The Ancient Order of Hibernians

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

National Board

AOH Gathering in Tulsa, OK

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from Howard Coughlin, Bobby Sands Division ... Some of our members along with some non members gathered at The Church of the Madelene, to place a crown on a statue of St. Mary. The idea to do this was from the inspiration of David Lawrence, one of our founding members. David returned to our division this year after an extended hiatus. David is a public school teacher and a devoted Catholic. After crowning St. Mary a rosary was said by all. … [Read more...] about AOH Gathering in Tulsa, OK

Fr Judge Division Holds 2nd St. Patrick Coloring Contest

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Two hundred and sixty-nine children from St. Francis of Assisi, Holy Family and Sacred Heart parishes in Prince William County participated in the Fr. Judge Division expanded coloring contest. Judges selected first-, second- and third-place winners for each of the five grades as well as one grand-prize winner. Winners received a T-shirt, St. Patrick Holy Card and their framed entry. The presentation ceremony followed Mass attended by the children from the three parishes, their parents and program coordinators. This was the second annual contest, inspired when Dan Sullivan and Harry Flynn … [Read more...] about Fr Judge Division Holds 2nd St. Patrick Coloring Contest

Catholic Calendar – May 2020

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To All Hibernians: The month of May this year falls within the Easter season, the liturgical color being white, except on Pentecost Sunday, when it is red. The Ascension of the Lord, a solemnity and holy day of obligation, falls this year on May 21. Many dioceses of the United States transfer the Ascension to the following Sunday. As of this writing, most American dioceses remain in some version of a lockdown due to the pandemic, with Sunday and holy day Mass obligations suspended. MAJOR SAINTS AND FEAST DAYS OF MAY May 1 Joseph the Worker   May 2 Athanasius, Bishop and … [Read more...] about Catholic Calendar – May 2020

AOH Hunger Project April 2020

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from National Director John Wilson ... What can your Division do during quarantine to help others in your community? Donate to food pantries, or if you'd prefer to donate to your local food bank, give them a quick call first or check their website to see if it's better to donate money or supplies to the organization. It's a good idea to ask if there's anything specific they need, like toilet paper or cleaning supplies, that they may need right now. Also consider donating to Meals on Wheels, which delivers both hot and frozen meals to seniors across the country. There are nearly 22 … [Read more...] about AOH Hunger Project April 2020

Mass and the Rosary Broadcasts

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from National Director Ed Halligan ... These days we are making sacrifices that we would not have imagined a couple of months ago. One of these sacrifices is not being able to attend Mass. Thankfully there is the Eternal Word Television Network. They broadcast Mass and the Rosary several times a day. One is the Rosary Novena from Lourdes, France. Our Lady of Lourdes, Pray for us … [Read more...] about Mass and the Rosary Broadcasts

Irish Echo

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Brothers, As we are all aware, many businesses have been forced to suspend all, or part of their operations during the Covid-19 Pandemic. One of the businesses forced to do so is The Irish Echo. The Irish Echo has been a great friend to not only the Ancient Order of Hibernian’s, but they have been a great friend to the entire Irish American Community. For the next couple of months, The Irish Echo has been forced to suspend their print edition. However, The Irish Echo is still available every week by way of a digital edition. Please consider supporting The Irish Echo by becoming a subscriber … [Read more...] about Irish Echo

Call to Action: AOH Division Telephone Tree

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Brothers, We are calling on all divisions large and small to establish a telephone tree and utilize it immediately and throughout this Pandemic. Start at the top with your officers, divide your membership into reasonable call lists. Pull in your future leaders to assist. Establish weekly contact between all members. Hibernians call Hibernians. The purpose it to continue our fellowship and check on the health and welfare of our brothers. 1) Are you doing OK? 2) Is there anything you need help with? Groceries, etc. *arrange help if necessary. 3) Discuss Hibernian Success Stories, … [Read more...] about Call to Action: AOH Division Telephone Tree

