Religious sisters selected as 2025 Cornerstone Awardees

 

The Catholic Foundation announced Sister Charlotte Anne Swift, OP, and Sister Lois Paha, OP, as the 2025 Cornerstone Gala Honorees. The Cornerstone Award recognizes individuals who have gone above and beyond in serving the religious, charitable, or educational needs of Catholic communities across Southern Arizona.  

 

More than a dozen nominations were submitted to the Catholic Foundation. Among them were leaders in Catholic education and those with notable service to the diocese in both tenure and position, and people that have dedicated their lives to serving God by serving others.  

 

The religious sisters each received numerous recommendations for the award, Bishop Edward Weisenburger said. He announced the award at the Catholic Foundation’s annual Christmas board meeting. Bishop Weisenburger was joined by Bishop Emeritus Gerald Kicanas. Sister Charlotte Anne Swift has served as Bishop Kicanas’ assistant since 2002. She began her vocation as a religious sister at Loretto Catholic School in Douglas.  Sister Lois Paha has served the diocese since 2005 as the Director of Pastoral Services, Formation and Liturgy.  Included in these areas of service are the preparation of episcopal liturgies, adult faith formation and the formation process for the permanent deacons and lay ecclesial ministers for service in the diocese.    

 

Sister Charlotte Anne and Sister Lois are both Adrian Dominican Sisters, an order that has existed in Arizona well before statehood. Elizabeth Bollinger, the executive director of the Catholic Foundation said the two women, “have gone above and beyond in service through religious, charitable, and educational means—both within our communities and past our diocesan boundaries.”  

 

To see previous Cornerstone Award Honorees and to learn more about the Catholic Foundation please visit https://www.cathfnd.org/