Joseph and Sue Ellen Canizaro to receive St. John Paul II Award

The Catholic Community Foundation will honor Joseph and Sue Ellen Canizaro with the St. John Paul II Award for their lifetime of faith and generosity at the foundation’s annual dinner Oct. 26 at the Hilton New Orleans Riverside.

The award will be presented to the Canizaros by Archbishop Gregory Aymond.

Raised in Biloxi, Mississippi, the Canizaros have been married for 62 years. They have two daughters, a grandson and two great-grandsons.

Joseph Canizaro has forged a highly successful career as a commercial real estate developer, having played a pivotal role in shaping the New Orleans skyline. His contributions include developing the First Bank and Trust Tower.

Both Joseph and Sue Ellen have demonstrated an exceptional commitment to philanthropy, a legacy that extends far and wide.  

The Canizaros are tireless advocates for Catholic education. They helped create a transformative loan program that empowered local families to access a Catholic education more easily. Their education support included K-12 Catholic schools across the Gulf South, universities and campus ministry programs. 

The Canizaros held leadership roles in multiple campaigns benefiting Notre Dame Seminary, transforming spiritual formation programs and the physical campus. They also established the “Handing on the Faith” program, providing vital support to lay ministers in the New Orleans area.

The couple's charitable spirit is rooted in a faith that has been a guiding force throughout their lives. Nurtured from a young age, their devotion deepened after Joseph experienced a transformative weekend at a Manresa retreat. This encounter moved the couple to support the construction and renovation of numerous adoration chapels, each a testament to their love for Jesus in the Eucharist. These sacred spaces continue to draw countless individuals into transformative encounters with the Lord.

The Canizaros also founded the New Orleans chapter of Legatus, an organization empowering Catholic executives to boldly live out their faith in their professional lives. 

Through their own foundation, aptly named “Donum Dei” (meaning “Gift of God”), their generosity spans south Louisiana, the U.S. and the world. They have supported everything from their local parish to civic projects, healthcare initiatives and a broad array of Catholic ministries.

The St. John Paul II Award is a tribute to a couple whose life journey embodies the essence of charity and deserves a prominent place in the celebration of Catholic generosity.

The dinner program starts with cocktails at 6 p.m, followed by dinner  at 7 p.m. To register and for more information, visit www.ccfnola.org/annual-dinner.