Catholic Review Media garnered 91 awards from three different professional journalism associations for work published in 2020, the highest number of awards in at least 12 years, and believed to be the most ever.
The awards include the coveted News Organization for the Year for large non-daily publications from the Maryland-Delaware-D.C. Press Association. This represents the third year in a row for the honor.
The awards include 44 from the MDDC Press Association, including two for Best in Show (across all circulation categories); 35 from the Catholic Media Association, including 13 first-place awards; and 12 from the Associated Church Press, an ecumenical organization, including three awards of merit (first place). The Archdiocese of Baltimore communications department also won five awards from the CMA.
All the awards ceremonies were virtual this year.
Senior Graphic Designer Sara Travlos was recognized as designer of the year in both the MDDC and CMA contests. Kevin J. Parks, visual journalist, received third place as multimedia journalist of the year.
The publication’s website, CatholicReview.org, was honored with first place in the MDDC, award of excellence (first place) from ACP, and second place in the CMA awards. The redesign of the website, launched in July 2020, received an ACP honorable mention.
“Catholic Review Radio,” which airs Sundays on three radio stations and then is available as a podcast, was recognized with an award of excellence from ACP and two honorable mentions for the podcast version from CMA. Individual radio episodes also received a first- and a third-place award from CMA.
A full list of the awards follows:
2020 Associated Church Press awards
With 12 awards, this was the highest number of awards for the publication from the ACP in at least 12 years.
Best in Class – Blog, Honorable Mention, “Open Window,” Rita Buettner
Best in Class – Social Media Presence, Honorable Mention, The Archdiocese of Baltimore’s Facebook Page, Tim Swift
News Story – Website/News Service/Blog, Honorable Mention
“Amidst charges of racism against Flannery O’Connor, Loyola University Maryland renames residence hall,” George Matysek Jr.
Devotional/Inspirational – Short Format, Award of Excellence, “In the footsteps of St. Isaac Jogues,” George P. Matysek Jr.
Publication Website, Award of Excellence, CatholicReview.org, George Matysek Jr.
Website Redesign, Honorable Mention, CatholicReview.org Redesign, George Matysek Jr. and Sara Travlos
Single Photo with Article or Cutline – Magazine/Journal, Honorable Mention, “Star of the Sea,” Kevin J. Parks
Single Photo with Article or Cutline – Blog/Social Media/Website, Award of Merit, “Faith and Blue,” Kevin J. Parks
Photo Spread with Article or Cutline – Magazine/Journal, Award of Merit, “Five Good Guys,” Kevin J. Parks
Video – News Story (Current Event), Award of Merit, “REAL Mission Project,” Kevin J. Parks
Video – News Story (Current Event), Honorable Mention, “Mount St. Joseph High School Family Wrestling Legacy,” Kevin J. Parks
Audio – Podcast/Audio Series, Award of Excellence, “Catholic Review Radio,” Christopher Gunty and George Matysek Jr.
2020 Maryland-Delaware-DC Press Association awards
Catholic Review Media won two Best in Show awards for the best entry across all circulation categories: Paul McMullen for headline and Kevin Parks for Multimedia Storytelling (Sports). The publication tallied more awards than any year in the past 12 years and was also named News Organization of the Year for the fourth time in eight years.
News Organization of the Year for large non-daily publications.
Breaking News, Second Place, “Mount St. Joseph alum killed in crash remembered as a ‘pure soul,’” George P. Matysek Jr.
General News Story, First Place, “Amidst charges of racism against Flannery O’Connor, Loyola University Maryland renames residence hall,” George P. Matysek Jr.
Continuing Coverage, First Place, Coronavirus Coverage, The Catholic Review Staff
Investigative Reporting, Second Place, “Charities ends international adoptions,” George P. Matysek Jr.
