AOH Gaelic Mass Day Goes National Hibernian Hunger Project
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D A T OUR job E ake it Y D M ® rder O M to grow the A T E R I A L —HIS EMINENCE, PATRICK CARDINAL O’DONNELL of Ireland Vol. LXXXVII No. 5 USPS 373340 October - November - December 2020 1.50 AOH Gaelic Mass Day goes national Bronx County AOH’s annual Gaelic Mass in Woodlawn became a national Hibernian event this year endorsed by AOH President Danny O’Connell, and watched by more than 7,000 people on the parish and AOH Facebook pages. Viewers from as far away as Texas and California joined leading Hibernians wearing sashes and medallions, Irish community groups, Irish speakers and parishioners to hear Mass said in Irish by Fr. Brendan Fitzgerald In This Issue… at St. Barnabas on September 12. The Gaelic Pennsylvania Mass, dedicated to those who kept the Irish language and culture alive, was symbolized by the Mass Rock, and in the spirit of Irish speakers gathered in secret to hear outlawed Masses in defiance of British laws. Booklets Specially prepared Irish-English translations of the prayers were handed out Denny Joyce to those coming into St. Barnabas or Hunger Project downloaded by those viewing on Face - Fr. Fitzgerald gives his sermon on the topic of the Mass Rock. Page 1 book. These booklets allowed everyone to follow the prayers in English as they listened to the Irish words. Illinois A Belfast newspaper, the Andersontown News, invited Irish speakers to join the Irish Mass being said in the Bronx. With seating limited by safe-distancing restrictions, reserved seats were provided for Hibernian officers, representatives of Irish continued on page 20 Hibernian Hunger Project By Bill Sullivan, National Chairman in their community. Please email me a short article on an activity Just what is the Hibernian Hunger Project you might ask? that your Division or Board is doing or has done to combat hunger. Mike Tiernan Well, 17 years ago, AOH National President Ned McGinley and When available, photos are most welcome too. My email address Donations the National Board of the AOH and LAOH established the is noted at the end of this article. Page 15 Hibernian Hunger Project as a means to honor those who had died When the AOH National Hunger Project was established in during the Great Hunger; to help educate Irish America about An 2003, all Divisions, County and State Boards were asked to run a Life Membership Gorta Mor, and to help with the hunger problem in the United food drive during March, and many still do. The reason March States through the generosity of the AOH and LAOH was selected was because traditionally it is a time when food membership. banks and soup kitchens are low on food supplies after the winter Over the past 17 years, members of the AOH and LAOH have months. With this in mind, our next article in the Digest will deal worked as a cohesive group on many fronts to help combat hunger with ideas to help you plan for our next AOH National Hunger in our country through a variety of ways: volunteering at soup Month in March 2021. kitchens and food pantries, conducting food drives, and donating Stay safe, healthy, and strong! money to local food pantries and shelters. As we have seen in May you and your families for a wonderful Thanksgiving, a several recent articles in the Hibernian Digest, many Hibernian very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy 2021! Divisions and Boards were among the first to step up during our Please feel free to contact me with any concerns, comments, or Jim Green present Covid-19 pandemic. your questions. I look forward to hearing from you! My email Honors Page 20 Recently I heard from Tony O’Malley, Vice President of address is: [email protected] Division 5 AOH in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Tony wrote to me State News about HOPE 101, which is a food pantry facilitated by the Alabama . .2 members of Division 5 in Bucks County. Colorado . .13 The “HOPE 101 Building,” where Division 5’s project takes Connecticut . .10 place, was generously donated by four Division 5 brothers: Alex, Illinois . .15 Bob, John and Todd Phinn. HOPE 101 not only provides dinners Kansas . .15 to the local homeless and needy but is also a clothes and furniture Kentucky . .11 collection site for those in need. HOPE 101 is funded by donations Michigan . .11 and proceeds from Division 5’s annual golf outing. During the Massachusetts . .17 Covid-19 pandemic, HOPE 101 has been providing take-out meals Missouri . .8 for the homeless and the needy. New Jersey . .2, 13 Our sincere congratulations to the officers and members of New York . .7, 13, 19 Division 5 in Buck’s County PA for stepping up and contributing North Carolina . .15 