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October 28, 2024, Glenview, Illinois – The Adrian Dominican Sisters received an award for “Outstanding Achievement in an Integrated Media Campaign” for its 2023 Christmas appeal, which included a video series, print and electronic communications, and social media posts. 

The award was announced during the 2024 conference of the Communicators for Women Religious (CWR), held October 8-11, 2024, in Glenview, Illinois. CWR “provides networking and education to members who communicate and advance the mission and ministries of women religious.” 

A collaboration of the Office of Communications, the Office of Development, and the Congregation’s Archive, the year-end appeal centered on the theme, Believe. As the Adrian Dominican Sisters celebrated 100 years of being an independent Congregation, the idea was to show both the historical impact of Adrian Dominican Sisters and how their inspiration, legacy, and impact are being carried forward today and into future generations. The campaign included social media posts, enewsletters, printed materials, and five videos that were released between Thanksgiving and the end of the year. 

“We are honored to be recognized by our colleagues for this work,” said Angie Kessler, Director of Communications for the Adrian Dominican Sisters. “More than the end products themselves, this award celebrates our collaborative efforts and recognizes the individual gifts of our Co-workers.”

Many Adrian Dominican Sisters Co-workers were involved in making the project a success, from concept to final product, including those details not as visible such as preparing mailing lists, digitizing archival materials, and making sure the technology worked as intended.

Department members involved in the Believe project were:

•    Archive: Lisa Schell, Sister Beverly Bobola, OP, Sister Joy Finfera, OP, Erin Blohm, and Adam Nortley. 

•    Communications: Angie Kessler, Kari Brogan, Ashley Duke, Barbara Kelley, OP, Jakob Smith, and Sheila Wathen.

•    Development: Amy Palmer, Diane Bach, Laura Brosamer, Sister Kathleen Schanz, OP, Tracy Schultz, and Sarah Veres.

The Believe videos can be viewed on the Adrian Dominican Sisters’ YouTube channel. 

 

Caption for above feature photo: Members of the Archive, Communication, and Development teams are, from left, Angie Kessler, Lisa Schell, Laura Brosamer, Sister Beverly Bobola, OP, Sarah Veres, Ashley Duke, Tracy Schultz, Amy Palmer, Sister Barbara Kelley, Sheila Wathen, Sister Joy Finfera, OP, Jakob Smith, and Ashley Concord. 

June 26, 2023, Baltimore, Maryland – The Adrian Dominican Sisters and Barry University – a Miami, Florida-based university founded and sponsored by the Adrian Dominican Sisters – recently received awards from the Catholic Media Association (CMA).

The Adrian Dominican Sisters received first place in the Best Annual Report for a Catholic Nonprofit Organization category for the 2021-2022 Annual Report, Awakening to the World Around Us. The award was announced during the closing banquet at the Catholic Media Association’s (CMA) 2023 conference, held June 6-9, 2023, in Baltimore, Maryland.

The title of the 2021-2022 is taken from the Prayer for General Chapter 2022, written by Patricia Siemen, OP, Prioress at the time, asking God to awaken the Sisters and Associates to love. The annual report details the various ways that Sisters, Associates, Co-workers, and Benefactors have responded to the needs of the wounded world with awakened love.

Judges noted that the annual report “goes beyond the balance sheet to showcase interesting tidbits, easy-to-read articles, and quotes from those involved in the efforts,” and particularly appreciated the explanation on the back cover of the symbols on the front cover.

Co-workers in the Development and Communications Offices collaborated on the 2021-2022 annual report. Development Co-workers are Amy Palmer, Director; Laura Brosamer; Sister Kathleen Schanz, OP; Tracy Schultz; and Sarah Veres. Members of the Communications team at the time of the annual report’s production were Angie Kessler, Director; Ashley Concord; Ashley Duke; Sister Barbara Kelley, OP; Jakob Smith; and Sheila Wathen.

Students working at Barry University’s magazine, The Barry Buccaneer, received the Student Journalism Awards for Writer of the Year (first place), Best Article on Social Justice (third place), Best Creative Writing (first place), Best Front Page (second place), Best Use of Graphics with an Article (first, second, and third place), Best Single Photo (second place), and Best Story and Photo Package by an Individual (first place).

Formerly known as the Catholic Press Association, the CMA is an association of U.S. and Canadian newspaper and media specialists who report on issues and news involving the Catholic Church and Catholic organizations.