The Ancient Order of Hibernians

The Oldest and Largest Irish-Catholic Organization in the United States. Established 1836

National Board

Catholic Calendar – December 2019

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In December we begin a new liturgical year with the first Sunday of Advent (December 1) and pass through the liturgical season of Advent into that of Christmas. Advent represents the time of preparation for the coming of the Savior. The liturgical color, representative of repentance and humility, is violet, except on the Third Sunday of Advent, traditionally known as Gaudete Sunday, when the color rose represents the joy of approaching the Christmas season. The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, usually celebrated on December 8, is celebrated this year on December 9, since the 8th is a … [Read more...] about Catholic Calendar – December 2019

Rituals and Degrees December Update

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from National Chairman Rituals and Degrees, Jack Schneider ... Nollaig Shona Dhuit! I would like to take this opportunity to wish all the members of our Order’s Major Degree Teams very best wishes for a Merry and Blessed Christmas and to also thank you for your most valuable service in bringing the Lessons of the Order to our membership. I believe it was a very successful year for our Major Degree Teams with twenty-one Major Degrees exemplified nationally this calendar year. Upcoming Major Degrees of the Order for early 2020: Sun., Jan 26; 1:00PM – CDIAA, 375 Ontario Street, … [Read more...] about Rituals and Degrees December Update

Connecticut AOH Divisions Play Softball for a Cause!

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from National Director Bill Sullivan ... Recently the AOH Connecticut State Board’s 9th Annual Softball Tournament was held at Foote Field in Milford, CT, and was hosted by the JFK Division 1 of Bridgeport, CT. Divisions across the “Constitution State” fielded teams in this annual tournament of goodwill. Each year a particular charity is selected to receive the proceeds from this endeavor. The recipient selected for the proceeds of this year’s game was the Arthur C. Luft Children’s Burn Camp, which is located in Union, CT, which is on the Massachusetts state line near Sturbridge … [Read more...] about Connecticut AOH Divisions Play Softball for a Cause!

AOH Division 6 Officer Jack Duffy Raises Scholarship Money

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from National Director Ed Halligan The Officer Jack Duffy Division is named after a Philadelphia Police Officer killed in the line of duty on December 10, 1983.  His patrol wagon was struck by a patrol car as the vehicles responded to an officer needs assistance call.  Officer Duffy was on the force for 1 year and 9 months.  He was 22 years old.The Division keeps his memory alive by running grade school basketball tournaments and essay contests. The money raised is used for Catholic high school scholarships  … [Read more...] about AOH Division 6 Officer Jack Duffy Raises Scholarship Money

125 Years Strong! – Division 14 Watertown, MA.

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from National Director Bill Sullivan On Saturday, November 26, 2019 Division 14 in Watertown, Massachusetts celebrated the 125th Anniversary of their founding in November 1894. Members of the Division, their families and friends filled their Division Hall from wall to wall and proudly celebrated this great milestone. Richard Thompson, Past Division, Past Middlesex County and Past Mass State President and Division 14’s present Treasurer, served as Chairmen of the event. In the members lounge, scrapbooks of newspaper clippings and photos along with a DVD of the Division’s history were on … [Read more...] about 125 Years Strong! – Division 14 Watertown, MA.

To Those Who Have Borne the Battle, We Owe Honor.

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from Veteran's Affairs Chairman Jim Green ... Brothers, much of the following message was pulled from an article authored by Hibernian Digest Editor, John O’Connell. John shared it with me to get my opinion on it before it’s published in New York. I have slightly modified a few sections to make it relevant to all Hibernians, but I was so impressed with it that I thought I’d share parts of it – with his permission - with all of you in recognition of our veterans – both men and women – who have served and sacrificed for our country. God bless all of you on this day of honor. To those who … [Read more...] about To Those Who Have Borne the Battle, We Owe Honor.

Catholic Calendar – November 2019

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In November, we conclude Ordinary time for the liturgical year with the Feast of Christ the King on the last Sunday of the month (Nov. 24). November is a month to remember the departed, especially on All Souls' Day (Nov. 2). The Solemnity of All Saints (Nov. 1) is a holy day of obligation. Thanksgiving Day falls on November 28. NOTABLE SAINTS, SOLEMNITIES, AND FEAST DAYS November 1All SaintsSolemnity November 4Charles BorromeoMemorial November 9Dedication of Saint John LateranFeast November 13Frances Xavier CabriniMemorial November 15Albert the Great, Bishop and … [Read more...] about Catholic Calendar – November 2019

Catholic Calendar – October 2019

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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. 7 Our Lady of the Rosary, 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, … [Read more...] about Catholic Calendar – October 2019

Newport Division 1 Hosts Rhode Island AOH State Convention

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from National Director Bill Sullivan The Dennis E. Collins Division 1 AOH of Newport Rhode Island hosted the 2019 Rhode Island State Convention on Saturday, September 21 at their Division Home. AOH RI State President Wick Rudd opened the State Convention and welcomed the delegates who were in attendance. In his report President Rudd spoke on what had been accomplished over the past two years and the boards efforts to support all the Divisions in their state. He thanked his officers for their time, talent and efforts while he served as President. Following the President’s remarks, each of … [Read more...] about Newport Division 1 Hosts Rhode Island AOH State Convention

Commodore John Barry Day, a National Holiday of the Order

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September 13th is Commodore Barry Day, a National Holiday of the Order.  John Barry is symbolic of both the fact that the Irish have contributed to America since its earliest days and sadly how little known those contributions are.  Please like and share the following article by National Historian Mike McCormack, especially with the younger people in your life. Did you know that the first flag officer and founder of the United States Navy was an Irishman?  His name was John Barry and Dr. Benjamin Rush, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, said in his eulogy at … [Read more...] about Commodore John Barry Day, a National Holiday of the Order

