Sisters and Brothers, Hibernians one and all, God Bless You and Keep You!
As I have been preparing for my new assignment in Austria, I had the privilege of representing our National Board alongside Brother Daniel O’Connell at the Ohio State Convention. I wish to report to all of you that the Ohio LAOH and AOH are continuing the wonderful Celtic tradition of Friendship, Unity and Christian Charity. The convention was a great opportunity for fellowship and faith. The Hibernians of Ohio recommitted themselves to the order and a grand time was had by all.
As I am concluding my service to all of you as a National Deputy Chaplin, I want to welcome Monsignor Edward Weber to the National Board and wish him all the best as he begins the exciting journey of Chaplaincy on the national level. It has been a true honor to be of service over the past year to the board. As I shared with our worthy national president Brendan Moore, I will continue to keep all Hibernians in my thoughts and prayers. I ask that you all remember me in your prayers too.
Although I will be overseas for most of the next four years, I will continue to keep abreast of Hibernian happenings, most especially through my home division: the Col Cunningham Division of Northern Virginia. And I expect to find myself back in the states for several weeks at a time during the summers, so do not be surprised if you see me at a convention in the near future.
While I am over in Europe, I will have the opportunity to experience the truly universal nature of our Catholic Church, by visiting many holy sites and churches throughout the surrounding nations. I am eager to grow in the grace God wishes to share with me as I experience the history of hundreds of years of our Catholic faith. And I am most hopeful that I will be able to arrange for several visits to our beloved Ireland to visit, pray and rest.
Brothers and sisters, we are all called to pray. We grow closer to God when we open ourselves up to His will and when we share with Him our needs. Prayer is speaking what is in our hearts, but it is also listening to what the Lord wishes to share with us. He loves us unconditionally and He calls us to live in His love, both here on earth and for all eternity in heaven. We find hope and peace in our struggles when we invite Christ Jesus to help us carry our crosses with dignity and grace. And when we pray for each other, we lift each other up, share in one another’s journey and grow in to the dignity of our creation as children of God. Let us continue to pray for one another and lift up our world to God’s care. Be assured of my love and prayers for you all, and may the Lord keep you always in the palm of His hand.
