Recognizing Outstanding Contributions to Catholic Journalism

Guidelines, Inspiration and Past Finalists

St. Francis de Sales Award Nomination Form (must be logged in)

Key Elements of a Strong Nomination

To help you craft a compelling nomination, here are some key elements to consider:

Specific Contributions: Highlight the nominee’s notable achievements, such as groundbreaking projects, leadership roles, or creative initiatives that have elevated Catholic journalism.
Impact: Explain how their work has positively influenced the Catholic media landscape, including specific examples or measurable outcomes (e.g., readership growth, community engagement, or innovations).
Professional Excellence: Describe their dedication, skills, and ability to uphold the highest standards of Catholic journalism.
Career Highlights: If applicable, showcase a legacy of consistent excellence and professional contributions over their career.
Colleague Testimonials: Include quotes or insights from peers, team members, or collaborators to illustrate the nominee’s character, influence, and commitment.

Use these elements as a guide to ensure your nomination stands out and accurately represents the nominee’s achievements.

Encouraging Diverse Entries

The St. Francis de Sales Award celebrates individuals who have demonstrated excellence in Catholic journalism, whether through a single transformative year or a lifetime of dedicated service. We encourage nominations for:

Established leaders with decades of contributions.
Emerging talents who have made an extraordinary impact in a short time.
Professionals working across diverse media platforms, including print, digital and multimedia.
Individuals who reflect the richness and diversity of the Catholic community.

Your nomination is an opportunity to spotlight someone who has raised the bar for Catholic journalism and inspired others through their work, regardless of their title, tenure, or background.

2025 St. Francis de Sales Award Finalists

Laura Ieraci, ONE Magazine

Laura Ieraci is an award-winning journalist, an editor reporters love to work for and a leader in mentoring and educating a new generation of Catholic media professionals.

As editor of ONE Magazine, Laura has led a staff of excellence: in 2024 ONE and the Catholic Near East Welfare Association websites won 58 awards from the Catholic Media Association. Those who have been privileged to have Laura as an editor speak of her ability to seamlessly weave together stories, often from multiple sources. ONE magazine and website also have strong multimedia presences.

But Laura has gone above and beyond, taking steps to ensure that younger Catholic journalists and communications staffers have a good foundation in journalism basics. She is the founder of The Religion & Journalism Project, has offered CMA webinars and presented at the CMA annual convention.

In addition, her excellent reporting and long-form journalism have appeared multiple magazines, newspapers and online outlets for notable publications such as Catholic News Service, Vatican News, America Magazine, Catholic Register, Catholic Review, BC Catholic, OSV News and so many more.

Laura is the driving force behind the "Telling Truth in Charity: Introduction to Catholic Journalism" course. The course is taught primarily by Catholic Media Association professionals and is aimed at journalists and communications directors. Part one, a 12-week course, covers topics such as interviewing, basic story writing, ethics, pitching stories to editors and, last fall, included a session on the Freedom of Information Act in the United States and Canada. Part two delves into topics, including photography, more deeply.

I had the opportunity to take part one of the Introduction to Catholic Journalism, where we were given a full semester's worth of journalism ethics in 12 weeks, all delivered over Zoom. The course included practical guidance from long-time editors and journalists. Laura's incredible communication skills were on full display throughout as she combined complex ethics topics and situations, fostered healthy discussion, encouraged differing opinions, and guided presenters and students alike.

It is a privilege and an honor to be taught by or work with Laura Ieraci. She is the perfect candidate to receive the St. Francis de Sales award for outstanding contributions to Catholic journalism.

Joe Towalski, Diocese of St. Cloud

Joe Towalski has devoted his career to Catholic journalism and communications, beginning in 1992 when he joined the staff of The Visitor, the official newspaper of the Diocese of St. Cloud, Minnesota. Over the course of his career, Joe has demonstrated not only his journalistic skill but also an unwavering commitment to faith-based reporting and communication, shaping the Catholic media landscape for over three decades.

As a reporter for The Visitor, Joe earned recognition for his work, winning several awards during his six years in the newsroom. His exceptional skills and keen editorial eye led him to become editor, a role he held for an impressive 25 years. Under his leadership, the publication consistently garnered awards, including General Excellence, a testament to Joe’s ability to guide The Visitor, The Catholic Spirit, and The Central Minnesota Catholic to prominence. His editorials, widely praised for their depth, clarity, and faithfulness, have contributed to elevating the quality of Catholic journalism within the region.

