Auxiliary Bishop Raymond Chappetto opened the school year at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Academy in Astoria, with Mass, a ribbon-cutting ceremony and a blessing for the new academy Sept. 18.

Msgr. Ralph J. Maresca, the pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Church, and Father Francis Asagba, parochial vicar, took part in the festivities with the school community. St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Academy is one of five elementary schools in the diocese that re-opened under the academy model this fall.