The Ancient Order of Hibernians

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

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Catholic Calendar – May 2020

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 Pipers Rally Those on the COVID-19 Frontline

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For hundreds of years, the skirl of the pipes have been used to call communities to action against a common foe, to summon courage and to boost morale when hope was challenged. So effective were the pipes in uniting and inspiring people that the English once banned them. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis, AOH Division 3, Pearl River member Dermot Moore and his sons have played a nightly tribute at 7:00 PM, a time at which it has now become a tradition to honor those on the front lines of the COVID-19 fight, and to remember those whom this insidious disease has claimed. … [Read more...] about AOH Pipers Rally Those on the COVID-19 Frontline

Did You Know? … Walsh Mansion

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In the embassies of Washington DC, where crisis is mellowed by the splash of fountains, and diplomacy is practiced over gleaming silver in frescoed dining rooms, nearly every stately mansion has its own unique history. Many have nothing at all to do with international relations for some of these mansions were built by wealthy individuals who came to America’s capitol between the Civil War and World War I. According to Embassies: A Legacy of The Golden Age by Lawrence Knutson, their builders were America’s new rich ─ tycoons, merchant princes and gold mine wonders. One of these was an Irishman … [Read more...] about Did You Know? … Walsh Mansion

All Across America The AOH Answers The Call

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Brothers, on April 14, 2020, a Hibernian call to action went out for Hibernian Hunger. During this time of COVID-19, with massive job losses across the country and the need for food assistance growing every day, the AOH, never forgetting what happened to our ancestors during An Gorta Mor is stepping up all across the country with donations to local food banks and helping to feed front line workers. Here are just a few of the donations: In Milwaukee, WI, the brothers of the Father William J. Kelly Division donated $500 to the Milwaukee Hunger Task Force. In Wheeling, WV, the brothers … [Read more...] about All Across America The AOH Answers The Call

From the desk of President McKay

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Greeting Brothers, Currently, we are working on our annual Project St. Patrick Easter Appeal raising scholarship grants for those who have been called to serve Our Lord. Supporting vocations is part of who we are dating back to our formation when we were called to protect our Clergy. Special thanks to all our divisions who support vocation annually and we hope that every division and board around the country will be part of the 2020 campaign. Please note that when you provide diocesan information, we need you to include email addresses this year. In our … [Read more...] about From the desk of President McKay

Catholic Action – April 2020 Update

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There is an old Flip Wilson comedy bit about the pastor who noticed that the collection plate was rather low and proceeded to tell the congregation that in order to be a Church, a Church first needed to crawl. “Let it crawl, Rev! Let it crawl!” shouted the congregants. “And then,” the Reverend continued, “a Church needs to walk!” “Let it walk, Rev!” yelled the people in the pews. “Let it walk!!!” “And my brothers and sisters,” the minister said, his voice growing,” after this Church walks, it needs to run!!!” “Let it run, Rev! Let it run!” shouted the congregants, matching the … [Read more...] about Catholic Action – April 2020 Update

Call to Action: Hibernian Hunger

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AOH Divisions to Help Local Food Bank's Brothers, We are calling on all divisions, large and small, to support your local Food Bank's! Traditional donations of product to food banks isn't the best way to help during COVID 19. DONATIONS OF MONEY OVER PRODUCT WILL BE MORE PRODUCTIVE. Financial donations will get the most bang for your buck as local food banks work with manufacturers, retailers and even farmers to obtain healthy food at the best price. Q: With schools closed, how are children getting meals? 1: Nearly 55 million students are out of school as districts across the … [Read more...] about Call to Action: Hibernian Hunger

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

From the desk of President McKay

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Greeting Brothers, I am addressing you from my home here in New Orleans. Home is where most of us have been isolated for the past three weeks. We know the global pandemic has weighed greatly on the minds of each and every one of us these past few weeks as our family, friends, and communities have struggled to cope with illness and the side effects of isolation, job loss, and anxiety. We were called to duty, as Catholics and civic-minded Americans, to provide needed leadership during the period of unknown. Hibernians across the country answered that call. We stood united with our Bishops, … [Read more...] about From the desk of President McKay

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

THE IRISH-SPANISH CONNECTION

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The term Iberian, as used by ancient authors, referred to the peninsula occupied by Spain and Portugal and may have come from the peninsula's second longest river called Iber by the Greeks. Hecataeus of Miletus, an early Greek geographer and world map-maker was the first known to use the term Iberia at about 500 BC. The term also refers to the all the inhabitants of the Iberian peninsula, regardless of ethnic differences (Pre-Indo-European and Celtic). By the 6th century, the Iberians living on the eastern and southern coasts of the Peninsula traded across the Mediterranean and absorbed … [Read more...] about THE IRISH-SPANISH CONNECTION

Charities and Missions Update – April 2020

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As we all do our best to stay healthy, pray for those brothers and sisters impacted by the Covid-19 virus, we are looking forward to our convention in July. The Charities and Missions report at the convention will focus on a summary of the good works of The Order, the timelines and requirements for submissions of local, county, and state reports. We will also highlight potential changes in regard to a common reporting template, hourly rates for volunteer time and who we can count in our submissions for volunteer time. I would also encourage anyone who has questions or suggestions regarding … [Read more...] about Charities and Missions Update – April 2020

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

FFAI BULLETIN – April 2020

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A chairde: FFAI ISSUES UPDATE A-Search continues for new Irish government coalition after Sinn Fein surprise in February election- Nearly two months after an election producing a three way split between, Fianna Fail, Sinn Fein and Fine Gael, the leader and composition of the new Irish government are still unknown. Sinn Féin gained 14 seats, and now holds 37,with Fianna Fail at 38,and Fine Gael at 35 seats. At least 80 seats are needed for a government majority and no party is close..The Dáil (Irish parliament)met on February 20th but no one had the votes to form a new government. Outgoing … [Read more...] about FFAI BULLETIN – April 2020

James Duane: The Irish American Who Rebuilt New York

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During the American Revolution,  New York was totally destroyed and was rebuilt by the son of an immigrant from Co. Galway, Ireland. He was the first post-colonial person to wear the title ‘Mayor of New York’ and his name was James Duane. He was born in New York, then called the Province of New York, to Irish immigrant parents on February 6, 1733; a time when the Central Park was considered ‘upstate’ and a wilderness.  He grew up with an interest in finance, real estate and the law and was called to the Bar in 1754.  He earned a reputation for being a bit of a maverick, taking … [Read more...] about James Duane: The Irish American Who Rebuilt New York

‘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