The Tennessee Register and the Diocese of Nashville claimed a total of 15 awards in the Catholic Media Association’s 2021 Catholic Press Awards in recognition of the excellence of their work.
Among the awards was a third-place finish for the Tennessee Register in the category of the Best Diocesan Newspaper and a first-place finish in the category of Best Use of Social Media for the video “Catholic Roots Growing in Jewish Soil: A Celebration of Hanukkah,” by Bill Staley and Libby Byrnes.
“We are thrilled and honored to receive these awards in recognition of all the hard work and professionalism displayed daily by the dedicated staff at the Tennessee Register and the Diocese of Nashville,” said Rick Musacchio, editor-in-chief of the Tennessee Register and communications director for the diocese.
“Through the use of all our communications tools, we are working hard to reflect Catholic life in Middle Tennessee for our readers, viewers and followers in support of the diocesan mission of ‘Living and proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ, welcoming all,’” Musacchio. “It is always gratifying to have all your hard work recognized by your peers in Catholic media across the country.
“These latest awards come as part of a long tradition of excellence in communications in the Diocese of Nashville,” he added.
The award winners were announced on Thursday, June 10, during the Catholic Media Association’s annual conference, which, for the second year in a row, was held virtually. Among the awards received by the Tennessee Register staff were:
- Best Newspaper – Diocesan: Tennessee Register, third place.
- Best Writer of the Year (English) – Tennessee Register Managing Editor Andy Telli, second.
- Best Story and Photo Package – “Miracle for Mikey: Dickson boy’s cure opens door to K of C founder’s beatification” by Andy Telli and Rick Musacchio, second.
- Best Editorial on a Local Issue – Diocesan newspaper: “Don’t Let the cries of the suffering fall on deaf ears” by Andy Telli, third.
- Best Editorial on a National or International Issue – Diocesan newspaper: “Christ helps us over any obstacle pandemic throws before us” by Andy Telli, honorable mention.
- Best In-Depth News/Special Reporting – Diocesan Newspaper: “Miracle for Mikey: Dickson boy’s cure opens door to K of C founder’s beatification”; “The road to sainthood runs through Tennessee”; “Father McGivney was a priest ahead of his time” by Andy Telli and Theresa Laurence, honorable mention.
- Best News Writing One Shot – International Event: “Local Armenian Catholic raises awareness of threat to Armenian Christians” by Andy Telli, honorable mention.
The awards won by the Diocese of Nashville staff include:
- Best Use of Social Media: “Catholic Roots Growing in Jewish Soil: A Celebration of Hanukkah” by Director of New Media Evangelization Bill Staley and Assistant Director of Faith Formation for Youth and Young Adult Ministry Libby Byrnes, first.
- Social Media Professional of the Year: Bill Staley, diocesan director of new media evangelization, second.
- Best Freestanding Presentation of Online Video – News: “The Schachle Story: Mikey’s Miracle” by Bill Staley and Jayce Boynton of CaptureScratch, second.
- Best Use of Video on Social Media – Diocesan Communications: “The Schachle Story: Mikey’s Miracle” by Bill Staley and Jayce Boynton, second.
- Best Freestanding Presentation of Online Video – Explainer: “The Story of Our Shield” by Bill Staley and Jayce Boynton, third.
- Best Social Media Campaign: “Catholic Roots Growing in Jewish Soil: A Celebration of Hanukkah” by Bill Staley and Libby Byrnes, third.
- Best Use of Social Media for Breaking News: “Tornado strikes Assumption Parish” by Bill Staley and Jayce Boynton, third.
- Best Use of Photos in Social Media: “The Beatification of Bl. Michael McGivney” by Bill Staley, third.