Local Government, Second Place, “Howard County withdraws restrictions that would have curtailed Eucharist,” Christopher Gunty
Education Reporting, First Place, “Catholic schools in Baltimore Archdiocese reopen with ‘vigilant’ approach,” Paul McMullen
Arts/Entertainment Reporting, First Place, “Stations of the Cross,” Mary K. Tilghman
Religion Reporting, First Place, “Personal, Profound,” Paul McMullen
Religion Reporting, Second Place, “Howard County withdraws restrictions that would have curtailed Eucharist,” Christopher Gunty
Feature Story: Non-Profile, Second Place, “Walters exhibit showcases medieval missal used by St. Francis of Assisi,” George P. Matysek Jr.
Features-driven Multimedia Storytelling, First Place, “Holy Family Parish brings Christmas cheer to Baltimore’s northwest suburbs,” Kevin J. Parks
Features-driven Multimedia Storytelling, Second Place, “Pandemic turns REAL for Libertytown youth volunteers,” Kevin J. Parks
Series, First Place, “It’s About Love,” Staff
Series, Second Place, “Works of Mercy,” Paul McMullen
Headline, First Place and Best in Show, “Sibling Revelry,” Paul McMullen
Sports Story, First Place, “One last time, Baldwin lifts St. Frances Academy to BCL title, 81-65, over Mount St. Joe,” Paul McMullen
Sports Feature Story, Second Place, “Loyola U produces BCL pioneer,” Nancy Jackson
Multimedia Storytelling (Sports), First Place and Best in Show, “Mount St. Joseph High School Family Wrestling Legacy,” Kevin J. Parks
Local Column: Critical Thinking, First Place, “Where do we go from here? Look inward,” Carole Norris Greene
Local Column: Critical Thinking, Second Place, “Popsicles before dinner,” Rita Buettner
Local Column: Feature or Humor, First Place, “Sibling Revelry,” Paul McMullen
General News Photo, First Place, “Catholic Schools Reopen,” Kevin J. Parks
Breaking News Photo, First Place, “Star of the Sea,” Kevin J. Parks
Feature Photo, Second Place, “Star of the Sea,” Kevin J. Parks
Photo Series, First Place, “Catholic Schools Reopen,” Kevin J. Parks
Photo Series, Second Place, “Star of the Sea,” Kevin J. Parks
Sports Photo (Sports Action), First Place, “IND wins ‘The Game,’” Kevin J. Parks
General Web Site Excellence, First Place, CatholicReview.org, George Matysek Jr. and staff
Retail ad – Large print ad, First Place, books ad, Sara Travlos
Retail ad – small print ad, First Place, face masks ad, Sara Travlos
Ad driven special section (in-paper), First Place, “Open House” (October 2020), staff
News-driven special section, First Place, Bishop Lewandowski ordination (September 2020), staff
News-driven special section, Second Place, “Class of 2020” (July 2020), staff
Page 1 design, First Place, “Prayer in Pandemic” (June), Sara Travlos and Kevin J. Parks
Page 1 design, Second Place, “It’s about Love” (February), Sara Travlos
News page design, First Place, “About Face” Sara Travlos
News page design, Second Place, “The Music Woman” Sara Travlos
News-driven informational graphics, First Place, “Class of 2020 by the Numbers,” Sara Travlos
News-driven art or illustrations, First Place, “Sturdy parish leads to 70 years of marriage, Sara Travlos
News-driven art or illustrations, Second Place, “Movie night,” Sara Travlos
Designer of the Year, Sara Travlos
2020 Catholic Media Association awards
The publication tallied more awards – 40 – than any year in the past 12 years, with special acknowledgment for individual excellence for two staff members.
Graphic Artist/Designer of the Year, First Place, Sara Travlos
Multimedia Journalist of the Year, Third Place, Kevin J. Parks
Best Photo Gallery or Slide Show, First Place, First Day of School 2020-2021, Kevin J. Parks
Best Podcast, Expression of Faith, Honorable Mention, staff (George Matysek Jr., Christopher Gunty, et al.)
Best Use of Live Video in Social Media, Third Place, “Baltimore City Prayer Service,” Tim Swift
Best Blog, Expression of Faith, Honorable Mention, “Open Window,” Rita Buettner
Best Online Content Not Published in Print (News), Honorable Mention, Scharbach, Archbishop Rozanski, Flannery O’Connor – George P. Matysek Jr.
