Honorable Mention: Best Multiple Picture Package, News
Honorable Mention: Best Title and Lead-In
Honorable Mention: Best Feature Article, Mission Magazines
Piece by Piece, ONE magazine, December 2025
article by Leila Warah, photos by Samar Hazboun, video by Samar Hazboun and Yad Abdulqader, layout by Paul Grillo
Honorable Mention: Best Layout of an Article or Column, National General Interest Magazine
Honorable Mention: Best Video, Feature: Diocesan and National News Organizations
Honorable Mention: Best Photograph, Photo Illustration
Below a list of additional awards not featured among “Our Big Winners.”
First Place
Magazine of the Year, Mission Magazines: ONE Magazine, Catholic Near East Welfare Association, CNEWA editorial, marketing, communications and creative teams.
Best Blog, Social Justice Issues: CNEWA Blog, articles by Elias Mallon, Diaa Ostaz, Olivia Poust, Laura Ieraci and Laure Delacloche
Best Blog, Topical News: CNEWA Blog, articles by Diaa Ostaz, Barb Fraze, Laure Delacloche and Olivia Poust
Best Multimedia Package Series: News, updates and features from Gaza, autumn 2025, by Diaa Ostaz, Ahmed Danad, Monzer Abu Nahel, Seraj Madhoun and Fadel Alhmmami
Best Photograph, National/International Event: No Water to Be Had, by Diaa Ostaz
Best Layout of an Article or Column National General Interest Magazine: It Is Famine, layout by Paul Grillo
Best Photograph, Feature Photo: A Plea to Heaven, by Diaa Ostaz
Best Press Release: CNEWA’s Work Continues Unhindered, by Michael J. La Civita
Best Guest Column/Commentary: The War Is Close, We Must Be Closer, by Archbishop Borys Gudziak
“One of the strongest pieces of writing in the entire competition.”
Advertising Business/Marketing Professional of the Year: Elizabeth Belsky
“This creative and competent copywriter demonstrates her value not solely as a writer but also as a creative and narrative director who can take ideas from conception through execution to provide big results for her organization’s mission. … Furthermore, under the shadow of artificial intelligence’s generative capacity, her talent demonstrates the utility and necessity of human skill.”
Second Place
Best Website, General Publisher: cnewa.org, by David Aquije, website manager, and the communications and marketing teams
Best Advertising Campaign: Don’t Let Us Fall Through the Cracks, by Elizabeth Belsky and Paul Grillo
Best Single Ad Originating With the Publication, Print: Caught in the Crosshairs, by Elizabeth Belsky and Paul Grillo
Best Use of Graphics in Social Media: Bethlehem, by Francisca Enemuo and Samar Hazboun
Best Reporting of Social Justice Issues, Solidarity: Healing Hands in the Shadows of War, by Claire Porter Robbins and Ahmad Fallaha
Best Coverage, Disaster or Crisis: The conflict in the Middle East, including the articles, “Landscape of Loss,” by Fatima AbdulKarim and Samar Hazboun; “At Death’s Door,” Diaa Ostaz; and “A Tentative Peace,” by Laure Delacloche and Raghida Skaff
Best Essay, Mission Magazines: A Letter from Georgia, by Ani Ergemlidze
Editor of the Year, English Language: Laura Ieraci
Third Place
Best Online Content Not Published in Print, Photo: CNEWA Blog: War in Gaza, autumn 2025, by Diaa Ostaz and Mousa Ayyad
Best Multimedia Package Series: Four articles from Syria after the fall of the Assad regime, “In Need of a Lifeline,” by Rosabel Crean; “A Light in the Desert,” “A New Beginning for Syria” and “Healing Hands in the Shadows of War,” by Claire Porter Robbins; photos and video by Ahmad Fallaha
News Video, Diocesan and National News Organizations: Gazans Ask, Does Anyone Care?, by Diaa Ostaz and Seraj Madhoun
Best Coverage, Disaster or Crisis: Five articles on the rebuilding of Syria after the Assad regime, “In Need of a Lifeline,” by Rosabel Crean; “A Light in the Desert,” “A New Beginning for Syria” and “Healing Hands in the Shadows of War,” by Claire Porter Robbins; and “A Letter From Syria,” by Nabil Antaki; photos and video by Ahmad Fallaha
Honorable Mention
Best External E-Newsletter: CNEWA’s World: Pope Leo XIV, by CNEWA marketing, communications and creative teams
Best Initiative or Campaign, Seasonal: Lent Campaign, by CNEWA marketing, communications and creative teams
Best Single Ad Originating with the Publication, Print: It’s a Mad Mad Mad World, by Elizabeth Belsky and Samantha Staddon
Best Web and Print Package: “It Is Famine,” by Olivia Poust, Diaa Ostaz, Mousa Ayyad and Seraj Madhoun
Best Online Content Not Published in Print, Articles: CNEWA Blog: Middle East Coverage, by Laure Delacloche, Raghida Skaff and Diaa Ostaz
Best Multimedia Package, News: Where Should I Go, Mother, by Diaa Ostaz, Ahmed Danad and Fadel Alhmmami
Best Story and Photo Package by Two Individuals or More: A Place They Call ‘Home,’ by Magdy Samaan, with photographs by Roger Anis
Best Reporting on Social Justice Issues, Option for the Poor and Vulnerable: Last but Not Least, by Anubha George, with photographs by Sajeendran V.S.
Best Reporting on a Special Age Group, Young Adults: A Place They Call ‘Home,’ by Magdy Samaan, with photographs by Roger Anis
Best Social Media Account, Religious, Nonprofit, University: CNEWA Instagram, Francisca Enemuo
Best Photograph, Portrait: A Plea to Heaven, by Diaa Ostaz
Best Essay, Mission Magazines, Nicaea and the Evolution of Ecumenism, by Elias D. Mallon
Social Media Professional of the Year: Francisca Enemuo