In 1847, a crisis hit Boston as ‘coffin ships’ unloaded hordes of Irish exiles fleeing ‘An Gorta Mor’ – Ireland’s Great Hunger. It was no surprise that many were sick after the 6-to-8-week Atlantic crossing. With men and women packed into steerage so tightly, there was no way to preserve privacy or modesty. One report related: “I have known cases of females who had to sit up all night upon their boxes in steerage, because they could not think of going into a bed with a strange man.” Disease spread rapidly and lethally. About 25,000 arrived in ‘Black ‘47’ with many suffering from typhus, … [Read more...] about DEER ISLAND
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Catholic Calendar – June 2019
To All Hibernians: In June we pass out of the Easter season. Sunday, June 23, is the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi). On Sunday, June 30, we pass into Ordinary time, and the color for vestments is green. MAJOR SAINTS AND FEAST DAYS OF JUNE June 1 Justin Martyr Memorial June 3 Charles Lwanga & Companions Memorial June 5 Boniface, Martyr Memorial June 11 Barnabas, Apostle Memorial June 13 Anthony of Padua Memorial June 21 Aloysius Gonzaga Memorial June 24 Nativity of John the Baptist Solemnity June 27 Cyril of … [Read more...] about Catholic Calendar – June 2019
An Irish American Angel in America’s West
There were many Irish women among the settlers of the American West, and one of the best known in her time was a lady from County Cork named Ellen Cashman. Ellen came to America, like so many others, fleeing the effects of the Great Hunger. She arrived in Boston in 1850 with her mother, Fanny, at the tender age of five where she grew up caring for a younger sister. An ambitious young lady, she worked as a bellhop in a well-known Boston hotel when she decided to follow the call of the American West with the idea of making her fortune. She moved to San Francisco and soon found … [Read more...] about An Irish American Angel in America’s West
Catholic Calendar – March 2019
To All Hibernians: In the month of March, after one more Sunday of Ordinary Time, we move into Lent, a season of penance leading up to Our Lord's Passion, Death, and Resurrection. The liturgical color for Lent is violet, except that rose may be worn on Laetare Sunday (March 31). Ash Wednesday is a day of fast and abstinence; all the Fridays of Lent are days of abstinence. Check with your local parish or diocese for Lenten regulations on abstinence and fasting, for greater opportunities for confession, and for Lenten devotions such as Stations of the Cross. MAJOR SAINTS AND FEAST DAYS … [Read more...] about Catholic Calendar – March 2019
CHARLOTTE GRACE O’BRIEN
Charlotte Grace O’Brien was born 23 November 1845 in Cahirmoyle, County Limerick. Her father, William Smith O’Brien, took part in the aborted rising of 1848 for which he was exiled to Tasmania when Charlotte was 9-years old. Charlotte’s mother died when she was 16 and the 19-year-old Charlotte went to live with her brother, Edward and his wife, Mary. Following Mary’s death in 1868, Charlotte remained with Edward to raise his three children, then aged 4, 3 and 2-years old. In 1870 she found her voice as a writer. Her first book was Dominick’s Trials: An Irish Story, but her 1878 novel about the … [Read more...] about CHARLOTTE GRACE O’BRIEN
A LEGACY OF WW1
One hundred years ago this month, the War to End All Wars concluded as an armistice was signed at 5 AM on November 11, 1918. Because of the six-hour time difference, in America it was the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month – a remarkable coincidence! And again, the Irish were there. Up until the United States entered World War One on 6 April 1917, there were some Irish-Americans pulling for Germany to overpower Britain; after all, the enemy of my enemy is my friend! However, loyalty to the land that adopted their families came first and foremost and when America entered the war on … [Read more...] about A LEGACY OF WW1
Catholic Calendar – October 2018
The month of October still remains within Ordinary Time. October is a month dedicated to Mary, the Mother of God. MAJOR SAINTS AND FEAST DAYS Oct. 1 Theresa of the Child Jesus, Virgin, Memorial Oct. 2 Guardian Angels, Memorial Oct. 4 Francis of Assisi, Memorial Oct. 11 Pope St. John XXIII Oct. 15 Teresa of Avila, Virgin and Doctor, Memorial Oct. 17 Ignatius of Antioch, Bishop and Martyr, Memorial Oct. 18 Luke the Evangelist, Feast Oct. 19 John de Brebeuf, Isaac Jogues, and Companions, Martyrs, Memorial Oct. 22 Pope St. … [Read more...] about Catholic Calendar – October 2018
