Ten years ago, on the 15th of August, 2009, members of the AOH gathered on Grosse Ile in the St. Lawrence River just off Quebec to commemorate a centennial. The American AOHs of U.S. and Canada had erected a 50-foot Celtic Cross in sensitive recognition of the thousands of Irish who sleep there in mass graves after fleeing the Great Hunger in Ireland. It was dedicated on the Feast of the Assumption, August 15, 1909 and here we were again, 100 years later, with the late Marianna Gallagher – grand-daughter of the AOH committee chairman who erected the cross – to commemorate the Centennial … [Read more...] about GROSSE ILE REMEMBERED
GROSSE ILE REMEMBERED
Catholic Calendar – August 2019
The month of August falls entirely within the cycle of Ordinary Time. The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, August 15, is a holy day of obligation. MAJOR SAINTS AND FEAST DAYS OF AUGUST August 1 Alphonsus Ligouri Memorial August 6 Transfiguration of the Lord Feast August 8 Dominic Memorial August 9 Teresa Benedicta of the Cross August 13 Our Lady of Knock August 14 Maximilian Kolbe Memorial August 15 Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Solemnity August 20 Bernard Memorial August 21 Pius X Memorial August 24 Bartholomew, Apostle … [Read more...] about Catholic Calendar – August 2019
Dollars for Scholars!
from Bill Sullivan, National Director ... As we all know the cost of a college education today can be very expensive. Realizing that many of their members had children of college age, President Charlie Sinclair of the Major John “Mike” Tivnan USMC Division 18 AOH in Salem, Massachusetts along with the Division Officers and members came up with the idea of an activity to raise funds for college scholarships for members children and grandchildren, while at the same time providing an enjoyable activity for its members their families and friends – a golf tournament! The first golf tournament … [Read more...] about Dollars for Scholars!
AUGUST FFAI 2019 BULLETIN
from Martin Galvin,Esq., National FFAI Chairman ... A chairde: FFAI ISSUES UPDATE A -Boris Johnson threatens Ireland and European Union with "no deal Brexit" unless new deal concessions- After becoming British Prime Minister without any general election, popular mandate or Westminster majority , Boris Johnson began by threatening a no deal Brexit disaster on October 31st, unless the EU renegotiates the Withdrawal Agreement to his liking. He is gambling that the EU will bow to threats and offer major concessions to stop Britain from crashing out of Europe and forcing a hard border across … [Read more...] about AUGUST FFAI 2019 BULLETIN
First Cousins Become 3rd Generation Hibernians in a Division named after their Grandad
from Dan Dennehy, National Director ... I was honored to participate in the Annual New York County Francis P. Beirne Division 9 Golf Outing was held in Van Cortlandt Golf Club, the oldest public course in America in late June. The Francis P Beirne / Frank McGreal Memorial Golf Outing remembers two late great Officers of the Division and is a family affair for the Beirne and McGreal families along with many friends. The Division is named for the former Chairman of the New York St Patricks Parade. This year, the golf attendees were introduced to three of its newest members, all … [Read more...] about First Cousins Become 3rd Generation Hibernians in a Division named after their Grandad
Rituals and Degrees Report
from Jack Schneider, Ritual & Degrees Chairman Major Degree Ceremonies were held at two State Conventions in the Northeast during the month of July with a total of forty-seven candidates receiving their Major Degree. Congratulations are extended to all newly Degreed Brothers and welcome to the Inner Chamber of Hibernian Brotherhood! Seventeen candidates were brought into the ranks of full Brotherhood within the Order at the Major Degree held at the New York State Convention in Albany, NY on Sat. July 13. This Degree was exemplified by the Schenectady NY Major Degree Team. The newly … [Read more...] about Rituals and Degrees Report
KEY CONGRESSIONAL SUPPORT FOR LEGACY JUSTICE
Six Members of Congress joined in a bipartisan letter to Deputy British Ambassador Michael Tatum, citing concerns about state force amnesty in legacy killings and Britain's failure to implement agreed legacy mechanisms. The bipartisan Congressional initiative, joined by Representatives Peter King, Eliot Engel, Chris Smith, Brian Fitzpatrick, Nita Lowey and Brendan Boyle, came as Boris Johnson was named Conservative Party leader and presumptive Prime Minister. The initiative also follows a recent AOH sponsored tour by Mark Thompson of Relatives For Justice and Edge Hill University Professor … [Read more...] about KEY CONGRESSIONAL SUPPORT FOR LEGACY JUSTICE
Irish Culture is alive and well in West Virginia!
