CMA region updates for September 2025
Eastern Region
Compiled by Carol Zimmermann, Eastern Region Rep.
Washington, D.C.
This October, The Catholic Project at The Catholic University of America in Washington will publish the results of the second part of its “National Study on Catholic Priests.” The group asked priests about their pastoral priorities and followed up with questions about their trust in their bishops. The Catholic Project will also publish a book, an edited volume based on the first part of the study, with essays on priests’ well-being, the Dallas Charter and diocesan governance.
New York
America magazine has redesigned its website to allow for more sophisticated and varied design elements and easier use for editors. Also, its new mobile app, available on both Apple and Android, allows readers to follow favorite authors and bookmark and annotate content.
The Catholic Courier recently partnered with AdPerfect/Tribute Technologies to launch a self-service platform for readers to purchase obituaries and in memoriam notices at obituaries.catholiccourier.com. The platform allows for online-only or online and print packages. The newspaper’s team hopes this feature will provide a way for Catholics in the Diocese of Rochester and beyond to honor the memories of their departed family members. The platform includes an online guestbook for each obituary.
This July, the Catholic Courier launched a special multimedia project, the Rochester Relics Tour at catholiccourier.com/relicstour. In conjunction with the Jubilee Year 2025, the project maps show where saints’ relics are available for public veneration in the Diocese of Rochester and encourages readers to plan their own pilgrimages that include a stop at Sacred Heart Cathedral, the Diocese of Rochester’s designated jubilee site.
The Good Newsroom, the digital news outlet of the Archdiocese of New York, recently joined the rest of the archdiocese in its new headquarters on Madison Avenue, just steps away from St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Read about the move at thegoodnewsroom.org.
Pennsylvania
The Ascension Press app marked its two-year anniversary by hitting more than 1 million downloads. Representatives at Ascension say the app helps Catholics around the world read and understand Scripture through the one-of-a-kind Bible timeline, the “Bible in a Year” podcast hosted by Father Mike Schmitz, video reflections on the daily Mass readings and in-depth study programs from Bible scholars and other Catholic leaders.
Pennsylvania and Connecticut
In October, the National Centre for Padre Pio in Barto, Pa., and the Padre Pio Foundation of America in Cromwell, Conn., will host a tour of relics of Padre Pio accompanied by Capuchin friars from Our Lady of Grace Capuchin Friary in San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy, Padre Pio’s friary. The event will take place Oct. 11-14 at the National Centre for Padre Pio and Oct. 15-18 at Saint Pius X Church in Middletown, Conn. For the full event schedule, go to padrepio.org/habit-visit or padrepio.com/relic-tour-2025.
Midwest Region
Compiled by Michael Stechschulte, Midwestern Region Rep.
Association of U.S. Catholic Priests
CMA member Paul Leingang was honored with the 2025 Pope St. John XXIII Award by the Association of U.S. Catholic Priests, the highest award of the association, for his service to the association in communications and media since 2012. Leingang was previously editor of the Message weekly and director of communications for the Diocese of Evansville, and a member of the Catholic Press Association, 1987-2012.
Diocese of New Ulm, Minn.
On June 22, 2025, the Diocese of New Ulm experienced a day filled with blessings. During the celebration of the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, Bishop Chad W. Zielinski rededicated the diocese to Our Lady of the Prairie.
One year prior, Bishop Zielinski commissioned Damien Walker, founder of The Studio of Saint Philomena in New Zealand, to create an icon artwork of Our Lady of the Prairie. Walker — who is an award-winning artist, restorer, gilder, and consultant — traveled to Minnesota to explore the diocese and understand its history before beginning the project. The artwork took approximately seven months to complete. Read about the life-sized sacred painting and the unveiling of the artwork in the July issue of the diocesan newspaper, The Prairie Catholic. For more info go to dnu.org.
Loyola Press
Earlier this summer, Loyola Press released “Pope Leo XIV: Inside the Conclave and the Dawn of a New Papacy” by veteran Vatican correspondent Christopher White. His new book offers a compelling introduction to the man now tasked with leading the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics.
This timely and compelling book offers a behind-the-scenes account of the historic 2025 conclave that elected the first North American pope. White provides insight into Pope Leo XIV’s background, theological vision, and priorities, exploring the challenges and opportunities facing the Church at a pivotal moment in its history.
The book is available from Loyola Press and from major booksellers nationwide.
Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph
Ashlie Hand, director of communications for the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph, has been named the 2025 Humanitarian of the Year by Loras College.
Southern Region
Compiled by James Ramos, Southern Region Rep.
Alabama
The Archdiocese of Mobile is preparing for a new era as Archbishop Mark S. Rivituso, formerly auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese of St. Louis, was to be installed as Archbishop of Mobile Sept. 3. He succeeds Archbishop Thomas J. Rodi, who retires after 17 years of serving the Archdiocese of Mobile.
The staff of The Catholic Week has spent much of the summer planning commemorative editions congratulating Archbishop Rodi on his retirement and welcoming Archbishop Rivituso.
North Carolina
In the Diocese of Charlotte, Brian Segovia joined the Communications Office as the Hispanic Media Coordinator to help inform and engage with the diocese’s growing Hispanic Catholic community.
Segovia will produce and edit content in both Spanish and English for multiple communications channels including the Catholic News Herald’s award-winning print and digital platforms.
Texas
At the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, Elizabeth Morales marked her sixth month into her role as media relations specialist with the Archdiocesan Office of Communications.
Prior to the archdiocese, she worked for the communications team at the Diocese of Corpus Christi, Texas. With more than 12 years of experience in diocesan telecommunications, journalism, radio and young adult ministry, Morales has generated award-winning growth in diocesan media outlets from print magazine to social media to new collaborative efforts.