Per the announcement today that President Biden has appointed former Congressman Joseph P. Kennedy III as the U.S. Special Envoy to Northern Ireland, National President Daniel J. O'Connell has issued the following statement on behalf of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, the largest Irish American organization in the United States. The statement reads: "The Ancient Order of Hibernians, the largest Irish American organization in the United States, welcomes the appointment of Joseph P. Kennedy III to the role of U.S. special envoy to Northern Ireland. In selecting a former U.S. Congressman who … [Read more...] about AOH Welcomes President’s Northern Ireland Envoy Appointment
AOH Welcomes President’s Northern Ireland Envoy Appointment
AOH Hartford Holds Christmas Toy/Gift Card Drive
AOH Hartford Brothers John Gallivan, Jim Mulcahy, Mike Enright, Tom Breen, Rick Doran and Kevin Morton join Millie Ramos of Saint Augustine Parish. Hartford Division 2 of the Ancient Order of Hibernians held a successful Christmas Toy/Gift Card Drive on Saturday, December 10, 2022. Four carloads of toys were collected in addition to over $500 worth of gift cards. The collection took place at Christ the King Church in Wethersfield and benefitted The Helping Hands Project at Saint Augustine Parish in the south end of Hartford. The drive marked the third-consecutive holiday season that … [Read more...] about AOH Hartford Holds Christmas Toy/Gift Card Drive
Father Flanagan Division in Omaha – Annual Christmas party at the Madonna School
On Friday December 9th the Father Flanagan Division in Omaha, Nebraska held the annual Christmas party at the Madonna School. The Hibernians and the Madonna School have a long tradition dating back to the '60s. "Madonna is an education organization founded on the Christian principles of the value, worth and dignity of every individual as created by God. Our mission is to serve students and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, so they may become as successful and independent as possible." The Division supplied pizza, snacks, and drinks for 120 students, … [Read more...] about Father Flanagan Division in Omaha – Annual Christmas party at the Madonna School
IOWA – Dubuque Co. #1 Supports Local School and Installs new Chaplain
Dubuque Co. #1 held their Annual Christmas Party on the 4th of December in Dyersville, Iowa.Prior to the Christmas Party the Division Initiated and Installed Rev. Christopher Podhajsky (Pastorof St. Francis Xavier Basilica and the Spires of Faith Parishes) as the new Division Chaplain. TheDivision former Chaplain, Rev. Dennis J. Quint moved to the Cathedral of St. Raphael, joinedDubuque Co. #2 and remains the AOH Iowa Board Chaplain. During the short meeting thatfollowed the Installation, the Division provided a check for $1,500 to help with many projects atBeckman Catholic High School. To … [Read more...] about IOWA – Dubuque Co. #1 Supports Local School and Installs new Chaplain
Catholic Calendar – December 2022
Catholic Action To All Hibernians: All of December is taken up with Advent and the Christmas season. 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, celebrated on December 8, is the patronal feast of the United States, and a holy day of obligation. The Christmas season begins with the vigil Mass … [Read more...] about Catholic Calendar – December 2022
AOH Freedom For All Ireland Christmas Appeal (2022-23)
A chairde, Last April, Hibernians across the country joined a special live webinar broadcast from the Houben Centre, Holy Cross Church, in Belfast, where two weeks earlier an event with the Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney had to be cancelled because of loyalist bomb threats. This year’s 15 grant recipients spoke about their work for freedom for all Ireland, and how much they count on Christmas Appeal donations. The Hibernian Grants Presentation is posted and can be viewed on AOH YouTube. https://youtu.be/MIAIyCuwO5w?t=5 Grants were awarded to justice campaigners like Relatives … [Read more...] about AOH Freedom For All Ireland Christmas Appeal (2022-23)
Catholic Calendar – November 2022
Catholic Action To All Hibernians: In November, we conclude a period of Ordinary time and the liturgical year with the Feast of Christ the King on Sunday, November 20. We open the new liturgical year with the first Sunday of the Advent season, November 27. Advent is a period of preparation for the Christmas season, and the liturgical color is violet. The Solemnity of All Saints, November 1, is a holy day of obligation. Thanksgiving Day falls on November 24. It is therefore a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead, that they may be loosed from their sins.--2 Machabees … [Read more...] about Catholic Calendar – November 2022
AOH Hartford Holds Fall Pig Roast
Hartford Division 2 has had a busy fall with the highlight coming on September 25 with a pig roast at the Irish-American Home Society in Glastonbury, which was attended by over 60 people. Funds raised from the event benefited the fight against hunger in the Hartford area and the annual Greater Hartford Saint Patrick’s Day Parade. Hartford Division 2 continues to hold monthly food drives to benefit the pantry at Saint Augustine Church in the South End of Hartford and has been doing so since May 2020. In addition, the Division has provided over 100 loaves of bread to the shelter at St. … [Read more...] about AOH Hartford Holds Fall Pig Roast
