Roz Hill’s legacy lives on through Steps for Students

Roz Hill, second from right, is seen with her family at the third annual Steps for Students event in 2008 at All Saints Church in the Heights. Hill, who died Oct. 28, 2025, built the foundations for the annual event, which has grown into the largest Catholic schools fundraiser 5K run hosted by a diocese in the nation. (Herald file photo)

HOUSTON — Faith is most clearly revealed not in words, but in how it is lived, through service, generosity and a willingness to stand with others. That kind of faith-filled witness defined the life of Roslyn “Roz” Hill (Castrogiovanni), 78, who passed away on Oct. 28, 2025, and whose deep commitment to Catholic education in the Archdiocese helped give rise to Steps for Students 5K Run/Walk more than two decades ago.

As director of the Development Office for the Archdiocese in 2005, Roz helped establish Steps for Students as a way to unite Catholic schools, families and supporters in sustaining faith-based education. The legacy continues today as the event enters its 21st year on Feb. 14 in downtown Houston, supporting Catholic school programs and tuition assistance across the Archdiocese.

Compassion and justice

Roslyn "Ros" Hill (Castrogiovanni)Throughout her life, Roz immersed herself in work that placed compassion and justice at the center. She played a key role in the early development of the Children’s Assessment Center, which provides treatment and advocacy for sexually abused children, by helping secure land and funding for its construction. She later served as executive director of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, and in her role at the Archdiocese, helped lead major initiatives, including the capital campaign for the construction of the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart.

Among those who knew Roz well and worked alongside her since the mid-1990s was Sister Maureen O’Connell, OP, former director of the Secretariat for Social Concerns of the Archdiocese. Sister Maureen witnessed firsthand how Roz’s Catholic faith was lived through compassionate action, marked by generosity, advocacy and a deep commitment to justice. Whether serving the Church, supporting Catholic education or responding to the needs of the vulnerable, Roz brought the same spirit of leadership and compassionate care to every call to serve.

“Roz was the consummate connector and energizer, who carried her passion for people, particularly children, throughout her life,” said Sister Maureen. “She was a woman of the Gospel who never lost sight of who she was and her responsibility to serve the least and the vulnerable among us.”

Sister Maureen said the continued mission of Steps for Students reflects who Roz was, someone always looking beyond a single effort to grow the community and expand resources, a legacy of faith and generosity that continues to support Catholic students and families.
“Roz came from a family who never lost sight of their Italian roots, their strong Catholic faith, or their willingness to work hard and share the fruits of their labor with family, friends, and the least of their sisters and brothers,” Sister Maureen said. “My prayer is that those values which she embodied will continue for generations to come.”

Family ties

For Roz’s family, those same values were lived out not only in her work within the Archdiocese, but in the way she approached Catholic education and justice in everyday life. Her sons, Tony and Jeff Hill, said their mother’s faith shaped how she saw the role of Catholic schools, community and advocacy, grounding everything she did in a desire to form good people who cared for others.

Tony said his mother believed Catholic schools played an essential role in forming young people, not only academically, but also in faith and community. He said she saw Catholic education as a place where lifelong friendships are formed and values take root, shaping students into compassionate adults grounded in faith and service.

Tony said Steps for Students reflects those same convictions for Roz, providing a way to help keep Catholic education affordable while bringing families, schools and supporters together. For his mother, he said, the event united the community in a joyful effort that directly benefited students and reinforced the importance of faith-based education.

“My mom was an incredible woman whose impact reached far beyond our family, through her work with the Archdiocese, child advocacy and founding efforts like Steps for Students,” said Tony. “She touched countless lives with her energy, conviction and love.”

Doing what was right

Jeff also believes Roz’s Catholic faith was rooted in social justice and shaped the way she approached both Catholic education and care for those in need. He said she believed deeply in formation, focusing not only on academics but on helping young people grow into good, faith-filled adults through her quiet generosity and lifelong commitment to others.

Jeff recalled the early days of Steps for Students as some of the most joyful moments of his mother’s work. He said watching his mom and her team bring the first race to life, despite the uncertainty and even on a rainy day, was unforgettable. For Jeff, seeing the excitement from the school community and witnessing how much his mother enjoyed the day made clear how deeply the event reflected her love for collaboration and Catholic education.

“I hope people remember that at her core she simply was a supporter of schools for what they did for her, her family and the multitude of people that they touched,” Jeff said. “She was never interested in telling people how to run the schools over the years of change. She just wanted to support and do what was right for the students and teachers.”

Danny and Suzanne Grant, longtime supporters and sponsors of Steps for Students, have been closely connected to the event since its earliest days, when Danny first worked with Roz in the early 2000s. He said she invited him to serve on the Archdiocesan Development Board, where they collaborated on several fundraising initiatives. 

One of those efforts was the launch of Steps for Students, and Danny recalls the surprise and joy he felt when participation exceeded expectations during the inaugural event, helping establish it as an annual tradition. Through their continued generosity, the Grants have helped ensure the mission Roz helped shape continues to support students and families across the Archdiocese.

“As Catholic school graduates, we have seen the benefits of a faith-based Catholic education, and we want to pass our faith-based education forward,” Danny said. “Roz was a leader, a mentor, an advisor, and she will live on in our hearts, especially through Steps for Students. She was instrumental in getting this program off the ground, one that will ensure her legacy lives in perpetuity.”

A deep love for Catholic education

That lasting impact is also evident across Catholic schools, said Sister Kevina Keating, CCVI, who served Archdiocesan superintendent of Catholic schools from 2007 to 2013, who worked closely with Roz during the early years of Steps for Students. She said the very mention of the event brings Roz immediately to mind, recalling her deep love for Catholic education, her strong leadership in securing resources, and her ability to engage others in collaborative and effective ways.

Sister Kevina said the annual event has provided vital financial support that directly strengthens the operational needs of Catholic schools across the Archdiocese. The funds raised have helped schools remain strong and sustainable, particularly those serving communities with limited resources, while also reinforcing a shared sense of unity and commitment to Catholic school education among students, families and school communities.

“This event is important because it reflects the heart of Catholic education — community, service and faith in action,” Sister Kevina said. “By bringing students together to support one another, Steps for Students reinforces the idea that Catholic schools are not just institutions, but a shared ministry that addresses the whole child. For families seeking a faith-based education, the event demonstrates that the Archdiocese is committed to walking alongside them, supporting both their spiritual and educational needs.”

Generosity that inspires

As Steps for Students continues today, the event remains rooted in the values Roz lived so faithfully: service, generosity and a commitment to forming young people grounded in faith and community. Roz’s legacy lives on not only in the miles walked or run each February, but in the lives strengthened through Catholic schools and the generosity inspired by a woman whose faith was always put into compassionate action. 

To continue that legacy, the Sisters of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament have established an endowed scholarship fund at Incarnate Word Academy in memory of Roz to honor her memory and her legacy of faithful service and support for ministry within the Archdiocese.

Sister Lauren Beck, C.V.I., general superior of the congregation, said, “Roz embodied the values we all aspire to embrace: deep faith, conviction, generosity and a genuine desire to help others. She exemplified these qualities with authenticity, integrity, skill and a sense of humor.  We strive to instill these same values in our students at the academy, and we are honored that Roz’s legacy will continue in such a meaningful way.”

For more information and to participate in Steps for Students, visit www.steps4students.org.