CMA’s year-end updates: Building connections and planning for 2025

In this month’s update, I’m pleased to share several key developments with members as we head into the end of 2024.

CMA Board President Gretchen Crowe and I recently met with the bishops of the USCCB Committee on Communications to report on the activities of the CMA over the past year. It was a great opportunity to discuss how our professional development efforts — such as our monthly webinars, grant-supported training programs, and the Catholic Media Conference — are helping members stay at the forefront of today’s rapidly changing media landscape. From navigating AI in communications to strengthening crisis communication strategies, we are equipping our members with the tools and knowledge they need to amplify the Church’s voice. The meeting also reaffirmed our shared commitment to evangelization and media excellence.

Looking ahead, here are a few key updates:

• Annual CMA membership directory: The work on the annual directory is progressing well, and we expect it to go to print in December, with delivery slated for early January. This is always a valuable resource for networking and connecting with fellow members.
• 2025 budget: We are working with our accounting team to put together the 2025 budget, and the Finance Committee will review it in late November and early December. The CMA Board of Directors will take final action at its December meeting, ensuring we’re well-prepared for the coming year.
• 2025 CMA membership dues renewals: Dues renewals will be sent by mail in December, followed by email reminders in January and February. I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for your continued membership and support. Your active participation is essential to the vitality and growth of our community. Together, we can continue to help all Catholic journalists and media professionals thrive in our shared mission of evangelization through the media. Your engagement strengthens not only the association but also the broader Church’s mission.
• 2025 CMA awards programs: The annual awards competition began Nov. 1, running through Jan. 31, with a final extension period closing Feb. 7. These awards are an exciting way to highlight the excellence within Catholic media.
• Catholic Media Conference Planning Committee: The team is hard at work preparing for next year’s Catholic Media Conference, set to take place June 24-27, 2025, in Phoenix. If you have any workshop ideas or suggestions for speakers you think we should reach out to, please don’t hesitate to let us know. We value your input as we aim to make next year’s conference even better.
• New initiatives for professional connections: At the request of our editors and freelance writers, we are working hard to help make valuable professional connections. One way we are doing that is through our new Career Center, which is free for members. Second is our new Member Directory, also a member benefit. Third, we just launched a new monthly feature called Freelancer Focus, with the goal of giving more visibility to our CMA freelance writers so that they and our editors can connect. Be sure to check it out each month on the CMA website and in future issues of The Catholic Journalist.

Now an announcement I was hoping I wouldn’t ever have to make: Kathleen Holloway has resigned from her position at the Catholic Media Association, effective Oct. 31. For the past eight years, Kathleen has been an integral part of our association’s growth and success, consistently advancing our mission while providing exceptional care and support to our members.

Kathleen played a pivotal role in elevating our annual awards competitions and provided exceptional leadership for the Gabriel Awards and the St. Juan Diego Collegiate Awards. Her tireless efforts with the awards committees and judges have been invaluable, and for many years, she ensured the smooth operation of the awards process. Members have always appreciated her assistance when they had questions, and they especially enjoyed seeing her each year at the Catholic Media Conference, where she represented the CMA with warmth and kindness.

On a personal note, I want to express my deep gratitude for her support during the leadership transition when Tim Walter retired as executive director three years ago. Her guidance to me and commitment to our members during that time were invaluable. Please join me in thanking Kathleen for her outstanding contributions and wishing her all the best: kathleenhholloway@gmail.com

As we look to next year, I am eager to continue our work of supporting Catholic media professionals and helping the Church communicate the Good News. If you have any questions or need assistance, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Let’s keep up the good work as we close out 2024 and look ahead to another exciting year.

St. Francis de Sales, patron of journalists, pray for us!

Rob DeFrancesco is executive director of the Catholic Media Association. Reach him at rdefrancesco@catholicmediaassociation.org and (312) 380-6789.