May 2025 be a year of health, hope and happiness for all our members and their families. Each new year presents both opportunities and challenges for individuals and organizations. The year 2025 promises to be an exciting period for members of the AOH. We are pleased to announce that we will be sending our third class of St. Patrick’s Centre ambassadors to Ireland in June; further details will be provided in this Digest. We aim to implement a new roster and application system by the second quarter. The initial phase of the project will enhance our technological capabilities, facilitating … [Read more...] about National President’s Report – Jan/Feb/March 2025
National President’s Report – Jan/Feb/March 2025
Suffolk County, NY St. Patrick’s Division 2 Celebrates the Feast of St. BlaiseBabylon, NY:
Pictured with Monsignor Brian is Division 2’s Past President (and Division 2’s 2025 Hibernian of the Year), Matt Buckley. On February 3 rd , after Suffolk County, NY Division 2’s men’s monthly meeting was completed, Division 2’s chaplain Monsignor Brian McNamara offered to all men in attendance to have their throats blessed, to celebrate this Feast Day.Saint Blaise is the patron saint of throat illness. He is also the patron saint of doctors who treat throat ailments. According to the Acts, while Bishop Blaise was being taken into custody, a distraught mother, whose only child was choking … [Read more...] about Suffolk County, NY St. Patrick’s Division 2 Celebrates the Feast of St. BlaiseBabylon, NY:
Beyond ‘Hamilton’: The True Story of Hercules Mulligan, American Patriot
Hercules Mulligan, an Irish immigrant, became an unsung hero of the American Revolution. Though the musical ‘Hamilton’, whose chief goal is to entertain, has introduced his name to a broader audience, Mulligan’s real contributions as a spy and hero of American independence are far more compelling than the play suggests. Mulligan was born in Coleraine, Co Derry, in 1740 and emigrated with his family to North America at the age of 6, settling in New York City. He attended King’s College (now Columbia University). Mulligan opened an upscale tailor … [Read more...] about Beyond ‘Hamilton’: The True Story of Hercules Mulligan, American Patriot
Marie Connolly Owens: America’s Forgotten First Female Cop Who Fought for Justice Beyond the Badge
As the first female police officer in the United States, Marie Connolly Owens should be remembered and celebrated as a pioneer. Yet, her legacy has been largely forgotten—her achievements erased from history until modern researchers unearthed her remarkable story. She worked tirelessly to enforce child labor laws, tracked down absent fathers who abandoned their families, and often reached into her own meager pockets to help struggling mothers and children. Despite all of this, when she passed away in 1927, her obituary made no mention of her groundbreaking career, a stark reminder of how even … [Read more...] about Marie Connolly Owens: America’s Forgotten First Female Cop Who Fought for Justice Beyond the Badge
Prayer for Pope Francis: A Call for Healing
In these challenging times, our thoughts turn to Pope Francis. As a community united in faith and compassion, we invite all members and friends of the Ancient Order of Hibernians to join together in a prayer for his healing. Prayer for Healing O God, shepherd and ruler of all the faithful,look favorably on your servant Francis,whom you have set at the head of your Church as her shepherd;Grant, we pray, that by word and examplehe may be of service to those over whom he presidesso that, together with the flock entrusted to his care,he may come to everlasting life.Through our Lord … [Read more...] about Prayer for Pope Francis: A Call for Healing
Swinging for the Fences: Ancient Order of Hibernians Teams Up with Irish American Baseball Society and Spotlights Irish Citizenship at Ireland House NY
Play Ball! Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH) & Irish American Baseball Society (IABS) team up & Hibernians webinar on Irish Citizenship at the Irish Consulate New York Every year the Opening Day for Pitchers and Catchers heralds the new season of Baseball, America's Pastime. It is fitting that two venerable Irish American institutions, the Ancient Order of Hibernians and the American Irish Baseball Society, have chosen this moment of optimism, sportsmanship, and love of the game to announce an exciting partnership between their two organizations. AOH National President Sean … [Read more...] about Swinging for the Fences: Ancient Order of Hibernians Teams Up with Irish American Baseball Society and Spotlights Irish Citizenship at Ireland House NY
AOH Members Visit the Dowling Library
