Catholic Review wins 73 awards from professional journalism organizations for 2021 work July 11, 2022By Catholic Review Staff Catholic Review Filed Under: Feature, Journalism, Local News, News PORTLAND, Ore. – With 22 awards at the 2022 Catholic Media Conference July 7, the Catholic Review completed the year with 73 awards from three professional organizations – the Catholic Media Association, the Associated Church Press and the Maryland-Delaware-DC Press Association. The total is the second-highest in at least the last 13 years. This cover by Sara Travlos and Kevin J. Parks won first place for page one design from the Maryland-Delaware-D.C. Press Association Archbishop William E. Lori, publisher of the Catholic Review, staff members and freelance contributors received awards. The Catholic Media Association includes Catholic publications and communicators from the U.S. and Canada. Awards given at the Catholic Media Conference included two for individual general excellence, a first-place award for designer of the year to Sara Travlos, former senior graphic designer, and honorable mention for podcaster of the year to George Matysek Jr., managing editor, for episodes of “Catholic Review Radio.” The Catholic Media Conference was held in person for the first time since 2019, with a hybrid format that allowed members to be present in Portland or participate via Zoom videoconference. The honors from the MDDC include the designation as Large Nondaily News Organization of the Year for the fourth year in a row and the fifth time since 2013. Among the 42 awards for the Catholic Review, MDDC awarded six “best of show,” which acknowledge the best work in a category across all circulation segments. MDDC members include mostly secular publications from the region. Other publications in the large nondaily division include the Bay Journal, the Laurel Leader, the Aegis and the Towson Times. The eight awards from the ACP include three awards of excellence, the first-place honor. The Associated Church Press includes Christian publishers from many denominations, including some Catholic organizations like Catholic Review Media. Christopher Gunty, Catholic Review Media associate publisher and editor, said, “We are pleased and honored to be recognized again as News Organization of the Year by the MDDC, and by all the other awards the team received. A story by George Matysek Jr. about Catholic sculptor Wayman Scott IV won multiple journalism awards in 2021, including Best in Show from the Maryland-Delaware-D.C. Press Association. (Kevin J. Parks/CR Staff) “It’s a tribute to the quality of writing, photography, videos and radio shows upon which our readers, viewers and listeners rely for coverage of the Catholic Church and the faithful in Maryland across a variety of media platforms,” he said. Gunty also received a second-place award for personality profile of a religious leader for a piece about Cardinal Wilton D. Gregory of Washington, D.C., which was written for St. Anthony Messenger magazine. Below is a list of the awards from each association. Associated Church Press, awarded via videoconference May 12 – award of excellence is first place, award of merit is second and honorable mention is third: Best in Class – Blog: Award of Excellence – Open Window column – Rita Buettner Best in Class – Blog: Honorable Mention – Open Window column – Rita Buettner Best in Class – Social Media Presence: Honorable Mention – Facebook presence – Catholic Review Staff Local Reporting – Short Format: Award of Excellence – Beauty Born of Pain – George P. Matysek Jr. Local Reporting – Short Format: Honorable Mention – Final Rest – Mary K. Tilghman Science writing for the world of faith – Short Format: Award of Merit – Webb and wonder – Christopher Gunty Illustration, With Article or Cutline: Honorable Mention – On the Road with Joseph – Sara Travlos Photo Spread or Essay (Printed Media): Award of Excellence – Smiles are Back – Kevin J. Parks Educational / Informative / Advocacy Video: Honorable Mention – The Poetry of Edgar Allan Poe – Catherine Subrizi Catholic Media Association, awarded July 7 in Portland. The contest awards first-, second- and third-place awards and honorable mentions. Individual Excellence – Graphic Artist/Designer of the Year: First Place – Sara Travlos Individual Excellence – Podcaster of the Year: Honorable Mention – Catholic Review Radio episodes – George Matysek Jr. https://soundcloud.com/catholicreview/aug-15-2021-after-his-death-at-21-isaac-scharbach-continues-to-touch-lives?in=catholicreview/sets/catholic-review-radio