SEPTEMBER FFAI 2019 BULLETIN

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from Martin Galvin,Esq., National FFAI Chairman ... A chairde: FFAI ISSUES UPDATE A-Boris Johnson suspends Parliament brings on Brexit crisis- In a move called a "constitutional outrage" by Speaker of the House John Bercow, and compared to Oliver Cromwell's Parliamentary purge by Irish Minister Michael D'Arcy, Boris Johnson will prorogue or suspend Parliament for 5 weeks until October 14th, hoping to bulldoze Brexit through, by the Halloween, October 31st deadline. His plan backfired as Brexit opponents, including 21 members of his own party, banded together with opposition parties to … [Read more...] about SEPTEMBER FFAI 2019 BULLETIN

Rituals and Degrees Update

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from Jack Schnieder, National Chairman Rituals and Degrees... As the season turns into autumn, our National Major Degree Schedule will see a significant increase in activity with several opportunities for prospective candidates to take their Major Degree in the next few months up and down the length of our eastern seaboard. Major Degree Ceremonies are currently planned as noted that I have been informed of to date: Sun. - Sept. 22nd - Iona College, New Rochelle, NY Sat. - Sept. 28th – Irish Cultural Center of Utica, Utica, NY Sun. - Sept 29th – Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, Patchogue, … [Read more...] about Rituals and Degrees Update

Iowa State Board Meeting Held in Waterloo

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from John Wilson, National Director... The Iowa State Board Meeting and Election was held August 2, 2019 in Waterloo, Iowa in conjunction with the Iowa Irish Fest. Elected to the Iowa State Board were, State President Rob McCullough (Dubuque Div. #2), State Vice President Terry McGrane (5 Sullivan Brothers Div.), State Recording Secretary Jerry McGrane (Dubuque Div. #1), State Treasurer Mike Martin (Dubuque Div. #1) and State Chaplain is Rev. Dennis Quint (Dubuque Div. #1). The Cedar Valley Irish Cultural Association, founder of the Iowa Irish Fest, is an organization intended to foster … [Read more...] about Iowa State Board Meeting Held in Waterloo

The Western Cemetery Project

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from Bill Sullivan, National Director... The Ancient Order of Hibernians has always been there to lend a hand to the people of Ireland, Irish Americans and Irish Immigrants who come to America in search of a better life. The Daniel O’Connell O’Donoughue Division 1 A.O.H. of Portland Maine has been following this precept since its founding in 1876 – 143 years ago! Western Cemetery was established by the Portland City Council in the late 1820’s and was Portland’s main burying ground from 1829 until 1852. Many of those buried there were Irish, since Calvary Cemetery, Portland’s first … [Read more...] about The Western Cemetery Project

Utica AOH Organizes Mass to Support Local Food Pantries

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from Liam McNabb, National Director ... The John C. Devereux AOH Division in Utica, NY organized the annual Mass held in conjunction with the Great American Irish Festival in July. Father Sean O’Brien, local Hibernian, celebrated Mass for hundreds of festival attendees and local Sister and Brother Hibernians. The Devereux AOH Division set up the altar and coordinated the music and all details related to the successful event. AOH leadership and members served as lectors, eucharistic ministers and ushers. This year, the AOH Division collected $2,700 from the Mass donations and distributed … [Read more...] about Utica AOH Organizes Mass to Support Local Food Pantries

Catholic Calendar – September 2019

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The month of September is still part of Ordinary Time, with green being the liturgical vestment color. MAJOR SAINTS AND FEAST DAYS OF SEPTEMBER September 3 Gregory the Great, Pope and Doctor Memorial September 13 John Chrysostom, Bishop and Doctor Memorial September 14 Exaltation of the Holy Cross Feast September 16 Cornelius, Pope and Martyr; Cyprian, Bishop and Martyr Memorial September 21 Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist Feast September 27 Vincent De Paul, Priest Memorial September 30 Jerome, Priest and Doctor Memorial IRISH SAINTS OF … [Read more...] about Catholic Calendar – September 2019

Johnson’s Election Signals Brexit Climax Is Near

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from Neil Cosgrove, National P.E.C. Chairman ... Brothers; the election of Boris Johnson as Prime Minister signals that we are nearing the climax of the Brexit saga. Mr. Johnson has made clear that he intends to take the United Kingdom out of the E.U. by October 31st even if it means a hard Brexit of leaving the E.U. without a deal. The key issue is the “Irish Backstop” which would mean that the U.K. would maintain regulatory alignment with the E.U. until another means was found to maintain the currently notional border between Northern Ireland and Ireland. Mr. Johnson and fellow … [Read more...] about Johnson’s Election Signals Brexit Climax Is Near

The AOH National Board recognizes the accomplishments of Brother Bill Halpin, Virginia State President 2017 – 2019

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President Halpin selected “Commit to the Future” as the Virginia state slogan for the 2017-2019 term. This phrase is easy to remember, and he believed it would inspire some of the Hibernian Zeal we pledge to maintain while preserving our traditions and beliefs. His goals were simple: Assure the long-term welfare of AOH in Virginia by retaining current bothers and focusing recruitment on men who can carry us forward. On retention, President Halpin echoed (former) National Rituals & Degrees Chairman J.J. Kelly’s view that Hibernians who receive our Order’s Major Degrees are statistically … [Read more...] about The AOH National Board recognizes the accomplishments of Brother Bill Halpin, Virginia State President 2017 – 2019