Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians Ethel Kennedy Division Newsletter February 2017

I thought this was a beautiful quote from the wonderful ex Irish President, and a woman at that, Mary McAleese. I definitely have to bridge the two worlds and Just a quick one page newsletter and hope my adopted homeland still welcomes hoping this finds everyone with me and respects our undocumented Irish: Slainte agus Sonus (Health and Happiness)

We are mainly sending this out with 3 attachments: January History Report from Agnes, Phil Coulter Concert Information and upcoming Irish events calendar.

Yours in Friendship, Unity, and Christian Charity, Clare Keenan

Please note the Phil Coulter Flyer is not very clear as the website has a black backgroud. Click on the following link for tickets and a better quality of print: Phil Coulter Concert

Our next meeting is Monday, March 6th. Social time 6-6:30pm and we are meeting at the Ihop Restaurant, 13785 Lakeside Cir, Sterling Heights, MI 48313. Looking forward to seeing everyone then!

The History of the Christmas Carol(s) "The Twelve Days of Christmas"

During the centuries when it was a crime to be Catholic and to practice one's faith, in public or private, in Ireland and England "The Twelve Days of Christmas" was written as a "catechism song" to help young Catholics learn the beliefs of their faith. It was a memory aid-when being caught with anything in writing indicating adherence to the Catholic faith could not only get you imprisoned, it could get you hanged.

The songs gifts are hidden meanings to the teachings of the faith. The "true love" mentioned in the song doesn't refer to an earthly suitor; it refers to God himself. Some say Christ is represented by a mother partridge which feigns injury as a decoy to protect her helpless nestlings from predators. The "me" who receives the presents refers to every baptized person.

• A Partridge in a pear tree = Jesus Christ, the son of God. • Two turtle doves = The Old and New Testaments • Three French hens = Faith, Hope and Charity, the theological virtues. • Four calling birds = The four Gospels and/or the four Evangelists. • Five golden rings = The first five books of the Old Testament (The Pentateuch). • Six geese a-laying = Six days of creation.

• Seven swans a swimming = The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, the seven Sacraments. • Eight maids a-milking = The eight Beatitudes. • Nine ladies dancing = The nine Fruits of the Holy Spirit (sometimes also listed as the nine classifications of angels). • Ten lords a-leaping = The Ten Commandments. • Eleven pipers piping = The eleven faithful apostles. • Twelve drummers drumming = The twelve points of doctrine in the Apostle's Creed.

Gaelic League and Irish American Club CALENDAR of EVENTS

JANUARY Sunday CLOSED - Happy New Year Monday 2 Anne McCallum's set dance class 7:30-9:30pm Wednesday 4 Irish Language Circle 7:15pm Thursday 5 GL 1OOth Anniversary Committee mtg 6pm Friday 6 Larry Larson, Kitty Heinzman's ceili 8pm Saturday 7 Little Christmas - adv tickets ONLY 7-9pm Codgers 8pm-lam Sunday 8 Queen of UIS Rehearsal - new date noon Lynne & Friends Session w/pot luck 4-7pm Monday 9 Anne McCallum's set dance class 7:30-9:30pm Wednesday 11 Irish Language Circle 7:15pm Friday 13 Larry Larson, Kitty Heinzman' s ceili 8pm-lam Saturday 14 Queen of the UIS Pageant 5pm Terry Murphy 8pm-lam Sunday 15 Pub Quiz $5 4-7pm Monday 16 Anne McCallum's set dance class 7:30-9:30pm Tuesday 17 FOUi Meeting 8pm Wednesday 18 Irish Language Circle 7:15pm Thursday 19 UIS Meeting 7:30pm Friday 20 Larry Larson, NO ceili 8pm Saturday 21 Irish Genealogical Society of MI 1:30-3pm McSpillin 8pm- lam Monday 23 Gaelic League Meetings 6:30-7:30pm Anne McCallum's set dance class 7:30-9:30pm Wednesday 25 Irish Language Circle 7:15pm Emerald Society Meeting 7pm ParadeTimes Ads & Patron forms due Thursday 26 Songwriters' Night w/John Freeman 8pm Friday 27 Larry Larson, Kitty Heinzman's ceili 8pm Saturday 28 CD release & Robbie Bum's Celebration w/Terry & Frank 8pm-lam Sunday 29 Square Dance Ceili w/pot luck $10 6:30-llpm Monday 30 Anne McCallum 's set class 7:30-9:30pm FEBRUARY Wednesday l Irish Language Circle 7:15pm Thursday 2 GL 1ooth Anniversary Committee mtg 6pm Friday 3 Larry Larson, Kitty Heinzman' s ceili 8pm Saturday 4 Codgers 8pm-lam Sunday 5 Super Bowl Sunday Party TBD Monday 6 Anne McCallum 's set dance class 7:30-9:30pm Wednesday 8 Irish Language Circle 7:15pm Friday 10 Larry Larson, Kitty Heinzman's ceili 8pm Saturday 11 Kitty's Pre-Valentine Ceili in hall $10 7pm Terry Murphy 8pm-1am Sunday 12 Grand Marshal Brunch at AOH Hall noon Lynne & Friends Session w/pot luck 4-7pm Monday 13 Anne McCallum 's set dance class 7:30-9:30pm Wednesday 15 Irish Language Circle 7:15pm Thursday 16 Songwriters' Night w/John Freeman 8pm Friday 17 Larry Larson, Kitty Heinzman's ceili 8pm Saturday 18 Parade Route Shamrock order due Irish Genealogical Society of MI 1:30-3pm McSpillin 8pm-lam Sunday 19 23rd Anniversary of Pub Quiz $5 4-7pm Monday 20 Anne McCallum's set dance class 7:30-9:30pm Tuesday 21 FOUi Meeting 8pm Wednesday 22 Irish Language Circle 7:15pm Emerald Society Meeting 7pm Friday 24 Larry Larson, Kitty Heinzman's ceili 8pm Saturday 25 Doctor::; Without Borders Benefit 5pm Terry Murphy & Frank Kennedy 8pm-lam Sunday 26 Parade Fundraiser - location TBD noon-7pm Monday 27 Gaelic League Meetings 6:30-7:30pm Anne McCallum's set dance class 7:30-9:30pm

