...the U.S. affiliate of SIGNIS, The World Catholic Association for Communication, a Vatican-approved organization for communication professionals serving the Catholic church. 

The Catholic Academy is proud to sponsor the Gabriel Awards, recognizing the best in broadcasting and film that uplifts the human spirit. 

Current News and Information

Membership Survey

It has been six years since the Catholic Academy was created and in that time, the U.S. Church has undergone some major challenges which had an effect on dioceses and other church institutions. Organizations such as the Catholic Academy were also impacted to some degree by what was taking place nationally. We are now at a point where we need to take a thorough assessment of the Catholic Academy with a look back at the last six years, but more importantly looking ahead to the immediate and long-range future.  To help the CA’s Board of Directors plan the organization’s course, you will be asked in the next few weeks to participate in an on line membership survey, which will be the first step in a five-step planning session to be completed within the next eight to twelve months. Everyone’s input is needed to make this survey effective. The Board is committed to this review and needs your help. Please watch for the email with the link to the survey. It should be in your mail box within three weeks.

Board of Directors

I am pleased to announce the following new members of the Catholic Academy Board of Directors:

Annette Gonzalez Taylor, Diocese of Dallas, elected Communication Director Affinity Representative (replacing Mary Ross Agosta, who was elected Representative at-Large); Larry Rich, Maryknoll, board appointed Representative at-Large and Michelle Johnson, EWTN, board appointed Representative at-Large.

In addition to the President and 1^st Vice President (Sally Oberski), the following board members will serve on the Catholic Academy Executive Committee for the next three years; 2^nd Vice President Mary Ross Agosta, Treasurer Jorge Rioprede and Secretary Larry Rich.

Tim Russert

For those who are regular viewers of NBC News, he was one of the family. There was a gentle nature about him, whether talking about the most critical or controversial political story or talking about his beloved Buffalo Bills or his father, Russ, or his son, Luke. Tim Russert was a very special person.

The Catholic Academy for Communication Arts Professionals joins with journalists in mourning the loss of a true professional in his chosen craft. His talents were recognized by his peers, who honored him with awards and educational institutions, which honored him with numerous honorary doctorate degrees. How much was this man loved and respected? A testament of his life was witnessed by the non-stop coverage the cable news networks gave to his passing Friday evening and throughout the weekend.

Of all the honors he received Tim was reportedly most proud of the “Father of the Year Award” presented to him in 1995 from the National Father’s Day Committee. A devoted family man, he lived his faith as he lived his professional career, passionately.

In 2005, the Catholic Academy honored Tim Russert with its Gabriel Personal Achievement Award. The annual award takes into account the totality of the individual. In naming him the 2005 recipient, the Catholic Academy noted that Tim Russert exemplified the essence of the award.

The Personal Achievement Award was presented during the Gabriel Award Ceremony held in Washington, DC. As the country, family and friends prepare to pay their final respects to Tim Russert, I hope you will take time to view the Personal Achievement presentation to Tim and watch his acceptance speech. (watch)
 

Membership in the Catholic Academy for Communication Arts Professionals is open to those professionally involved in Catholic church-related communications and to Catholic communicators working in secular ...