The Catholic Diocese of Youngstown and The Catholic Echo Magazine earned 10 awards at the 2026 Catholic Media Conference June 16 to 19 in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

Bishop David J. Bonnar won second place for Best Regular Column in a Diocesan Magazine, “Walking by Faith Together” and third place for Best Diocesan Pastoral Message for “Take Heart! Do Not Lose Heart! Behold the Sacred Heart!” with graphic design by Michael Houy, social media and development specialist. The letter is also available in Spanish and audiobook formats.

Bonnar’s regular column appears in English and Spanish in the magazine each month.

The diocesan communications department took home first place for Best Video-Personality Profile for “Remembering Monsignor James Kolp on the 75th anniversary of his Ordination to the Priesthood” by Dennis Biviano, diocesan public relations and media specialist.

The profile featured interviews with Bonnar, Auxiliary Bishop for the Military Services Neal J. Buckon and the Rev. James Korda.

Other awards for The Catholic Echo and Diocese of Youngstown team included:

• Third place for Best Guest Column/Commentary for “All About Lent,” by the Rev. J. Patrick Manning.

• Third place for Best Regular Column-Art, Leisure, Culture and Food for “The Catholic Kitchen,” by the Catholic Diocese of Youngstown and The Catholic Echo staff.

• Honorable mention for Best Special Supplement or Special Issue with Advertising Emphasis for “God Bless, Bishop-Elect Keehner!” by the Diocese of Youngstown and The Catholic Echo staff, assisted by the Diocese of Sioux City, Iowa.

• Honorable mention for Best Coverage-Hot Topic for “The Jubilee Year: The March of the Eucharist Continues,” by The Catholic Echo staff.

• Honorable mention for Best Seasonal Issue or Section for “Christmas Greetings” by The Catholic Echo staff.

• Honorable mention for Best Interview-Video for “A Conversation with Bishop David Bonnar on his 2025 Jubilee Pilgrimage to Italy” by Dennis Biviano and Robert Gavalier with contributions from the Very Rev. John-Michael Lavelle and Rachel Hrbolich.

• Honorable mention for Best Press Release for “Bishop David J. Bonnar Releases Third Pastoral Letter: ‘Take Heart! Do Not Lose Heart! Behold the Sacred Heart!'” by Dennis Biviano and the Diocese of Youngstown communications team.

Communications Director Meagen Farrell said, “Our work is an echo of the faith, hope and love expressed by our diocesan community. Whether we are sharing family recipes or an episcopal ordination, the joy of pilgrimage or the loss of a beloved priest, we are blessed to witness that Christ is truly alive in the hearts of the faithful across our six counties.”

The 2027 Catholic Media Conference takes place in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, from July 13 to 16.