https://soundcloud.com/catholicreview/dec-12-2021-christmas-music-and-the-power-of-song-in-times-of-plague?in=catholicreview/sets/catholic-review-radio https://soundcloud.com/catholicreview/sept-19-2021-reading-with-your-children?in=catholicreview/sets/catholic-review-radio https://soundcloud.com/catholicreview/jan-24-2021-military-chaplaincy?in=catholicreview/sets/catholic-review-radio https://soundcloud.com/catholicreview/dec-5-2021-catching-up-with-matt-birknew-film-on-st-joseph?in=catholicreview/sets/catholic-review-radio This graphic by Sara Travlos was among the design work that helped her earn graphic designer of the year by the Catholic Media Association. Best Illustration with Graphic Design or Art: Honorable Mention – On the Road with Joseph – Sara Travlos Best Podcast – Social Justice Issues: Third Place – Catholic Review Radio episodes: CRS and Migration, Dante Barksdale’s Last Act; human trafficking – Christopher Gunty and Father Brian Nolan. Best Blog – Expression of Faith: Honorable Mention – Open Window – Rita Buettner Best Online Content Not Published in Print – News: First Place Mount de Sales graduate elected a successor to Mother Angelica – George Matysek Jr ‘All in and ready to go’: Loyola University Maryland’s first lay president ready to take the helm – George Matysek Jr. A new flag waves over the pro-life movement – George Matysek Jr. Heeding her late father’s advice, Zaferes has fun while earning Olympic medals – Paul McMullen An interview by George Matysek Jr. with the father of Isaac Scharbach (pictured), who was tragically killed in an accident, was named best podcast interview of the year by the Catholic Media Association. The judges said the interview featured a dramatic subject and “unflinching, probing questions.” Best Website – Diocesan: First Place – archbalt.org – George Matysek Jr., Gerry Jackson and staff Best Website – Magazine or Newsletter: Honorable Mention – catholicreview.org – George P. Matysek Jr. and staff Best Diocesan Directory: First Place – Archdiocese of Baltimore 2022 Catholic Directory – Christopher Gunty and Sara Travlos Best Diocesan Pastoral Message – Letter: Third Place – “A Light Brightly Visible 2.0” – Archbishop William E. Lori; design by Timothy Murphy Best Interview – Audio: First Place – Catholic Review Radio – Scharbach – George Matysek Jr. Best Interview – Audio: Third Place – Catholic Review Radio – Sister Bernadette Reis – Christopher Gunty Best Bishop’s Column in a Diocesan Magazine: First Place – Charity in Truth – Archbishop William E. Lori Best Coverage – Immigration: Honorable Mention – Priscila González de Doran, Christopher Gunty Each person coming to the borders bears God’s image, Archbishop Lori says Our Lady of Guadalupe, ‘Star of New Evangelization,’ unites cultures Immigrants keep their promises as Guadalupe Torch arrives in Archdiocese of Baltimore Catholic Review Radio: Migration and the pandemic Best Coverage – Pandemic: Third Place – Christopher Gunty, Paul McMullen, George P. Matysek Jr., Kevin J. Parks Seafarers receive COVID vaccine while in Baltimore ports Archdiocese of Baltimore relaxes social distancing for Masses Chrism Mass in Holy Week helps with return to ‘normal’ One year in: Families, institutions adjust to ongoing pandemic Archbishop Lori encourages vaccinations as ‘act of charity and love’ This sports layout by Sara Travlos was awarded best in show by the Maryland-Delaware-D.C. Press Association in 2021. Best Coverage – Racial Inequities: Honorable Mention – Priscila González de Doran, George Matysek Jr., Kevin J. Parks, Kyle Taylor Cardinal Gregory challenges men of St. Bernardine to be ‘breath of hope’ Grassroots effort calls on pope to canonize six Black sainthood candidates Bishop Lewandowski calls racism the enemy of synodality Catholic leaders welcome move to ditch ‘Maryland, My Maryland’ Glory Restored: Local Knights of Columbus refurbish historic African American cemetery Best Title and Lead-In: Second Place – “Lab” Assistants – Kevin J. Parks Best Reporting of Social Justice Issues – Dignity and Rights of Workers: First Place – Food for Life – Paul McMullen Best Multiple Picture Package – Feature: Honorable Mention – Beauty Born of Pain – Kevin J. Parks Best Story and Photo Package by an Individual: Third Place – “Lab” Assistants – Kevin J. Parks Best Photograph – Scenic, Still-Life or Weather: First Place – Quiet Man – Kevin J. Parks Best Photograph – Scenic, Still-Life or Weather: Honorable Mention – What’s in a Life? – George