The Catholic Herald was named the best diocesan newspaper in its class — one of 36 awards received at the annual Catholic Media Association conference in Portland July 4-7.
The awards recognized the publication’s news reporting, digital media and advertisements. After finishing second last year, the newspaper earned the top-of-the-class, or “general excellence,” award for the first time since the association’s previous in-person meeting three years ago.
Managing Editor Ann M. Augherton won the prestigious St. Francis de Sales Award for “outstanding contributions to Catholic journalism” including shepherding the newspaper’s digital transformation during the pandemic, and her mentorship of “dozens of reporters and editors who have gone on to serve the church and journalism in countless ways,” according to a nominating letter.
Catholic Herald columnist Soren Johnson won first place for best regular column about family life and Staff Writer Zoey Maraist won second place for best in-depth news reporting on the hazards of legalized marijuana in Virginia.
The Herald’s Holy Week photography coverage was singled out for multiple awards. Production Coordinator Pia Hovenga was recognized for three graphics that complemented Herald articles in print and online.
Graphic Artist David Garcia and the newspaper’s advertising team won several awards, including three first-place finishes, for creative use of images and graphic displays.
“We’re blessed to have tremendous support from Bishop Michael F. Burbidge, the Herald board of directors, diocesan parishes and their pastors to make all this work possible,” said Catholic Herald Executive Editor of Content Kevin Schweers. “Congratulations to our award winners and thanks to our entire team for their tireless dedication to inform and educate Catholics across the Arlington diocese to help them grow in the faith.”
Bishop Burbidge and the diocesan Office of Communications also were recognized with three awards in CMA’s Communication Awards competition, including first place for Best Diocesan Pastoral Message (the Christmas 2021 video “The First Noel”) and second place in the Best Twitter Account – Diocesan Bishop category (@BishopBurbidge).
Several Catholic Herald videos produced by Matt Riedl and Jim Salitsky generated a quintet of first-place finishes. Their coverage of the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attack on the Pentagon garnered top honors in three categories, while “Skiing Priests on Spirituality: Finding God on the Slopes” and a video about a cemetery for miscarried children won the online video competition in the clergy and social justice fields, respectively. Riedl was named Multimedia Journalist of the Year.
Separately, Maraist garnered first place in the Blessed Michael McGivney Award for Distinguished Journalism competition. Sponsored by the Knights of Columbus, the award is for outstanding writing about the contributions that volunteers made to Catholic parish life or the community and recognized her March 2021 article about diocesan St. Vincent de Paul conferences stepping up food drives and financial assistance to address growing demand.
2022 Catholic Press Awards
St. Francis de Sales Award, for outstanding contribution to Catholic journalism, Ann M. Augherton, managing editor
Best Newspaper – Non-Weekly
First Place, Catholic Herald Staff
Multimedia Journalist of the Year
First Place, Matt Riedl
Best Regular Column – Family Life
First Place, Families, lift up your eyes, Soren Johnson
Best Multiple Picture Package – News
First Place, Holy Week worship, Zoey Maraist, Matt Riedl, Joe Cashwell
Best Multimedia Package – News
First Place, Two decades after 9/11: Stories of faith in tragedy, Matt Riedl, Jim Salitsky
Best Freestanding Presentation of Online Video – News
First Place, God, at the Pentagon: Documentary on 20th anniversary of 9/11, Matt Riedl, Jim Salitsky
Best Freestanding Presentation of Online Video – Social Justice Issues
First Place, Cemetery Provides Healing for Mothers of Miscarried Children, Matt Riedl
Best Freestanding Presentation of Online Video – The Clergy
First Place, Skiing Priests on Spirituality: Finding God on the Slopes, Matt Riedl, Jim Salitsky
Best Use of Video on Social Media – News Organization
First Place, God, at the Pentagon, Matt Riedl, Jim Salitsky
Best In-Depth News/Special Reporting
Second Place, Legal marijuana in Virginia, Zoey Maraist
Best Photograph – Holy Days/Liturgical Seasons
Second Place, Holy week worship, Matt Riedl
Best Photo Story – Feature
Second Place, Channeling Francis for pet blessings, Ann M. Augherton, Pia Hovenga
Best Use of Photos on Social Media – News Organization
Second Place, Ana Lucia Batista, Joe Vitacco (photographer)
Best News Analysis/Background – The Gerard E. Sherry Award
Third Place, ‘Gender ideology’ battle continues, Kevin Schweers
Best Editorial on a Local Issue
Third Place, The essential Catholic press, Ann M. Augherton
Best Use of Graphics – Best Chart or Information Graphic
Third Place, Finding calm in the chaos, Pia Hovenga
and
Honorable Mention, Catholic school enrollment graphic, Pia Hovenga
Best Layout of Article or Column
Honorable Mention, Arlington Diocese to mark 50 years, Pia Hovenga
Best Use of Graphics – Art or Graphics
Honorable Mention, Arlington Diocese to mark 50 years, Pia Hovenga
Best Coverage – Immigration
Honorable Mention, Leslie Miller, Zoey Maraist
Best Coverage – Political Issues
Honorable Mention, Zoey Maraist, Kevin Schweers
Best Coverage – Disaster or Crisis
Honorable mention, Leslie Miller
Best Reporting of Social Justice Issues – Dignity and Rights of the Workers
Honorable Mention, Leslie Miller
Best Feature Writing
Honorable Mention, When Amazon comes to town, Kevin Schweers
Best Feature Writing (Spanish)
Honorable Mention, Cursillo en español cumple 40, translator Pia Hovenga; writer Leslie Miller
Best Seasonal Print Issue
Honorable Mention, Easter issue, Catholic Herald staff
Best Story and Photo Package by Two Individuals or More
Honorable Mention, Holy Week coverage, Zoey Maraist, Matt Riedl, Joe Cashwell
ADVERTISING AWARDS
Best Single Online Ad Originating with the Publication
First Place, St. Paul VI, David Garcia and advertising staff
Best Ad Campaign Originating with the Publication for Advertiser
First Place, Faith formation, David Garcia and advertising staff
and
Second Place, Lansdowne, David Garcia and advertising staff
Most Effective Use of Small Space
First Place, Paul VI, David Garcia and advertising staff
and
Second Place, Camp St. Charles, David Garcia and advertising staff
Best Promotional House Ad
Third Place, Smugmug, Pia Hovenga
and
Honorable Mention, Wedding, David Garcia and advertising staff
Best Color Single Ad Originating with the Publication
Honorable mention, St. Thomas More Concerts, David Garcia and advertising staff
DIOCESAN COMMUNICATIONS, DIOCESE OF ARLINGTON
Best Diocesan Pastoral Message – Audio or video
First Place, The First Noel | Christmas 2021 with Bishop Burbidge, Matt Riedl, Director of Media Production, Jim Salitsky, Multimedia Producer
Best Twitter Account – Diocesan Bishop
Second Place, @BishopBurbidge
Best Use of Social Media
Honorable Mention, Mary Brodeur, Digital and Social Media Manager
