Top row, left to right: Matt Riedl, Michelle Hildebrandt. Bottom row: David Kerr, Richard Budd.
Diocese of Lansing won a record-breaking 18 awards for communications and multimedia work in 2023, as well as six awards for print work in FAITH, the magazine of the Diocese of Lansing.
Multi-media journalist Matt Riedl was named the Videographer/Video Producer of the Year, in addition to receiving the prestigious Cardinal John P. Foley Award, recognizing individual excellence and innovation in Catholic storytelling. This caps off an incredible month for Matt, which earlier saw him win a Michigan Emmy Award and three Telly Awards.
Judges cited Matt’s 2023 work in creating the diocese’s “Portraits of the Call” film, Bishop Boyea’s “Silent Night” Christmas video, an emotional Ordination video, among others, in bestowing the honor to Matt. Two years ago, Father Mike Schmitz won the same award for his “Bible in a Year” podcast project.
Judges wrote: “What makes Mr. Riedl’s work stand out is his unique and yet intimate approach to each story. Mr. Riedl goes beyond just making a shot look good, he tells the audience a compelling story with every shot, regardless of the angle. Mr. Riedl captures the essence of each story through his own lens and makes each stand out through its visually poignant narrative.”
“Matt Riedl combines a great personal faithfulness to the person of Jesus Christ and his Holy Church with a great professional ability, the results of which are beautiful, powerful stories that draw souls to Christ through the medium of film,” said the Diocese of Lansing’s Director of Communications, David Kerr.
“This slew of awards recognizes that wonderful reality. Well done Matt! May God continue to bless you and your work.”
Michelle Hildebrandt, diocesan creative services manager, won an Honorable Mention in the Graphic Artist/Designer of the Year category for her work in designing promotional material for On the Road to Emmaus with Bishop Boyea, the Eucharistic Miracles events that toured the diocese last spring, a glossy booklet for St. Francis Retreat Center, and other projects.
Congratulations are also due Richard Budd, diocesan director of marriage and family life, who won First Place for his recurring family life column in FAITH Magazine, “Living Liturgically.”
“I'm so proud of our diocesan staff and the work that they do to tell inspiring stories through words, images, music, and video,” said the Diocese of Lansing’s Chief of Staff, Lisa Kutas. “Our goal is to always bring people closer to our Lord Jesus through our work but especially our storytelling. We are each called as disciples to proclaim the Gospel in all that we do, and we are so blessed to have such a talented team of writers, photographers, videographers, producers, and designers who answer the call of discipleship. I am also blessed to call them colleagues and friends. Congratulations to each of you and thank you for sharing your gifts with everyone in the Diocese of Lansing.“
The Catholic Media Association exists to build and strengthen the value, effectiveness and identity of Catholic media. Incorporated in 1911 to serve the growing community of Catholic print publications, today its diverse membership uses all mediums to serve Catholics. The awards were announced the final night of its annual conference in Atlanta, Georgia, June 21.
A full list of awards is available at www.dioceseoflansing.org.
Catholic Media Association Awards 2024
Diocese of Lansing:
First Place
Videographer/Video Producer of the Year
Matt Riedl
Best Video – Feature, Diocesan and National News Organizations
“The Hillsdale Converts | A New Beginning” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNL-GMvDbO4)
Matt Riedl
Best Use of Social Media for Breaking News
“Mass Shooting at Michigan State University: The Church Responds”
Matt Riedl & David Kerr
Best Video – Ordination, Diocesan and National News Organizations
“Diocese of Lansing Priestly Ordinations 2023” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUEP--NNpRU)
Matt Riedl & Kathryn Mietelka
Best Use of Video on Social Media – Diocesan Communications
“Diocese of Lansing Priestly Ordinations 2023” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUEP--NNpRU)
Matt Riedl & Kathryn Mietelka
Best Video – Social Justice Issues, Diocesan and National News Organizations
“A Prayerful Interment for Dozens of Uncollected Ashes” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L33imw9h-F8)
Matt Riedl
Second Place
Best External E-Newsletter
“Bishop’s Friday Memo”
David Kerr
Michelle Hildebrandt
Best Use of Video on Social Media – Liturgical Season, Diocesan and National News Organizations
“Christ in the Streets of East Lansing” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ii8y7mCCz9o)
Matt Riedl
Best Use of Video on Social Media – The Clergy, Diocesan and National News Organizations
“On the Eve of Ordination: Deacon Seamus Kettner” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2S0NYLNxV8)
Matt Riedl
Best Video – Catachesis, Diocesan and National News Organizations
“On the Road to Emmaus: The Catechism” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bxea5BRlqQo)
Matt Riedl
Best Diocesan Video Fundraising Appeal – Produced by Communications Dept. Staff
“Diocesan Services Appeal 2023” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WA7F19R5xqI)
Matt Riedl
Third Place
Best Diocesan Pastoral Message – Audio or Video
“Silent Night | Christmas 2023 with Bishop Boyea” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cSN65wuYwTo)
Matt Riedl
Best Use of Video on Social Media – The Clergy, Diocesan and National News Organizations
"On the Road to Emmaus: Brothers in the Eucharist” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQ8uahMzsng)
Matt Riedl
Best Use of Video on Social Media – Liturgical Season, Diocesan and National News Organizations
“The Hillsdale Converts | A New Beginning” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNL-GMvDbO4)
Matt Riedl
Honorable Mention
Graphic Artist/Designer of the Year
Michelle Hildebrandt
Best Initiative or Campaign – Package
“On the Road to Emmaus with Bishop Boyea”
Matt Riedl & David Kerr
Best Use of Social Media
@DioceseOfLansing
David Kerr & Matt Riedl
Best Video – Catachesis, Diocesan and National News Organizations
“On the Road to Emmaus: The Angelus” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6zg5MjYul_Y)
Matt Riedl
FAITH Magazine Lansing:
First Place
Best Regular Column – Family Life
“Living Liturgically” (https://faithmag.com/sin-and-sacred-heart)
Richard Budd
Best Personality Profile – Laity
“Redeemed: Brig Sorber” (https://faithmag.com/redeemed)
Stephanie Van Koevering & Matt Riedl
Best Short Story
“At the Heart” (https://www.dioceseoflansing.org/news/read-heart-christmas-story-jessica-schaub)
Jessica Schaub
Third Place
Hot Topic – Eucharistic Revival
“April 2023: The Road to Emmaus” (https://catholicmagazines.org/magazine-archive/faith-lansing/fm0423)
FAITH Magazine | Diocese of Lansing
Honorable Mention
Best Cover for Color – Large
“July/August 2023: Welcome to Cottonwood Farm” (https://catholicmagazines.org/magazine-archive/faith-lansing/fm0723)
Matt Riedl (photographer), Patrick Dally (designer)
Best Photograph – Scenic, Still-life or Weather Photo
“The Mother Church: St. Mary Cathedral” (https://faithmag.com/mother-church-st-mary-cathedral)