F.O.U.I presents Phil Coulter and Andy Cooney

Celtic Crossings

• Mar 09, 2017 • MAIN STAGE • 7:30 PM Mar, 09

buy ticket

The Fraternal Order of United Irishmen Charities present an evening of Irish Entertainment. Celtic Crossings is a delightful evening of celtic tranquility with the great songs of Phil Coulter sung by the magnificent voice of Andy Cooney, with special guest Geraldine Branagan, and the Irish Pops Ensemble.

PHIL COULTER is known as Ireland’s Musical Ambassador; his lyrics and melodies have captured the hearts of millions throughout the world. His career is decorated with 23 platinum discs, 39 Gold Discs, 52 Silver Discs and two Grand Prix Eurovision awards. Phil met in 1965, and a successful song writing team was born that lasted more than fifteen years. Their Puppet On A String was covered over 100 times, Congratulations was written for , pop music giant recorded and country legend Bill Anderson recorded Thanks. But their big break came in 1976 when Clive Davis, then head of Arista Records, took the to #1 on the Billboard Charts with Saturday Night, written and produced by Martin and Coulter. In 1984, Coulter launched himself as an artist in his own right by releasing a piano-led orchestral album called Classic Tranquility. His follow- up, Sea of Tranquility, became the second-best selling album of all time in Ireland. The Tranquility releases captured the heart of President Clinton which led to numerous invitations to perform at The White House. In 2007, Phil was the musical mastermind and originalsongwriter behind , an act which found huge success on PBS and has regularly topped the Billboard World Music Charts. Phil's contribution to music continues to be recognized; he was awarded the Gold Badge from the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors in 2013. He was honored on both sides of the Atlantic in 2014 with induction into the Irish Songwriters Hall of Fame, and was given a Lifetime Achievement Award at Boston College. He signed off 2014 with three CD's in the Irish Album Chart. He never stops!

ANDY COONEY, with his outstanding tenor voice and dynamic stage presence, has captured the hearts of Irish music lovers from coast to coast. In 1994, Andy was christened Irish America’s Favorite Son by The New York Times, a title he richly deserves. Andy’s first break came in 1986 from the well known New York based Irish band leader, Paddy Noonan. They recorded several albums together and made famous the ever popular Irish Wedding Song. Andy recorded his first PBS TV special in 2006, An Evening of Irish Classics, a production that featured Andy’s Irish band along with The Nashville String Machine. It aired in 40 different markets throughout the U.S. and Canada. In 2008, Andy recorded his first Symphony CD with the RTE Concert Orchestra in , Ireland. On this release, Andy was joined by Grammy- Winning Artists Larry Gatlin and Crystal Gayle, and Irish Tenor Ronan Tynan. This collaboration led to Andy Cooney’s production show, American Voices, a three-artist show featuring Andy Cooney, Larry Gatlin, and Crystal Gayle, which toured for a year, taking in 18 cities. Andy took the big step to New York City’s Carnegie Hall in 2009 and 2010, headlining The Magic of Christmas, which enjoyed two decisive sell outs in that venerable venue. In 2011, Andy formed The New York Tenors featuring himself along with Michael Amante and Daniel Rodriguez. The New York Tenors have been receiving high critical acclaim everywhere they perform. The New York Tenors also sold out Carnegie Hall in December 2012 and December 2013. Andy has recorded 18 albums to date, with his 19th release produced by Phil Coulter, called Bright Brand New Day.

GERALDINE BRANAGAN, with her trademark mane of blonde hair and dazzing smile, was one of the most glamorous stars in the 1980’s. With hit records in Ireland, number one albums in South Africa, she was the first to entertain the Irish troops in Lebanon, and represented in the ; Geraldine took them all in her stride, pausing only to be regularly photographed for the covers of glossy magazines. Although she then swapped careers, devoting her time to her family with husband Phil Coulter, she never lost her passion for singing, her looks, or her sense of style. Some of her recent performances include The National Concert Hall in Dublin, The Cork Opera House and Carnegie Hall. Make no mistake, Geraldine is back in the spotlight, right where she belongs.