ATLANTA--Georgia Bulletin staff received three journalism awards from the Catholic Press Association at its 1998 convention held in New Orleans June 3-5.

Writers Kathi Stearns and Rita McInerney received an award for their 12-page special supplement on people with disabilities in the archdiocese published July 3, 1997. The stories featured Toni Miralles’ work at St. Jude Church, Atlanta, interviews with parents of children with disabilities, with Shepherd Spinal Center chaplains, with Dorothy Miller of Holy Cross Church, Atlanta, and others. The reporters received an honorable mention in the category of best analysis of a complex topic. First place in the competition, which was open to all Catholic papers in the U.S. and Canada, was awarded to The Catholic Northwest Progress of Seattle, Wash., second place to The Catholic Spirit of St. Paul, Minn., and third place to Our Sunday Visitor of Huntington, Ind.

Stearns also received a first-place award for her profile of Stuart Utterback, an altar server at St. Jude Church, which appeared in the same supplement. The article entitled “Stuart Serves With Hugs and Distinction” was chosen best personality profile among Catholic newspapers with a circulation of 40,000 and above. “Inspiring,” said the judges. “The author treats her subject with dignity. Her style pulls the reader into the life of Stuart Utterback, a 46-year-old man with Down syndrome.” Second place was given to the Denver Catholic Register of Denver and third place to The Leaven of Kansas City, Kan.

Photographer Michael Alexander also received an award for his photograph of Mother Teresa taken in June 1995 in Washington, D.C., and published in the Sept. 11, 1997 issue of The Georgia Bulletin at the time of her death.

Alexander received third place for best feature photo in color for the candid image of Mother Teresa laughing with two other members of her order. “An always photogenic woman, Mother Teresa was caught off guard with this photo,” the judges said. First place in the category, open to all Catholic newspapers, was won by The Catholic Telegraph of Cincinnati and second place by the Pittsburgh Catholic of Pittsburgh.