Diocese of Lansing Priestly Ordinations 2023
When I started working at the Diocese of Lansing, one of the things I really wanted to produce was a cinematic Ordination recap, similar to what the Archdiocese of Cincinnati and others have produced for many years. I find it particularly inspirational to give justice to these men who are devoting their entire lives to serving the Church in this way. I see it as similar to a wedding film but more sacred and holy (not that weddings aren’t sacred as well!). This particular Ordination was made all the more special because, midway through being vested, new priest Father Seamus Kettner began weeping tears of joy (which I happened to catch on my Tascam DR-10L I had wired the guys with beforehand). The moment was very inspirational to those who witnessed, and this video has been viewed well over 10,000 times across the diocesan platforms. It also received a 1st place win in the “Best Ordination Video” category at the 2024 Catholic Media Awards.
AWARDS WON
45th Annual Telly Awards - Bronze, Religion and Spirituality for Non-Broadcast
Catholic Media Association Awards 2024 - 1st Place, Best Video - Ordination, Diocesan and National News Organizations
Catholic Media Association Awards 2024 - 1st Place, Best Video on Social Media - Diocesan Communications
Catholic Media Association Awards 2024 - 2nd Place, Best Video - The Clergy, Diocesan and National News Organizations (for “On the Eve of Ordination: Deacon Seamus Kettner”)
ON THE EVE OF ORDINATION
Before their Ordination to the Priesthood, I also produced short video profiles of each Ordinand, to help introduce them to their new parishioners. This involved returning to each’s home parish and talking through their aspirations for the priesthood (and in Father Kettner’s case, going on a run with him).
Viral Instagram Reel
This short Reel cut of the highlight film has been viewed more than 200,000 times on Instagram, and also was cited as part of the reason we won 1st place in “Best Use of Social Media” by a diocesan communications team.
Similar projects:
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Diocese of Lansing Priestly Ordinations 2024
It’s always a particular joy of mine to film Ordinations to the Priesthood. I find it particularly meaningful to devote a lot of time and energy to filming, editing and scoring these videos to match the magnitude of the commitment and sacrifice these men are making. At the 2024 Ordination, we got word at the last minute that Father Mike Schmitz would be in attendance as a vesting priest for the new Father Joshua Fons (who had worked with Father Mike during his days as a FOCUS missionary in Duluth, Minnesota). It was a fun element to include, though I think we succeeded in making the two Ordinands the primary focus of this video. Enjoy, and please continue to pray for these men in their priestly ministry!
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Holy Thursday with Father Joe Krupp
This simple video was actually one of the first projects I filmed with the Diocese of Lansing, but to this day it remains one of my favorites because of the message of Father Joe Krupp, who has become a good friend of mine through my time at the Diocese.