PHOENIX – Catholic Review Media wrapped up the annual journalism awards season with 63 awards from three different press associations.
The team was recognized as the News Organization of the Year (Division C) by the Maryland-Delaware-D.C. Press Association for the seventh year in a row.
The MDDC awards also included recognition of Gabriella Ferraro O’Brien as Designer of the Year (for which she also won honorable mention from the Catholic Media Association). O’Brien, George Matysek Jr. and the staff each won an MDDC Best of Show award for the best entry across circulation divisions.
Matysek and visual journalist Kevin J. Parks teamed up for an inspiring story of a medical sculptor at Johns Hopkins Medical Center; the story was one of several that received awards from all three contests. A package by Christopher Gunty and Parks about green burials at a Baltimore County cemetery and Rita Buettner’s column/blog Open Window also received honors from the three organizations.
All told, Catholic Review Media captured 29 awards from the MDDC, 25 awards from the Catholic Media Association and nine awards from the Associated Church Press.
The MDDC is comprised mostly of secular publications from the region and awards first place, second place and best of show. Catholic Review Media competes in Division C against secular publications such as Baltimore Fishbowl, the Carroll County Times and Maryland Matters.
The Catholic Media Association serves Catholic publications, websites and communications professionals in the United States and Canada.
The ACP serves publications from various Christian denominations and issues Awards of Excellence (first place), Awards of Merit (second place) and honorable mentions.
The tally includes 25 first-place awards, 20 second-place awards, two third-place awards and 11 honorable mentions.
Associated Church Press awards,
Given May 2 in Chicago. The ACP reported more than 760 entries in 90 categories, judged by Christian professionals from around the country.
Publication Website: Award of Excellence – catholicreview.org – Staff
Blog: Award of Excellence – Open Window – Rita Buettner
Feature – Science Writing for World of Faith: Award of Excellence – I See You as a Person (Juan Garcia) – George Matysek Jr.
Interview, Short Form: Award of Excellence – Andrea Bocelli – George Matysek Jr.
News story, short form: Award of Merit – Key Bridge Collapse – Gerry Jackson
Feature – Local Reporting, Short Form: Award of Merit – Green Burials – Christopher Gunty
Podcast/Audio Series: Award of Merit – Catholic Review Radio – George Matysek Jr., Christopher Gunty
Convention or Meeting Coverage: Award of Merit – Seek the City meetings – Christopher Gunty, George Matysek Jr., Gerry Jackson, Katie V. Jones
In-depth Coverage: Honorable Mention – Seek the City – Christopher Gunty, George Matysek Jr., Gerry Jackson, Katie V. Jones
Catholic Media Association
Given June 27 in Phoenix. The contest committee reported 3,125 entries in 433 categories.
Writer of the Year (English): 2nd place – George Matysek Jr.
Judge’s comment: “With crisp clarity, writer captures what could be called mundane and, by incorporating delicate details that may otherwise be overlooked, the writer crafts simplicity to reveal extraordinary significance. The writer also deftly transforms the seemingly grand into human, ordinary perspective without diminishment.”
Graphic Artist/Designer of the Year: Honorable Mention – Gabriella Ferraro O’Brien
Podcast – Topical News: 2nd place – Catholic Review Radio: Mass on Dali, Archbishop Lori at synod, Election – Christopher Gunty
Judge’s comment: “This is a strong series of podcasts covering a wide range of engaging topics, with smooth and compelling conversations throughout.”
Podcast – Expression of Faith: 2nd place – Catholic Review Radio: Matt Maher, National Eucharistic Congress, Sportscaster reflects on faith – Christopher Gunty, George Matysek Jr.
Judge’s comment: “This podcast features interesting topics and wonderful interviews and discussions, all supported by strong production values. The conversations are both engaging and well-directed, making for a consistently compelling listen.”
Podcast – Social Justice Issues: Honorable Mention – Catholic Review Radio: Labor Day, Safe Streets, Nonviolent Jesus – Christopher Gunty, George Matysek Jr.
Blog – Expression of Faith: 1st place – Open Window – Rita Buettner
Judge’s comment: “It presents an excellent mix of thoughtful, insightful voices that enrich the overall conversation.”
Blog – Expression of Faith: 3rd place – Amen – George Matysek Jr., Mark Viviano, Carole Norris Greene
Judge’s comment: “This is an intriguing mix of diverse voices and perspectives that adds depth and richness to the content.”
