Around the Divisions

from National Director John Wilson ... Members of Denver, Colorado’s Michael Collins Division #1 and Father Joseph P. Carrigan Division of Boulder County joined thousands of people on the streets of downtown Denver, Jan. 11, 2020 to celebrate joy over the gift of life and human dignity at the annual “Celebrate Life Rally & March.” This year’s theme was, “Every life is a gift!” and the rally featured various guest speakers who shared their testimonies as well as musical performances to brighten up the celebration, including Irish dancers. Speakers included Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila, … [Read more...] about Colorado AOH joins Denver’s “Celebrate Life Rally & March”

from National Director Ed Halligan ... The Lehigh County, PA Division #1 was formed in 1984. They currently have 100 members. Their Charity endeavors are impressive. They sponsor May’s Shelter, Mercy Special Learning Center, the Rescue Mission and Joe’s Kids – a toys for kids’ charity. All of these charities are in the Lehigh Valley. A more recent charity out of Bethlehem, PA is the Kolbe Academy that provides individualized academic programs in a safe, compassionate, Christ-centered community for high school students in recovery from substance abuse. This Division also raises the … [Read more...] about Tir Na’N Og’ Division 1, Lehigh Co., PA

from National Director Bill Sullivan ... As it has annually for the past fifteen years, the James C. Campbell AOH Division 19 of Lowell, Massachusetts participated in the annual Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign on Saturday, December 14, 2019. On Saturday morning, December 14 members of Division 19 greeted shoppers in front of one of the city's largest supermarkets in the area, Market Basket, and happily accepted donations on behalf of the Salvation Army. This nonprofit organization assists more than 4½ million people during the Thanksgiving and Christmas time periods in the United … [Read more...] about The Bell Ringers!!! – James C. Campbell Division 19 AOH, Lowell, MA

from National Director Dennis Parks ... On December 8, in conjunction with the AOH National Board, the brothers of the Bishop Whelan Division in Wheeling WV, held a day of prayer and fasting for the victims of the sexual abuse crisis in the Catholic Church. The event was held outside of St. Joseph's Cathedral in Wheeling. According to Division President Tom Connelly, over 75 people joined with the AOH to pray the Rosary. The event was also covered by the local media. … [Read more...] about Wheeling WV AOH Holds Day of Prayer and Fasting for Victims of Sex Abuse

from National Director Ed Halligan ... Division 27 in Philadelphia is a new Division that was created on September 5, 2019. They are located in South Philadelphia near 6th and Oregon. It has been a long time since we have had a Division in South Philly. Their members are from the Operating Engineers Local 542. The Division made a substantial donation to the Hibernian Hunger Project in Philadelphia and ran a fundraiser on December 14th for the same. They meet upstairs at the Fireside Pub … [Read more...] about New Division in South Philly – Div. 27

from National Director John Wilson ... In Saint Charles, Missouri, there is a roadside shrine called Our Lady of the Way: it is believed to be the only one in the world dedicated to the Virgin Mary under this title. It is maintained by the AOH of St. Charles County and has the names of their deceased members of the Division on bricks along the pathway to the Shrine. In addition, there are bricks dedicated to Irish Saints and Feast Days of our Blessed Mother. The AOH took over the duties of the Shrine 10 years ago after reading a newspaper article about the Shrine and the original … [Read more...] about Our Lady of the Way, St. Charles, Missouri

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!

from National Director John Wilson On October 1st, the ninety-first Greater St Louis Honor Flight took 58 Korean War Veterans along with Greater St Louis Honor Flight Staff, Guardians and Volunteers that made this one day trip go so smooth to Washington DC. On board this flight was our Past National AOH President George Clough who served in the USAF and rose to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. The Greater St. Louis Honor Flight honors St. Louis area Veterans’ service to our country by providing an all-inclusive trip to Washington, DC to visit the memorials built in their honor. The St … [Read more...] about St Louis AOH Honors One of their Favorite Veterans

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

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.

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

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

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

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

from Ed Halligan, National Director... The Michael Dougherty Division of Bucks County, PA was formed in 1883. The hall was built and occupied in 1892 making it one of the oldest Hibernian Halls if not the oldest. The Division is very active on social media and currently has over 360 members. … [Read more...] about Michael Dougherty Division of Bucks County, PA