ORANGE COUNTY CATHOLIC took home a top prize at this year’s Catholic Media Awards.
The paper won first place for Best Diocesan Weekly.
Judges had this to say about the paper:
“This is a really great newspaper. There is a wide variety of diocesan-relevant stories to gain the attention of an array of readers. This newspaper adds to the knowledge of what is going on in the Catholic world. The writing was very enjoyable and informative. Great visuals – colorful, lively, emotional – to grab the reader’s attention. Most articles would probably be of interest beyond the Catholic community and, therefore could serve as an evangelistic device. Kudos to everyone involved in producing the Orange County Catholic!”
The recognitions from the Catholic Media Association were presented during the association’s annual conference, held June 16 to 19 in Atlantic City, N.J. The diocesan Office of Communications received 17 Catholic Media Awards, including eight first-place wins, for work completed in 2025.
The awards were for various communications and marketing efforts, such social media, video, newspapers and podcasts. A complete list of awards was published in the June issue of The Catholic Journalist.
The communications team was recognized for the following:
FIRST PLACE
■ Best Social Media Account – Diocese or Archdiocese
■ Best Newspaper – Diocesan Weekly — Orange County Catholic
■ Best Podcast — “OC Catholic Radio”
■ Best Video – Ordination — “Ordination of Fr. Oliver”
■ Best Use of Video on Social Media –Liturgical Season — “Second Week of Advent Reflection w/ Fr. Ian Gaston”
■ Best Video – Catechesis — “Most Catholics Get This Wrong About the Eucharist”
■ Best Diocesan Video Fundraising Appeal — “Bringing Hope to Those Who Need It Most”
■ Best Diocesan/Parish Directory — 2025-26 Diocese of Orange Directory
SECOND PLACE
■ Social Media Professional of the Year — Paige Brooks
■ Best Feature Writing – Diocesan Weekly — Orange County Catholic’s “Kilt Society Provides Safety, Camaraderie at St. Hedwig Catholic School”
■ Best Print Special Supplement — Orange County Catholic, “Diocese Salutes Its Grads”
THIRD PLACE
■ Best Print Special Supplement: One-Time Special Issue — Orange County Catholic issue, “Who Is the Man of the Shroud?”
■ Best Initiative or Campaign — “The Shroud of Turin: An Immersive Experience Opens at Christ Cathedral”
HONORABLE MENTION
■ Best Video – Religious Life — “Two Brothers, One Calling: The Making of a Priest”
■ Best Video – Religious Life — “Becoming a Gift: Life in the Seminary”
■ Best Use of Photos in Social Media — “Korean Youth Day at Christ Cathedral 2025”
■ Podcaster of the Year — Rick Howick