Around the Divisions

As in past Christmas seasons, Father Murphy of Boolavogue, Division 9 of Suffolk County, NY helped to bring joy to local families. Brother Pete Patterson organized the collection of over $2,500 in toys and gift cards. These donations were distributed through a program at Hunter Business School that provides Christmas time assistance to families of students in need. Billy MacDowall of Hunter said the Division had, once again, provided the largest single donation received. Pictured are Pete Patterson (left) and Billy MacDowall with some of the donations. … [Read more...] about Division 9, Suffolk County NY Toy Drive

The Division held a Toy/Gift Card Drive on December 10 to benefit “The Helping Hands” project at Saint Augustine Church in Hartford. Two carloads of toys were collected plus over $650 in gift cards. The Division has been holding monthly meetings that were both in-person practicing social distancing and in a virtual format. Starting in December, the meetings are virtual-only as the COVID-19 virus spread more rapid in Connecticut. We were fortunate to have Father James Sullivan, the rector of the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Waterbury, as our December speaker. He gave a … [Read more...] about Hartford AOH Division 2 stays busy during the Christmas season

Hartford AOH Division 2 continues to be active in the autumn months as the holiday season approaches. The Division continues to have monthly food drives to benefit the Food Pantry at Saint Augustine Church in Hartford. The October drive included a call for an extra bag of Halloween treats with usual donations and the November drive was for Thanksgiving side dishes. The Division will work with Saint Augustine to help others for the Christmas holiday. The Division has been held monthly meetings that were both in-person practicing social distancing … [Read more...] about The Holiday Season Approaches

Brothers Michael Enright, Tom Breen, Dennis Brown, Jim Mulcahy, Kevin Morton and John Gallivan at AOH Division 2’s September Food/School Supply Drive. Hartford AOH Division 2 had a busy end of summer and beginning of fall. The Division continues to have monthly food drives to benefit the Food Pantry at Saint Augustine Church in Hartford and also collected school supplies in August and September. The Division plans to work with Saint Augustine to help others for the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. The Division has held monthly meetings – both in-person practicing social distancing … [Read more...] about Hartford Division #2 Hold Monthly Food Drives

from Bill Sullivan AOH National Director ... A celebration to honor the Rt. Rev. John Delaney V.F, on the occasion of the 25th Anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood in late May had been in the planning stages for months by his friends, the parishioners of Sacred Hearts Parish in Bradford, MA and the parishioners of Saint Patrick Parish in Groveland, MA. Father Delaney also serves as Chaplain to Division 8 AOH and LAOH in Lawrence, Massachusetts, as well as, to a host of other organizations in the Merrimack Valley area of Massachusetts. However, his year with the Covid 19 … [Read more...] about Honoring a Hibernian Chaplain with a Drive-By Car Parade!

from National Director John Wilson … June 14, 2020 was the feast of Corpus Christi; members of Dubuque AOH Div. 1 were called upon to carry the canopy under where Jesus, in the Blessed Sacrament was carried. It was a joyous day for the members and their families to be able to celebrate Corpus Christi in Dyersville. This was another great opportunity for the AOH to be visible in the community and stay true to their history and roots. The procession was held after the 10:30 am Mass at the Basilica of St. Francis in Dyersville and conclude with Benediction at the Basilica The Mass and … [Read more...] about Corpus Christi in Iowa

from Div. President Mike Enright ... The membership of Hartford Division #2 held its second Food Drive during this time of pandemic on Sunday, June 14 with the collection taking place at Christ the King Parish in Wethersfield to benefit the food pantry at St. Augustine Parish in Hartford. The drive was a success with over 50 bags and boxes of food delivered to St. Augustine's. Members of the Irish-American Home Society in Glastonbury, Conn., helped a great deal in the success of the event. The Division has been meeting virtually and has added guest speakers to its meetings as John … [Read more...] about Hartford Division #2 Holds Food Drive

from National Director Ed Halligan ... Because of Covid19, local commissioners decided to not distribute American Flags to mark Veterans graves for Memorial Day. The VFW Post 1074 in Conshohocken, PA put out a plea to the public asking for donations to purchase American Flags. The response was tremendous and over 4,000 flags were purchased. AOH members Past President Mark Ryan, Tom Boyle, Ed Mongan, Hugh Quinn, Bill Scanlan, Jack Rodenbaugh and Pete Hand from Notre Dame Division #1 Montgomery County, PA assisted the VFW members with placing the Flags on 3,000 Veterans graves and preparing … [Read more...] about Notre Dame Division # 1 Members Place Flags on Veteran Graves

from National Director John Wilson ... Members of the Father Donnelly Division in Kansas were able to support the work of Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas. Some of the members of the Division presented the check to Lauren Solidum, President and CEO of the NE Kansas Catholic Charities. The ministry of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas, Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas dispenses love and hope to our neighbors in need throughout our 21 county service area. They are located at 9720 W 87th Street in Overland Park, Kansas. They offer a wide range of specialized programs … [Read more...] about Good Work from Kansas