149 Years Strong! The Rev. James T. O’Reilly OSA Division 8 AOH, Lawrence, Massachusetts

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from National Director William Sullivan ... Irish Heritage Month 2020 kicked off on March 2nd, as it had for the past 40 plus years, with an Irish Flag raising on the North Common across from City Hall presided over by Lawrence Mayor Daniel Rivera. During the ceremonies Mayor Rivera presented Division 8 with a proclamation, declaring March as Irish Heritage Month in the City of Lawrence. The following Saturday night, March 7th, members of the Division, the Irish community, their families and friends, celebrated at the Division’s 149 Annual Saint Patrick’s Day Banquet and Dance. During the … [Read more...] about 149 Years Strong! The Rev. James T. O’Reilly OSA Division 8 AOH, Lawrence, Massachusetts

Catholic Calendar – April 2020

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To All Hibernians: As so many dioceses around the country have curtailed or even stopped Masses open to the public, many Catholics may feel cut off or lost during this Lenten and Easter season. A wise priest made this observation: while we can be dispensed from the Church's precept directing obligatory Mass on Sunday, we are not dispensed from God's command (See: Moses, Third Commandment) to keep holy the Lord's Day. Any day of the week, there are online sources for the Mass, as well as Eucharistic adoration, Stations of the Cross, and other devotions. We also have the opportunity to … [Read more...] about Catholic Calendar – April 2020

‘Sweats For Vets’ in Virginia

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The Col. Thomas J. Cunningham Jr. Division and the LAOH Daughters of Erin Division, both in Loudoun, participated once again in the 13th Annual “Sweats for Vets” program at the Martinsburg Veterans facility in WVA. In concert with the Knights of Columbus Assemblies and Councils of Northern Virginia and the VFW in Leesburg, the AOH/LAOH distributed over 625 new sweat outfits along with over a thousand pairs of socks and over $8,000 in cash donations to approximately 500 Veterans in residence. The VA AOH/LAOH was responsible for at least $2,000 in cash donations and 50 sweat outfits, … [Read more...] about ‘Sweats For Vets’ in Virginia

New Orleans – Sculptures dedicated at Hibernian Memorial Park

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A beautiful morning on January 17, saw the dedication by the Hibernian Celtic Cross Committee of a series of sculptures at the Hibernian Memorial Park in the West End of New Orleans. These sculptures were added to the already existing Celtic Cross Memorial. For more than 30 years the Celtic Cross has stood on the site of the New Basin Canal, between West End and Pontchartrain Boulevards, as a memorial to the Irish Laborers who dug the canal in the 1830s. Beginning at the lake, the New Basin Canal wound its way into the New Orleans, stopping at a turning basin near where the Mercedes-Benz … [Read more...] about New Orleans – Sculptures dedicated at Hibernian Memorial Park

Colorado – Carrigan Division serves Transitional Housing Women at the Samaritan House

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On the fourth Thursday of each month, brothers of the Fr. Joseph P. Carrigan Division serve the evening meal to 150 of the transitional women's homeless population in downtown Denver at Samaritan House. Scooping up the grub for the women are, from left, Brothers John Queen, Jim Chappell, Mike Sheridan, Dr. Mike Boyd and longtime Hibernian friend and diaconate candidate George Lenihan. … [Read more...] about Colorado – Carrigan Division serves Transitional Housing Women at the Samaritan House

AOH-LAOH National Convention Update

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Brothers and Sisters, As we all deal with Covid-19, we must each do what is best for our families. We must also follow the directions of our local, state and national governments and health departments, and try to keep a semblance of normalcy in our daily lives. As cabin fever sets in, we are all looking forward to life beyond the virus. As Hibernians, we will continue to work on our National Convention at the Rosen Centre in Orlando Florida, July 22 – 25, 2020. Our hope is, we will have the opportunity to celebrate our faith and Irish heritage together again during the convention. Also, … [Read more...] about AOH-LAOH National Convention Update