Matysek Jr. Maryland-Delaware-DC Press Association, awarded May 10-13 via videoconference. The MDDC awards first- and second-place prizes and a best of show for each category, which honors the best work across all circulation divisions. A commentary by Christopher Gunty about incoming president Joseph Biden won first place for online blog commentary by the Maryland-Delaware-D.C. Press Association. (CNS photo/Kevin Lamarque, Reuters) News Organization of the Year Website General Excellence: First Place – www.catholicreview.org – George P. Matysek Jr. and staff Page 1 Design: First Place – Food For Life – Sara Travlos, Kevin J. Parks Page 1 Design: Second Place – Bless This House – Sara Travlos Feature Page Design: First Place – Beauty Resurrected – Sara Travlos, Kevin J. Parks Feature Page Design: Second Place – A Dog’s Purpose – Kevin J. Parks, Gabriella O’Brien News Page Design: First Place – Mother Lange’s Legacy – Kevin J. Parks, Sara Travlos Sports Page Design: First Place and Best of Show – Play Ball – Sara Travlos News-driven Informational Graphics: First Place – By the Numbers – Sara Travlos News-driven Art or Illustrations: First Place and Best of Show – On the Road with Joseph – Sara Travlos Online Blog Commentary: First Place – President Biden’s top priority must be healing – Christopher Gunty General News Story: Second Place – Chrism Mass in Holy Week helps with return to ‘normal’ – Christopher Gunty Continuing Coverage: Second Place – Immigration – Priscila González de Doran, Christopher Gunty Each person coming to the borders bears God’s image, Archbishop Lori says Our Lady of Guadalupe, ‘Star of New Evangelization,’ unites cultures Immigrants keep their promises as Guadalupe Torch arrives in Archdiocese of Baltimore Catholic Review Radio: Migration and the pandemic Wild Card: Coronavirus in Communities: First Place and Best of Show – Catholic Community Responds to Pandemic – Christopher Gunty, Paul McMullen, George P. Matysek Jr., Kevin J. Parks Seafarers receive COVID vaccine while in Baltimore ports Archdiocese of Baltimore relaxes social distancing for Masses Chrism Mass in Holy Week helps with return to ‘normal’ One year in: Families, institutions adjust to ongoing pandemic Archbishop Lori encourages vaccinations as ‘act of charity and love’ Medical/Science Reporting: First Place – Johns Hopkins, archdiocese schools partner on COVID-19 prevention – Tim Swift Education Reporting: First Place – Global perspective: John Carroll’s International Program paves a two-way street on awareness – Paul McMullen Education Reporting: Second Place – Mother Lange Opens – Kevin J. Parks, Archbishop William E. Lori, Christopher Gunty Arts/Entertainment Reporting: First Place – Beauty Resurrected – Matthew Liptak Arts/Entertainment Reporting: Second Place – From slave to portraiture artist – George P. Matysek Jr. Religion Reporting: First Place – Beauty Born of Pain – George P. Matysek Jr. Editorial: First Place – Lives More Than Matter – Christopher Gunty Local Column: Critical Thinking: First Place – Long Rugged Road of Nonviolence – Archbishop William E. Lori Local Column: Critical Thinking: Second Place – Protect Yourself, Love Others – Christopher Gunty Local Column: Feature or Humor: First Place – God Gives Us What We Need – Rita Buettner Local Column: Feature or Humor: Second Place – The Gift of Time – George P. Matysek Jr. Feature Story: Profile: First Place and Best of Show – Beauty Born of Pain – George P. Matysek Jr. Feature Story: Non-Profile: First Place – A Dog’s Purpose – Kevin J. Parks Series: First Place – Retiring priests: Celebrating a combined three centuries of ministry – Staff Headline: Second Place – “Lab” Assistants – Kevin J. Parks Sports Story: First Place – Play Ball – Paul McMullen Sports Feature Story: First Place – High school athletic directors calm coaches, players, parents through pandemic layoffs – Paul McMullen Feature Photo: Second Place – December Cover – Kevin J. Parks General News Video: First Place and Best of Show – Glory Restored: Local Knights of Columbus refurbish historic African American cemetery – Kevin J. Parks Features Video: First Place and Best of Show – Glory Restored: Local Knights of Columbus refurbish historic African American cemetery – Kevin J. Parks News-driven Special Section: First Place – Basilica of the Assumption 200th Anniversary – Staff News-driven Special Section: Second Place – Catholic Schools Week – Staff Also see Are you a media apostle? 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