It's cheers and songs for the bishop

On this particular day, songs, cheers and breakfast were all the buzz at St. John Neumann Regional School.

Then again, it isn't exactly every day that the school is blessed with a visit by the bishop, as was the case on Thursday at the school's Palmerton campus.

Pastor John Barres, Bishop of Allentown visited the students and parishioners after mass as part of a special "Breakfast with the Bishop" in observance of Catholic Schools Week.

As he settled in, Bishop Barres was seated front and center as he watched kindergarten through third grade pupils from the school's Slatington campus sing songs, and later a performance by the school's cheerleading squad.

Barres said Catholic Schools Week helps in the "formation of young people in the Catholic faith", and "gives a good sense of the Holy Spirit".

"It brings a refined work et