The February meeting of AOH Division 17 took place on Tuesday, February 18th, at the United Irish Cultural Center. Following the meeting, several members took the opportunity to visit the Patrick J. Dowling Library at the Irish Center to view a recent painting of Fr. Peter Yorke by AOH Division 17 member and artist Jim Gleeson. The artwork, a tribute to Fr. Yorke’s enduring legacy, was a highlight of the visit, offering a meaningful way for members to honor the priest’s contributions to both the Irish community and the Church. The library continues to serve as an important space for … [Read more...] about AOH Members Visit the Dowling Library
AOH San Francisco Division 17 to Honor the Centenary of Fr. Peter Yorke’s Death
A painting of Fr. Yorke proudly hanging in the Patrick J Dowling Library at the United Irish Cultural Center. This year marks the centenary of the death of Fr. Peter Yorke, a beloved American Irish Catholic priest who served at St. Peter’s Church in San Francisco during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Throughout his life, Fr. Yorke was a staunch defender of the Catholic Church against bigotry, a vocal champion for labor rights, and an advocate for Irish Nationalism. Fr. Yorke's story is beautifully captured in the book Consecrated Thunderbolt: Father Yorke of San … [Read more...] about AOH San Francisco Division 17 to Honor the Centenary of Fr. Peter Yorke’s Death
Anti-Defimation Report – Jan/Feb/Mar 2025
Like the crocuses, the stereotypes and tropes that defame our Irish heritage appear every March. Perhaps it’s a remark in the workplace from a friend, a late-night talk show host making jokes over their ignorance in being able to pronounce an Irish guest's name or see it splashed across some green-clad novelty t-shirt each March. “Lighten up,” they say. “Have a sense of humor.” But it's not just a joke. It never has been. Stereotypes about the Irish may wear a thin veneer of humor, but they carry the weight of centuries. They echo the disdain of colonial powers, the prejudice of … [Read more...] about Anti-Defimation Report – Jan/Feb/Mar 2025
FFAI Report – Jan/Feb/Mar 2025
Labour And British Legacy Cover-Up It is remarkable that the British Labour Party regime has so thoroughly snatched defeat from the jaws of victory on legacy justice, by adopting the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery Commission left behind by Conservatives. Labour merely had to honor its “repeal and replace” pledge, to secure the good will of victims, six county political parties and the Irish government. Instead, Labour embraced the ICRIR, the centerpiece of the Conservative Legacy Act, and with it the blame for decisions like denying Sean Brown’s widow the … [Read more...] about FFAI Report – Jan/Feb/Mar 2025
National Directors Report: Jan/Feb/Mar 2025
Jubilee – A Holy Year of Hope As my wife hesitantly took down our Christmas tree, my employees stripped our business walls of holiday decor, and our very own neighborhood Clark Griswold pulled the last strand of lights from his roof – it was official, the holidays were over. A new year has once again snuck up on us, and if you’re anything like me, you’re wondering how 2024 went by in the blink of an eye. As we embark on this new year, we get to reflect on the things we want for ourselves, our families, and our jobs in hopes that we always strive to make this year better than the last. … [Read more...] about National Directors Report: Jan/Feb/Mar 2025
National Directors Report: Jan/Feb/Mar 2025
Greetings Brothers! I hope that everyone had a wonderful and blessed Christmas and New Year. We are quickly approaching the St. Patrick’s Day season, and I want to touch on three things just like St. Patrick did explaining the Trinity but probably not as eloquent – Charity, Growing the Order and Leadership. You should have received the annual Charity Appeal in the mail. This year we went back to the mailing return labels since we have been asked for several years about this. I encourage you to participate in this appeal as it is the only major source of revenue for Hibernian Charity. Your … [Read more...] about National Directors Report: Jan/Feb/Mar 2025
National Directors Report: Jan/Feb/Mar 2025
Brothers, I want to wish all our Hibernians a happy and joyous New Year. In the last quarter, we accomplished our goal set by President Sean Pender and the National Board of meeting with all the State Presidents assigned to my area. The State President Zoom meeting and training that we had on November 25 was a tremendous success. A grateful thanks to National Chief of Staff Tim McSweeney and National Oversight Committee Chairman Denny Parks for running the training. Another State Presidents training Zoom call will be scheduled in January after I can determine the best date for all … [Read more...] about National Directors Report: Jan/Feb/Mar 2025
National Directors Report: Jan/Feb/Mar 2025
