Catholic Review repeats as News Organization of the Year, earns other journalism awards

Catholic Review Media received 36 awards from the Maryland-Delaware-D.C. Press Association, including the honor as large nondaily News Organization of the Year for the second year in a row.

The magazine and website won 29 first-place awards, nine second-place and two best-of-show awards for news and feature writing, commentary, design, graphics and photography.

The Best-of-Show awards, given to the best entry across all circulation categories, went to Sara Travlos, graphic designer, for the 2019 Graduation by the Numbers infographic, and to columnist and blogger Rita Buettner for her blog that imagined a graduation speech given by the riderless horse in the Preakness.

In the Religion Reporting category, the judges picked “Road to Redemption,” a profile of a man who finished a prison sentence in 2014 and had been impressed by the Catholic prison ministers. The story explored how he was one of the 600 people who came into full Communion with the Catholic Church at Easter 2019. The feature “really shows God’s work on a man who went astray and then sought and received redemption,” the judge said.

The MDDC provides professional training and development, legislative representation and First Amendment resources. All of the daily newspapers in the region and many nondaily publications are active members.

Catholic Review Media also received seven awards from the Associated Church Press, which serves an ecumenical audience. The publication received three Awards of Excellence (first place), two Awards of Merit (second  place) and two Honorable Mentions (third place).

The Catholic Review also received 20 awards from the Catholic Press Association of the United States and Canada, including one First Place award, five Second Place, nine Third Place and five Honorable Mentions. McMullen was honored in third place for English-language Editor of the Year.

George Matysek Jr., digital editor, was one of four finalists in the Catholic press for the Francis de Sales Award. The award — named for the patron saint of writers and journalists — recognizes “outstanding contributions to Catholic journalism” and is the highest honor given by the CPA.

A list of the individual awards from MDDC follows:

Advertising-driven Special Section –- in-paper product, First Place, “Open House 2019,” Staff

Arts/Entertainment Reporting, First Place, “Fleeting Images, Enduring Style,” Mary K. Tilghman

Editorial, First Place, “A Year Ahead of Election, Breathe Deeply,” Christopher Gunty; Judge’s comment: “This was incredibly well written with many thought-provoking points. In a time of such political divide, I hope people read this carefully and really do try to think and listen with an open mind. I also love the graphics. Great job.”

Editorial, Second Place, “Time for a Different Approach,” Christopher Gunty

Education Reporting, First Place, “Catholic Charities program hones ability to secure substantive employment,” Paul McMullen; Judge’s comment: “This was a great look into a different type of education that many people might not really ever think about. Not only is it eye-opening, but it makes you appreciate the educational opportunities that can sometimes be taken for granted. Well done!”

Education Reporting, Second Place, “From Cycling to Classroom,” Emily Rosenthal

Feature Page Design, First Place, “On the Mark,” Sara Travlos; Judge’s comment: “Nice use of photos. Shows emotion.”

Feature Page Design, Second Place, “Serving God & The Church,” Sara Travlos; Judge’s comment: “Nice use of graphics. Draws the reader in.”

Feature Story: Profile, First Place, “Man for all Seasons,” Paul McMullen; Judge’s comment: “Probably more of a sports feature than a profile, this is nevertheless an interesting story that is well deserving of first place.”

Features Video, First Place, “D-Day Fighter Pilot Shares Vivid Memories of His Missions,” Kevin J. Parks; Judge’s comment: “Outstanding video combining historical World War II footage with contemporary interview of a D-Day pilot.”

Features Video, Second Place, “St. Edwards Workforce Development Center,” Kevin J. Parks; Judge’s comment: “Nice video reporting on a job training program.”

Features-driven Multimedia Storytelling, First Place, “Seventy-five years ago, Mercy Ridge resident flew combat missions over D-Day” Paul McMullen, Kevin J. Parks

General Web Site Excellence, First Place, “CatholicReview.org,” George P. Matysek Jr.

Headline, First Place, “Between a Sock and a Hard Place,” Emily Rosenthal; Judge’s comment: “Clever headline! Short and sweet and grabbed my attention making me want to read the story.”

