The Blessing of Journalists

April 24, 2025

April 24, 2025
7pm Service of Evening Prayer
All Saints' Episcopal Church
South Hadley, MA

7pm Service of Evening Prayer will honor UMASS Professor of Journalism

Join us as we honor the professionals who tell the truth of what is happening in our nation and around the world. The service of Evening Prayer at All Saints', South Hadley is open to all who support the work of the free press, as well as all members of the press in Western Massachusetts.

photo of Professor Razvan Sibii
Prof. Razvan "Raz" Sibii

The 2025 recipient of the Bishop's Award is Razvan "Raz" Sibii, Senior Lecturer II of Journalism at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. Raz holds a Ph.D. and Master's in Communication from UMass Amherst, as well as a B.A. in Journalism/Mass Communication from the American University in Bulgaria. His scholarly, pedagogical and journalistic interests focus on issues of language, identity construction, immigration and mass incarceration. A working journalist, Raz was an opinion columnist for The Recorder, The Hampshire Gazette and The Amherst Bulletin. He is winner of the 2022 SBS College Outstanding Teaching Award, and two-time finalist for the University Distinguished Teaching Award.

Past Recipients of the Bishop's Award

Carrie Saldo

Carrie Saldo

WGBY Connecting Point host Carrie Saldo received the first Bishop’s award for journalism excellence in 2019.

Wayne Phaneuf

Wayne Phaneuf

Bishop’s Award 2020 recipient Wayne Phaneuf, retired editor of The Republican, Springfield's daily newspaper.