A feature story on Ann Connor’s ministry to street people in Atlanta and a news story on a new abortion method injecting the drug, digoxin, into the heart of the infant in the womb, have been recognized by the national Catholic Press Association as award-winning articles by the Georgia Bulletin staff.

The 1985 awards were announced May 17 in Orlando, Fla., at the conclusion of the Catholic Press Association’s annual convention. One hundred and on Catholic newspapers from throughout the U.S. and Canada entered articles and photographs in the competition, which was judged by members of a 21 judge team.

Writer Thea Jarvis and the Georgia Bulletin received a third place award for “best human interest story” for an article, “Ann Connor’s Ministry Is To Those Who Must Walk.”

The story, which appeared in the June 7, 1984 issue of the Georgia Bulletin, featured a volunteer at Atlanta’s Open Door community, Ann Connor, who bathes and cares for the injured feet of the city’s street people. The competition judges said the story about this “unique ministry” was “original in its approach and deceptive in its simplicity.” Reading the story, “you actually feel your own feet being soothed,” said one judge. The judges also praised the photographs which focused upon the “subject of the humble heroine’s care.”

First place in this category was won by the Texas Catholic Herald of Houston, second place by The Beacon of Paterson, N.J., and third place tie was awarded to the Denver Catholic Register.

Another third place was given to the Georgia Bulletin and writer Gretchen Keiser for “best news report originating with the paper on a local matter,” for a story on the use of a new abortion method at Atlanta’s Midtown Hospital. The August 23, 1984 story described the method, which injects the drug, digoxin, into the heart of the infant to ensure that the baby dies in the womb.

The judges said it was an “important story,” which they were surprised had not been picked up by national news media. “It was excellent reporting,” the judges said.

Overall the judges said that they were impressed that small Catholic newspapers around the country without large staffs could do such good local reporting.

First place in the category was won by the National Catholic Register and second place by The Message of Evansville, Ind.