Our Mission
St. John Vianney Parish, a Christian Community in the Roman Catholic tradition, motivated by the love of God, provides opportunities in worship, education, ministry and outreach for its parishioners and the community at large.
Our History
St. John Vianney Parish was formed and founded from part of St. Anthony parish in Kailua on August 1, 1962. Bishop Sweeney acquired the four acres from Bishop Estate in 1959. The land was developed by local companies Kailua Heights Joint Venture Co. and the Kaelepulu Investment Co. Joe Pao was head of Island Construction Co. which built the Enchanted Lakes subdivision. Joe (with wife Evelyn) completed the development and personally constructed St. John Vianney Church in memory of his parents Manuel and Mary Pao. The church was dedicated on February 24, 1963.
The Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity arrived in Hawaii in 1946 to staff Cathedral School in Nuuanu, Oahu and St. Theresa Schol in Kekaha, Kauai. In 1965, Sister Mary Ann, OSF, former principal of Cathedral School became principal of the newly established St. John Vianney School. She was assisted by Sister Regine Marie, OSF, and Sister Arlene, OSF.
Local artist and parishioner Leialoha Iverson created the Stations of the Cross in the church.
The Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity arrived in Hawaii in 1946 to staff Cathedral School in Nuuanu, Oahu and St. Theresa Schol in Kekaha, Kauai. In 1965, Sister Mary Ann, OSF, former principal of Cathedral School became principal of the newly established St. John Vianney School. She was assisted by Sister Regine Marie, OSF, and Sister Arlene, OSF.
Local artist and parishioner Leialoha Iverson created the Stations of the Cross in the church.
The parish, which serves Enchanted Lake and the surrounding area, presently has an active congregation of 600 families. The parish school currently runs on a year round schedule with 200+ students from K-8.
The parish facilities include the Church which seats 400; the Parish Center with parish and school offices and meeting rooms; a ten room school building; the Fr. John Read Center which includes specialized classrooms, a library, kitchen, and a computer lab; a Parish Hall accommodating 300 which can be divided into two sections; and the pastor’s residence.
The first pastor of the parish was Fr. John Read who was followed by Fr. Patrick Freitas, Fr. Nathan Mamo, Fr. Joseph Grimaldi, Fr. Thomas Gross, and Fr. Peter Miti. The present pastor is Fr. Vincent Vu.
The patron saint of the parish, St. John Vianney, was a 19th century French priest called the “Patron of Parish Priests.” By a holy life and a rare gift for preaching and reaching souls in confession, John Vianney attracted thousands to his small parish in Ars, France.
The parish facilities include the Church which seats 400; the Parish Center with parish and school offices and meeting rooms; a ten room school building; the Fr. John Read Center which includes specialized classrooms, a library, kitchen, and a computer lab; a Parish Hall accommodating 300 which can be divided into two sections; and the pastor’s residence.
The first pastor of the parish was Fr. John Read who was followed by Fr. Patrick Freitas, Fr. Nathan Mamo, Fr. Joseph Grimaldi, Fr. Thomas Gross, and Fr. Peter Miti. The present pastor is Fr. Vincent Vu.
The patron saint of the parish, St. John Vianney, was a 19th century French priest called the “Patron of Parish Priests.” By a holy life and a rare gift for preaching and reaching souls in confession, John Vianney attracted thousands to his small parish in Ars, France.
