CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK 2010

Ambria Hammel/CATHOLIC SUN

Pete Hill was recognized Feb. 3 for his dedication to Catholic schools.

Long time Catholic school supporter receives Seton Award

Pete Hill is both inspired by and committed to the Catholic faith.

Those are the traits, paired with his extensive work for Catholic schools at the parish, diocesan and national levels, that recently earned him the Elizabeth Ann Seton Award. Seton was the first American-born saint and made strides in Catholic education.

MaryBeth Mueller, superintendent of Catholic schools for the diocese, alongside Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted, presented Hill with the award during the Catholic Schools Week Mass Feb. 3 at Ss. Simon and Jude Cathedral.

“Pete’s leadership has contributed greatly to the Diocese of Phoenix Catholic schools from his presence at Congressional Advocacy days to spearheading the inaugural Night of Hope” in 2008, Mueller said.

More photos from this event

Night of Hope, held each fall since 2008, is the one diocesan-wide fundraiser for the Catholic Schools’ Endowment Fund. Last year it raised more than $79,000 to help students with tuition at diocesan schools.

“The dividends are a lifetime value system centered on moral values, self-discipline, understanding, respect and acceptance of all,” said Hill, executive vice president for National Bank of Arizona.

Hill spent five years on the Ss. Simon and Jude school board helping with finances and fundraising. He worked alongside his wife, a Ss. Simon and Jude science teacher, on the fall festival for several years. Their four children also went to the school.

Hill has also spent eight years on the diocesan school board and helped protect Arizona’s tuition tax credit.

“My involvement in Catholic schools has taught me two lessons that I will carry with me forever. The first is stewardship: receive God’s gifts gracefully, cultivate God’s gifts responsibly, share God’s gifts lovingly and return God’s gifts with increase to the Lord,” Hill said.

“The second is a deep appreciation and understanding of our commitment to our children as gifts from God.”