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Catholic Review Media captured 60 honors for work published and broadcast in a year that it redesigned its look and content.

Catholic Review Media brings home 60 awards from three press associations for 2022 work


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Catholic Review Filed Under: Feature, Journalism, Local News, News

Catholic Review Media captured 60 honors for work published and broadcast in 2022. 

The Maryland-Delaware-DC Press Association again recognized Catholic Review Media as large non-daily News Organization of the Year, for the fifth year in a row, and the sixth time since 2013. Catholic Review Media’s survey, rebranding and redesign was also voted by the MDDC for Best Moves, which honored important initiatives within member publications. Other nominees for Best Moves were the Baltimore Sun and the Frederick News Post.

Several staff members were noted for overall excellence, including Gabriella Ferraro O’Brien as Designer of the Year for both the MDDC and the Catholic Media Association; George Matysek Jr. as second runner-up for Editor of the Year from the CMA; and Rita Buettner for Best in Class – Blog from the Associated Church Press.

The Catholic Review’s magazine and logos underwent redesigns in 2022.

Wins encompassed all categories of work, including photography, design, reporting, social media and radio/podcasting. 

Details of the awards from each of the associations follow:

The Associated Church Press, a group of religious publications from Christian denominations, awards Awards of Excellence (first place), Awards of Merit (second place) and Honorable Mention (third place). The contest was entered by 58 organizations in 78 categories with 725 total entries. The ACP awards were given at its convention in Chicago April 21.

Best in Class – Blog: Award of Excellence – “Open Window” – Rita Buettner

Biographical Profile: Award of Merit – “Make them Proud” – George Matysek Jr.

Service Journalism: Award of Merit – “Health Section” – Staff

Magazine/Journal Design, Spread or Story: Award of Excellence – “Culture Shock” – Gabriella Ferraro O’Brien

Print Publication Redesign: Award of Excellence – “Redesign” – Gabriella Ferraro O’Brien

Photo Spread or Essay (Printed Media): Award of Merit – “Peace and Alzheimer’s” – Kevin J. Parks

Photo Spread or Essay (Online Media): Award of Excellence – “Hispanic immigrants voice their struggles” – Kevin J. Parks

Audio – Podcast or Audio Series: Honorable Mention – “Catholic Review Radio” – Staff, George Matysek, Christopher Gunty

Social Media – Single Posting: Award of Merit – “Seminarians pray for firefighters” – Kevin J. Parks

Social Media – Awareness/Advocacy Campaign: Award of Excellence – “National Migration Week prayer walk” – Mitzy Deras

The Catholic Media Association reported there were more than 3,400 entries for the contest this year. Catholic Review Media and the Archdiocese of Baltimore won 20 awards from the CMA during its conference in Baltimore June 9: 

Graphic Artist/Designer of the Year: 1st place – Gabriella Ferraro O’Brien

Gabriella Ferraro O’Brien was named Designer of the Year for both the Catholic Media Association and the MDDC Press Association. The CMA judges said the pages designed by O’Brien “are dynamic, engaging, and even a little whimsical. They attract readers with bold graphics and photography and the placing of the different elements allows for easy flow.” (CR staff)

Editor of the Year: 2nd runner up – George Matysek Jr.

Illustration with Graphic Design or Art: 3rd place – “Inflation wallops parishes and schools” – Gabriella Ferraro O’Brien

Photo Gallery or Slide Show: 1st place – “Afghan refugees” – Kevin J. Parks

Use of Video on Social Media – News Organization: 1st place – “Catholic Review Sports Saturday” – Kevin J. Parks

Podcast – Expression of Faith: Honorable Mention – “Catholic Review Radio” – George Matysek, Christopher Gunty

Blog – Expression of Faith: Honorable Mention – “Open Window” – Rita Buettner

Online Content Not Published in Print: 3rd place – “Leadership transiton at basilica; Cardinal Sarah; Archbishop Lori and pro-life” – George Matysek Jr.

Website – Diocesan: 1st place – “Archbalt.org” – Gerry Jackson

Interview – Audio: 1st place – “Black Catholic Nuns (Catholic Review Radio)” – George Matysek Jr.