Respect Life Month – October 2022
As we enter the month of October, designated by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops as Respect Life Month, with Sunday, October 2 designated Respect Life Sunday, perhaps it might benefit all of us if we were to look at the Church’s teaching regarding what it means to respect life and what it actually means to be pro-life. This is especially important in light of media coverage, which often even refuses to consider who we are as pro-life, focusing instead on our stance against abortion. The Church’s teaching on the dignity of human life is rooted in scripture, with the passage … [Read more...] about Respect Life Month – October 2022
Catholic Calendar – October 2022
Catholic Action To All Hibernians: The month of October still remains within Ordinary Time, the liturgical color being green. MAJOR SAINTS AND FEAST DAYS OF OCTOBER Sep 1Therese of the Child Jesus, VirginMemorialSep 4Francis of AssisiMemorialSep 7Our Lady of the RosaryMemorialSep 15Teresa of Avila, Virgin and DoctorMemorialSep 17Ignatius of Antioch, Bishop and MartyrMemorialSep 18Luke, EvangelistFeastSep 29John de Brebeuf, Isaac Jogues, and Companions, MartyrsMemorialSep 22Pope St. John Paul IISep 28Simon and Jude, ApostlesFeast IRISH SAINTS OF OCTOBER Oct. 11 Canice, Abbot … [Read more...] about Catholic Calendar – October 2022
Mass Rock Dedicated at Historic Clarke Memorial Homesite
MANORVILLE, N.Y. – On Sunday, September 18th, the Suffolk County Boards of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, and the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians dedicated a historic Irish Mass Rock on the grounds of the Tom and Kathleen Clarke Memorial in recognition of their commitment to Irish independence. In 1987 A team of dedicated Ancient Order of Hibernians in America from the men’s ladies Suffolk County Boards embarked on a mission to uncover proof that Irish patriots Thomas and Kathleen Clarke owned a 60-acre farm in Manorville, New York. After many long hours, an arduous and diligent … [Read more...] about Mass Rock Dedicated at Historic Clarke Memorial Homesite
Emmet Statue Commemoration
Held annually by the Irish American Unity Conference, Peter Kissell organized an annual commemoration of Robert Emmet, with DC AOH in support, at the Robert Emmet Statue that sits near the residence of the Irish Ambassador in Washington D.C. Robert Emmet was an Irish Freedom fighter, who was unsuccessful with overthrowing the British Crown, and was executed by the British at the age of 25 in the year of 1803. It was a beautiful day to join the DC AOH, and LAOH, and to meet and hear from the new Irish Ambassador, Geraldine Byrne Nason. Emmet's patriotism and … [Read more...] about Emmet Statue Commemoration
AOH Gaelic Mass Watched Nationally
The Westchester County Legislature proclaimed “Gaelic Mass Day,” as viewers from as far away as Texas, California and Ireland itself, joined Hibernians wearing sashes and medallions, Irish community groups, Irish speakers and parishioners, for a Mass said in Irish by Fr. Brendan Fitzgerald at St. Barnabas on Saturday September 17th. Bronx County Ancient Order of Hibernians’ 4th annual Gaelic Mass, again made a national Hibernian event by President Danny O’Connell, was carried live on the parish Facebook and AOH YouTube. This year the Irish Language Mass included special prayers for victims’ … [Read more...] about AOH Gaelic Mass Watched Nationally
Take Britain to European Court on Amnesty Call
Members of a key Irish parliamentary Committee have urged the Irish government to charge Britain in the European Court of Human Rights, if Britain enacts its Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill shutting down hopes of legacy justice. Fergus O’Dowd TD, on behalf the Irish Committee for the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement (GFA),has made the formal request to the Irish Attorney General, while fellow committee member, Rose Conway-Walsh TD, raised the issue with Irish Taoiseach Micheal Martin during the recent British-Irish Association conference. These … [Read more...] about Take Britain to European Court on Amnesty Call
Catholic Calendar – September 2022
Catholic Action To All Hibernians: The month of September is still part of Ordinary Time, with green being the liturgical vestment color. MAJOR SAINTS AND FEAST DAYS OF SEPTEMBER Sep 3Gregory the Great, Pope and DoctorMemorialSep 8Nativity of the Blessed Virgin MaryFeastSep 9Peter ClaverMemorialSep 13John ChrysostomMemorialSep 14Exaltation of the Holy CrossFeastSep 16Cornelius, Pope and Martyr; Cyprian, Bishop and MartyrMemorialSep 20Andrew Kim Tae-gon, Paul Chong Ha-sang, and Companions, MartyrsMemorialSep 21Matthew, Apostle and EvangelistFeastSep 23Pius of Pietrelcina (Padre … [Read more...] about Catholic Calendar – September 2022
Hibernians Question S.4450, the “ Special Relationship Act.”