We are rapidly approaching the “High Holy Days,” which are the days surrounding the St. Patrick’s Day season. As always, St. Patrick’s Day will be the time when we show our pride as descendants of those who trace their lineage back to the Island of Saints and Scholars. While our public participation in events associated with St. Patrick’s Day celebrations can help tremendously with recruitment to our noble Order, the opposite may result if our behavior is less than appropriate. Please remember that we descend from the Island of Saints and Scholars! I have been in contact with Brother James … [Read more...] about National Directors Report: Jan/Feb/Mar 2025
National Directors Report: Jan/Feb/Mar 2025
Brothers, welcome to 2025. I hope you and your families had a very enjoyable Christmas season filled with our Catholic faith and friends. The next big event as of this writing is the Pro-Life March in Washington, D.C., scheduled for Friday, January 24, 2025. I hope to be in attendance that day and hope to see a lot of you at the March. The Preamble of our National Constitution calls us to protect “all life born and unborn.” That is why it is important for those of us who can march on January 24 or any other day to do so. It is just as important for those of us who cannot march to pray for the … [Read more...] about National Directors Report: Jan/Feb/Mar 2025
AOH St. Patrick’s Division 2 (Suffolk County, NY) Raises$3,800 for “BACK THE BLUE” BBQ Fundraiser
Babylon, N.Y. – On Saturday, August 24th, the Ancient Order of Hibernians, St. Patrick’s Division 2 hosted a “Back the Blue” fundraiser to raise funds for the Brotherhood forthe Fallen, Suffolk County Chapter. AOH St. Patrick’s Division 2, here in Babylon, NY held a fundraiser to help the “Brotherhood for the Fallen”, Suffolk County chapter. The event was held at the AOH / Irish Cultural Center at 27 Locust Avenue, Babylon, NY. AOH St. Patrick’s Division 2 president, Jim McGrath said: “it’s our honor to assist in raising funds for such a worthy cause for the men and women in law … [Read more...] about AOH St. Patrick’s Division 2 (Suffolk County, NY) Raises$3,800 for “BACK THE BLUE” BBQ Fundraiser
National AOH March for Life Activities 2025
The AOH National Board, led by Worthy President Sean Pender and Washington, DC State President Don Connolly, led the Hibernians in the following activities on Thursday, January 23rd, and Friday, January 24th. On Thursday evening at 6:00 PM, the National Hibernian delegation including President Sean Pender, Vice President Liam McNabb, Secretary Ray Lynch, and Treasurer Dan Diviney traveled to St. Ann’s Center for Children, Youth, and Families in Hyattsville, MD, just outside of Washington DC. The delegation met with Sister Nancy Downing, CEO of St. Ann’s Center, and Sue Flaherty, Vice … [Read more...] about National AOH March for Life Activities 2025
Sean Brown and the Fight for Legacy Justice
The widow of murdered GAA official Sean Brown, Bridie Brown holds a picture of her late husband with their daughters and son, from left, Clare Loughran, Siobhan Brown and Sean Brown, outside the Royal Courts of Justicein Belfast. Sean Brown The heartbreaking battle for justice by Sean Brown’s widow and children is a telling example of why Hibernians must continue to make legacy justice a priority. Sean Brown was not involved in politics. He was devoted to the Bellaghy Wolfe Tone’s Gaelic Athletic Association Club. That was enough to make him a target for a Loyalist murder squad on May … [Read more...] about Sean Brown and the Fight for Legacy Justice
The Jubilee Year ‘Pilgrims of Hope’: A Reflection for the Ancient Order of Hibernians
The Jubilee Year theme, ‘Pilgrims of Hope,’ resonates profoundly with the Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH). As members of this storied organization, we are called to reflect on our shared history, values, and mission in the context of hope—a hope deeply rooted in faith, heritage, and service. The concept of a pilgrimage reflects a journey, both physical and spiritual. For the AOH, this journey is steeped in the traditions of our Irish Catholic ancestors, who endured trials with unwavering faith. Like them, we are tasked with carrying the torch of hope, grounded in the principles of … [Read more...] about The Jubilee Year ‘Pilgrims of Hope’: A Reflection for the Ancient Order of Hibernians
A Message From Fr. Colm Mitchell
A chairde, Is mise an tAthair Colm Mitchell. Is Sagart Chicago mé. My name is Father Colm Mitchell I am a priest of the Archdiocese of Chicago and am honored to serve as the Deputy National Chaplain. I was ordained in 2022 and I currently serve as Associate Pastor at St Alexander Parish in Palos Heights, IL in the southwest suburbs of Chicago. I have been a Hibernian since 2015 when I joined Chicago Division 32 as a seminarian. I also serve as Illinois State Board Chaplain and State Freedom For All Ireland Chair. My Irish roots go back to my grandparents from Cavan and Derry on my … [Read more...] about A Message From Fr. Colm Mitchell