Archdiocese of Miami publications honored with 12 awards from Catholic Media Association

By Florida Catholic staff - Florida Catholic

PHOENIX | The Archdiocese of Miami brought the heat to Phoenix, Arizona, at the Catholic Media Conference June 24-27, 2025, as the two archdiocesan newspapers and the podcast Cuéntame Católico were honored with a total of 12 awards.

The Archdiocese of Miami’s La Voz Católica again held its own against its Spanish-language newspaper competitors, receiving an honorable mention as "Spanish publication of the year." The combined efforts of Emilio de Armas, Rocío Granados, Manolo Villaverde, Maritza Álvarez, and Priscilla Greear were recognized for producing La Voz.

Archbishop Thomas Wenski and freelancers Jim Davis and Emily Chaffins won second place in the "Best Coverage – Racial Inequities" category for their articles in La Voz Católica that were contributed to the archdiocese’s “Vote NO On Amendment 4” campaign. The campaign helped prevent the extreme pro-abortion amendment to the Florida state constitution in November 2024. The articles were lauded by the judges as “a phenomenal example of pro-life content, presenting the facts and telling powerful stories from women and families in the community.”

Rocío Granados, editor of the Florida Catholic and La Voz Católica, received seven awards for her work covering topics such as Hispanic ministry, vocations, sports news, and social justice issues.

Freelancers Davis, Araceli Cantero, and Cristina Cabrera-Jarro earned second place in the Spanish-language category of "Best Reporting on Social Justice Issues – Call to Family, Community and Participation.” Cabrera-Jarro’s article shines the spotlight on Matthew 25, at the time the largest food pantry in Miami-Dade County. Cantero’s article focuses on the Cuban children of 'Operation Madrid' or ‘ChoriPan,’ who have joined Corpus Christi Parish in supporting Haiti and honoring Franciscan friar Antonio Camiñas, their guide during the 1960s Pedro Pan-style exodus from Cuba to Spain. Davis’ article highlights the Active Brain, Active Body program used by Catholic Charities’ Wilton Manors Adult Day Care Center to ease loneliness and isolation among the elderly, as well as to improve physical coping skills.

Second place in “Best Reporting on Social Justice Issues – Option for the Poor and Vulnerable” also went to Tom Tracy, Marlene Quaroni, and Jim Davis for their coverage of homelessness and affordable housing for the disadvantaged. The judges said the writing “demonstrates that the Church is not just speaking out but actively putting its faith into action.”

The archdiocese’s podcast, Cuéntame Católico, ranked second place in the "Best Podcast,” Spanish category.

“We all work with dedication, and it is comforting to be recognized by the Catholic Media Association,” Granados said.

The Catholic Media Association represents more than 300 Catholic publications in the U.S. and Canada, including newspapers, magazines, newsletters and general publishers. There are separate categories for English and Spanish-language publications and some categories, such as general excellence, are subdivided by publication size.

The awards were announced June 27, 2025, the last day of the Catholic Media Association's annual conference.

The following are more details about each award along with the judge's comments.

Best Podcast (Spanish)

Second place: Cuéntame Católico – Rocío Granados, Ana Rodríguez-Soto, Cristina Cabrera, and María Rivas: Esta es Radio Paz, ‘la radio del pueblo y para el pueblo.’

 

Photographer:

Best Coverage – Racial Inequities: Second place, La Voz Católica, Archbishop Thomas Wenski, Jim Davis, and Emily Chaffins.

Best Coverage – Racial Inequities

Second place: La Voz Católica – Archbishop Thomas Wenski, Jim Davis, and Emily Chaffins: Cada ser humano importa: ¡Vote “no” a la Enmienda 4!; El aborto no fue la solución; La Florida no debe convertirse en "la meca del aborto"; Nunca me lo cuestionaré.

“This submission is a phenomenal example of pro-life content, presenting the facts and telling powerful stories from women and families in the community.”

 

 

 

Photographer:

Best Reporting on Social Justice Issues – Call to Family, Community and Participation: Second place, La Voz Católica – Jim Davis, Araceli Cantero, and Cristina Cabrera-Jarro.

