NEW YORK — Throughout 2013, the Church’s and the Order’s leadership changed dramatically following Pope Francis’s election and his appointment of General Minister Fr. José Rodríguez Carballo, OFM, to the Vatican Curia. The year was also punctuated with meetings among the U.S. OFM provinces, as talks of future collaboration continued.
The Provincial newsletter covered these and a wide variety of other topics, including friar celebrations and milestones, and the loss of several brothers. One of the most widely-read stories was a tribute to 34 friars who celebrated anniversaries of profession and ordination in 2013.
Below are the most popular articles of each of HNP Today‘s 26 issues produced last year.
| Jan. 2 | Holy Name Province Congratulates 2013 Jubilarians |
| Jan. 16 | Province Launches ‘Text a Friar’ Initiative |
| Jan. 30 | Holy Name School to Close |
| Feb. 13 | Jubilarian Profile: Bernard Creighton Marks 50 Years as a Friar |
| Feb. 27 | ‘Have We a Chapel!’ |
| March 13 | From the Provincial Minister’s Desk (regarding Pope Francis’s election) |
| March 27 | Friar Joins America Magazine Staff |
| April 10 | General Minister Appointed to Vatican Curia |
| April 24 | Boston Friars Offer Messages of Hope Amid Violence |
| May 8 | Former Friars Reunite With Classmates |
| May 22 | American Michael Perry Chosen as New General Minister |
| June 5 | Funeral Services Held for Fergus Healey |
| June 19 | General Minister Shares Views on Future of Franciscan Order |
| July 3 | Postulant Program to Move to Maryland |
| July 17 | Province’s Lay Advisory Board Members Offer Insights, Concern |
| July 31 | Wilmington Friar Carjacked in Front of St. Paul’s Church |
| Aug. 14 | Thirteen Novices Profess Simple Vows in Wisconsin |
| Aug. 28 | Thirteen Received as Franciscan Novices |
| Sept. 11 | Province Welcomes Largest Class of Postulants in More Than a Decade |
| Sept. 25 | St. Bonaventure University, Siena College Open New Academic Buildings |
| Oct. 9 | General Minister Welcomes Pope Francis to Church of San Damiano |
| Oct. 23 | Franciscan Leaders Encourage Collaboration |
| Nov. 6 | St. Anthony Shrine Honors Friars for Social Conscience Projects |
| Nov. 20 | North Jersey Parish Hosts Priestly Ordination of Paul Keenan |
| Dec. 4 | From the Provincial Minister’s Desk (regarding Pope Francis’s apostolic exhortation) |
| Dec. 18 | Kevin Mackin Resigns as College President |
Data used to determine the top stories was collected from the Province’s email distribution system, which tracks reader activity. HNP Today reaches more than 1,500 subscribers.
The Communications Office strives to offer articles that interest friars as well as friends of Holy Name Province. Readers of HNP Today can suggest a topic by emailing communications@hnp.org.
Non-HNP members who wish to receive the biweekly newsletter by email should fill out the subscription form.
News about the friars and their ministries can also be found on Facebook and Twitter.
The distribution dates of upcoming issues of HNP Today — along with deadlines for submission of information — are:
· Jan. 22 by Jan. 15
· Feb. 5 by Jan. 29
· Feb. 19 by Feb. 12
· March 5 by Feb. 26
— Compiled by Maria Hayes