both financially and with their time and talents to their community Ohio . .18 in the true spirit of Friendship, Unity and Christian Charity. It is Pennsylvania . .17, 20 the exemplary works and spirit of the members of Division 5 that make us all proud to be members of the oldest, largest and greatest Irish Catholic organization in the United States, the AOH! Bucks County, PA, AOH 5 members Denny Joyce, Jack Donohue, LAOH . .16 In future Digest articles and Web Blasts, we want to highlight Kevin Moran and Bud Burke were ready to serve a delicious the efforts of Divisions, County and State Boards to combat hunger meal to their guests at HOPE 101. Alabama Fr. Trecy Division supports 9/11 Tribute The Father Trecy Division was humbled to have many of our brothers along with their lovely families attend the Rocket City Trash Pandas Tribute Night, a new minor league team at their newly built Toyota Stadium in Northern Alabama, on 9/11, remembering those tragic lives lost on that day and honoring all of the first-responder heroes on that day, months after, and continuing to serve. A special USA Amputee Softball Game was played against the local Bearded Warriors organization who routinely walks with our Division in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Among our brothers attending was Brother Dave Gray, who in February ended up in the hospital for what at first was considered complications of the flu and was on a ventilator, dialysis, lost his toes due to complications, and was in treatment facilities for more than four months before being released home to continue multiple doctor appointments and therapies. In the picture with this article, he stood from his wheelchair and remains committed to regaining his strength as he continues to serve his church, our brotherhood and the community. In addition, Brother Dan Shaughnessy was there and recently became engaged to his lovely, soon-to-be bride down on the field at a different event. This was a truly special evening. And this was the first time our Brothers had been together since March 14 at our Division’s St. Patrick’s Social. It was a very special night all around in tribute to 9/11 and the opportunity to safely be with many of our brothers again. It truly gives us hope that our bonds remain strong and our desire to overcome Covid is solid and continuing to contribute to the community remains even stronger. New Jersey AOH honors Hibernians lost on 9/11 The Order seeks to ensure all who sacrificed their lives are honored and recognized with Twin Blue Light Display for the 19th anniversary of tragedy. Among the thousands lost in the attack at the World Trade Center on September 11th, 2001, were nine members from the New Jersey AOH and eight members from the New York AOH. Also lost was one member from the Ladies AOH in New York. Vowing that the ultimate sacrifice made by these Hibernians will never be forgotten, the New Jersey State Board asked their members to take one minute on that solemn day and remember the brothers and sister who died in the attack. Larry Prelle, NJ State President, stated, “Eight members from the St. Michaels’ Division 8 of Hudson County and one member from the Pat Torphy Division 2 of Monmouth County, NJ, lost their lives on that tragic day. These men were at work, either responding to the terrorist attack or helping others get out of the buildings safely. I was incredibly pleased that the logistical issues were worked out for the Tribute Lights and they were lit on September 11th. I would like to recognize the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, Mayor Jimmy Davis of Bayonne, NJ, and Mayor Tony Perry of Middletown, NJ, (along with others) who stepped up to the plate to make sure the two blue lights were in the sky on September 11th.” ‘Solemn Reminder’ To commemorate the 20th anniversary of the attack on our nation, the New Jersey Ancient Order of Hibernians designed a commemorative symbol honoring members who perished on that infamous day at the World Trade Center complex. HIS EMINENCE, PATRICK CARDINAL O'DONNELL OF IRELAND The symbol created is similar to the state logo recognizing September 11th and the Subscription price of $10.00 included in the organization’s dues. Periodical postage paid at West Caldwell, NJ and nine Hibernians from NJ who lost their lives on that tragic day. This image is a solemn additional mailing offices USPS 373340 reminder that we have not and will not forget our brothers. A bi-monthly publication dedicated to Friendship, Unity and Christian Charity. The National Hibernian Digest The New Jersey State Board, with the permission of the National Board, is selling is the complete chronicle of the ideals, hopes, and achievements of Hibernians everywhere.