Interview – Audio: 3rd place – “Archbishop Lori Anniversary (Catholic Review Radio)” – Christopher Gunty 

Use of Social Media: Honorable Mention – “Archbalt social media” – Mitzy Deras

Layout or Article Column – diocesan magazine: 1st place – “Peace and Alzheimer’s” – Gabriella Ferraro O’Brien

Managing Editor George Matysek Jr. was honored for his editing prowess by the CMA, whose judges said he has a “gifted touch for breathing life into text and using subtle touches as brushstrokes — while still respecting other writers’ tone of voice and structure.” They added that Matysek is “capable of reading into stories and uncovering buried elements and then adding deft storytelling elements to keep narratives moving along.” (CR Staff)

Layout or Article Column – diocesan magazine: Honorable Mention – “Show me the honey” – Gabriella Ferraro O’Brien

Use of Typography: 1st place – “Seek the City to Come” – Gabriella Ferraro O’Brien

Regular Column – Arts, Leisure, Culture and Food: 2nd place – “Mulderig at the Movies” – John Mulderig

Reporting of Social Issues – Solidarity: Honorable Mention – “Welcome, Strangers” – Priscila González de Doran

Reporting on Vocations to Priesthood, Religious Life or Diaconate: 3rd place – “Vocations Special Section” – Staff

Photograph – Feature Photo: Honorable Mention – “Afghan refugees” – Kevin J. Parks

Photograph – Catholic Education: 1st place – “Happy Graduate” – Kevin J. Parks

The Maryland-Delaware-DC Press Association includes members of daily and non-daily publications and online-only publishers, mostly from secular media. The MDDC awards first- and second-place awards in circulation divisions, as well as a Best of Show in each award category across all circulation divisions. The Catholic Review won three Best of Shows among its 30 awards.

News Organization of the Year: “The Catholic Review” – Staff

Best Moves: Best Moves – “Rebranding and Redesign” – Staff

Website of General Excellence: 1st place – “www.catholicreview.org” – Staff

Custom Publication: 1st place – “Teachers of the Year” – Staff

Designer of the Year: Designer of the Year – Gabriella Ferraro O’Brien

Kevin J. Parks won awards for his photography, videography and reporting from MDDC, CMA and Associated Church Press (CR Staff)

Education Reporting: Best of Show – “Legacy of a Ring” – Kevin J. Parks

Education Reporting: 1st place – “Legacy of a Ring” – Kevin J. Parks

Education Reporting: 2nd place – “Sailor in Space” – Mary K. Tilghman

Feature page design: 1st place – “Show me the honey” – Gabriella Ferraro O’Brien

Feature page design: 2nd place – “Afghan refugees” – Gabriella Ferraro O’Brien

Feature story: Non-Profile: Best of Show – “Worth more than a thousand words” – George Matysek Jr.

Feature story: Non-Profile: 1st place – “Worth more than a thousand words” – George Matysek Jr.

Feature story: Non-Profile: 2nd place – “Show me the honey” – George Matysek Jr.

Feature story: Profile: 1st place – “Matt Birk boldly embodies pro-life cause” – George Matysek Jr.

Headline: 1st place – “Show me the honey” – Kevin J. Parks

Local column: Feature or Humor: 1st place – “Moo like a cow” – George Matysek Jr.

Local column: Feature or Humor: 2nd place – “Baltimore’s strongman” – George Matysek Jr.

News Page Design: Best of Show – “Seek the City to Come” – Gabriella Ferraro O’Brien

News page design: 1st place – “Show me the honey” – Gabriella Ferraro O’Brien

Communications specialist Mitzy Deras was honored for her use of social media by CMA and ACP. (CR Staff)

News-driven infographics: 1st place – “Class of 2022” – Gabriella Ferraro O’Brien

Page 1 Design: 1st place – “Ready for the Future” – Gabriella Ferraro O’Brien, Kevin J. Parks

Page 1 Design: 2nd place – “Welcome, Strangers” – Gabriella Ferraro O’Brien, Kevin J. Parks

Religion Reporting: 1st place – “Sulpician’s art deepens faith” – George Matysek Jr.

Religion Reporting: 2nd place – “Make them Proud” – George Matysek Jr.

Sports Feature Story: 1st place – “Bleacher Brothers” – Gerry Jackson

Sports Feature Story: 2nd place – “Culture Shock” – Adam Zielonka

Sports page design: 1st place – “Culture shock” – Gabriella Ferraro O’Brien

Sports Story: 1st place – “Priests engage in World Cup passion” – Gerry Jackson

Sports Story: 2nd place – “Turkey Bowl” – Todd Karpovich

Sports Video: 1st place – “Sports Saturdays in Instagram” – Kevin J. Parks

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