from Dennis Parks, National Liaison... The largest Irish Road Bowling tournament in the World will take place on September 21st, 2019 in Wheeling, West Virginia. The event is sponsored and ran by the brothers of the AOH Bishop Whelan Division in Wheeling. Division President Tom Connelly and the brothers of the Bishop Whelan Division invite any and all to participate. For more information go to: https://aohwheeling.shutterfly.com/. … [Read more...] about Irish Culture is alive and well in West Virginia!
On the Third Anniversary of Brexit, Britain is Still Looking for its Cake
Note that is an Op Ed that appeared in the July 10, 2019 edition of the Irish Echo. On June 23rd, the Brexit Referendum, the withdrawal of the United Kingdom (UK) from the European Union (EU), celebrated its third anniversary. To put that in perspective, that was two English Prime Ministers and two Brexit deadline extensions ago. In this period, the British Conservative party suffered a shocking defeat at the polls and, despite concerns over the impact Brexit could have on the Good Friday Agreement (GFA) peace process entered into a “Confidence and Supply Agreement” with … [Read more...] about On the Third Anniversary of Brexit, Britain is Still Looking for its Cake
DC Divisions Mix Baseball and Heritage
from John Patrick Walsh, National Liaison... As summer heats up most of the DC divisions take a small break from official business and instead focus on fellowship. Baseball presents a wonderful occasion for Hibernian families to gather and enjoy the national pastime in our nation’s capital. Some divisions even use the opportunity to promote Irish culture amongst the Tri-State’s baseball fandom. PND Keith Carney and Commodore John Barry Division 1 have spearheaded “Irish Night @ Nats Park” in conjunction with the Washington Nationals for the past few years. Originally conceived as a … [Read more...] about DC Divisions Mix Baseball and Heritage
Irish Thunder of AOH Division #1 in Montgomery County performs at the Fourth of July Parade in Oreland, PA.
from Ed Halligan, National Director ... It’s great to have a Pipe Band. It brings great attention to Notre Dame Division #1. Division 1 uses local newspapers and social media to show their events and charitable endeavors. This also has just as big an impact on their recruitment. They are the largest Division in Montgomery County and one of the top Divsiions in Pennsylvania District One. … [Read more...] about Irish Thunder of AOH Division #1 in Montgomery County performs at the Fourth of July Parade in Oreland, PA.
INDEPENDENCE DAY – 2019
Click for Large Hi-Res Image of the Full Declaration...As we celebrate our Nation’s Independence, we as Irish Americans should take special pride in the day. Nine of the signers of the Declaration of Independence were of Irish descent, including the only non-Protestant, Charles Carroll. The Secretary of the Continental Congress was from Derry, the first printing was done by a printer from Tyrone, and it was read in public for the first time by the son of an immigrant from Wexford. At a minimum, 25% (some estimates go as high as 40%) of Washington’s Army was Irish including a large number of … [Read more...] about INDEPENDENCE DAY – 2019
Catholic Action Update for July
from John D. Fitzmorris III, Ph.D., National Catholic Action Chairman ... As Chair of Catholic Action, I have been careful not to stray too far into the realm of the great work Project St. Patrick has been doing on behalf of all current seminarians, but I want to bring to light the current numbers on our priests from the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate. The statistics are comprehensive, and I shall go over only a few of them; but they are currently not very good. Back in 1970, there were 59,192 total priests in the United States. There are currently 36,580, which means … [Read more...] about Catholic Action Update for July
JULY FFAI 2019 BULLETIN
from Martin Galvin,Esq., National FFAI Chairman ... A chairde: FFAI ISSUES UPDATE A- Brexit chaos forces May resignation as Johnson-Hunt vie for PM- British Prime Minister Theresa May ,was forced to resign after a six month Brexit delay and humiliating Westminster votes. Her successor, narrowed down to either Boris Johnson or Jeremy Hunt, is being chosen by paid up members of the Conservative Party, (approximately 160,000). The incoming leader of the Conservative Party hopes to have enough Westminster votes to continue May's term as Prime Minister without facing a general election. Brexit … [Read more...] about JULY FFAI 2019 BULLETIN
