Archdiocese earns 14 Catholic Media Awards, with five 1st place honors

The Archdiocese of Newark and its news outlet, Jersey Catholic, received 14 Catholic Media Awards from the Catholic Media Association during a ceremony at Harrah’s Resort in Atlantic City on June 19. The awards were presented during the annual Catholic Media Conference, which brings together Catholic journalists and communicators from across North America.

Staff members from the Archdiocese of Newark’s Office of Communications earned awards for reporting, photography, video production, graphic design and digital communications, including five first-place awards.

At the same time, the recently redesigned Catholic Cemeteries website (rcancem.org) received second place in the Best Website – Diocesan category. Maxim Almenas, director of marketing and communications for Catholic Cemeteries, also received an honorable mention as Advertising Business/Marketing Professional of the Year.

“These awards recognize more than professional achievement; they reflect a commitment to telling stories of faith, hope and service with integrity and care,” said Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R., Archbishop of Newark. “I am grateful to everyone whose work helps share the life of our local Church and the many ways Christ continues to be present in our communities. I am especially proud of those receiving these honors and thankful for the dedication they bring to sharing the mission of the Church each day.”

The award winners are listed below:

Best Use of Video on Social Media – The Clergy – Diocesan and National News Organizations
First Place
Shania Mosquera
Episcopal Ordination of Bishop Pedro Bismarck Chau — Closing Remarks

Best Use of Video on Social Media
First Place
Shania Mosquera
Annual Hispanic Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart

Best Photograph — Scenic, Still-life or Weather Photo
First Place
Shania Mosquera
Autumn Beauty Surrounds the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart

Best Reporting of Social Justice Issues — Rights and Responsibilities
First Place
John Touhey
Newark Catholics Offer Prayer and Witness at Migrant Detention Center

Best Reporting on a Special Age-Group — Children and Teens Younger than 18
First Place
Sean Quinn
Young Parishioner Accepted into Juilliard School Program Credits Her Faith

Best Website – Diocesan
Second Place
Maxim Almenas
Archdiocese of Newark Catholic Cemeteries Website

Best Online Content Not Published in Print – Articles
Third Place
John Touhey
Bishop-Elect Chau Shares His Experiences as a Priest

Best Reporting on Priesthood, Religious Life or Diaconate — Series
Third Place
John Touhey
Bishop-elect Chau reflects on his journey to God and the priesthood
Bishop-elect Chau shares his experiences as a priest
Sights & Sounds: Meet Bishop-elect Chau’s friend and helper, Hardy (Photos)
Bishop-elect Chau on sharing the Word of God with the Deaf Community

Best Reporting of Social Justice Issues — Life and Dignity of the Human Person
Third Place
Sean Quinn
Maplewood Parish Opens First-of-Its-Kind Sensory Room to Welcome Neurodivergent Parishioners

Best Use of Graphics — Best Chart or Information Graphic
Third Place
Maria Margiotta
We Are His Witnesses: An Invitation to Pastoral Conversion

Best Text-Based Interview (Print or Digital)
Honorable Mention
Maria Margiotta
An Interview with Cardinal Tobin About Pope Francis and the Road Ahead

Best Video, Hot Topic – Pope Francis: Diocesan and National News Organizations
Honorable Mention
Archdiocese of Newark
From Rome: Cardinal Tobin Remembers Pope Francis

Best Photograph — Immigration/Migration
Honorable Mention
John Touhey
Bishop Manuel A. Cruz, Newark Catholics Offer Prayer and Witness at Migrant Detention Center

Advertising Business/Marketing Professional of the Year
Honorable Mention
Maxim Almenas

Since the launch of Jersey Catholic in 2020, the Archdiocese of Newark and its news site have earned 39 Catholic Media Awards, including 11 first-place honors.

“These honors reflect the talent, dedication and professionalism of our communications and Catholic Cemeteries staff,” said Maria Margiotta, executive director of communications for the Archdiocese of Newark. “I am grateful for their work and proud to see it recognized among the best in Catholic media.”

The complete list of Catholic Media Awards winners is available on the CMA’s website.

The Catholic Media Awards recognize excellence in Catholic journalism, communications, and media production. This year’s competition evaluated work produced in 2025.

More than 400 journalists, editors, publishers and communications professionals from the United States, Canada and the Vatican attended this year’s conference and awards ceremony.

Featured image: Archdiocese of Newark and its news outlet, Jersey Catholic, received 14 Catholic Media Awards on June 19. From left to right: Maxim Almenas, Maria Margiotta, Sean Quinn, Shania Mosquera, John Touhey (Photo by Archdiocese of Newark / Lauren Conforti)