Diocesan Communications Office, The Catholic Missourian correspondents honored for 2024 offerings
 -- Annie Williams.JPG)
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The Catholic Media Association (CMA) honored columnist Mark Saucier with two first-place awards for reflections he wrote for The Catholic Missourian in 2024.
His were among the six awards the diocesan Communication Office and The Catholic Missourian brought home from this year’s Catholic Media Association Conference in Phoenix, Arizona.
Honored contributors also included Father Daniel Merz, pastor of St. Thomas More Newman Center Parish and Sacred Heart Parish, both in Columbia, and chairman of the Diocesan Liturgical Commission.
Fr. Merz received second place in the Gerard E. Sherry Award for best analysis/background/round-up news writing for a non-weekly newspaper.
His in-depth analysis, titled, “Priest of the diocese explains Christ’s presence in the Eucharist,” was published in the Sept. 27, 2024, edition of The Catholic Missourian.
“This is a well-researched and informative piece,” the judges stated. “The background and significance of the Eucharist is deeply explored throughout the article.”
The Communications Office — including Jacob Luecke, executive director; Kelly Martin, graphic designer and advertising coordinator for The Catholic Missourian; Jay Nies, editor; and Annie Williams, who was serving as diocesan creative services coordinator — received a third-place award for “Best multimedia package for a hot topic: the 2024 Election,” for the resources and presentation for Archbishop Shawn McKnight’s “Novena Prayer for the Electorate — Mercy, Respect, Civility.”
The materials, including Archbishop McKnight's "Making Connections" column, were published online and in The Catholic Missourian in October 2024.
“With an engaging and simple layout, this entry offers quality resources,” the judges stated.
Communications Office and newspaper staff — including Mr. Luecke, Mrs. Martin, Mr. Nies and Miss Williams — received an honorable mention for “Best multimedia package for news,” for the entry, “Walking, praying with Christ through the diocese,” published online and in The Catholic Missourian on July 5, 2024.
The multimedia package included stories, photos and videos of the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage that passed through the diocese last July.
“This piece opens with a strong lead, followed by a great stack of interviews that add depth and variety,” the judges stated. “The links and galleries were impressive.”
Miss Williams received an honorable mention for “Best photograph — Sacramental,” for her photo accompanying the lead story, “Taking his Eucharistic presence out into the world,” in the Aug. 2, 2024, edition of The Catholic Missourian.
Both of Mr. Saucier’s entries for Best Regular Column included three separate columns.
His first-place entry in the Scripture division included: “Degrees of ark,” published Aug. 2, 2024; “In plain sight,” published March 14, 2024; and “To certain poor shepherds,” published Dec. 20, 2024, in The Catholic Missourian.
“This piece is relevant, concise, clear, direct and fun, swiftly surfacing scriptural insights that resonate with readers,” the judges wrote of "Degrees of ark."
Mr. Saucier's first-place entry for “Best regular column — Spiritual Life” included: “Happy landing,” published Oct. 25, 2024; “Mother’s gifts,” published May 10, 2024; and “What you hear in darkness,” published April 13, 2024, in The Catholic Missourian.
“This piece is immediately captivating, demonstrating an incredible ability to communicate profoundly with brevity — simply lovely,” the judges wrote of "Happy landing."
Mr. Saucier, who served for many years as diocesan director of communications and diocesan director of missions, began writing reflections for the Viewpoint page of The Catholic Missourian during Lent of 2000.
He has continued writing them free of charge since retiring in 2020.
Monsignor Robert A. Kurwicki, diocesan administrator, wrote to congratulate Mr. Saucier for his first-place honors.
“Your writing is insightful and enjoyable, and you always give us something to reflect upon,” Msgr. Kurwicki wrote. “You have been performing a great service to the people of our diocese for many years, even in retirement.
“Your writing matters, and I’m happy to know that your colleagues in the Catholic media recognize that fact,” the priest stated. “I know that many people in our diocese do, as well.”
