Some notable May events that took place around Holy Name Province:
One Year Ago
May 1, 2011 — Shock spread across the United States — and the world — at the announcement of Osama bin Laden’s death. Holy Name Province’s leadership took the opportunity to distribute a letter to friars expressing a Franciscan perspective to reacting to news of the death of an enemy. The statement was reprinted in several publications, including the May 4 issue of HNP Today.
May 15, 2011 — The two Province-sponsored colleges, St. Bonaventure and Siena, presented degrees to nearly 1,500 graduates. (This year, commencement exercises will be held at the two colleges on May 13.)
Five Years Ago
May 1, 2007 — An online discussion forum was created to allow Holy Name friars to comment on Province vision statements opened on the HNP Extranet. (Several years later, the Province’s e-communication was enhanced by its use of social media and creation of the HNPfriar.org email option.)
May 27, 2007 — Residents of the newly built St. Francis Friary on West 31st Street in New York City participated in a Memorial Day weekend social to formally welcome friars and to thank those involved in its design and furnishing.
10 Years Ago
May 20, 2002 — A street sign, bearing the name of Mychal Judge, OFM, was installed at the corner of Seventh Avenue and 31st Street in New York City.
25 Years Ago
May 4, 1987 — The third St. Francis Friends of the Poor residence was opened in New York City. (Today, the residences, founded by John Felice, OFM, John McVean, OFM, and Thomas Walters, OFM, continue to provide humane and dignified homes for mentally disabled people who would otherwise likely be living on the streets.)
50 Years Ago
May 10, 1962 — Walter Cronkite, one of the nation’s most distinguished newscasters, gave the keynote address at the annual St. Bonaventure University Press Day. According to the Summer 1962 Provincial Annals, “Mr. Cronkite spoke at a luncheon before an overflow audience of 1,100 in Hickey Memorial Dining Hall, and his address was carried by radio to overflow groups dining in four area restaurants and picnicking on the campus.” (Now held in the fall and called Communications Day, the gathering aims to introduce high school students and teachers involved in newspapers, literary magazines, yearbooks and radio/television shows to media professionals.)
— Compiled by Rebecca Doel