On October 2nd, Brother Greg, along with students and faculty from St. Francis College, celebrated "Peace on Earth Day" as part of Franciscan Month.

As part of Franciscan Month, Brother Greg led a special Blessing of the Animals this past Sunday at Assumption Church.
In the spirit of St. Francis of Assisi, parishioners gathered with their beloved pets to receive a blessing and celebrate the beauty of God’s creation.

Brother Simon Jaworski, O.S.F., a Franciscan Brother of Brooklyn for 62 years, entered Eternal Life peacefully on September 13, 2025. On September 5, 1945, Brother Simon was born John Henry to the late Victoria (née Fromer) of New York and John Jaworski from Austria-Hungary. In 1962 Brother Simon entered the Franciscan Brothers from Saints Cyril and Methodius parish in Brooklyn, New York. In 1963 Brother Simon received the Religious Habit and in 1964 he made his First Profession of religious vows followed by Life Profession of religious vows in 1969. Brother Simon graduated from St. Francis Preparatory School and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from St. Francis College in Brooklyn Heights. He attended Long Island University and completed a Master of Science degree in science education. Brother Simon attended East Carolina University in Greenville, NC and received a MSA in 1999. Brother Simon held permanent New York State certification in Biology, Chemistry, Science and Earth Science, a principal certificate from the State of NC and a specialist certificate in Science Curriculum. While in the Diocese of Gallup, NM he received certification as master catechist. Brother Simon spent his life as an educator and practitioner of earth sciences. With a class of high school science students, he spearheaded a project to analyze the waters of the Nissequogue River on Long Island and demonstrated its contamination to government officials who, in response to local organizing efforts, moved to renew and safeguard the river. He taught in New York for 19 years, Belgium for a year, and North Carolina for 12 years. Brother Simon inspired a generation of students to appreciate the wonders of creation, from learning to read the night skies to understanding the plant and animal lives sharing our earth. For 7 years, he brought his interests and insights to his work with Native Americans in Thoreau, New Mexico.

Brother Simon’s apostolic ministry included: 

• Teacher, St. Joseph Babylon (1966-70)

• Teacher and Chairman of the Science Department, Saint Anthony’s High School in South Huntington (1971-85)

• Teacher, St. John’s School - Belgium (1985-86)

• Teacher (1988-97) and Principal (1997-2000), St. Peter’s School - Greenville, NC

• Teacher, Saint Bonaventure Indian Mission in Thoreau, NM (2001-08)

Brother Simon is survived by his nephews Peter, Matthew J., Charles J., great-nieces Emily and Sophia, great-nephew William, extended family and his Franciscan Brothers. Viewing will take place on Friday, September 19 from 9:00-10:30 am in Saint Anthony's HS Chapel at 275 Wolf Hill Road, South Huntington, NY. The Mass of Christian burial will be Friday, September 19 at 11:00 am in Saint Anthony's HS Chapel at 275 Wolf Hill Road, South Huntington, NY. Interment is at Holy Rood Cemetery, 111 Old Country Road, Westbury, NY. In lieu of flowers, kindly consider a memorial donation to the Franciscan Brothers.

On August 23 2025, we had the pleasure of celebrating the Jubilee's of four of our Brother's.

Congratulations to the following Brothers:

70th Jubilee - Brother Campion Lally, O.S.F.

65th Jubilee - Brother Jeremy Sztabnik, O.S.F.

60th Jubilee - Brother Richard Pinkes, O.S.F.

50th Jubilee - Brother John Joseph Pavin, O.S.F.

Recently, we proudly honored Brother Greg Cellini on the 13th anniversary of Professing Final Vows.

Thank you, Brother Greg, for your unwavering commitment, joyful spirit, and inspiring witness to our community.

Please click the following link to view the livestream of the Funeral Mass for Brother Robert Kent. The Mass will begin at 10am.

Livestream Link for the Funeral Mass of Brother Robert Kent

If you would like to attend the Mass in-person:

Monday, July 21st
Holy Family Church
175-20 74th Ave (off Utopia Pkwy)
Fresh Meadows, NY 11366
10:00 am

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon them.
May the souls of all the faithful departed,
through the mercy of God,  Rest in Peace. Amen

Wake: Sunday, July 20th
Our Lady of Angels Chapel at St. Francis Prep
2:00 pm to 7:00 pm

Mass: Monday, July 21st
Holy Family Church
175-20 74th Ave (off Utopia Pkwy)
Fresh Meadows, NY 11366
10:00 am

Yesterday, heaven touched down in South Huntington. ⁠
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Thousands gathered at Saint Anthony’s High School for a historic Pentecost celebration—The Eucharistic Congress 2025.⁠
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From sunrise processions and powerful witness talks, to music, prayer, Adoration, Confession, and a soul-shaking Holy Mass with Bishop Barres, every moment pointed to one truth: Jesus is alive in the Eucharist.⁠
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🕊️ We worshipped.⁠
🕊️ We listened.⁠
🕊️ We encountered Christ.⁠
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Two nine-day pilgrimages ended at Saint Anthony's. but for so many hearts, a lifelong journey just began.⁠
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The funeral mass for Brother Gary Gaynor, OSF will be accessible on Wednesday May 7 at 10:30am.

This week, we had the pleasure of welcoming two Franciscan Brothers from Kenya, Brother Boniface and Brother Bernard, as our esteemed guests at both St. Francis Prep and St. Anthony's High School. They represent St. Francis Secondary School located in Lare, Kenya—a school for which students from our schools have successfully gathered more than $33,000 to assist in acquiring a bus, constructing a water tower, and establishing a library. Throughout the day, the Brothers engaged with both our students and faculty, fully immersing themselves in the spirit each schools Franciscan Values. They even managed to participate in a special Minute with the Monk alongside Brother David, Brother Leonard and Brother Joshua! Check out photos from their trip below.