The Catholic Foundation for the Diocese of El Paso is proud to announce the 2026 Steward of the Year Finalists, recognizing seven extraordinary individuals whose lives reflect the call to Pray, Serve, and Give through faithful stewardship.
Now in its ninth year, the Steward of the Year Contest celebrates individuals who generously share their time, talent, and treasure in service to Christ and His Church. This year marked a milestone for the program, receiving a record 33 nominations, the highest number since the contest began in 2018. Each nomination tells a story of faith, sacrifice, and generosity, reminding us that stewardship is alive and flourishing throughout the Diocese of El Paso.
To ensure a fair and impartial selection process, the Catholic Foundation’s Stewardship Committee conducted a blind review of every nomination. Identifying information, including names and parish affiliations, was removed before the committee prayerfully evaluated each submission. One finalist was selected from each of the seven stewardship categories.
St. Frances Xavier Cabrini – Ministry to Refugees and Immigrants Ana Ramos – St. Mark Catholic Church Ana Ramos, better known as “Anita,” is the founder of the RICO Ministry at St. Mark Parish. From its beginnings, she has served migrant children and youth with profound Christian love, respect, compassion, and hope. Her simplicity, humility, and availability have transformed many lives. Anita has inspired her family and parish community to join this mission, creating a ministry that continues to bear fruit. Working with civil, ecclesial, and parish organizations, she provides food, prayer, catechesis, participation in the Eucharist, and a welcoming environment, reflecting Christ through service to the most vulnerable.
San Pedro de Jesús Maldonado – Ministry of Leadership Sr. Rachel Vallarta – St. Frances Xavier Cabrini Parish Sr. Rachel Vallarta, MJMJ, has dedicated 33 years of consecrated life, serving three parishes as Parish Life Coordinator, volunteering 15 years with the Vocations Office, and overseeing more than 30 ministries at St. Frances Xavier Cabrini. Her joyful leadership, humility, and unwavering commitment have shaped the Diocese of El Paso through faithful service. She volunteers wherever needed, inspiring countless parishioners through her presence and compassion. From leading ACTS retreats to coordinating a Christmas Giving Tree that provided over 600 toys to families in underserved communities, she reflects Christ through lifelong stewardship.
St. Teresa of Calcutta – Ministry to the Poor Rosa Fraire – San Antonio de Padua Parish Rosa Fraire has served in the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul, with her husband, for the last six years. She visits a different struggling family every two weeks to offer moral and spiritual support and discover the family’s financial needs. She exemplifies a stewardship way of life by living her faith with commitment and simplicity and is compassionate with the poor. Rosa expressed unconditional acceptance and the love of Christ to a person in dire financial and emotional need, learning that ministry to the poor is a relationship of reciprocity where you learn to give and receive.
St. Juan Diego – Ministry of Communication and Evangelization Victor Rodriguez – San Antonio de Padua Parish Victor Rodriguez exemplifies a stewardship way of life as he seeks to grow in a relationship of service to all around him. He serves in the choir and encourages the congregation to praise God. He has faithfully served in the parish’s evangelization ministry for the last 3 years. He has developed his own relationship with Christ in the Church, and it is the one always bringing others to Christ and proclaiming the faith with conviction to others. Victor has shared that he has gone through discouragements, moments of anguish and sadness but he continues to rise up to assist others in drawing near to God.
St. John of God – Ministry of Health and Bereavement Rose Amador – San Antonio de Padua Parish Rose Amador has served at San Antonio de Padua across the last several decades. She is an integral part of the parish’s funeral and bereavement ministry, offering condolences, praying with grieving families, and gathering information about the deceased. One time she needed to express her grief over the deceased person who was a personal friend. She shared how that interview was different from all the others because it evoked profound grief in her, reminding her of the struggle and the sacrifice that her ministry demands and of how she is sacrificially giving to the Church through the grief ministry.
St. John Baptist de La Salle – Ministry of Education and Religious Formation Leticia Sarmiento – St. Joseph Catholic School Mrs. Leticia Sarmiento exemplifies the vocation of a Catholic educator through her dedication to forming students academically, spiritually, and personally. As a 2nd grade teacher at St. Joseph Catholic School, she consistently creates an environment where every child feels valued and capable of success. She faithfully prepares her students for the Sacrament of First Holy Communion, guiding them in understanding and living their Catholic faith. As a mother of two and guardian to her special needs sister, she lives a powerful witness of sacrifice, resilience, service, and true Catholic stewardship and joyful commitment to education.
St. Carlo Acutis – Ministry of or by Youth and Young Adults Carlos Navar – San Antonio de Padua Parish Carlos Navar has shown a stewardship way of life through being responsive to the needs of others in critical moments for his parish community. He began serving as a confirmation catechist and had a great impact on the teens he served, giving them a sense of belonging to the Church. He led numerous fundraisers that integrated the youth further into the life of the parish and recently accepted the challenging endeavor of leading the youth group. He continues to balance his personal life and ministry, saying, “We are not going anywhere.”
The Catholic Foundation extends its heartfelt congratulations to all seven finalists and sincere gratitude to everyone who submitted nominations. Through their inspiring examples, these faithful stewards encourage others throughout the Diocese of El Paso to answer God’s call to Pray, Serve, and Give, building a stronger Church and a more vibrant culture of stewardship for generations to come. For more information about the Steward of the Year Contest, please contact Karina Sandoval, Stewardship Coordinator, at ksandoval@catholicfoundationelpaso.org or (915) 872-8412.