Thursday, February 9, 2023
Writing can be difficult and communicating a clear message even more so. Yet, Kathleen (Katie) Carroll, editor of Comboni Missions Magazine, beautifully writes thought-provoking, heartfelt, and informative stories every year. That is one of many reasons Katie was chosen as the Cincinnati Salesian Guild’s 2023 Distinguished Communicator of the Year. She was honored at the group’s yearly celebration on January 28, 2023, hosted at the Comboni Mission Center.

Katie was nominated for this award by her coworker, Lindsay Braud. In her nomination, Lindsay wrote “In everything she does, Katie dives in head first. Without a moment’s hesitation Katie will hop on a plane and travel across the world to get a story and pictures, even if it means spending two weeks in the Central African Republic surrounded by violence and with no knowledge of the local language.”

For the past six years, Katie has worked for the Comboni Missionaries, telling their stories and sharing in their charism. Her career, however, started at F&W Publications, followed by many years of service at Francisca Media. She also recently took on the role of Communications Specialist for the Sisters of Divine Providence in Melbourne, Kentucky. In each new job, Katie has learned new skills to build upon an already exceptional résumé.

“Katie’s work as editor of Comboni Missions Magazine always strikes a good balance of Catholic world news, personal stories from the missions, and the difficult realities of living on mission,” Lindsay wrote in her nomination. “The world can be full of darkness, but the light always outshines the dark. Katie helps bring this lightness out in our magazine. The stories, sometimes highlighting difficult situations, always bring forth hope. It’s because Katie herself looks for the best in everyone that she is able to bring the same idealism to the magazine to share with the world.”

Past Salesian Guild Communicator of the Year Award recipients pose for a photo.

It was fitting that this year’s Salesian Guild event was held at the Comboni Mission Center, allowing Katie’s coworker and missionaries to share in this celebration. Fr. Ruffino Ezama, mccj, concelebrated Mass with Fr. Dan Dorsey of the Glenmary Home Missioners. A catered dinner, recognition ceremony, and keynote speaker rounded out the evening.

In her acceptance speech Katie said, “Writing is really very hard. Our missionaries are incredible. It’s really easy to write such good stories when you have good stories to tell. I’m lucky to tell stories that are also meaningful. It’s a privilege to work for the sisters and missionaries.”

The Salesian Guild is a community of Catholic Communicators in Greater Cincinnati. It offers Catholic communicators a spiritual connection to each and their Creator through fellowship, shared faith, and dialogue across this community. The Guild is a unique organization: It has no dues, no officers, and only one meeting a year. And it has been going strong since 1944.

[Comboni Missionaries]