Best Online Content Not Published in Print: 2nd place – CatholicReview.org – Gerry Jackson, George Matysek Jr., Kurt Jensen, Staff
Judge’s comment: “Engaging content delivers high-interest articles through to noteworthy nuggets. It effectively delivers background, context, perspective.”
Magazine Website: 2nd place – CatholicReview.org – Staff
Judge’s comment: “The Catholic Review website offers a professional design and layout with excellent visual components. The navigation is organized and user-friendly, and the variety of content entices visitor engagement.”
Diocesan Electronic Newsletter: 1st place – CR News – Gerry Jackson and Staff
Judge’s comment: “This e-newsletter has a wide range of articles with beautiful images and relevant topics. With its visual appeal and clean organization, it’s the ultimate source of news for a variety of audiences.”
Diocesan/Parish Directory: 1st place – 2024 Catholic Directory – Cathedral Foundation Press
Judge’s comment: “This directory is portable and solid. The pictures of the parishes in the directory give a personal touch to its usage.”
Bishop’s Column in a Diocesan Magazine: Honorable Mention – Charity in Truth – Archbishop William E. Lori
Coverage of a Disaster or Crisis: 2nd place – Key Bridge Collapse – Gerry Jackson, Kevin J. Parks, George P. Matysek Jr. and Christopher Gunty
Judge’s comment: “Thorough reporting places a global disaster in human perspective; reveals its impact at a community level – and that the community transcends any border. ”
Feature Article – Diocesan Magazine: 2nd place – I See You as a Person (Juan Garcia) – George Matysek Jr.
Judge’s comment: “This piece is truly unique — there’s nothing quite like it. It opens with a strong, poetic scene-setting introduction, followed by a narrative built around a compelling biography and research that reveals a field most readers likely never knew existed. The writer gives this remarkable life the full, in-depth treatment it deserves. The photos complement the story perfectly, enhancing its emotional and visual impact.”
Feature Article – Diocesan Magazine: Honorable Mention – D-A-N-G-E-R (Ouija) – George Matysek Jr.
Reporting on a Special Age Group: Honorable Mention – Giving and receiving – Katie V. Jones
Reporting on Catholic Education: Honorable Mention – Turtley Awesome – Kevin J. Parks
Reporting of Social Justice Issues – Care for God’s Creation: 2nd place – You should care – Lisa Harlow
Judge’s comment: “One woman’s professional interests and expertise is a great lens for exploring the relationship between faith and stewardship of creation as a matter of social justice. This article made me want to learn more.”
Reporting of Social Justice Issues – Care for God’s Creation: Honorable Mention – Green burials – Christopher Gunty
Sports Reporting: Honorable Mention – NDP student football manager – Gerry Jackson
Seasonal Issue or Section: 1st place – Weddings section – Staff
Judge’s comment: “Clearly a significant and well-done effort involving interviews with numerous couples who provided and array of insights. Faith was at the center of it all. The photography was a real plus, especially that cake!”
Special Section: 3rd place – Back to School – Staff
Judge’s comment: “This back-to-school special edition was engaging from start to finish thanks to its interesting content, clear writing, and fun design elements.”
Story and Photo Package by Two or More Individuals: Honorable Mention – Green Burials – Christopher Gunty and Kevin J. Parks
Photograph – Catholic Education: 2nd place – Dancer – Kevin J. Parks
Judge’s comment: “This is a technically challenging photograph to shoot, but it is well-staged and well-lit, making it a great complement to the overall layout.”
Photograph – Hot Topic: Eucharistic Revival: Honorable Mention – Flower petals – Kevin J. Parks
Maryland-Delaware-D.C. Press Association
Given May 9 in Annapolis. The MDDC admitted more than 1,620 entries in 86 categories in six divisions determined by audience numbers combining print and digital readership. Catholic Review Media competes in Division C. The contest was judged by members of the Washington State Press Association.