In 2005, Joe's editorial expertise was called upon by the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, where he became editor of The Catholic Spirit. His leadership resulted in the paper winning the coveted General Excellence award four out of six years during his tenure. Additionally, Joe successfully steered his team through an archdiocesan reorganization, demonstrating not only his editorial acumen but also his capacity for visionary leadership and adaptability in a time of transition.

In 2014, Joe returned to the Diocese of St. Cloud, where he took on dual roles as communications director and editor of The Visitor. In 2019, Joe guided the paper through a remarkable transition from newspaper to magazine format, a move that set the stage for unprecedented success. The newly reimagined Central Minnesota Catholic magazine earned the Magazine of the Year award in its inaugural year and has continued to earn accolades from the Catholic Media Association for its excellence and innovation. Joe’s leadership in this transition has made him a sought-after resource for Catholic media colleagues nationwide, who regularly consult him on navigating similar transformations in their own dioceses.

Throughout his career, Joe Towalski has truly given his life to Catholic media — championing the mission of spreading the Gospel through the power of the written word. His dedication to the Church and its media outreach is unparalleled, and his legacy of service continues to inspire those in the field.

For these reasons and countless others, it is with great respect and admiration that we nominate Joe Towalski for the prestigious St. Francis de Sales Award.

Carol Zimmermann, National Catholic Reporter

For more than three decades, Carol Zimmermann's byline has been among the most recognized and trusted in Catholic journalism. From 1992 to 2022, as a reporter for Catholic News Service (CNS), she brought the highest level of professionalism to every story she covered -- from Vatican conclaves to key meetings of the USCCB. Carol's feature stories kept readers in touch with the human, every-day world of U.S. Catholics, sharing with all of us the warmth and dedication of Catholics living their faith in ways common and extraordinary. Her interest in stories centered on Catholic social justice meant that Carol's work always kept front-of-mind those less fortunate, those most seeking God's grace and mercy -- and the obligation our faith places on us to help.

In 2022, Carol continued her work at the Brooklyn Diocese's highly-regarded Tablet newspaper. She then brought her skills and talent to the National Catholic Reporter, when she became NCR's news editor in August of 2024. She quickly elevated the quality of NCR's content -- just as the Catholic world headed into a uniquely important Fall that included the second Synod of Synodality in Rome, and a consequential presidential election season here at home. Carol directed coverage of both important events, and made sure NCR delivered for its readers during a season of extraordinary news.

At the same time, Carol has been able to continue with her own reporting work. She covered the latest launch of "Nuns on the Bus" in Philadelphia, and wrote one of the most compelling feature essays NCR has published -- it focused on her visit to see the skull of St. Thomas Aquinas, when the tour of that relic came to Washington, D.C. Her writing was so moving that Carol was interviewed on NPR about her essay -- bringing to a broad audience a greater appreciation of Catholicism and its traditions.

Just as important as her stellar work as reporter and editor is Carol's ability to mentor. She has done this throughout her career, and it continues at NCR. She has developed strong relationships with the young, remote reporting staff that works with her. It is not simply her skills as a journalist that draw people to her, it is her skill as a human being, as person of faith who sees the value in everyone she works with. In a profession known for people with a hard-edge, and in a time of deep stress for journalists everywhere, Carol's approach uplifts and assures while elevating everyone she works with.

As a member of the board of the Catholic Media Association, she carries her dedication out to the wider world of Catholic journalism -- helping ensure high standards and quality work are embraced and acknowledged.

The St. Francis de Sales Award is given for "outstanding contributions to Catholic journalism," to someone who -- thoughout their career -- has "performed with excellence and contributed to raising professional standards of Catholic journalism." That is an apt and accurate description of Carol Zimmermann. I believe she is particularly worthy of this high honor. Thank you for considering this nomination.

2024 St. Francis de Sales Award Finalists

Tom Dermody, The Catholic Post

Tom Dermody spent 43 years at the Catholic Post in the diocese of Peoria, joining the staff immediately out of college. He spent 32 years as editor of the newspaper, following stalwarts including Msgr. Robert G. Peters and Albina Aspell, both recipients of the St. Francis de Sales Award.