Local Column: Feature or Humor, First Place, “Lessons in Empathy,” Paul McMullen; Judge’s comment: “Lessons in empathy – something we could all use more of! Wonderful tribute to your family and school.”

Local Column: Feature or Humor, Second Place, “The More, the Merrier,” George P. Matysek Jr.

Medical/Science Reporting, First Place, “Faith and Science,” Mary Ellen Hackett; Judge’s comment: “Well-written, fascinating story about a man who has overcome difficulties and faces life with a zeal to find a cure for cancer and minister to others.”

Medical/Science Reporting, Second Place, “An Extension of Me,” Emily Rosenthal

News Page Design, First Place, “Our Lady,” Sara Travlos; Judge’s comment: “Very very nice. Love how the photos are showcased, love the emotions on the priest and the people attending the service.”

News Page Design, Second Place, “Days of Distinction,” Sara Travlos; Judge’s comment: “Very nice. Would like to see more text but very nice page.”

News-driven Informational Graphics, Best of Show, “Class of 2019 by the Numbers,” Sara Travlos; Judge’s comment: “Very, very well done!”

News-driven Informational Graphics, First Place, “Class of 2019 by the Numbers,” Sara Travlos

News-driven Special Section, First Place, “Class of 2019,” Staff

Online Blog Commentary, First Place and Best of Show, “A graduation address by the rider-less Preakness horse, Bodexpress,” Rita Buettner; Judge’s comment: “This was just really fun to read and was a neat way to tie together current events and more personal celebrations.”

Page 1 Design, First Place, “We are Baltimore,” Sara Travlos; Judge’s comment: “First place edged second but not by much – just liked the featured image better because it seemed more natural. But since they are both the same publication all should be well.”

Page 1 Design, Second Place, “School Spirit,” Sara Travlos; Judge’s comment: “Definitely makes you want to peek inside.”

Photo Series, First Place, “Turkey Bowl 2019,” Kevin J. Parks; Judge’s comment: “Photos showed the entirety of the football experience: players, fans, coaches, band, etc. Draws the reader in to see more of the wonderful photos showcasing the game. Great job!”

Photo Series, Second Place, “Mercy High Artificial Turf Athletic Complex,” Kevin J. Parks; Judge’s comment: “Really enjoyed the coverage of women’s soccer and the new turf. Great series of images!”

Religion Reporting, First Place, “Road to Redemption,” Paul McMullen; Judge’s comment: “What better way to show God’s work than in a story about redemption?”

Series, First Place, “Positively Catholic,” Paul McMullen, Emily Rosenthal

Sports Feature Story, First Place, “Changed Landscape,” Paul McMullen

Sports Page Design, First Place, “On the Mark,” Sara Travlos

Sports Story, First Place, “Baldwin boosts father, St. Frances Academy, with game-winning 3-pointer over Goretti in BCL final,” Paul McMullen

Wild Card: Immigration in Communities, First Place, “Road from Damascus,” Paul McMullen

A list of the individual awards from the Associated Church Press follows:

Reporting and Writing: Convention or Meeting Coverage: Magazine, Short Format (1,200 words or fewer), Award of Excellence, “Bishops Parker and Wack call for more transparency and lay involvement in Facebook Live event,” Christopher Gunty; Judge’s comment: “Well written coverage of Facebook Live event.”

Visual Communications: Online Media: Publication Website, Award of Excellence, “CatholicReview.org,” George Matysek Jr.; Judge’s Comment: “Simple design, could use some updating at the top to tighten up the space so it is not wasted. So appreciate the obituaries and celebrations of the past. My favorite was the story on the Vatican astronomer. ‘He gave me a flashlight, and at lights out I had to pull a blanket over my head and open this book so I didn’t get caught reading this strange literature.’ Nice approach and the sort of story that gets circulated around. Chris Gunty’s story on March for Life is welcomed, but what made it exception was a stunning photo by Kevin Parks.”

