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July 13, 2020, Portland, Oregon – The Adrian Dominican Congregation received Honorable Mention from the Catholic Press Association (CPA) for Best Free-standing Video Depicting Religious Life. 

The announcement was made during the CPA’s virtual awards banquet at the end of its virtual Catholic Media Conference, originally scheduled for June 29-July 2, 2020, in Portland, Oregon.

The video, Bringing Love: Espíritu Santo Fe y Alegría School, focused on the 25th anniversary of the school, founded by the Baní community in the Dominican Republic with Sisters Maurine Barzantni, OP, and the late Renee Richie, OP. Part of the Congregation’s Annual Christmas Appeal, the video was filmed and edited by Scott Miller, while Ashley LaVigne served as interviewer and production coordinator. Both are Co-workers in the Congregation’s Communications Department. The efforts were coordinated by Amy Palmer, Director of Development, and Angie Kessler, Director of Communications.

The video faced stiff competition. Other award winners in that category were America, a national magazine produced by the Jesuits, first place; Catholic News Service, a national Catholic news agency, second place; and the Archdiocese of Detroit, third place. Also earning Honorable Mention was the Grotto Network, a website and social media network begun by the University of Notre Dame to engage youth and enhance their faith.

Bringing Love was a collaborative effort of the Communications and Development Offices. Also serving in Communications are Sheila Wathen, Assistant Director; Ashley Saxton, graphic designer; and Sister Barbara Kelley, OP, writer and editor. Serving with Amy in the Office of Development are Diane Bach, Office Coordinator; Laura Brosamer, Office Assistant; Sister Kathleen Schanz, OP, Donor Relations Specialist; Catherine Witt, Development Office Coordinator; and Jolene Witt, Office Assistant. 

June 28, 2019, St. Petersburg, Florida – Adrian Dominican Sisters received three awards from the Catholic Press Association (CPA) in recognition of the Congregation’s efforts to share its story and Mission with the public. The awards were announced June 21, 2019, during the awards banquet of the CPA’s 2019 Catholic Media Conference June 18-21 in St. Petersburg, Florida.

The Congregation received the following awards:

• Second Place: Best Annual Report for Catholic Nonprofit Organizations for Hearts of Hope, the 2017-2018 Annual Report. “Clear concise language illustrated the accomplishments, goals, services, resources in a succinct way,” the judges noted. “Graphics are concise and aid in comprehension. Overall report gives the reader a sense of the organization’s character as well.”
  
  
• Honorable Mention: Best Presentation of Online Videos for Ripples of Faith: A Sister’s Story, an Office of Development Christmas campaign video featuring the life and ministries of Sister Mary Margaret (Sis) Beh, OP. The video faced stiff competition; the top three awards went to America Magazine, the Diocese of Savannah, and Catholic News Service.
  
  
• Honorable Mention: Best E-newsletter for Veritas, a monthly newsletter that gives a comprehensive view of recent events and upcoming programs of the Congregation. 

The awards were the result of the collaborative efforts of the Offices Communications and Development. 

Co-workers in Communications are Angie Kessler, Director; Sheila Wathen, Assistant Director; Sister Barbara Kelley, OP, Writer; Ashley LaVigne, Social Media Specialist; Scott Miller, Videographer; and Ashley Saxton, Graphic Designer. Jessica Havens was the Graphic Designer in 2018, the period covered by the 2019 CPA awards. 

Co-workers in Development are Amy Palmer, Director; Diane Bach, Development Office Coordinator; Sister Kathleen Schanz, OP, Donor Relations; and Laura Brosamer and Jolene Witt, Office Assistants.