Catholic media news from the Midwest and South — CMA region updates for August 2025
Midwestern Region
Compiled by Michael Stechschulte, Midwestern Region Rep.
Archdiocese of St. Paul & Minneapolis
The Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis recently launched a redesigned website, archspm.org The site pairs a sleek design with intuitive navigation, plus beautiful new photos of local parishes. Site visitors can easily find local Mass, reconciliation and adoration times, as well as Catholic FAQs, prayers, media, and areas of ministry.
Diocese of Sioux City
Father John E. Keehner, a priest of the Diocese of Youngstown, Ohio, was ordained as the eighth bishop of the Diocese of Sioux City May 1 at the Cathedral of the Epiphany in Sioux City. He was ordained by Archbishop Thomas Zinkula of Dubuque with Bishop Walker Nickless, bishop emeritus of the Diocese of Sioux City, and Bishop David J. Bonnar of Youngstown serving as co-ordaining bishops. Pope Francis named then-Father Keehner to serve as the next diocesan bishop Feb. 12, almost three years after Bishop Nickless submitted his mandatory resignation letter to the pope on his 75th birthday.
Tony Ganzer (Freelancer)
The Faith Full Catholic Podcast, created by CMA member Tony Ganzer, won first prize for “Best Religion Podcast” from the Religion News Association this year. Find new video episodes on the podcast YouTube channel, or at faithfullpod.com.
Diocese of St. Cloud
After years of dedicated service, The Central Minnesota Catholic said goodbye to copy editors Carol Jessen-Klixbull and Nikki Rajala. Their keen eyes and commitment to clarity and truth have helped shape countless stories that have formed, informed and transformed the faithful across the Diocese of St. Cloud, Minn. The diocese is deeply grateful for the legacy they leave and wishes them abundant joy.
Archdiocese of Chicago
The Archdiocese of Chicago’s coverage of the election of Pope Leo XIV, a native son of the city, included a Mass at the home ballpark of the Chicago White Sox, the pope’s favorite baseball team, which was covered by the Chicago Catholic, and included a “mock papal conclave,” held by local schools that received viral attention. The archdiocese continues to find creative ways to honor the election of Pope Leo.
Diocese of Youngstown
Bishop David J. Bonnar published his third pastoral letter, “Take Heart! Do Not Lose Heart! Behold the Sacred Heart!”, which is part of the diocese’s preparation for an enthronement of the Sacred Heart of Jesus to take place in every church Sept. 28.
National Religious Vocation Conference
Carol Schuck Scheiber is retiring in August after nearly three decades as the publications editor for the National Religious Vocation Conference and managing editor of VISION Vocation Guide. Jesús Leyva has taken on editorial duties and more in the newly created role of communications director for the NRVC.
Archdiocese of Indianapolis
Natalie Hoefer of The Criterion received four national honors in the 2025 National Federation of Press Women’s Professional Contest, including a first-place award in religion reporting. The contest began at the state level, where the Woman’s Press Club of Indiana recognized Hoefer with six awards, four of which advanced to nationals. Hoefer will be honored at the NFPW Conference in Golden, Colo., in September. She encourages Catholic journalists to engage with NFPW affiliates and values the organization’s support of both professional and student journalism.
Archdiocese of Detroit
In July, the Archdiocese of Detroit welcomed a new communications director, Angela Coletti Brown, who brings decades of experience in communications roles for the automotive sector, as well as other communications experience in marketing, internal and strategic communications. Among her other responsibilities, Brown will help lead communications strategy and implementation for an upcoming pastoral planning process in the Archdiocese of Detroit.
Southern Region
Compiled by James Ramos, Southern Region Rep.
The Arkansas Catholic
The Arkansas Catholic published the premier issue of Catholic Classrooms magazine in coordination with the Diocese of Little Rock’s Office of Catholic Schools. The magazine highlighted STEM initiatives around the diocese, as well as Educational Freedom Accounts, which are now available to all Arkansas parents who wish to enroll their children in private education. The magazine was distributed to the 26 Catholic schools in the state to support their recruitment efforts. The newspaper staff is still analyzing whether the magazine should be an annual or biennial publication.
The Georgia Bulletin
At The Georgia Bulletin, Julianna Leopold has joined the Archdiocese of Atlanta staff, taking the role of photojournalist for the archdiocesan newspaper.
“I’m excited to be a part of The Georgia Bulletin and have something so close to my heart be the reason I create every day. I’m happy to be a part of the church’s mission and to continue to be able to use my gifts to glorify the Lord,” said Leopold, a 2021 graduate of Savannah College of Art and Design.
She previously served as media specialist at St. Peter Chanel Church in Roswell, Ga., and is excited to be staying “in the family of the Archdiocese of Atlanta.” Leopold is a staff singer at Holy Spirit Church, Atlanta.
Also in Atlanta, Allen Kinzly, multimedia specialist for the Atlanta archdiocese, and wife, Caitlin, welcomed Miles Allen Kinzly, born Feb. 13, 2025, weighing at 8 pounds, 5 ounces.
Cross Catholic Outreach
Cross Catholic Outreach partnered with CCO ambassadors David and Maria Henrie to promote a newly published Lenten Activity Guide for families to encourage children and adults to engage in a meaningful Lent. The Lent Activity Guide was sent to parishes around the U.S. and can be found online at crosscatholic.org/lent-activity-guide.
Diocese of Charleston
The Diocese of Charleston recently published a pastoral letter and website for the five-year plan of Bishop Jacques Fabre-Jeune, CS. The plan is called “Via Fidelis,” (“The faithful way” or “The way of the faithful”), and includes initiatives for parishes to evangelize South Carolina. The once 30-page pastoral letter doubled, and the communications team scrambled to complete all updates by Ash Wednesday (within three days of the draft approval) and finalize the website.
The lead-up to the plan’s launch, which formally began the first Sunday of Advent, started in August 2024 and included monthly articles, posters and banners for parishes, plus regular social media posts. To see the pastoral letter and plan, go to charlestondiocese.org/via-fidelis.
The Charleston Communications Office also welcomed Chelsea Sullivan as digital content specialist, who Anne Clark, communications manager, said had to work from her first moments on her first day designing and filling out the diocese’s social media calendar.
Additionally, Daniel Jost, public relations specialist for the diocese, got married on the feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel July 16.
The Catholic Miscellany magazine celebrated its fourth anniversary in June. The 50th edition will publish in August 2025, continuing to carry on the long legacy of The Miscellany newspaper.