Diocese of Erie communications leaders attend national Catholic Media Conference

By Allison Mosier

06/29/2026

The Diocese of Erie was represented at the 2026 Catholic Media Conference in Atlantic City, New Jersey by Allison Mosier, Director of Communications, and Kristine Rilling, Executive Director, of the Communications and Advancement Office. They joined hundreds of Catholic communicators, journalists, publishers, marketers and media professionals from across North America for four days of learning, collaboration and inspiration centered on the Church’s mission of evangelization.

Their participation was made possible through a generous grant from the Catholic Foundation of Northwest Pennsylvania. The Diocese of Erie extends its sincere gratitude to the Foundation for investing in the ongoing formation of those who serve the Church through communications and helping diocesan leaders remain connected to emerging trends, best practices and opportunities to share the Gospel in today's digital world.

Hosted by the Catholic Media Association, the annual conference brought together communicators from dioceses, religious orders, ministries, universities and Catholic media organizations to explore the future of Catholic communications and the role of media in advancing the Church's mission. Throughout the week, attendees participated in keynote presentations, workshops and discussions focused on artificial intelligence, digital evangelization, storytelling, leadership and the importance of authentic communication in an increasingly complex media landscape.

One of the conference's most talked-about presentations featured Taylor Black, director of AI and Venture Ecosystems at Microsoft and inaugural director of the Institute for AI and Emerging Technologies at The Catholic University of America. Black challenged attendees to view artificial intelligence not simply as a technological development, but as a tool that can be used responsibly in service of the Gospel. Grounded in his Catholic faith, he encouraged communicators to engage emerging technologies thoughtfully and ethically while ensuring that Catholic voices remain present in digital spaces where people increasingly seek information, community and meaning.

"One of the themes that emerged throughout the conference was that if Catholics are not present in digital spaces, someone else will fill that void," Mosier said. "The Church has always gone where people are, whether that was town squares, newspapers, radio or television. Today, many people are gathering online. As Catholic communicators, we have a responsibility to show up in those spaces, share truth and hope and ensure that Christ remains part of the conversation."

The conference also featured speakers and panelists who work closely with the Vatican and regularly cover the Holy Father's ministry. Attendees heard insights from leaders serving the Church's global communications efforts, including those responsible for sharing the message of the pope with audiences around the world. Sessions explored Pope Leo XIV's vision for communications rooted in truth, listening, peace and human dignity while addressing the challenges posed by misinformation, polarization and rapidly changing technology.

For Mosier and Rilling, one of the most memorable experiences was meeting Sr. Nina Krapic, deputy director of the Holy See Press Office, and Maria Montserrat "Montse" Alvarado, who will begin serving as prefect of the Vatican's Dicastery for Communication on Nov. 1. The opportunity to speak directly with women serving in leadership roles at the highest levels of Church communications offered both inspiration and encouragement.

*Allison Mosier, Sr. Nina Krapic, Maria Alvarado, Kristine Rilling*

"It was incredible to hear firsthand from people who are helping communicate the mission of the Holy Father to the world," Rilling said. "Their work touches millions of people, but what stood out most was their commitment to the Gospel. They reminded us that effective communication is not ultimately about platforms or technology—it's about helping people encounter Christ. That perspective is something we'll carry with us in our work every day."

Beyond the educational sessions, the conference fostered a strong sense of community among Catholic communicators. Participants exchanged ideas, discussed challenges, shared successes and built relationships with colleagues serving dioceses and ministries across the United States and Canada.

"The conference reminded us that we are part of a much larger community of Catholic communicators," Rilling said. "No matter where we serve, we're all trying to answer the same call—to share Christ, tell stories that inspire faith and help people see God's presence in their lives. There was a genuine spirit of collaboration and encouragement throughout the week."

The conference concluded with the Catholic Media Awards, where the Diocese of Erie and Faith magazine received 10 national recognitions for excellence in Catholic communications. The awards included two first-place honors, one second-place award, two third-place awards and five honorable mentions for work related to Pope Francis, the Jubilee Year, the election of Pope Leo XIV, Black Catholic History Month, family life, youth ministry and feature storytelling.

Bishop Lawrence T. Persico acknowledged the efforts of the Communications and Advancement Office and the role communications plays in supporting the mission of the Church throughout the Diocese of Erie.

"Every day, our communications team works to connect people with the life of the Church," Bishop Persico said. "Whether they are sharing the stories of our parishes, highlighting the work of our schools and ministries, communicating important diocesan initiatives or helping people encounter Christ through digital media, their efforts support the mission of evangelization across all 13 counties of our diocese. These awards and opportunities for professional formation are a testament to their dedication and their commitment to serving the people of the Diocese of Erie."

As the Church continues to navigate new technologies and communication platforms, Mosier and Rilling returned to Erie with renewed energy, fresh ideas and a deeper appreciation for the role communications plays in modern discipleship. From parish websites and social media posts to videos, magazines, news stories and digital campaigns, Catholic communications remains an essential tool for evangelization—meeting people where they are and inviting them into a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ.

The Diocese of Erie communication awards include:

First Place

C316: Hot Topic — Pope Francis

Title: Remembering Pope Francis
Recipients: The Most Rev. Lawrence T. Persico, Kristine Rilling, Allison Mosier and the Communications & Advancement Team

M513c: Best Regular Column – Family Life

Title: Parenting Column
Publication: Faith, the Magazine of the Diocese of Erie
Recipients: The Most Rev. Lawrence T. Persico and Melanie Sisinni

Second Place

C318: Hot Topic — The Jubilee Year

Title: Jubilee of Hope in NWPA
Recipients: The Most Rev. Lawrence T. Persico, Kristine Rilling, Melanie Sisinni, Allison Mosier, Elizabeth Butterfield and the Communications & Advancement Team

Third Place

C315d: Best Initiative or Campaign — Hot Topic: Conclave and the Election of Pope Leo XIV

Title: Election of Pope Leo XIV
Recipients: The Most Rev. Lawrence T. Persico, Kristine Rilling, Allison Mosier and the Communications & Advancement Team

M545: Best Interview

Title: Reflections at 75
Publication: Faith, the Magazine of the Diocese of Erie
Recipients: The Most Rev. Lawrence T. Persico and Kristine Rilling

Honorable Mention

AW362: Best Multimedia Package — Hot Topic: Conclave and the Election of Pope Leo XIV

Title: Election of Pope Leo XIV
Recipients: The Most Rev. Lawrence T. Persico, Kristine Rilling, Allison Mosier and the Communications & Advancement Team

AW372: Best Multimedia Package — Hot Topic: Pope Francis

Title: Remembering Pope Francis
Recipients: The Most Rev. Lawrence T. Persico, Kristine Rilling, Allison Mosier and the Communications & Advancement Team

AW373: Best Multimedia Package — Hot Topic: The Jubilee Year

C315b: Best Initiative or Campaign — Package: General Campaign

Title: Black Catholic History Month
Recipients: The Most Reverend Lawrence T. Persico, Allison Mosier, Elizabeth Butterfield and Rich Papalia

M575c: Best Reporting on a Special Age Group — Children and Teens Younger than 18

Title: Faith Magazine Youth Section
Publication: Faith, the Magazine of the Diocese of Erie
Recipients: The Most Rev. Lawrence T. Persico and Melanie Sisinni