I want to thank National President Danny O for asking me to serve on the Catholic Action/Project St. Patrick Committee. I have been a Hibernian for 65 years. Held offices and served as President of Dean Michael Barry Division in Oswego, NY, my hometown, and went on to become New York State President and became member of the National Board in 1982 as National Director, then National Treasurer (proposed AOH credit card) and finally serving two terms as National President.
As NP I broke new ground appointing first webmaster, study abroad program and founding Project St. Patrick, in partnership with the LAOH, a joint program to morally and financially support seminarians and religious. This program, which is 25 years old this year, has been a successful Catholic Action program and has helped hundreds of men and women studying to serve our Church with donations nearing half a million dollars.
I have served on various AOH committees, have travelled widely promoting the Order and peace and justice in NI.
I believe the task of this committee is to encourage our members to learn more about their Catholic faith, to get more involved in the practice of their religion and support Hibernian programs that not only reflect our Irish heritage but our Catholic faith, especially Project St. Patrick.
My wife, Mary Ellen and my four children have all been involved and supportive of the AOH and I’m sure our two grandsons, Ronan and Declan will follow suit.