Telling Truth in Charity: Introduction to Catholic Journalism (2026)

This 12-week online course is for aspiring journalists and working journalists in Canada, the U.S. or abroad at any stage of their career interested in working in Catholic news production. Ideal for Catholic media who want to train a new hire and communications directors seeing insight into how to pitch and work with journalists.

Cost: $275 CAD

Registration is limited to 20 students.

For additional information, email editor@canadiancatholicnews.ca

March 2 – May 18, 2026

Mondays, 7:30 p.m.-9 p.m. Eastern

Jermaine Bagnall

Jermaine Bagnall is a seasoned media professional with over a decade of experience in storytelling, content creation, and multimedia production. He has collaborated with prominent organizations like The Mastercard Foundation and Salt + Light Media, specializing in creating impactful narratives through audio and video. Drawing from his extensive background in podcasting and Catholic journalism, Jermaine is passionate about equipping others with the tools and insights needed to launch meaningful and engaging podcasts.

Barb Fraze

Barb Fraze has been on both sides of story pitches. For years she was receiving them, when she served as international editor of the now-closed Catholic News Service in Washington. Today, as a freelance journalist, she sends pitches to editors. She is the 2023 recipient of the Catholic Media Association’s St. Francis de Sales Award, which recognizes “outstanding contributions to Catholic journalism.”

Laura Ieraci

Laura Ieraci is editor of ONE magazine. Previously, she worked at Catholic News Service and Vatican Radio in Rome, Horizons of the Eparchy of Parma, Ohio, the Archdiocese of Montreal and the Catholic Times Montreal. She has freelanced widely and has won multiple journalism and editing awards. She is the editor of the CCN website, serves as vice president of the board of Canadian Catholic News and is the founder of The Religion & Journalism Project.

Paul Schratz

Paul Schratz has over 40 years’ experience in journalism, having worked as a reporter, photographer, editorial page editor, columnist, and editor at daily and weekly newspapers in Ontario and British Columbia. He started with the Archdiocese of Vancouver in 1997, serving at various times as communications director and editor of The B.C. Catholic, his current position. He is also editorial and outreach manager for Canadian Catholic News, overseeing news and social media strategies, fundraising, and outreach initiatives.

Joseph Sinasac

Joseph Sinasac, recently retired as publishing director of Novalis Publishing, has had a career in journalism and religious publishing spanning 45 years. He worked as a reporter and editor for daily newspapers before joining The Catholic Register in Toronto in 1995, where he was the publisher and editor until joining Novalis in 2009. He has authored three books and has served for many years in various roles on the board of the Catholic Media Association. He was inducted this year into the Association of Catholic Publishers’ Hall of Fame.