NEW YORK — Holy Name Province’s Communications Office (CO) continues to update www.hnp.org, recently adding a revised version of HNP’s friar directory and a new Extranet photo album. It has also added links to news coverage about the friars, available on the Friars in the News page.
The updates are in time for the 43rd World Day of Communications on May 24. The theme for this year’s day, as chosen by Pope Benedict XVI, is “New Technologies, New Relationships: Promoting a Culture of Respect, Dialogue and Friendship.”
Technologies and Relationships
In a letter in anticipation of the day, the pope wrote: “The new digital technologies are, indeed, bringing about fundamental shifts in patterns of communication and human relationships. … The accessibility of mobile telephones and computers, combined with the global reach and penetration of the Internet, has opened up a range of means of communication that permit the almost instantaneous communication of words and images across enormous distances.”
“We at HNP’s Communications Office are working to use all appropriate means of communications to connect the friars to each other and the friars to the public,” said Jocelyn Thomas, HNP’s director of communications. At the next meeting of HNP’s Communications Advisory Committee later this month, she and the members will discuss methods of incorporating new technologies into the Province’s communications systems. “We are evaluating online social networking as a way to spread the Franciscan message to a wider audience,” Thomas noted.
As of early this week, HNP friars and some partners-in-ministry now can view a fourth album on the Extranet’s photo gallery, focusing on Holy Name Friary in Ringwood, N.J. Additionally, the CO loaded its updated edition of the HNP 2009 directory.
Communications Office Developments
The Province’s Communications staff has other news to highlight.
• The book, Francis & His Brothers, by Provincial Vicar Dominic Monti, OFM, is being sold at several Province ministries, including the St. Francis Gift Shop in Brant Beach, N.J., and St. Francis of Assisi Bookstore, St. Francis of Assisi Church, on West 31st Street in New York City. St. Bonaventure University and Siena College bookstores plan to have the book available in time for summer alumni gatherings.
• E-announcements from and about HNP directorates and committees are now being e-mailed to friars by the CO and posted on the Extranet, said Thomas. Guidelines regarding content and procedures can be obtained by calling Thomas at 646-473-0265 x 321. As always, friars experiencing trouble in accessing the Extranet can get help by contacting Thomas or Rebecca Doel (ext. 311) in the Communications Office.
• Invitations for Holy Name Province’s Jubilees of Profession celebration, June 24 in New York City, are being mailed this week by the Provincial Office.
• Friars and their lay partners-in-ministry are encouraged to submit news to the CO. “Feel free to e-mail updates about what you or your ministry is doing,” said Thomas. She also invites friars to stop by when they are in New York City. “We welcome friars to visit the Communications Office when they are at the Provincial Office.”
The Communications staff requests that news for HNP Today be submitted by the Wednesday before each newsletter issue. Deadlines for upcoming issues are:
· May 27 for the June 3 issue
· June 10 for June 17 issue
· June 24 for July 1 issue
· July 8 for July 15 issue
· July 22 for July 29 issue
Upcoming Features
Future issues of HNP Today will include stories about the following events, ministries and trends:
· JPIC Directorate’s peacemaking webinar (June 15)
· Franciscan Volunteer Ministry
· The Order’s General Chapter
· HNP’s Simple Profession of Vows (June 6)
· The Province’s jubilee celebration (June 24)
· Social networking sites used by Province ministries
· Food pantries in the suburbs
· Young adult ministries around the Province
· Recommended books
The CO encourages readers to share HNP Today. To forward an article electronically, copy the Web address at the top of the browser into an e-mail. To subscribe to HNP Today, click here.