December 13, 2017: Our friars serving from St. Anthony Friary (Kingston, ON), Friar Jim Fukes, OFM Conv., Friar David Collins, OFM Conv. and Friar Ed Debono, OFM Conv., were on hand for the blessing of the new St. Francis of Assisi Elementary School. Fr. Jim serves as pastor of Holy Family Parish and assisted The Most Reverend Brendan M. O’Brien (Archbishop of Kingston) and Principal Dan Finn in welcoming the Kingston mayor, the minister of education, the Catholic School Board president, parishioners, and school families to the official school opening.  St Francis of Assisi Elementary School replaces Holy Family, St Patrick’s and St. Peter’s Schools where our friars have been assisting the staff and ministering until the recent school consolidation of students and resources.  The new school incorporates new technologies, open space education methods and small communities concepts.