NEW YORK — Earlier this summer, the Communications Office began the process of updating the Province’s necrology and catalog, two friar resources that have not been revised since the Province’s centennial anniversary in 2001.
Province Periodicals
Last week, the office sent the more than 100 new entries for the necrology — written by the CO’s summer intern Kevin McGarr — to Julian Davies, OFM, editor of the Provincial Annals for review. The one-paragraph biographies about each deceased member of the Province are based on obituary letters written by a variety of friars.
The necrology is slated to be completed this fall and distributed to HNP houses in early 2011.
Next on the agenda will be updating the catalog — or “truth book,” as it is called by the friars. The catalog lists all friars living in order of precedence within the Province, along with a recent photo and information about dates of birth, professions and ordination.
The CO also hopes to complete the catalog by early next year, said communications director Jocelyn Thomas. Staff members are currently compiling recent headshots and information for the resource.
Website Updates
In the coming months, visitors to HNP.org will notice a variety of updates to the Provincial website. “Soon, the home page will include recent posts from our Twitter feed, @HolyNameProv, and a link to more of our videos,” Thomas said. “We’re also developing a page to provide information for members of our Hispanic, African-American and young adult communities.”
Other pages that will receive a facelift this fall include:
· Spiritual Resources
· The Province
· Our Work
· Support Our Work
Social Media Guidelines
As the Province and its members become more frequent users of Facebook and Twitter, many people seek guidelines for their use.
Last month, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops released the first-ever “Guidelines for Social Media.”
The document, available in full on the USCCB’s website, includes an overview of the Church and social media, as well as suggestions for developing guidelines for church personnel utilizing social media.
On his blog, Whispers in the Loggia, Rocco Palmo wrote, “Both for consumers of social media — and especially its fellow producers among us — the protocols are well worth a full read by one and all.” More than 350 people — both friars and their partners-in-ministry — follow the Franciscan Friars of Holy Name Province on Facebook.
The photo above shows the Communication’s Office staff — Jocelyn Thomas, left, with communications coordinator Rebecca Doel and Kevin McGarr.