Marketing And Public Relations: Electronic Newsletter, Award of Excellence, “The Catholic Review’s E-Newsletter,” George Matysek Jr.; Judge’s comment: “The Catholic Review offered most of the options of valued content, and did so in the most effective, efficient manner, while remaining true to their mission. It did so with strong content that draws in the reader that is visually engaging without being overwhelming, balanced with a consistent layout. Deemed worthy of best in the category.

Reporting and Writing: Convention or Meeting Coverage: Magazine, Short Format (1,200 words or fewer), Award of Merit, “Bishops will Launch National Reporting Hotline,” Christopher Gunty Judge’s comment: “Good roundup of planned initiatives stemming from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops fall general assembly.”

Visual Communications: Art/Design/Graphics: Magazine/Journal Design, Spread Or Story, Award of Merit, “Our Lady,” Sara Travlos; Judge’s comment: “The good: A generous selection of eight color photos of a Hispanic celebration for Our Lady of Guadalupe. And they’re not all just procession shots: They highlight dancers, drummers, and ankle shakers made of sea shells. The photos are set at a 45-degree angle – a creative risk, but they’re cropped wisely to show the most important images. The photos bite into the text, but it’s kept contiguous. ‘Our Lady,’ the story title, is scrawled in dark red as an apparent show of affection for Mary. So is the illuminated initial in the first paragraph.”

Overall Excellence / Best In Class: Blog, Honorable Mention, “Open Window,” Rita Buettner; Judge’s comment: “So creative! All were great, but the one that resonated with me the most was the Preakness horse. I loved the message and how appropriate for a graduation speech. Great job.”

Overall Excellence / Best In Class: Social Media Presence, Honorable Mention, “The Catholic Review’s Facebook Page,” George Matysek Jr.; Judge’s comment: “Good design and navigation. Well done.”

A list of the individual awards from the CPA follows:

Editor of the Year (English), Third Place, Paul McMullen

Best Blog By Layperson, Honorable Mention, “Open Window,” Rita Buettner

Best Website Diocesan, Third Place, archbalt.org; George Matysek Jr., Timothy Murphy and The Catholic Review Staff

Best Podcast Program, Third Place, “Catholic Baltimore” Talk Radio; George Matysek Jr. and Christopher Gunty and The Catholic Review Staff

Best Special Supplement or Special Issue with Advertising Emphasis, Third Place, “Open House 2019,” The Catholic Review Staff

Best Cover (Color), Large Format, Third Place, “We are Baltimore,” Sara Travlos

Best Coverage, Disaster or Crisis, Third Place, “The Abuse Crisis,” Christopher Gunty and Kevin J. Parks

Best Coverage, Disaster or Crisis, Honorable Mention, “We are Baltimore,” Paul McMullen, Christopher Gunty, Kevin J. Parks, Timothy Murphy

Best Editorial, Third Place, “Kittens and Babies” Christopher Gunty

Best Title and Lead-In, First Place, “Between a Sock and a Hard Place,” Emily Rosenthal

Best Reporting on the Celebration of a Sacrament, Honorable Mention, “In family affair with Spanish accent, Baltimore Archdiocese ordains 14 permanent deacons,” Paul McMullen and Kevin J. Parks

Best Reporting on Social Issues – Rights and Responsibility, Second Place, “Dignity” Paul McMullen

Best Reporting of Social Justice Issues – Solidarity, Second Place, “Instructional Aids,” Paul McMullen

Hot Topic – Best Coverage of the Sexual Abuse Crisis, Second Place, “The Abuse Crisis,” Christopher Gunty and Kevin J. Parks

Best Multiple Picture Package – Feature, Honorable Mention, “Madonnari Mastery,” Kevin J. Parks

Best Photo Story – Feature, Honorable Mention, “Days of Distinction,” Kevin J. Parks and Sara Travlos

Best Photo Story – News, Third Place, “March On,” Kevin J. Parks and Sara Travlos

Best Photograph – Color, Second Place, “Baltimore Catholic League Tournament,” Rob Carr

Best Photograph – Color, Third Place, “Madonnari Mastery,” Kevin J. Parks

Best Diocesan Directory, Third Place, Archdiocese of Baltimore 2020 Catholic Directory,” Catholic Review Media staff

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