Salt + Light Television wins fourth Gabriel Award

Andrew Santos

June 22, 2012
Earlier this evening, the Catholic Academy for Communication Arts Professionals held its annual awards ceremony at the Indianapolis Convention Centre in Indianapolis, Indiana.
The Gabriel Award for Best Arts Documentary was presented to Salt + Light Television for its 2011 documentary, "Panes of Glory." Accepting the award from academy president, Frank Morock, was Fr. Michael Prieur, professor of moral theology at St. Peter's Seminary in London, Ont., who wrote the book "Panes of Glory." As well, our very own Fr. Thomas Rosica, CSB, CEO, who turned the book into a stunning four-part documentary, was on hand to accept the award.
The Gabriel Awards are designed to honor works of excellence in film, network and cable television and radio programs.  These include feature films and documentaries, entertainment and news programming, public service announcements and stations which serve audiences through the positive, creative treatment of concerns to humankind.  The single most important criterion of a Gabriel winning film or program is its ability to uplift and nourish the human spirit.  A Gabriel-worthy film or program affirms the dignity of human persons; it recognizes and upholds universally-recognized human values such as community, creativity, tolerance, justice, compassion and the dedication to excellence.
This is exactly what Panes of Glory did. It exceeded all of these expectations and so much more!
For Fr. Thomas Rosica, our CEO, this award means so much.
“It is a great privilege and honour for Salt + Light to receive another Gabriel award as we prepare to enter our tenth year of existence. It is one more clear sign that our work is appreciated and valued throughout the continent and beyond," he said.
"In accepting the award this evening, I do so in the name of the outstanding, dedicated team of young professionals who are the stars of Salt + Light, and of our donors and benefactors who have made this brilliant instrument of the New Evangelization such a vibrant reality in Canada."
More than 11 years ago, Fr. Prieur embarked on a mission: to discover the meaning of the images in the beautiful stained glass windows at St. Peter’s Seminary. In May of 2011, Salt + Light brought his work to life through this beautiful four-part series Panes of Glory: The Windows of St. Peter's Seminary. Salt + Light's Mary Rose Bacani teamed up with Fr. Prieur, who revealed his insights surrounding the beautiful stained glass windows inside the St. Thomas Aquinas Chapel.  Each episode features the sublime voices of the internationally-renowned Amabile Choirs from London, Ont.
Congratulations to the entire team at Salt + Light. Despite not having the opportunity to work behind the scenes on this project, I can truly say that I am privileged and honoured to work alongside some of the most professional and hard-working producers, editors and filmmakers anywhere in the television industry. This is an award well deserved.
On behalf of Salt and Light Catholic Media Foundation, we extend our thanks and congratulations to the community of St. Peter's Seminary. What better way could they have concluded their 100th Anniversary celebrations knowing that their windows are now award-winning?
This incredible production was produced in partnership with St. Peter's Seminary Foundation - Building Faithful Support for the Catholic Church in Canada and Beyond.
To order your personal copy of Panes of Glory, be sure to visit our S+L online store.
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Credit: Alan Petersime