Upon his retirement, Tom told a colleague: “I wanted to use any gifts I have to give back to the Lord. The blessing was that it was a continuing education, not only in the things of the world, but in things of God.”

By his colleagues, Tom was admired for his creativity and love for the faith.

One shared: “The unique thing about Tom Dermody is that he never left; he stayed and made the Post his life’s work. Somehow by the grace of God, Tom literally ‘grew up’ with the paper, advancing in wisdom and age as he spent almost two decades covering stories as a reporter and photographer. Named editor/business manager in 1995, he put heart and soul into his new responsibilities.”

Dermody retired in 2022. The Diocese of Peoria announced the closure of the Catholic Post in January 2024, with the final edition dated Dec. 24, 2023.

For his faithfulness in bringing the Good News to the people of Peoria and his enthusiasm in sharing his gifts with colleagues in the Catholic press, Tom Dermody is nominated for the St. Francis de Sales Award.

Ana Rodriguez-Soto, Florida Catholic

Throughout her 40 years as a Catholic journalist, Florida Catholic editor Ana Rodriguez-Soto has been an exemplar of professionalism, dedication, and creativity in bringing Catholic news to the Archdiocese of Miami. An avid supporter and dedicated worker for the Catholic Media Association, Ana retired earlier this year.

As a high school senior in 1979, Ana began working for the Archdiocese of Miami Spanish-language newspaper, "La Voz Catolica," as intern and interim editor. She never looked back.

Her illustrious career in Catholic journalism has included the receipt of many Catholic press awards, and Ana’s colleagues describe her as humble and joyful.

Ana has covered many stories and met many people: United Nations members, popes, and even saints, like Mother Teresa. She has served three archbishops, a half-dozen auxiliary bishops, more than 100 parishes, and over 60 schools in the Archdiocese of Miami, making friends wherever she goes. She has lived through the Mariel Boatlift and the Surfside disaster, providing quality coverage on earth-shaking events.

She taught her team to have empathy for the people we encounter as journalists, saying: "Humanity first. Journalism second. And it will flow."

Ana’s colleagues described her as never too busy to listen or to instruct — taking the time to teach colleagues how to write a good lede or about camera ISO or shutter speed.

Ana has impacted the whole community from parishioners and freelancers, to ministry members and "Florida Catholic" readers, who have shared how much she will be missed in retirement.

For these many reasons and more, Ana Rodriguez-Soto is nominated for the St. Francis de Sales Award.

Joseph Sinasac, Novalis

In a media environment in which ongoing change is our constant, and competition for attention narrows our vision of audience, Joe Sinasac has, for five decades, led the Catholic communications community to see that the path to the future is forged by collaboration across media, across borders, across languages and across points of view.

From his work as a daily reporter and editor for 15 years before joining The Catholic Register, Canada’s national English Catholic weekly, as publisher and editor, Joe has demonstrated his commitment to journalism and religious publishing as the means to reach and faithfully impact Catholics in print, on air and online.

Joe has covered the funeral of Mother Teresa in Calcutta in 1997, the visit of Pope John Paul II to Toronto for World Youth Day in 2002, JP II’s funeral in Rome in 2005 and the visit of Pope Benedict to the United States in 2008.

He has served as chair of Canadian Catholic News, a news-gathering cooperative, and as the publishing director of Novalis, Canada’s largest Catholic publisher of books and missalettes. Because of these experiences, Joe understands that to be effective, his view needed to encompass an expanding world.

Amid his many projects and responsibilities, Joe still found the time and devoted the energy to be there to help make his colleagues better. He served for years on the CPA-CNS Liaison Committee, chaired the organizing committee for the annual Catholic Media Conference in 2008 as well as served on the committee for the CMC 2017 in Quebec City, led the CMA as a member of the board of the directors for 10 years and provided wise financial management as its treasurer for three terms, including the creation of a long-term ethically based investment fund.

He also served as a member of the executive committee of the ecumenical Canadian Christian Communicators and was involved in helping craft the CMA’s Fair Publishing Practices Code and its revision.

For his decades-long service to the Catholic community, Joe Sinasac is nominated for the St Francis de Sales award.