Quick Summary on the Brexit Saga
from Neil Cosgrove, National P.E.C. Chairman ... Brothers: Just a quick abbreviated summary on the Brexit saga Prime Minister Theresa May has resigned, she is in a caretaker status until her Tory party selects a new leader The leadership race has been whittled down to two candidates: Boris Johnson and Jeremy Hunt This now goes to a mail in-campaign to registered members of the Conservative Party. This is an internal party process, not a general election. Boris Johnson is the heavy favorite to win, and he is the most extremist of Brexiters. Both candidates have pledged to go … [Read more...] about Quick Summary on the Brexit Saga
AOH Dubuque Co., IA Celebrate Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ
from John Wilson, National Director ... "O Sacrament most holy, O Sacrament divine! All praise and all thanksgiving be every moment thine” The AOH Brothers of Dubuque County, Iowa led the procession of the Corpus Christi from the Basilica of St. Francis Xavier in Dyersville, Iowa on June 23. The weather cooperated nicely for the Corpus Christi procession! The AOH had a good showing for the honor of carrying the Canopy in the St. Francis Xavier Basilica ~ Corpus Christi Procession. Dyersville is the home of the Field of Dreams movie site, the National Farm Toy Museum, a Basilica and a great … [Read more...] about AOH Dubuque Co., IA Celebrate Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ
The Order Welcomes A New Major Degree Team!
from Jack Schneider, National Ritual & Degrees Chairman ... On June 1, National Vice President, Danny O’Connell, National Rituals and Degrees Chairman, Jack Schneider, Pennsylvania State Rituals and Degrees Chairman, Jim Murphy and four senior Members of the Isle of Erin PA and Tara Court NY Major Degree Teams traveled to Pittsburgh to conduct the Certification Review of the prospective Tri Abhainn Allegheny County PA Major Degree Team. The Tri Abhainn Team asserted itself very well in this Exemplification and 11 Candidates received their Major Degree. On June 17, the National Rituals … [Read more...] about The Order Welcomes A New Major Degree Team!
Honoring an Irish Patriot!
from Bill Sullivan, National Director ... For nearly a half century, the Massachusetts AOH State Board on the third Saturday in June has sponsored the John Boyle O’Reilly Memorial Exercises at the grave of this Irish Patriot in Holyhood Cemetery in Brookline, MA. Annually Brother and Sister Hibernians across Massachusetts, and many from New Hampshire and Connecticut, as well as, the Greater Boston Irish Community gather to honor and remember a man who was one of the most highly regarded immigrants of his time. The Memorial Program begins with a Mass celebrated by the Mass AOH and LAOH State … [Read more...] about Honoring an Irish Patriot!
The Irish Contribution to America’s Independence
DID YOU KNOW that when America was born, the Irish were there? The Irish, both Protestant, and Catholic, were a major part of Washington’s volunteers from foot soldiers to high ranking officers. When increased Crown exploitation drove the colonists to protest, among the loudest were the Irish who had no great love for the Crown, to begin with. And there were many Irish in America’s colonies. Among them were those who fought the English theft of their Irish lands and ended up hunted men; they were followed by those Catholics and Presbyterians who fled persecution by the Church of England. Some … [Read more...] about The Irish Contribution to America’s Independence
Catholic Calendar – July 2019
To All Hibernians: The month of July is comprised of Ordinary Time in the liturgical calendar, the vestments being green. MAJOR SAINTS AND FEAST DAYS OF JULY July 3 Thomas, Apostle Feast July 6 Maria Goretti, Virgin and Martyr July 11 Benedict, Abbot Memorial July 15 Bonaventure, Bishop and Doctor Memorial July 16 Our Lady of Mount Carmel July 22 Mary Magdalene Memorial July 25 James, Apostle Feast July 26 Joachim and Ann, Parents of Mary Memorial July 29 Martha Memorial July 31 Ignatius of Loyola, Priest Memorial IRISH SAINTS … [Read more...] about Catholic Calendar – July 2019