WASHINGTON, D.C. – A vocations video inviting young men to consider giving their lives to God as Catholic priests in the U.S. Military has been honored with two international media awards. The three-minute video, “Discern God’s Call,” was selected among thousands of entries to receive both a 2017 Telly Award and a 2017 Communicator Award of Excellence. The Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA (AMS), published the video on its website last year. It can be viewed on the Vocations page at www.milarch.org/vocations.
Modeled on a concept originating in a similar video produced by the Conferencia Episcopal Española, or Spanish Bishops’ Conference, the AMS production features a series of “talking heads”—all Catholic priests and active-duty, retired, or prospective U.S. Military chaplains—sharing the pros and cons of priestly service in the armed forces. “I can’t promise you fame and fortune,” says one, “but I can promise an eternal calling.” Says another: “I can’t promise you’ll always be fearless, but I can promise your love will be stronger than your fear.” Still others hold out the ultimate value of chaplain service: “… you will feed those hungry for eternal life… you will build courage in defense of liberty… you will bring out the best in those who want to be strong… you will immerse hearts and minds in the way, the truth, and the life, and you will be a priest, a witness to Jesus Christ.”
The Telly Awards, founded in 1979, honor the best in TV and cable, digital and streaming, and non-broadcast productions. Each year, the annual judging receives more than 13,000 entries from ad agencies, production companies, TV stations, cable companies, interactive agencies, and corporations from around the world.
The Communicator Awards, founded over two decades ago, honor the best in advertising, corporate communications, public relations, and identity work for print, video, and interactive media. The annual contest is judged and overseen by the Academy of Interactive and Visual Arts (AIVA). This year, winners were chosen among more than 6,000 entries from companies, agencies, and organizations worldwide.
Among the AMS-endorsed chaplains and clergymen appearing in “Discern God’s Call” are: Fathers John Barkemeyer, Mark Bristol, Chris Christensen, Christopher Doering, Curtiss Dwyer, Francis Foley, Daniel Goulet, Jim Hinkle, Joseph Hoang, Aidan Logan, O.C.S.O., Hermes Losbanes, Patrick McPartland, Daniel Mode, and Lawrence Smith, S.J. The video was shot and edited by Stephen and Anne Cocklin of Cocklins Digital, which submitted the entry to both contests. Father Aidan Logan, O.C.S.O., the AMS Director of Vocations, is credited as Executive Producer. AMS staffers Elizabeth LaSalle and Taylor Henry are credited as co-producers.
