The Georgia Bulletin received three journalism awards at the Catholic Media Convention held June 21-24 in Pittsburgh. The convention, which celebrated the centennial anniversary of the Catholic Press Association, was held jointly with the CPA and the Catholic Academy of Communication Arts Professionals.

The Georgia Bulletin staff was honored with a second-place award for best seasonal issue for the April 1, 2010, Easter special issue. Judges noted “a striking balance of art and text.” The issue included Easter articles and remembrances from four priests in the archdiocese: Conventual Franciscan Father Greg Hartmayer, pastor of St. John Vianney Church, Lithia Springs, and newly designated bishop of the Savannah Diocese; Father Paul Berny, retired pastor of Prince of Peace Church, Flowery Branch; Father Joseph Shaute, pastor of St. Clement Church, Calhoun; and Father John C. Kieran, pastor of St. Pius X Church, Conyers.

Michael Alexander, staff photographer for The Georgia Bulletin, was also honored with a third-place award for individual excellence as a photographer/artist. This award recognized his work throughout the year.

Bob Zyskowski, associate publisher and general manager of The Catholic Spirit newspaper in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, was the winner of the Catholic Press Association’s 2011 St. Francis de Sales Award. The St. Francis de Sales Award, known as the Frannie, is the highest award the CPA presents to an individual for “outstanding contributions to Catholic journalism.”

Cardinal John P. Foley, a retired Vatican official and former editor of The Catholic Standard & Times in Philadelphia, received a Gabriel Award for lifetime achievement from the Catholic Academy.

Academy President Frank Morock, who presented the award, said the cardinal, who has worked in all aspects of media during the past 60 years, “has committed his life and his ministry to the promotion of communications for the good of all.” He said it was the first time in 46 years the academy had presented such an award.

The presentation was made at a luncheon ahead of the nighttime presentation of the Gabriel Awards because the cardinal, who has leukemia, could not attend the evening session.

Cardinal Foley, who headed the Pontifical Council for Social Communications at the Vatican from 1984 to 2007, thanked the academy and noted that the Gabriel Awards were named after the angel who was “the instrument to which the good news was brought to the world.”

At a CPA gala June 23 in Pittsburgh marking that organization’s 100th anniversary, the cardinal told the crowd he was “a relic” for being part of the Catholic press for 51 years.

He stressed the importance of the Catholic press, saying it “continues to have a very important role to play in the work of the church in North America today.”

“Like the crucifix above the bed in every Catholic home, a Catholic publication in the living room or the family room is a continuing reminder of our identity as Catholics,” he said.