HUNTINGTON BEACH CITY leaders recently joined with local business owners to speak to Catholic schoolchildren about the importance of faith, education and service. St. Bonaventure Catholic School’s entire student body and many parents came out for an early-morning assembly on Jan. 29 to hear from the mayor of Huntington Beach, Casey McKeon, about the interconnectedness of faith and leadership.
Huntington Beach Mayor Casey McKeon addresses students during morning assembly at St. Bonaventure Catholic School HELD ON JAN. 29. Photos by Alan Wendell/Diocese of Orange
St. Bonaventure’s principal, Dr. Richard Yoon, said he wanted to give the students the chance to see their leaders and understand that their faith is not just about going to church but using their gifts to serve the community.
“At St. Bonaventure, we believe leadership is not about position or title, but about service: serving others with integrity, passion and faith,” said Dr. Yoon. “As a Catholic school, we strive to form young people who understand that they are called to lead by example, to care for their community and to live out their faith through action. Our city leaders remind us that true leadership means working for the common good and serving with humility and dedication.”
The mayor was joined by many local leaders, including City Attorney Mike Vigliotta, Mayor Pro Tem Butch Twining, City Council member Pat Burns, former city attorney and state attorney general candidate Michael Gates, H-Wave owner Jim Heaney, Smith Machine and Tool owner Catherine Smith. Almost all of those gathered were St. Bonaventure alumni, or parents of current or former students.
McKeon spoke about his experience growing up and bouncing around churches but, not having the opportunity to attend a school like St. Bonaventure. He said it was around the time that he decided to run for City Council that he began really wondering what God’s plan for him was.
Visiting city leaders tour classrooms at St. Bonaventure Catholic School following morning assembly.
“For me, it wasn’t just to work and try to be successful and, of course, raise my family,” McKeon said. “It became apparent that I needed to give back to my community, and I realized that is what God’s ministry is for me.”
McKeon told the children he is proud of the work he and his fellow public servants have done over the last three years to reduce the number of unhoused people on the streets and lower crime across the city. He urged the students to consider their own purpose.
“My advice to you as you grow up and pursue sports and academics and those things, really think about: What is your ministry?” McKeon asked. “What is your purpose in life? What did God put you here for? And really start to think about how you can give back to your community, because it can start small with small gestures, volunteering and charity work that can lead to big things, like being up here in front of you guys and being the mayor of this amazing city.”
After the assembly, city officials and business leaders had a chance to tour the campus. St. Bonaventure Catholic School, which was built in 1966, has been updated, revitalized and changed since members of the group attended the school themselves or had children who attended.
While the tour was a chance to see the new, it was also a chance to reminisce about the past. Twining, the mayor pro tem, jumped at the chance to see St. Bonaventure again. Although he comes to the parish often, he said he doesn’t get to see what is new with the school. Two of his children attended the school in the late ’90s, and his granddaughter will be joining TK soon.
“Coming back and seeing the school again brings up old memories,” Twining said, adding of the new developments, “I love seeing progress. This is amazing.”
Dr. Yoon also outlined the plans to make the campus continue to meet the needs of its growing student population. Dr. Yoon said they want to build a two-story gym/multipurpose room as well as a regulation football field. The school is also looking at how to repurpose its convent. When these plans start to take shape, they will be going before the City Council for approval.