Angelus brought home 15 awards from the Catholic Media Association (CMA) this year, for works published in 2021. 

The awards were announced July 7 at the end of the annual CMA conference. This year’s event was held in Portland, in person for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic began in 2020. 

Angelus columnists Heather King and Robert Brennan were each recognized with first place awards for Best Regular Columns. Other first place designations were awarded for Steve Lowery’s profile on LA’s oldest deacon and Tom Hoffarth’s deep dive into the strong faith of baseball manager Tommy Lasorda.

CMA judges also recognized editor-in-chief Pablo Kay as a “leader at work,” awarding him first runner up for Editor of the Year. They noted his “talented and versatile writing,” his pandemic coverage, and his launch of the Spanish website for Angelus, AngelusenEspanol. 

First Place

Best Regular Column - Arts, Leisure, Culture and Food: “Desire Lines” by Heather King 

Best Regular Column - General Commentary: “Ad Rem” by Robert Brennan 

Personality Profiles - Religious Leader: “A deacon in demand” by Steve Lowery

Best Sports Reporting: “The baseball manager who gave God a jersey” by Tom Hoffarth 

Second Place

Best Cover for Color - Large: “The Fight for Family Movie Night” by Jacob Popcak 

Best Essay - Diocesan Magazines: “Every Catholic’s homeland” by Mike Aquilina 

Best Review: “Secular sermons” by John J. Miller 

Best Writing - In-Depth: “Protected by providence” by Ann Rodgers 

Third Place

Best Reporting of the Celebration of a Sacrament: “My mom’s saving medicine” by Elise Italiano Ureneck 

Best Review: “In search of a savior” by Msgr. Richard Antall

Honorable Mention

Best Coverage - Immigration: “Caught between borders” by Angelus, Ann Rodgers, Tom Hoffarth, Angelus staff 

Best Coverage - Pandemic: “A virus leaves its mark” by Angelus, John L. Allen Jr., Pablo Kay, Angelus staff, Charles C. Camosy

Best Feature Article - Diocesan Magazine: “A restless farewell” by Ann Rodgers

Best Diocesan Directory: "2021-2022 Archdiocese of Los Angeles Catholic Directory" by Angelus Staff and Archdiocese of Los Angeles

First Runner Up

Editor of the Year (English): Pablo Kay