Since you mentioned the Northeast, and you mentioned church, and you mentioned merit and you mentioned communications/journalism, then St. Bonaventure should be on your list. The Jandoli school has been ranked as high as #5 in the country and the school has produced 6 Pulitzer Prize winners, including Dan Barry of the NY Times, among other acclaimed people in the field. One of the founders of ESPN is a graduate. You will most certainly be welcomed with merit there and will be highly sought after post graduation.