News from Sarpy County, Nebraska

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from National Director John Wilson ... On March 11, 2020, the members of the St.Columbkille Division 1 in Sarpy County, Nebraska served between 500-600 parishioners at St. Patrick Church in Gretna Nebraska. All enjoyed a great corn beef and cabbage meal with all the fixings. This was a free event that included the meal, entertainment and games. They have been helping St. Patrick Church with their annual St. Patrick’s Day Hooley celebration since 2011. The Hooley organizers arrange local troops of Irish dancers for entertainment and the dinner for this event. The Mission Statement of St … [Read more...] about News from Sarpy County, Nebraska

Live St. Patrick’s Day Mass From St. Patrick Cathedral

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St. Patrick's Day Mass will be live-streamed from St. Patrick Cathedral tomorrow morning, Tuesday, March 17th, 2020 at 8:30am-9:30am. https://www.catholicfaithnetwork.org/cfn-livestream-player https://www.saintpatrickscathedral.org/live Also scheduled for St. Patrick's Day on Catholic Faith Network ... Replay Of St. Patrick's Day Mass From St. Patrick Cathedral Tuesday, March 17, 2020, 6:30pm-7:30pm Irish Heritage Concert From St. Patrick's Cathedral Tuesday, March 17, 2020, 9:30pm-10:30pm The Catholic Faith Network (CFN) is available on Optimum channel 29/137, Verizon FiOS … [Read more...] about Live St. Patrick’s Day Mass From St. Patrick Cathedral

Marietta, Ohio – Four generations of McGlynn Hibernians

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Brothers Will and Joey McGlynn, of Marietta, Ohio, continue a long and honorable tradition that has been part of the McGlynn family for the last four generations. They possess and curate their great-grand father’s Hibernian artifacts. Neil McGlynn, the boys’ great-grandfather, was born in Ireland about 1872; the family later moved to Renfrewshire, Port Glasgow, Scotland. It was in Scotland that Great-Grandpa Neil joined the Ancient Order of Hibernians Benefit Society of Scotland. There is little doubt that he did so to keep his Irish connection and identity. He was a member of the St. … [Read more...] about Marietta, Ohio – Four generations of McGlynn Hibernians

Carbondale, PA – Successful benefit held for Matt Burnett

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from Joe Hosie, Past PA AOH State President ... Monsignor William Farrell Div. #2 hosted a Fund Raiser Dinner for Matt Burnett, son of Frank, who passed away in May. Matt has a hereditary disease called Huntington's Chorea. His mother and grandfather both passed away from his terrible disease. Matt is now manifesting all of the symptoms, which takes away a person’s functional abilities. As a Hibernian, I was so proud as this day went by watching all the neighborhoods come in to greet Matt. We were able to sell more than 475 dinners and there was also a basket raffle. This Benefit was very … [Read more...] about Carbondale, PA – Successful benefit held for Matt Burnett

Doing Great Good in Dubuque

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As members of the Dubuque County Division 2, located in the City of Dubuque, Iowa, we annually distribute donations to worthy groups and causes that reflect our mission of Friendship, Unity and Christian Charity. This year we included the Dubuque Rescue Mission for its outreach offering food, shelter, clothing and job assistance to men in need, with a donation of $1,000. Formed in 2013, Dubuque Division 2 has donated more than $34,000 to schools, charities and other worthy causes. These include Mary’s Inn Maternity Home, the American Cancer Society, Anamosa State Penitentiary Chapel, … [Read more...] about Doing Great Good in Dubuque

Fr. Donald J. Whelan Division 2’s Annual Toy Drive

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Orange County (NY) Division 2 members, from left, Kevin Moore, Bill Kirnan, Kevin Allen, Kevin Cummings and Sean Cummings delivering cartons containing over 150 toys to the Pediatric wing of St. Luke's Hospital in Newburgh. Accepting on behalf of St. Luke's Hospital was Kathy Sheehan, RN, BSN, center, Director of Emergency Services, Trauma & Respiratory and Joan Cusack-McGuirk, President and CEO of Montefiore/St. Luke's Hospital in Newburgh. … [Read more...] about Fr. Donald J. Whelan Division 2’s Annual Toy Drive