Catholic Schools Office Recognizes 'Difference Makers' at Mother Seton Awards

Contributing to the successes of the Diocese of Baton Rouge's Catholic schools are people working "behind the scenes" helping the schools send forth students that will change the world. 

These influencers were recognized at the Mother Seton Awards Program April 30 at Drusilla Place Catering. The Diocese of Baton Rouge Home and School Association Program sponsored the event.

Father Cleo Milano, the 2026 Distinguished Clergy of the Diocese of Baton Rouge, congratulated fellow award recipients. He is pastor of Our Lady of Mercy Church and School in Baton Rouge.

Father Milano emphasized to the recipients that the award is an honor and expression of appreciation for their hard work and dedication to their schools.  

"Mother Seton herself was such an outstanding inspiration and a powerful witness to the movement of the Holy Spirit in her own life," said Father Milano. 

He shared information from 

Top right photo: Winners of the Mother Seton Awards and representatives from the schools they served attended the Mother Seton Luncheon. Photos by Debbie Shelley / The Catholic Commentator

Above photo: Father Cleo Milano shares the story of Mother Seton's Life.

the life story of Mother Seton, the first native-born American to be canonized a saint.

"Her life really is nothing less than absolutely remarkable," said Father Milano.

Born two years after the American Revolution, Mother Seton grew up in an upper-class Episcopalian family in New York City. She married William Seton in 1794, and they had a happy marriage and lived prosperously.

Four years later, William's father died, leaving William in charge of seven siblings and the family's import business. Soon his health and business began to fail. He filed bankruptcy. To recover his health, the family moved to Italy, where William died.

"You can imagine the many separations from her loved ones in death, and the distance of being away from her home country and her own family, that all of this brought to Elizabeth's life," said Father Milano. "And then she would write, and she would say that she was learning to accept and to embrace God's will. And she called it 'The will.' And that would be a key element in her own spiritual life."

William's business friends introduced Mother Seton to Catholicism. She eventually returned to New York and entered the Catholic Church.  While raising her children, she founded the Sisters of Charity of St. Joseph's in 1809 in Emmitsburg, Maryland. This first native American women's religious community educated and served the poor. She also established St. Joseph's School, pioneering the American Catholic parochial school system.

Father Milano wryly said there are three kinds of people in a school system: those who make things happen, those who watch things happen, and those who wonder, "What the heck happened?"

"Ladies and gentlemen, you are the men and women who make things happen. You are the doers. You are the givers. You are the difference makers," Father Milano said.

Pictured with Dr. Cindy Ryals, Superintendent of Schools of the Diocese of Baton Rouge, and Bishop Michael G. Duca are the 2026 Diocesan students of the year, from left, Emma Nizzo, Bradley McNemar, and Jack Rodrigue.

Next, Dr. Cindy Ryals, Superintendent of Schools, recognized the 2026 diocesan students of the year: Bradley McNemar, fifth grade, St. Alphonsus Liguori School, Greenwell Springs; Jack Rodrigue, 8th grade, St. Theresa Middle School, Gonzales; and Emma Nizzo, Ascension Catholic Diocesan Regional High School, Donaldsonville.

Also recognized were Michelle DiBenedetto, teacher at Most Blessed Sacrament School in Baton Rouge, distinguished educator; Michelle Gardiner, principal, St. Jude the Apostle School in Baton Rouge, distinguished administrator; Father Milano, distinguished Catholic school clergy; and Jan Breen, St. Joseph's Academy, Lifetime Achievement Award.

The Mother Seton award recipients from each of diocesan schools were then recognized.

At the conclusion of the program, Bishop Michael G. Duca noted God raises up everyday people as well as canonized saints to establish organizations that make society a better place. He pointed out that St. Vincent de Paul did not start the St. Vincent de Paul (SVdP) Society. Blessed Frédéric Ozanam and Blessed Sister Rosalie Rendu of the Daughters of Charity of SVdP founded and named the society after its patron, St. Vincent de Paul.

"As you start these schools

Bishop Michael G. Duca congratulates the Mother Seton Award winners for the hard work and support of schools in the Diocese of Baton Rouge.

, they have to be filled with principals and teachers and people like you who surround the teachers with their support. Especially in this day and age where teachers are stressed and have less resources, people who come to their aid and come to the aid of the school to help them in that work are angels sent by God. They're working saints, you might say, under the radar, but doing very important work."

Ryals noted that the awards not only highlight the recipient’s dedication and service, but also their commitment to the values that Mother Seton embodied – faith, compassion, and a deep sense of purpose in serving others.

"Mother Elizabeth Ann Seton's life continues to inspire generations through her unwavering devotion, her pioneering role in Catholic education, and her tireless care for those in need. Her legacy reminds us that even small acts of kindness and steadfast faith can create lasting change in our communities," she said.

Joanne Harvey, president of the Diocesan Home and School Association, likewise commended the recipients for their support.

"The luncheon is a meaningful opportunity to recognize the dedication and hard work of those who have gone above and beyond in service to their local schools and the Diocese of Baton Rouge Catholic School System. 

"Their commitment strengthens our communities and enriches the lives of our students each day.  We gather in the spirit of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, a pioneer of Catholic education in our country, whose legacy continues to inspire us. May her example of courage, compassion, and faith guide us as we honor those who so faithfully carry her mission forward today," Harvey said.

2026 Mother Steton Award Winners:
Ascension Catholic Diocesan Regional School
 Doug Borne
Catholic High School
Rebecca Maher
Catholic of Pointe Coupee School
Chrystal Billiot
Holy Family School
Lauren D'amico
Holy Ghost School
Caitlin Rotolo
Mater Dolorosa School
Eric Costa
Most Blessed Sacrament School
Allison Toups
Our Lady of Mercy School
Ashlie Erwin
Redemptorist St. Gerard School
Cammie Talbot
Sacred Heart of Jesus School
Julie Massey
St. Aloysius School
Mollie Carby
St. Alphonsus Liguori School
 Kourtney Rogers
St. Elizabeth Interparochial School
 Erin Gros
St. Francis Xavier School
Kristiana Cash
St. George School
Dominick Valenti
St. Jean Vianney School
Jason Vick
St. John Interparochial School
Christopher Couch
St. Joseph's Academy
Jenny Vargas
St. Jude the Apostle School
Katie Flint
St. Michael the Archangel Diocesan Regional High School
Rachael Goff
St. Peter Chanel Interparochial School
Brandy Pilgram
St. Theresa Middle School
Liz Klibert
St. Thomas Aquinas Diocesan Regional High School
Kristen Beard
St. Thomas More School
Mary Katherine Jackson
St. Joseph School
Hunter Perrin