Bishop Paul S. Loverde, apostolic administrator of the Arlington
Diocese, was honored by the Catholic Business Network of Northern Virginia Oct.
22 at the Tower Club in Tysons Corner.
The CBN also honored Lisa Marie Cheney as the Catholic
businessperson of the year. Cheney, who said she was adopted when she was four
days old, has been working with the U.S. government and private industry for
the past 25 years. She attended St. Rita School and St. Mary’s Academy, both in
Alexandria, and now serves on the board of governors at Bishop Ireton High
School.
“Life is all about saying ‘yes,’ ” Cheney said. “It’s hard
sometimes to say yes. It’s not always the most popular thing to say.”
Four students from diocesan high schools received the Youth
Exemplifying Service (Y.E.S) Award. The recipients are recognized for their
outstanding leadership and selfless service in answering God’s call to service
by saying “yes.” The award includes a framed certificate, a trophy and a $1,500
scholarship.
This year’s winners included:
Susan Juarez Rodriguez, from Bishop O’Connell High School in Arlington, established
“Diubujando Sonrisas” (“Drawing Smiles”), an organization that brings school
supplies to impoverished children in Mexico.
Mary Grace Coltharp, from Saint Pope John Paul the Great Catholic
High School in Dumfries, went on a mission trip to Tamara, Honduras, and serves
as an assistant catechist at her parish.
Helen Tariku, from Bishop Ireton High School, established
“Helping Hands” as a way to gather school supplies for the poor in her native
Ethiopia.
Molly Cox, from Paul VI Catholic High School in Fairfax, has spent
the past six years serving Christmas dinner at Christ House in Alexandria. Last
year she year she went on a mission trip to the diocesan mission in Banica,
Dominican Republic.
Flach can be
reached at [email protected].