News Organization of the Year: Staff
Designer of the Year: Designer of the Year – Gabriella Ferraro O’Brien
Page 1 Design: 1st place – Fine Arts (February) – Kevin J. Parks, Gabriella Ferraro O’Brien
Feature Page Design: Best of Show – Next Level – Gabriella Ferraro O’Brien
Feature Page Design: 1st place – Next Level – Gabriella Ferraro O’Brien
News Page Design: 1st place – What happens to property? – Gabriella Ferraro O’Brien
Sports Page Design: 1st place – Next Level – Gabriella Ferraro O’Brien
News-Driven Info Graphics: 1st place – Seek the City map and chart – Ayers Saint Gross and CR Staff
Online Blog Commentary: 1st place – Open Window – Rita Buettner
Investigative Reporting: 1st place – Foreign priests and visa changes – Lisa Harlow
News-Driven Multi-Media Storytelling: 1st place – St. Thomas Aquinas – George Matysek Jr., Kevin J. Parks
Judge’s comment: “This story masterfully blends informative content with engaging, high-quality multimedia elements. The video is compelling, and the photos evoke emotion, bringing a niche subject to life and inviting the audience to explore the story further. All of these pieces combined make a complex topic accessible and captivating.”
Medical/Science Reporting: Best of Show – I See You as a Person (Juan Garcia) – George Matysek Jr.
Judge’s comment: “This is a tough category to judge because all entries were strong. The top 2 edged out the others because of the topics they chose and how they handled them. Good packaging and photography, as well.”
Medical/Science Reporting: 1st place – I See You as a Person (Juan Garcia) – George Matysek Jr.
Religion Reporting: 2nd place – Priests and preaching – George Matysek Jr.
Judge’s comment: “Well-written look at what goes into engaging parishioners. Fun and educational. ”
Local Column: Features or Humor: 2nd place – That Pommel Horse Guy – Rita Buettner
Feature Story: Profile: 1st place – I See You as a Person (Juan Garcia) – George Matysek Jr.
Judge’s comment: “This feature has it all. A fascinating and inspiring subject told with clarity, curiosity, respect and wonder. ”
Feature Story: Non-Profile: 2nd place – Green burials – Christopher Gunty
Judge’s comment: “Very interesting topic, one I had not heard about. It was a very informational piece and well written. ”
Headline: 2nd place – D-A-N-G-E-R (Ouija) – George Matysek Jr.
Judge’s comment: “This was very creative, immersing the subject of the story into the headline. C-O-N-G-R-A-T-S”
Feature photo: 1st place – Coming off the Sidelines (Vivano) – Kevin J. Parks
Judge’s comment: “Clearly set up. Framing is excellent. This photographer knows what they’re doing.”
Sports Photo Feature: 1st place – Fist Bump – Kevin J. Parks
Judge’s comment: “Angle should be on trainer, not player to better accompany the story. Kudos to photog for getting into their space to get shots – many would have just shot from a more comfortable distance.”
Sports Photo Feature: 2nd place – Jordan Braithwaite – Kevin J. Parks
Judge’s comment: “Technically solid. Nice stop action, clean, sharp. But see it more as a portrait entry than a feature.”
General News Video: 1st place – St. Thomas Aquinas – Kevin J. Parks
Judge’s comment: “An informative video on a St. Thomas Aquinas skull that was an important relic to the Catholic Church. It showed the parishioners reaction to having it come to the church as they were shown touching the box holding the skull and looking closely at the skull”
Features Video: 2nd place – Music in the Air – Kevin J. Parks
Special Event Video: 1st place – St. Thomas Aquinas – Kevin J. Parks
Judge’s comment: “The winning entry beautifully captured an incredible story of over 1,000 people visiting an ancient religious relic. The excellent A-roll interviews effectively conveyed the significance and context of the relic, clearly explaining “what it is” and “why it’s important” within the Catholic community. The video production quality was exceptional. Outstanding work!”
Website General Excellence: 2nd place – CatholicReview.org – Staff
Advertising-driven Special Section – Print : Best of Show – Open House – Staff
Advertising-driven Special Section – Print : 1st place – Open House – Staff
News-driven Special Section: 1st place – Women making History – Staff
Judge’s comment: “This special section was presented in a way that includes a range of women’s voices as well as their faces first and foremost.
It showed the varied experiences, strengths and challenges in a way that felt intimate and relatable.
It was not done in a way that felt surface level, exploitative or perfunctory. The design/layout was appealing, clean, relevant and effective. It let the voices and faces of the sources shine through.”
Custom Publication: 1st place – Teachers of the Year – Staff
Judge’s comment: “Attractive layout and excellent images.”
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