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
Monthly Updates
Rituals And Degrees Update – March, 2020
from Jack Schneider, National Chairman Rituals & Degrees ... La Fheile Padraig! Happy St. Patrick’s Day to all! Major Degree activities have gotten off to a rapid start in 2020. We note the following Major Degrees held to date. Pennsylvania’s Isle of Erin Major Degree Team (MDT), celebrating their 25th Anniversary Year, got things off to a start this year with the first Major Degree at the historic Michael Dougherty Bucks County Division 1 Clubhouse in Bristol, PA on February 9. At this Degree, 27 Brothers were welcomed into the Inner Chamber of Hibernian Brotherhood. The … [Read more...] about Rituals And Degrees Update – March, 2020
Rituals and Degrees December Update
from National Chairman Rituals and Degrees, Jack Schneider ... Nollaig Shona Dhuit! I would like to take this opportunity to wish all the members of our Order’s Major Degree Teams very best wishes for a Merry and Blessed Christmas and to also thank you for your most valuable service in bringing the Lessons of the Order to our membership. I believe it was a very successful year for our Major Degree Teams with twenty-one Major Degrees exemplified nationally this calendar year. Upcoming Major Degrees of the Order for early 2020: Sun., Jan 26; 1:00PM – CDIAA, 375 Ontario Street, … [Read more...] about Rituals and Degrees December Update
Rituals and Degrees Update
from Jack Schnieder, National Chairman Rituals and Degrees... As the season turns into autumn, our National Major Degree Schedule will see a significant increase in activity with several opportunities for prospective candidates to take their Major Degree in the next few months up and down the length of our eastern seaboard. Major Degree Ceremonies are currently planned as noted that I have been informed of to date: Sun. - Sept. 22nd - Iona College, New Rochelle, NY Sat. - Sept. 28th – Irish Cultural Center of Utica, Utica, NY Sun. - Sept 29th – Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, Patchogue, … [Read more...] about Rituals and Degrees Update
Johnson’s Election Signals Brexit Climax Is Near
from Neil Cosgrove, National P.E.C. Chairman ... Brothers; the election of Boris Johnson as Prime Minister signals that we are nearing the climax of the Brexit saga. Mr. Johnson has made clear that he intends to take the United Kingdom out of the E.U. by October 31st even if it means a hard Brexit of leaving the E.U. without a deal. The key issue is the “Irish Backstop” which would mean that the U.K. would maintain regulatory alignment with the E.U. until another means was found to maintain the currently notional border between Northern Ireland and Ireland. Mr. Johnson and fellow … [Read more...] about Johnson’s Election Signals Brexit Climax Is Near
The AOH National Board recognizes the accomplishments of Brother Bill Halpin, Virginia State President 2017 – 2019
President Halpin selected “Commit to the Future” as the Virginia state slogan for the 2017-2019 term. This phrase is easy to remember, and he believed it would inspire some of the Hibernian Zeal we pledge to maintain while preserving our traditions and beliefs. His goals were simple: Assure the long-term welfare of AOH in Virginia by retaining current bothers and focusing recruitment on men who can carry us forward. On retention, President Halpin echoed (former) National Rituals & Degrees Chairman J.J. Kelly’s view that Hibernians who receive our Order’s Major Degrees are statistically … [Read more...] about The AOH National Board recognizes the accomplishments of Brother Bill Halpin, Virginia State President 2017 – 2019
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
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
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!