Best Website – Magazine or Newsletter, Second Place, CatholicReview.org, staff
Best Promotional House Ad, First Place, The New CatholicReview.org, Sara Travlos
Best Promotional House Ad, Third Place, CRMedia Shopify, Sara Travlos
Best Special Supplement or Special Issue with Advertising Emphasis, First Place, “Open House” (October 2020), staff
Best Layout of an Article or Column – Diocesan Magazine, Honorable Mention, “Movie Night,” Sara Travlos
Best Use of Typography, First Place, “Movie Night,” Sara Travlos
Best Guest Column/Commentary, Second Place, “Where do we go from here? Look inward,” Carole Norris Greene
Best Feature Article, 2020 Election, Honorable Mention, “Citizen Makovo,” Paul McMullen
Best Explanation of Marriage, Third Place, “They Both Passed the Test” – Paul McMullen and Sara Travlos
Best Explanation of Marriage, Honorable Mention, “Sturdy Parish Leads to 70 Years of Marriage,” Paul McMullen, Kevin J. Parks, Sara Travlos
Personality Profiles (Laity), Honorable Mention, “Maintaining his Faith,” Paul McMullen
Best Reporting on Catholic Education, Honorable Mention, “The Music Woman,” Paul McMullen, Kevin J. Parks and Sara Travlos,
Best Reporting on Social Justice Issues (Call to Family, Community and Participation), First Place, “From a distance,” Paul McMullen
Best Reporting on Social Justice Issues (Dignity and Rights of the Workers), Second Place, “Urgent Need,” Paul McMullen
Best Reporting on Social Justice Issues (Rights and Responsibilities), Second Place, “Citizen Makovo,” Paul McMullen
Best Sports Reporting, Third Place, “Loyola U produces BCL pioneer,” Nancy Jackson and Kevin J. Parks
Best Special Section, Third Place, “Class of 2020,” staff
Best Photo Story, Feature, First Place, “Rites of Summer,” Kevin J. Parks and Sara Travlos
Best Photo Story, News, Third Place, “Five Good Guys,” Kevin J. Parks and Sara Travlos
Best General News Photo, Third Place, “Star of the Sea,” Kevin J. Parks
Best Photo-illustration, First Place, “Virtual Community,” Kevin J. Parks
Best Photo-illustration, Honorable Mention, “Prayer in Pandemic,” Kevin J. Parks
Best Scenic, Still-life or Weather Photo, Third Place, “Star of the Sea,” Kevin J. Parks
Best Photograph (Vocations to the Priesthood, Religious Life or Diaconate), Third Place, Pride at Communion – Kevin J. Parks
Best Photograph (Holy Days/Liturgical Seasons), First Place, Deacons between vessels at chrism Mass, Kevin J. Parks
Best Photograph, Catholic Education, First Place, Schools Reopen, Kevin J. Parks
Best Photograph, Catholic Education, Third Place, Open House – Kevin J. Parks
COMMUNICATION DEPARTMENT DIVISION
Best Package: COVID Pandemic Outreach Communications Plan, First Place, Archdiocese of Baltimore COVID Pandemic Outreach – Sean Caine, Timothy Murphy, George Matysek Jr., Tim Swift, Christopher Gunty, Sara Travlos
Best Interview, Audio, First Place, “Matt Maher” (Catholic Review Radio), Christopher Gunty
Best Interview, Audio, Third Place, “Dr. Robert Wicks” (Catholic Baltimore) – George Matysek Jr.
Best Podcast Program (by Communications Department), Honorable Mention, “Catholic Review Radio,” staff (George Matysek Jr., Christopher Gunty, et al.)
Best Use of Social Media, Honorable Mention, Archdiocese of Baltimore Social Media, Tim Swift and George Matysek Jr.
BOOK DIVISION
Diocesan Directory, First Place, “The Archdiocese of Baltimore Catholic Directory,” Christopher Gunty, Sara Travlos and Pat Richardson
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