National President Daniel O’Connell has written to Senators Portman (Ohio) and Coons (Delaware) to express the Hibernians concerns over their sponsorship of S.4450, the “ Special Relationship Act.” The legislation seeks to grant new presidential authority to enact a trade agreement between the United States and the United Kingdom for a period of five years (a period which should be noted spans the 2024 elections). The Hibernians are concerned that the agreement sets a very low bar for compliance with the Good Friday Agreement despite previous resolutions from Congress stating that any move … [Read more...] about Hibernians Question S.4450, the “ Special Relationship Act.”
The First JFK Medal
The AOH and LAOH honored legendary Pittsburgh Steeler and inspirational veteran advocate Rocky Bleier with the JFK Memorial Medal at the recent convention in in Pittsburgh. AOH National President Daniel J. O’Connell with 2022 JFK Recipient Rocky Bleier, The first award of the medal was made in 1966 to the Hon. James Farley, former Postmaster General under Franklin D. Roosevelt. Farley, the grandson of Irish immigrants, managed FDR's presidential campaigns in 1932 and 1936 and was an influential member of the New Deal "Brain Trust". The University of Notre Dame awarded Farley its … [Read more...] about The First JFK Medal
Hancock and Armistead
A monument to Major General Winfield Scott Hancock at Gettysburg National Military Park. It was dedicated in 1896 by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Historians and Hollywood producers alike have held up the story of Union Major General Winfield Scott Hancock and Confederate Brigadier General Lewis Armistead to illustrate the tragedy of internecine warfare. Hancock and Armistead had developed a friendship when stationed together in California before the war, with Armistead famously sending Mrs. Hancock the Armistead family bible for safekeeping as he left to join the Confederate As … [Read more...] about Hancock and Armistead
Catholic Calendar – August 2022
Catholic Action To All Hibernians: The month of August falls entirely within the cycle of Ordinary Time. The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, August 15, is not universally celebrated as a holyday of obligation this year. MAJOR SAINTS AND FEAST DAYS OF AUGUST Aug 1Alphonsus LigouriMemorialAug 4John VianneyMemorialAug 6Transfiguration of the LordFeastAug 8DominicMemorialAug 9Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein)Aug 10LawrenceFeastAug 11ClareMemorialAug 15Assumption of the Blessed Virgin MarySolemnityAug 17Our Lady of KnockAug 20BernardMemorialAug 24Bartholomew, … [Read more...] about Catholic Calendar – August 2022
Irish Road Bowling Tournament (Hartford Division 2)
The Jamie Forzono Championship Trophy was presented by Hartford Brothers Kevin Morton (far left) and Tim Tully (far right) to Brothers Jeff Toohil, Tom Giblin, Chip Jarry and John Elie of Worcester (Mass.) AOH. The Ancient Order of Hibernians Hartford Division 2 held its annual Irish Road Bowling Tournament on Saturday, July 16. The event was held at Riverside Park along the Connecticut River in Hartford. Approximately 30 teams took part in the event, which raised funds to fight hunger in the Hartford area. The championship trophy was named for Jamie Forzono, a former AOH Hartford president … [Read more...] about Irish Road Bowling Tournament (Hartford Division 2)