less. The entry included these three consecutive issues, pictured above.
The Diocese of Nashville and the Tennessee Register were recently honored by the Catholic Press Association, and received 19 total awards, including six first place awards. The contest recognized the top achievements of Catholic media outlets from across the United States and Canada for work produced during 2019.
The awards were announced on Thursday, July 2, at the annual Catholic Media Conference, sponsored by the Catholic Press Association. This year’s conference was originally planned to be held in Portland, Oregon, but was switched to a virtual format due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It is exciting to see the work of the Diocese of Nashville and the Tennessee Register recognized as being among the best work in Catholic communications in the country,” said Rick Musacchio, editor of the Tennessee Register and director of communications for the Diocese of Nashville.
“We have an outstanding team of dedicated professionals working to fulfill the mission of Living and Proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ, Welcoming All.”
“It is especially gratifying to know when your work has been nationally recognized as excellent by your peers,” Diocese of Nashville Chief Administrative Officer and Vice Chancellor Brian Cooper wrote in a note to the winners. “My personal congrats to each of you (and all of Team Catholic) for such substantial contributions.”
The diocesan award winners were:
• Jerilyn Rost of the diocese’s Office of Vocations won a first place award for Videographer/Video Producer of the Year for the “Follow Me” vocations video.
The video, produced in partnership with Spirit Juice Studios of Chicago, also won a prestigious Communicator “Award of Excellence” from the Academy of Interactive and Visual Arts, announced in May.
The “Follow Me” video can be viewed at www.nashvocations.org.
• The diocese won first place for “Best Annual Report, Catholic Non-Profit Organization” for the Diocese of Nashville’s Annual Impact Report, a collaboration between Cooper, Bill Staley, Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry and New Media Evangelization; and Debbie Lane, Creative Services Manager for the communications office and the Tennessee Register.
• The Office of Vocations also won a second place award for “Best Illustration with Graphic Design or Art” for “The Process” animated video posted at www.nashvocations.org.
• The diocese won second place for “Best Diocesan Pastoral Message – Audio or Video” for the Catholic Minute on Titans Radio, a collaboration between Bishop J. Mark Spalding, Cooper and Staley.
• The diocese received an honorable mention for Best Website, www.dioceseofnashville.com, designed and managed by Yanel Pinto, graphic/web designer for the diocese, in collaboration with diocesan department heads.
The Tennessee Register newspaper was honored with 14 awards from the CPA.
• Staff Writer and Photographer Theresa Laurence won third place in the Writer of the Year (English) category. According to the submission criteria, “this category recognizes an individual for exemplary service to CPA publication(s) or Publisher Members during 2019. … Judging will focus on demonstrated talent, creativity, thoroughness, and effectiveness.”
Writers submitted a selection of 3-5 stories published in 2019 to be judged in this category. Laurence’s stories were: “Adoption offered gift of life; reunion 46 years later offered unexpected gift”; “Asylum designation offers safety, freedom in U.S.”; “Therapeutic riding program leads to happier trails”; “Charities’ new culinary training offers recipe for success”; and “As execution looms, clemency depends on extraordinary act of forgiveness.”
The Register won four first place awards including:
• The editorial “Nashville neighbors shed different light on immigration debate” by Register Managing Editor Andy Telli, in the category Best Editorial on a Local Issue – Non-weekly Diocesan Newspaper, Circulation 25,000 or Less.
• The editorial “What is the pro-life response?” by Rick Musacchio, in the category Best Editorial on a National or International Issue– Non-weekly Diocesan Newspaper, Circulation 25,000 or Less.
• The story “New community court brings justice to North Nashville” by Theresa Laurence, in the category Best Reporting on a Social Justice Issue, Call to Family, Community and Participation.
• The story “First hall of fame class honors Ryan’s athletic legacy” by Andy Telli, in the category Best Sports Journalism – Sports News.
Additional awards included:
• A photo of refugee children playing at the Catholic Pastoral Center, accompanying the story, “Agencies ‘appalled’ by reports US could end refugee admissions,” by Theresa Laurence won second place in the category of Best Photograph, Immigration/Migration.
• The story “Diocese’s five new priests eager to serve God’s people” by Andy Telli won third place in the category Best Reporting on a Celebration of a Sacrament – Non-Weekly Diocesan Newspaper, Circulation 25,000 or Less.
The Tennessee Register also received seven honorable mentions:
• Best Newspaper Non-weekly Diocesan Newspaper, circulation 25,000 or less
• Best Coverage – Immigration, A submission of three stories or editorials related to immigration, by Andy Telli and Theresa Laurence: “Nashville neighbors shed different light on immigration debate”; “Agencies ‘appalled’ by reports US could end refugee admissions”; “Asylum designation offers safety, freedom in U.S.”
• Best Editorial on a National or International Issue Non-weekly Diocesan Newspaper, Circulation 25,000 or Less: “The world must not give in to nationalism driven by fear,” by Andy Telli.
• Best Reporting on a Special Age Group – Young Adults (18-40): “University Catholic offers authentic community of faith, friendship,” by Theresa Laurence.
• Best Reporting on a Special Age Group – Children and Teens Younger Than 18: “Holy Fire ignites faith for middle school students,” by Andy Telli.
• Best Reporting on Vocations to Priesthood, Religious Life or Diaconate: “Father Baker: This is what God made me for,” by Andy Telli.
• Best Photograph, Portrait, of Curt Stacy to accompany the story, “Therapeutic riding program leads to happier trails,” by Theresa Laurence.
