Catholic school goes tropical in fundraiser

The halls of Holy Family Catholic School were transformed into a tropical paradise complete with paper fish, palm trees and tiki statues on Sunday for “A Midsummer Night’s Cuisine — Jubilee,” the annual fundraiser that helps raise money for the school’s scholarship endowment fund.

About 1,300 guests attended the event, which included a silent auction, live entertainment, food from area restaurants and an awards presentation.

Supporters wore Hawaiian shirts and leis. Some decided to sport other casual attire for the evening.

Joseph Shea, pastor at Holy Family, came dressed in his pastoral collar, a flower-patterned shirt and a lei. He made his opening remarks and helped present several awards to community leaders.

“I love it when people get together for a good time,” Shea said. “But especially since it’s for providing scholarship for our good schools.”

The Excellence in Education Award was given to Msgr. Arthur Lirette, the fourth pastor at Holy Family Parish in 100 years; Rick Caruso, developer of the Americana on Brand and longtime supporter of Holy Family Schools; and Father Lawrence Caruso, deceased, former principal of St. Francis High School in La Cañada Flintridge and uncle of Rick Caruso, whose award was presented posthumously to the Caruso family.

Shea, who is the fifth pastor in Holy Family’s 100 year history, also accepted an award.

As the awards were handed out, visitors made their final bids on the silent auction items.

Marylynne Knighten, of Eagle Rock, had her eye on several gift baskets. She made her way around the packaged goods and stopped to take a better look at the contents inside.

“It’s really commendable that the school does what it can to help students,” she said.

Knighten, who is the senior director of nursing at Glendale Memorial Hospital, works with the school’s health ministry.

She has been supporting the fundraiser for the last five years, she said.

Glendale resident Rey Pangilinan is also an avid supporter of the annual event.

Pangilinan’s wife bids on the silent auction items and the couple usually take home at least one gift basket, he said.

On Sunday, his wife bid on a Feng Shui basket.

“Certainly, the scholarship fund is a big thing,” Pangilinan said. “A lot of people can’t afford this kind of education.”

Last year, Pangilinan volunteered to sing on stage for entertainment. He and his wife performed songs by Andrew Lloyd Weber.

On Sunday, about 20 local restaurants served meals during the event.

Glendale resident Regina Stifter sampled tortilla soup from Crocodile Café and decided to make it her favorite for the evening.

“We are just enjoying different cuisines,” Stifter said.

Stifter was married at Holy Family Church and her sons had their first communion there, she said.

She continues to keep her ties although her parish is elsewhere, she said.

“We love Holy Family,” Stifter said.

City officials also came to show their support for the cause.

Glendale Police Chief Randy Adams and his wife took part in the evening’s festivities.

“Father Shea does a tremendous job for the community,” Adams said. “He is interested in the greater good of the community. The least we can do is support him.”

Adams tried a variety of foods and ended dinner with dessert from Porto’s Bakery.

“Porto’s is a nice way to tickle the sweet tooth,” he said.

Longtime supporters of the school’s fundraiser were also a presence on Sunday.

Glendale resident Margaret Hammond, a frequent City Council meeting attendee, came with her grandson, Michael.

Hammond, who has been supporting Holy Family for 50 years, wore a yellow hat and a summer dress with flowers.

“It’s good education here,” Hammond said. “It’s really something.”