Inaugural Sheen Awards Honor Those Carrying Blessed Fulton J. Sheen’s Legacy Into a New Generation

Jonathan Roumie, Bishop Robert Barron, Hallow, and Mother Angelica among those recognized at celebration in Peoria

Blessed Fulton J. Sheen pioneered the use of radio and television to bring the Gospel into homes around the world. Nearly a century later, a new generation of communicators are using podcasts, digital media, film, streaming, technology, and missionary service to continue that work.

The inaugural Sheen Awards, presented Sept. 25 in Peoria, honored seven individuals and organizations whose work reflects Sheen’s pioneering approach to communicating the Catholic faith through the most influential platforms of their time.

Hosted by Bishop Louis Tylka of the Diocese of Peoria and emceed by actor, filmmaker and producer David Henrie, the celebration brought together leaders from the Church, entertainment, media and evangelization just one day after the historic beatification of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen.

The Inaugural Sheen Award Recipients

Radio and Podcast Impact Award — Katie prejean McGrady

Katie McGrady received the Radio and Podcast Impact Award for carrying forward Sheen’s tradition of using the intimacy of radio and personal conversation to inform, inspire and help people encounter the Gospel in everyday life.

“I’m deeply honored to receive the first Sheen award in the category of what was Bl. Fulton Sheen’s first media work: radio, and it’s a remarkable honor and I’m thrilled to have been recognized for the work I love to do,” McGrady said.

“I’m convinced the medium of radio and podcasting is one of the best and most innovative ways we can communicate the Gospel. Blessed Fulton Sheen began broadcasting a live radio show at the invitation of NBC and kept that weekly hour show for over two decades, and it’s a joy to hopefully continue in those footsteps in some small way.”

Evangelization Impact Award — Bishop Robert Barron

Bishop Robert Barron was honored for more than 25 years of evangelization through Word on Fire, using film, books, podcasts, social media, formation and public conversation to bring Christ into contemporary culture and engage believers and seekers alike.

Mission and Humanitarian Impact Award — Pontifical Mission Societies in the United States

The Pontifical Mission Societies in the United States received the Mission and Humanitarian Impact Award in recognition of their ongoing service to the worldwide Church and support of missionary efforts around the globe.

Bishop John Barres of the Diocese of Rockville Centre accepted the award on behalf of the organization.

Innovation Impact Award — Hallow

Hallow received the Innovation Impact Award for using technology to make prayer accessible to millions of people and for carrying forward Sheen’s vision of using modern communications platforms to help people turn toward God.

Hallow CEO and co-founder Alex Jones, along with co-founders Alessandro DiSanto and Erich Kerekes, were recognized as representatives of the organization.

“What an incredible privilege it was to get to celebrate the beatification of Fulton Sheen together in Peoria and what an honor it was to receive one of the Sheen awards,” Jones said. “It was very much undeserved. Praise God for Him allowing us to work on this thing. All Glory to Him.”

Digital Creator Impact Award — Paul J. Kim

Paul J. Kim received the Digital Creator Impact Award for the powerful witness he shared through digital media during his son Micah’s illness.

Through his family’s experience, Kim invited millions of people to pray with them and offered a distinctly Catholic witness that reached far beyond traditional Catholic media.

Television and Streaming Impact Award — Jonathan Roumie

Jonathan Roumie received the Television and Streaming Impact Award for his work bringing the person of Jesus Christ into homes around the world through television and streaming, most notably through his portrayal of Jesus in The Chosen.

Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen Lifetime Achievement Award — Mother Angelica

The inaugural Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen Lifetime Achievement Award was presented posthumously to Mother Angelica in recognition of her lifetime of service to the Church and her pioneering use of television to proclaim the Gospel through the Eternal Word Television Network.

Peter Gagnon, president of EWTN Studios, accepted the award on her behalf.

“Mother Angelica would have been deeply honored to be recognized at the inaugural Sheen Awards and counted among the innovators and communicators carrying forward Archbishop Sheen’s legacy,” said Michael P. Warsaw, chairman and CEO of EWTN Global Catholic Network.

“On behalf of the entire EWTN family, I am profoundly grateful for this recognition of Mother Angelica and, more importantly, for the opportunity to remember what animated both Mother Angelica and Blessed Fulton Sheen: the desire to bring souls to Jesus Christ. May their example inspire us all to use the gifts God has given us to proclaim the Gospel with courage, creativity and joy.”

Continuing Sheen’s Mission in a New Generation

Together, the seven inaugural recipients represent the breadth of the Sheen Awards’ mission: recognizing individuals and organizations who use storytelling, media, creativity, innovation and evangelization to promote the faith, reach people and impact culture.

Blessed Fulton J. Sheen understood the power of communication. Through radio and television, he reached millions of people with a message centered on Jesus Christ. He embraced emerging technologies not simply because they were new, but because they offered new opportunities to reach people with the Gospel.

The Sheen Awards were created in that same spirit.

The inaugural celebration brought together an extraordinary group of leaders from entertainment, media, the Church and the world of evangelization. Among those participating were Jonathan Roumie, Bishop Robert Barron, Bishop John Barres, Siobhan Fallon Hogan, Katie McGrady, Paul J. Kim, Father Joe Krupp, Colm Flynn and Father Rocky Hoffman, with additional participation from Mark Wahlberg, Kevin James and Michael Iskander.

The evening also featured special presentations, performances and conversations exploring the intersection of faith, culture and entertainment, including a special presentation of a Fulton Sheen reflection by Roumie.

The inaugural Sheen Awards aired nationally on EWTN on Oct. 3.

Looking to the Future

The Sheen Awards are part of a broader effort by the Diocese of Peoria and the Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen Foundation to introduce new generations to Sheen’s life, faith and missionary spirit.

The annual Sheen Awards, together with the envisioned Sheen Experience in Peoria, will provide new opportunities for visitors and pilgrims from around the world to encounter the legacy of one of the 20th century’s most influential Catholic communicators.

Sheen’s methods may have belonged to his time, but his mission remains the same: to use every available means to help people encounter Jesus Christ.

About the Sheen Awards

The Sheen Awards are an annual celebration honoring Blessed Fulton J. Sheen’s legacy by recognizing individuals and organizations who use their platforms to promote the faith.

Inspired by the extraordinary legacy of Blessed Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, the awards recognize individuals whose work in media, evangelization, mission and liturgy continues his mission of bringing Christ to the world with creativity, conviction and joy.

Whether through film, television, digital media, writing, preaching, music or missionary service, these honorees embody the spirit of Blessed Fulton Sheen by inspiring others to encounter Jesus Christ.

Learn more at celebratesheen.com/sheen-awards.