The Catholic Academy for Communication Arts Professionals has announced that the Diocese of Trenton’s teen talk show, Realfaith TV, has earned a 2007 Gabriel Award for the episode entitled "Faith in Action: Companioning a Pregnant Teen."

The prestigious Gabriel Award, which was created in 1965, seeks to recognize the best in artistic, creative and inspirational media presentations. The award honors industry professionals who produce films, television and radio programs, features and spot announcements that serve viewers and listeners through the positive, creative treatment of human concerns. The award is a nine-inch silver figure of Gabriel, the angel who first announced to Mary of Nazareth (and to the world) the coming of Jesus (Luke 1:26-38). The statue symbolizes the communication of God’s Word to humankind.

In being named a Gabriel Award winner, the Diocese of Trenton is in outstanding company, sharing the spotlight with such notable and well-respected productions as Temple Hill Production’s The Nativity Story; Paramount Vantage’s An Inconvenient Truth; Walden Media’s Charlotte’s Web; the Disney Channel’s Little Einsteins, and a number of Channel Thirteen programs. In total, 18 television, 10 radio, five Spanish-language programs and four films have been singled out by a highly competitive national judging process to receive the 2007 Gabriel awards at a ceremony planned for October 26 at the Director’s Guild of America in West Hollywood, Ca.

The single most important criterion used in the Gabriel awards selection is the program’s ability to uplift and nourish the human spirit. A Gabriel-worthy program affirms the dignity of human beings and recognizes and upholds universally-recognized human values such as community, creativity, tolerance, justice, compassion and the dedication to excellence. Realfaith TV competed in the category of Religious Program/Local Release.

“Faith in Action: Companioning a Pregnant Teen” explores the experience of teenage girls who become pregnant and choose life for their unborn children. Through a spotlight interview with “Jesse”, a young woman who had a baby at 16, discussion among the studio cast and “teen-on-the-street” interviews, “Companioning a Pregnant Teen” sheds light on the difficult journey facing pregnant teens and the need for a loving response to their unique challenges.

Realfaith TV debuted in 2000 as a creation of diocesan staffers Marianne Hartman and Ken Perry. With Bishop John M. Smith’s blessing and support the show has continued to flourish, now reaching 12 television markets across the United States. Several hundred teenagers hailing from the Dioceses of Trenton, Metuchen, Camden and Paterson and the Archdiocese of Newark have had a role in RFTV during its first eight years, serving as hosts, studio guests, spotlight guests and “teen on the street” interviewers. Teens also work behind the scenes as floor managers, equipment operators and directing assistants.

Realfaith TV has become known for its skillful handling of controversial and sensitive topics. Past episodes include “In Trouble With the Law”; “Eating Disorders”; “Internet Bullying” and “Inner Beauty.” The new season, which opens Sept. 27, will feature such topics as gangs, terrorism, depression and poverty. Current and archived episodes are accessible online at www.realfaithtv.com.

Bishop Smith has long described himself as the program’s “biggest fan,” stressing that he is gratified, but not surprised that RFTV has earned such acclaim. “This is a great honor for the Diocese of Trenton and we have much to be grateful for in Marianne Hartman and her staff. We are also truly blessed by the extraordinary young people who, through their participation in Realfaith TV, witness to their faith in such a compelling way.”

He concluded, “We’re very happy that something we’ve believed in and invested in has been judged to be worthy of this prestigious award.”

Hartman sees the award as a well-deserved affirmation of the teens who make Realfaith TV work season after season. She stated, “It is truly an honor to receive this recognition. For me, this means a lot because the award is inspired by the angel Gabriel, a messenger of God. Like Gabriel, Realfaith TV’s teens are contemporary messengers of God, bringing the truth of the Gospel to their peers by sharing their own experiences of faith.”

The Gabriel is the last and most notable award in a long list of accomplishments garnered by Realfaith TV. It has won a total of 10 Proclaim Awards from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops' Catholic Communication Campaign. The show has also captured the attention of its peers in the broadcast industry, winning two 2007 Telly Awards – a Silver and a Bronze – as well as two 2007 Videographer Awards of Excellence.

Realfaith TV airs on the Comcast network (CN8) in Philadelphia and New Jersey; other markets are listed on the website.

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