Catholic Calendar – August 2018
We have the August Catholic Action update from Ohio State Chairman Pat Lally ... NEWS OF INTEREST --On June 25, the U.S. Supreme Court vacated a ruling by a Washington State court against florist Baronelle Stutzman. The court returned the case to the Washington Supreme Court, instructing reconsideration in line with the Masterpiece Cakeshop decision earlier in June. In the Masterpiece case, the court had determined that Colorado cannot compel Christian baker Jack Phillips to bake a cake for a homosexual wedding. In Washington, Stutzman had similarly faced compulsion to violate … [Read more...] about Catholic Calendar – August 2018
An Irish American Angel in America’s West
There were many Irish women among the settlers of the American West, and one of the best known in her time was a lady from County Cork named Ellen Cashman. Ellen came to America, like so many others, fleeing the effects of the Great Hunger. She arrived in Boston in 1850 with her mother, Fanny, at the tender age of five where she grew up caring for a younger sister. An ambitious young lady, she worked as a bellhop in a well-known Boston hotel when she decided to follow the call of the American West with the idea of making her fortune. She moved to San Francisco and soon found … [Read more...] about An Irish American Angel in America’s West
Timothy Murphy, the Irish American Who Turned the Tide at Saratoga
Did you know that an Irish America soldier was responsible for turning the tide of the most important battle of the American Revolution? His name was Timothy Murphy and he had served with distinction on the frontier, was part of General William Thompson’s Pennsylvania Rifle Battalion which became the First Continental Regiment and he served with famed General Daniel Morgan as a sharpshooter. He was considered the most famous marksman of his day. Timothy Murphy was born in 1751 near the Delaware Water Gap to Thomas and Mary (Lundy) Murphy, recent immigrants from Co. Donegal, Ireland. When … [Read more...] about Timothy Murphy, the Irish American Who Turned the Tide at Saratoga
A TALE OF TWO O’HARES
Here are two stories and both are absolutely true – and worth reading! The first began on 5 September 1893 when a son was born in St. Louis, MO to Irish-American parents Patrick Joseph and Cecilia Malloy O'Hare. Then named him Edward and he grew up to be a successful lawyer. He married Selma Louth who gave him three children: Edward (1914), Patricia (1919) and Marilyn (1924). In 1927, Edward moved to Chicago in hope of finding a better life. At the time, Al Capone virtually owned the city and was involved in everything from bootleg booze to prostitution. Capone needed a good lawyer and Eddie … [Read more...] about A TALE OF TWO O’HARES
AOH UPDATE – University of Notre Dame Cushwa Center for the Study of American Catholicism Hibernian Lecture Series
The 33rd annual Hibernian Lecture featured author and poet Thomas Lynch. His lecture on September 9, addressed the poetry and recent deaths of Dennis O’Driscoll and Seamus Heaney. Some of the Hibernians in attendance are shown here with the Lecture. From the left are Danny O’Connell, Carol Sheyer, Maureen Shelton, Jere Cole, LAOH national President Patricia O’Connell, Thomas Lynch, Denny Parks, Sandi Swift, Mary Conlon, Mary Ann Lubinsky and Ned McGinley. Each year the Cushwa Center of Notre Dame invites one or more distinguished scholars to deliver a public lecture on some aspect of the Irish … [Read more...] about AOH UPDATE – University of Notre Dame Cushwa Center for the Study of American Catholicism Hibernian Lecture Series
The San Patricios
In March we think of St. Patrick and his story is on our national website AOH.COM, so this month we will tell of a remarkable military unit named for our patron saint. When America was a young country, not yet matured with the wisdom born of experience, we made mistakes. The acceptance of slavery, the treatment of Native Americans, prejudice against Catholics, and armed opposition to labor unions, were but a few. But the wisdom of our founding fathers and the form of government they established gave all people a voice, and in time saner heads prevailed in the electoral process and the nation … [Read more...] about The San Patricios
A Rivalry that Became a Friendship
