Meet our
Parish Staff
Fr. Francis Di Spigno, OFM
Pastor
Fr. Fran hails from Long Island, where his parents still reside. He is the youngest of 5 children. He entered the Franciscans of Holy Name Province in 1989. St. Francis on Long Beach Island was his first assignment after ordination in 1996. In 2000 he became the vocation director for Holy Name Province and moved to New York City. Five years later he was appointed the director of the post-novitiate formation program in Silver Spring, MD until 2011. After 9 years, 2011-2020, at St. Bonaventure University as the executive director of University Ministries, he happily finds himself once again on Long Beach Island. He is excited to back and part of such a vibrant and rich faith community.
Fr. Scott Brookbank, OFM
Pastoral Associate
Fr. Scott is the youngest of three children, and raised in Penfield, NY, a suburb of Rochester. He earned a BS in Religious Studies and MS in Special Education from Nazareth College of Rochester. Before, entering the Franciscans he taught high school for five years. He entered the Franciscans in 1992. He earned his MS in Pastoral Counseling from Loyola College of Maryland and was stationed at St. Francis Chapel in Providence, RI and work for 3 years in their counseling center. He earned LMHC (License Mental Health Counselor). He then worked 2 years at St. Bonaventure University Counseling Center. In 2008 he earned a Master of Divinity from Washington Theological Union and was ordained to the priesthood on May 24, 2008. Scott was assigned for 4 years at the Church of St. Mary’s on Broadway in Providence RI. For 3 years he was on the Leadership Team of our interprovincial novitiate in Burlington WI. He then spent 2 years at The Catholic Center at UGA. In 2017 he came to St. Francis of Assisi Parish on Long Beach Island, NJ as a Pastoral Associate and a counselor at the St. Francis Counseling Services. He has earned his LPC (License Professional Counselor) for the state of NJ.
Fr. Kevin Daly, OFM
Pastoral Associate
Fr. John Frambes, OFM
Pastoral Associate
Fr. John joined the Franciscans in 1973. Over half his career has been in higher education, working in Student Affairs at Siena College, Loudonville, NY. He served in campus ministry there and at Guilford College (Quaker) and UNCG both in North Carolina. Later he was pastor of St. Joseph Church (African American) in Wilmington, DE. He came to LBI after spending time living in a Trappist monastery. Since 2014, John has been a parochial vicar at St. Francis Parish, i.e., not the pastor. He describes his life as zigzagging toward God.
Fr. Andrew Reitz, OFM
Pastoral Associate
Has been a Friar for 56 years and a priest for 50 years. Has served in parishes in NJ, Florida, and Maryland and has worked for 12 years with our young Friars in formation.
Deacon Robert Cunningham
Bob and his wife Maureen became members of Saint Francis Parish in 1993. Bob and Maureen have been married for over 44 years and have five children and 12 grandchildren. He was ordained a deacon in 2001 with the help of Fr. Andrew and Fr. Francis.
Some of Bob’s pastoral ministries at St. Francis include baptisms, men’s spirituality group, and Men’s Cornerstone.
Sr. Patricia McNiff, OSF
Pastoral Associate
Sr. Pat is a Sister of Sister of St Francis of Philadelphia. Pat grew up in a small town in Maryland and is a product of Franciscan Catholic Education. After high school she obtained a BA from Neumann College graduating in 1969, an MA from Catholic University in 1975 and a MS in Counseling from Neumann University in 1989. She has been involved in teaching and administration in both Catholic Education and Religious Education. As a professed member of the Sisters of St. Francis for over 50 years she has worked on many committees and outreach programs. Pat lives in the convent in Beach Haven and has been a part of the Parish Staff where she is one of the founding team members for the Survivors of Suicide Program. She also serves as coordinator of Adult Faith Enrichment, the RCIA team, Baptism Preparation Team, and ministers in Pastoral Care.
Ms. Michele Beck
Director of Liturgy and Music
Michele has been involved in liturgical music her entire life. She is proud to serve the people of Saint Francis of Assisi Parish as Music Ministry Director for the past 20 years. In her ministry, she directs the children, teen, and adult choirs and is head cantor. She trains the youth and adult cantors and schedules the music ministers for all four of our churches. She also coordinates the music and sings for parish weddings and funerals. Michele has a Classical Voice Performance degree from William Paterson University. She has served as music director for the HNP Friars for their regional convention. She happily resides in Manahawkin with her husband, Andy, and their two sons, Andrew and Jonathan.
Ms. Judith Clayton
Director of Family Faith Religious Education Program
Judy has been the Director of Family Faith Religious Education Program at St. Francis since 2017. She has been involved in Catholic education for over 30 years as a teacher, Principal and in Religious Education programs. She has been married to her husband, George, for 56 years. They have six grown children. She earned a B.A. from Kean University and a Master of Arts degree in Curriculum and Administration in Catholic Education from Seton Hall University.
Genny Sibona
Parish Receptionist