Best Reporting on Social Justice Issues – Call to Family, Community and Participation

Second place: La Voz Católica – Jim Davis, Araceli Cantero, and Cristina Cabrera-Jarro: Música y movimiento para ayudar a los mayores; Niños que ya son abuelos honran la memoria del fraile Antonio Camiñas; Recibir anima a dar en la misión Matthew 25 de Caridades Católicas.

“This is an excellent and well-told story with strong examples. It’s especially effective in how it not only highlights the good work being done by the Archdiocese of Miami but also shares the personal story of a couple impacted by that work.”

 

 

Photographer:

Best Reporting on Social Justice Issues – Option for the Poor and Vulnerable: Second place: La Voz Católica – Tom Tracy, Marlene Quaroni, and Jim Davis.

Best Reporting on Social Justice Issues – Option for the Poor and Vulnerable

Second place: La Voz Católica – Tom Tracy, Marlene Quaroni, and Jim Davis: En primer plano la crisis de los desamparados en La Florida; Wenski Groves, viviendas asequibles y permanentes para trabajadores pobres; Atuendos para la dignidad y la confianza.

“This is an excellent, well-written and moving story that importantly conveys the church’s position, even when it disagrees with the government. It also effectively demonstrates that the church is not just speaking out but actively putting its faith into action.”

 

 

 

 

Photographer:

Best Reporting on Social Justice Issues – Solidarity: Second place: La Voz Católica – Rocío Granados

Best Reporting on Social Justice Issues – Solidarity

Second place: La Voz Católica – Emily Chaffins, Rocío Granados, and Jim Davis: Para ver “a los olvidados” como lo hace Dios; “Vimos el sueño hecho realidad”; Atuendos para la dignidad y la confianza.

“This is an inspirational and moving story, made even greater by the fact that it isn’t just about the building of a new church, but about the people who make up the church community.”

 

 

Photographer:

Best Coverage of Ecumenical and Interfaith Issues: Third place: Florida Catholic – Jim Davis, Cristina Cabrera-Jarro, and Priscilla Greear.

Best Coverage of Ecumenical and Interfaith Issues

Third place: Florida Catholic – Jim Davis, Cristina Cabrera-Jarro, and Priscilla Greear: Festival of faith and Christian unity; Interfaith photo exhibit opens at St. Thomas U.; Arab Catholic shares struggle to survive in Israel, Palestine.

“This is an engaging exploration of three interfaith issues at the local level. Photography by Jim Davis, featuring Asian Indian Christians, helps capture and represent the joyful festivities.”

Photographer:

Best Reporting on a Special-Age Group – Children and Teens Younger than 18: Third place: Florida Catholic – Cristina Cabrera-Jarro.

Best Reporting on a Special-Age Group – Children and Teens Younger than 18

Third place: Florida Catholic – Cristina Cabrera-Jarro: Allergen Detector for the win.

“This is a great and inspiring story. It includes excellent coverage and is well written and edited.”

 

 

 

Photographer:

Best Reporting on Vocations to Priesthood, Religious Life or Diaconate: Third place: La Voz Católica – Rocío Granados.

Best Reporting on Vocations to Priesthood, Religious Life or Diaconate

Third place: La Voz Católica – Rocío Granados, Tom Tracy, and Emily Chaffins: Muere el P. Mario Vizcaíno, inspiración de la Pastoral Hispana; Tras las huellas del “Padre Amando”; “Seguir el llamado de Dios: El mejor de los consejos.”

“The inspiring stories of individuals who have devoted their lives to serving in faith offer valuable lessons. Through their work and experiences, we learn much, and this is a powerful way to honor their legacy.”

 

 

Spanish Publication of the Year

Honorable mention: La Voz Católica – Emilio de Armas, Rocío Granados, Manolo Villaverde, Maritza Álvarez, and Priscilla Greear: September, October, November 2024.

 

Photographer:

Best Sports Journalism – Sports News: Honorable mention, La Voz Católica, Rocío Granados

Best Sports Journalism – Sports News

Honorable mention: Florida Catholic – Rocío Granados: 'May the best score be friendship, kindness, fraternity.'

 

Best Personality Profile

Honorable mention: La Voz Católica – Rocío Granados: Muere el P. Mario Vizcaíno, inspiración de la Pastoral Hispana.

Best Story and Photo Package – By Two Individuals or More

Honorable mention: La Voz Católica – Rocío Granados and Tom Tracy: “Vimos el sueño hecho realidad.”