A New Tradition Begins in our Challenging and Changing World! For over a half century, members of the Tomas Cardinal O’Fiaich Division 14 AOH in Watertown, Massachusetts have been marching in Watertown’s Annual Memorial Day Parade to honor those who have gone before them. Prior to the parade, members gather at the Cottage Street Cemetery in Watertown to place a wreath near the graves of the many Irish immigrants who are buried there. However, this year with Covid 19 epidemic and social distancing rules in effect throughout Massachusetts, these annual Memorial Day traditions were not to … [Read more...] about Division 14 Watertown, MA – A New Tradition Begins

from Mike Enright ... The membership of Hartford Division #2 has remained active during the current health crisis holding monthly meetings via Zoom. The Division held a Food Drive on Sunday, May 17 with the collection taking place at Christ the King Parish in Wethersfield to benefit the food pantry at St. Augustine Parish in Hartford. The Division has also made monetary donations to the Sandwich Ministry at Saint Patrick-Saint Anthony and the Franciscan Center for Urban Ministry, and the Malta House of Care (both in Hartford) and the Navajo & Hopi Families COVID-19 Relief Fund. The … [Read more...] about Hartford Division #2 Holds Food Drive for Parish Pantry.

By Tom Murphy AOH Division 1, in Wheeling, WV, recently awarded Jen Carter of St. Michael Parish School in Wheeling $500 to contribute to the continuing education of her students. Jen's goal was to purchase various educational materials that could be used on a daily basis in her classroom to enlist active learning strategies to address the learning needs of the whole student. She was able to do this. St. Michael Parish School Principal Kim Burge, left, and teacher Jen Carter. Today's students need to have educational experiences that address the social, emotional, physical, creative … [Read more...] about West Virginia AOH Helps Wheeling Parish School Teacher

from National Director Edward Halligan ... One of the many Charitable runs made by Hibernians in Pennsylvania and around the United States supporting Health Care Workers and First Responders and the many others who are risking their lives to get us through this pandemic. Let us know what your Division is doing and be sure to include in your Missions and Charity Report … [Read more...] about Montgomery, PA. Division 4 Delivers Pizza to Hospital

The James A. Curran Division 1 AOH Holyoke, Massachusetts When Hibernians in Massachusetts speak of the “Golden West” they are referring to the James A. Curran Division 1 in Holyoke, MA. Found 147 years ago by Irish immigrants who worked on the Holyoke Dam, it has been a Division that is truly community orientated. For the past 40 years Division members have volunteered at Providence Ministries Kate’s Kitchen to prepare and serve dinner the last Sunday of every month to 150 plus of the area’s neediest residents. Division 1 member, “Sarge” Nugent helped establish Kates’s Kitchen in 1980. In … [Read more...] about Massachusetts AOH Golden West Division!

AUSTIN - The Brothers of Msgr. Richard McCabe #1 in Travis County, Texas hosted a virtual happy hour on May 1, 2020 to benefit the B.D. Riley's Irish Pub Employee Relief Fund, featuring a Facebook Live performance by Daithi Arwine and Neville Stewart of The Chancers - regular performers of the division's Halfway to St. Patrick's Day event. As a result of the division's efforts, the relief fund raised more than $650 - 6 times more than any other virtual show The Chancers have hosted, while boosting viewership by 4x. Texas State President Mike Joyce said, "We jumped at the opportunity … [Read more...] about Travis County AOH Aids B.D. Riley’s Irish Pub Employees

from Howard Coughlin, Bobby Sands Division ... Some of our members along with some non members gathered at The Church of the Madelene, to place a crown on a statue of St. Mary. The idea to do this was from the inspiration of David Lawrence, one of our founding members. David returned to our division this year after an extended hiatus. David is a public school teacher and a devoted Catholic. After crowning St. Mary a rosary was said by all. … [Read more...] about AOH Gathering in Tulsa, OK

Rockland County AOH President John McGowan presents a check from the Hibernians to Orangetown, NY Supervisor Teresa Kenny to sponsor the Orangetown "Virtual 5K", an innovative fund raiser to help those in need. Adapting to the need for social distancing, runners who register will run the race individually over the course of the next few weeks. All proceeds raised will go to benefit food pantries in the community which are currently facing unprecedented demands during the COVID-19 pandemic. … [Read more...] about Rockland AOH Supports “Virtual 5K” To Feed The Hungry

Two hundred and sixty-nine children from St. Francis of Assisi, Holy Family and Sacred Heart parishes in Prince William County participated in the Fr. Judge Division expanded coloring contest. Judges selected first-, second- and third-place winners for each of the five grades as well as one grand-prize winner. Winners received a T-shirt, St. Patrick Holy Card and their framed entry. The presentation ceremony followed Mass attended by the children from the three parishes, their parents and program coordinators. This was the second annual contest, inspired when Dan Sullivan and Harry Flynn … [Read more...] about Fr Judge Division Holds 2nd St. Patrick Coloring Contest

Division 5, Bucks County, PA, recently donated $4,000 to the Holy Family Regional School, Levittown, PA, for Tech Department purchases. From left, Jim Downey, HF Development; Hibernians Tom Groark, Tony O'Malley, President Dan Keelan; Kara Haggerty, HF Principal; Bill Snyder, HF Asst. Principal; Mary Ann Conway, HF Advancement Director. … [Read more...] about Bucks Co. Hibernians Help Catholic School

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