On October 30, 1963, Cahirciveen, County Kerry saw the largest outpouring of grief since the loss their favorite son, the great Daniel O’Connell in 1847. This time it was for another one of their own – Monsignor Hugh O’Flaherty. Although he was born in Kiskeam, County Cork and grew up in Killarney, where his father was the steward of the old Killarney Golf Club, Hugh retired to Cahirciveen three years before his death and was honored as one of their own. He was also honored with many decorations, including Commander of the British Empire and the US Medal of Freedom for Hugh O’Flaherty was a … [Read more...] about A Rivalry that Became a Friendship
Presidential Proclamation — Irish-American Heritage Month, 2013
IRISH-AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH, 2013 - - - - - - - BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA A PROCLAMATION For more than two centuries, America has been made and remade by striving, hopeful immigrants looking for a chance to pursue their dreams. Millions among them were born in Ireland, separated from our shores but united by their belief in a better day. This month, we celebrate the Irish-American journey, and we reflect on the ways a nation so small has inspired so much in another. Generations of Irish left the land of their forebears to cast their fortunes with a young Republic. … [Read more...] about Presidential Proclamation — Irish-American Heritage Month, 2013
Reverend Peter Whelan – The Angel of Andersonville
There are many heroes associated with the Confederate States of America (CSA) whose stories have been forgotten or swept under the rug; after all, the winners write the history. Among those forgotten in our northern history books are Irish Catholic priests like Rev. Tom O’Reilly of Cavan, Rev. Abram Ryan of Tipperary parents and Rev. Peter Whelan of Wexford. Rev. O’Reilly earned fame as the man who threatened General Sherman with a mutiny by the Irish Catholics in his army if he torched the church district of Atlanta at the start of his infamous march to the sea; Sherman acquiesced and the … [Read more...] about Reverend Peter Whelan – The Angel of Andersonville
Letter to USA Today from Anti-Defamation Chair
The below letter is from Anti-Defamation Chair Neil Cosgrove to the publisher of USA Today concerning the coverage of Katie Taylor's Gold Medal win at the Olympics. This letter was written before she won the Gold. Mr. Larry Kramer , President and Publisher USA TODAY Headquarters 7950 Jones Branch Drive McLean, VA 22108 Phone: 703-854-3400 Fax: 703-854-2049 Dear Mr. Kramer: The Irish people and Irish Americans are cheering and taking rightful pride in the accomplishments of Olympian Katie Taylor. As a woman boxer, she is defying conventional perception of what a woman may … [Read more...] about Letter to USA Today from Anti-Defamation Chair
AOH History
AN UPDATED HISTORY OF THE ANCIENT ORDER OF HIBERNIANS IN AMERICA by Mike McCormack, National Historian This updated history of the origins and activities of the Ancient Order of Hibernians was completed by the National Historian’s Office in June, 2018. Many well-meaning authors have tried to record the genesis of the Order as they heard it from their elders or from those they considered knowledgeable, but memories of old men and hearsay recollections from their sons and others are poor foundations on which to build a history. However, history is not just a 'thing of the past’; history is a … [Read more...] about AOH History
Catholic Action
The United States Catholic Conference of Bishops (USCCB),and all Bishop Conferences are expressed by Church Law. Can. 447 A conference of bishops, a permanent institution, is a group of bishops of some nation or certain territory who jointly exercise certain pastoral functions for the Christian faithful of their territory in order to promote the greater good which the Church offers to humanity, especially through forms and programs of the apostolate fittingly adapted to the circumstances of time and place, according to the norm of law. The website for the USCCB is a wonderful tool for all … [Read more...] about Catholic Action
Veteran’s Affairs
AOH National Veterans Affairs – Jim Green, Chairman Email: seamus.green317@gmail.com From the list of job descriptions in the AOH National Constitution: VETERANS AFFAIRS CHAIRMAN: Section 22. Shall: Serve to provide information and advice for members of the Order who currently serve, or who have served, in the United States military. The chairman shall focus primarily in areas pertaining to Veteran's benefits, advocacy, and the development and maintenance of a historical record of Hibernians that have served. The individual appointed to this position shall be an honorably discharged … [Read more...] about Veteran’s Affairs