Flipping hotcakes at Breakfast with the Bishop Jan. 25 in St. John Vianney Parish hall were celebrity cooks, from left, Taylor Wili, Ikaika Anderson and Sweetie Paccaro. (Photo courtesy of St. John Vianney Parish)
Ah, the life of a bishop. Bishop Larry Silva went to breakfast three times on Sunday, Jan. 25, all in the name of Catholic education.
St. John Vianney Parish in Kailua hosted its fifth annual “Breakfast with the Bishop” after three Masses that day to raise money for its school. The event included entertainment by students and a line of celebrity pancake flippers.
Parishioners, local businesses and several other Catholic schools sponsored the event.
The hearty breakfast buffet raised $35,000, exceeding its $32,000 goal, said school spokesman Earl Walker.
Breakfast was served at 8 and 10 a.m. and at noon. Attendees were greeted by the pastor and principal, Father Thomas Gross and Caryn DeMello.
The bishop spoke at each meal about the value of a Catholic education and parish schools.
The pancake-serving celebrities included Ikaika Anderson, Aaron Mahi, Sweetie Paccaro, Miss Hawaii Stephanie Steuri, Drew Santos, Father Gary Secor, Mihana Souza and Taylor Wili.
The school’s cafeteria chefs cooked; teachers, parents and students served. The school’s hula halau and the student bands, orchestras and choir performed.
The funds will help create a new multimedia center and a 21st century art studio, and provide tuition assistance.
“St. John Vianney School regards art education as vital to a comprehensive education for every child,” said Father Gross. “There is a definite correlation between art education and other achievements.”