D A T E ® D M A T E R I A L —HIS EMINENCE, PATRICK CARDINAL O’DONNELL of Ireland Vol. LXXXIII No. 4 USPS 373340 July-August 2016 1.50 National convention a huge success In This Issue… Welcome to Milwaukee Bishop Noel Treanor The new National Board of the Ancient Order of Hibernians in America, from left, front row, Secretary Jere Cole, of Roseland, NJ; Page 8 President James McKay, of New Orleans, LA; Vice President Daniel O’Connell, of Girard, OH; Treasurer Sean Pender, of Hamilton, NJ; back row, from left, Directors Liam McNabb, of Delmar, NY; Tom O’Donnell, of Philadelphia, PA; Daniel Dennehy, of Cortland Manor, NY; John Defending the Faith Wilson, of St. Peters, MO; Dennis Parks, Akron, OH; and William Sullivan, of North Andover, MA. (Photo John O’Connell) Hibernians came from all over the country to attend and As with all good things, our convention was opened with a participate in the 2016 national AOH LAOH convention in Atlantic mass, celebrated by LAOH National Chaplain Fr. Michael Martine, City, NJ, from July 11 to 14. whose homily was so inspiring and contemporary in these More than 1,700 AOH and LAOH members, spouses and friends challenging times. checked into the world class Harrah’s resort to attend meetings and For the first evening event of the convention the committee functions in the state of art Waterfront Conference Center. presented a fun, relaxing gathering to welcome all to the Jersey From the time they checked in all were impressed with five-star Shore. The Sounds of the Jersey Shore hosted almost 900 guests in amenities of Harrah’s. Many arrived early or stayed late with their the tropical surroundings at the Pool at Harrah’s. Russ Brooks families and friends to enjoy the offerings of the New Jersey shore. The opening joint meeting on Tuesday included welcome Page 10 Day trips to Wildwood, Cape May and Brigantine were taken, long remarks from Presidents Brendan Moore and Mary Hogan, walks on the Atlantic City boardwalk were enjoyed, and the National Convention Liaisons Pender and Leathem, a repre - Life Membership weather was spectacular so that many could enjoy time on the sentative of the NJ Senate and recognition of the local NJ committee beach. A few even partook in gaming options graciously offered by chairs, Dennis McInerney and Theresa O’Connell. Recently the casinos of Atlantic City. continued on page 19 General Brady receives highest Hibernian honor by William Allerton Denny Donnelly AOH President McKay calls him one of the greatest Page 13 living Americans Cheers greeted Major General Patrick Henry Brady as he was State News awarded the John Fitzgerald Kennedy Memorial Medal at the AOH/LAOH 2016 National Conventions in Atlantic City, NJ. Connecticut . .5 Newly installed AOH National President James F. McKay III said Florida . .6 General Brady was among the most distinguished recipients ever Illinois . .6 to receive the Ancient Order of Hibernians and the Ladies Ancient Kansas . .8 Order of Hibernians’ highest honor. Massachusetts . .8 In his acceptance remarks, General Brady spoke passionately Minnesota . .10 about his deep-rooted Irish Catholic heritage. Eyes glistened in Nebraska . .12 the ballroom as General Brady related how his Catholic faith New York . .11, 14 carried him from mission to mission through the hellfire of the most harrowing battles in the Vietnam War. While serving as a North Carolina . .12 helicopter pilot in Vietnam, Brady was awarded the Pennsylvania . .13 Congressional Medal of Honor for a series of heroic rescues, South Carolina . .2 which began at sunrise and ended after dark. Brady’s aircraft Major General Patrick Henry Brady was presented with the JFK Virginia . .9 Medal by AOH President James McKay and LAOH President were so severely damaged that three aircraft were required to Wisconsin . .8 complete the missions and at the days’ end the aircraft he flew had Patricia O’Connell at the final banquet at the national convention on July 14. (Photo John O’Connell) continued on page 6 LAOH . .16 South Carolina Hibernians participate in day of prayer to Our Lady As we approach the 100th anniversary of the appearances of Our Blessed Mother to the shepherd children of Fatima, Portugal, Our Lady’s messages are more urgent than ever. The International Pilgrim Statue of Our Lady of Fatima recently visited St. Gregory the Great Parish in Bluffton, South Carolina. The Bishop Patrick Lynch Division was honored to carry the statue into the church to begin a day of prayer and devotion to Our Lady. — Vince Colgan, Bishop Patrick Lynch Division ® NATIONAL BOARD OFFICERS Archbishop Thomas J. Rodi...........................................................................................National Chaplain Rev. Michael Healy (CA) .................................................................................Deputy National Chaplain Rev. Patrick Collum (LA) ................................................................................Deputy National Chaplain James F. McKay III (LA) .............................................................National President / WA, OR, CA, CO Daniel O’Connell (OH) .........................................................................................National Vice President Jere Cole (NJ) ...................................................................................................................National Secretary Sean Pender (NJ).............................................................................................................National Treasurer Dan Dennehy (NY)....................................................................Natl. Director / Immigration Chairman Liam McNabb (NY)........................................................................................Natl. Director / Liaison NY Thomas O’Donnell (PA)......................................Natl. Director / Project St. Patrick //Liaison PA, NJ Dennis Parks (OH) ..........................................Natl. Director/ Liaison OH, VA, WV, MD, DE, DL, MI William Sullivan (MA)..............................................Natl. Director / Liaison ME, MA NH, VT, RI, CT John Wilson (MO)........................................Natl. Director / Liaison MO, IL, IN, KS, NE, MT, IA, OK James Kuhn (LA)....................................................National Legal Counsel / Constitution Committee Michael McCormack (NY) ........................................................................................Historian / Archivist Timothy McSweeney (NY) ...........................................................................................................Organizer John O’Connell (NY) ............................................................................................Hibernian Digest Editor Paul Gowdy (MI)..................................................................................................................FFAI Chairman Ted Sullivan (GA).................................................................................Charities and Missions Chairman Shown carrying the statue of Our Lady into St Gregory the Great Church are President Joseph Norton (GA)...............................................................Charities and Missions Deputy Chairman Mike O’Brien, left, and Past President Richard Kearns. Tom Beirne (NY)...........................................................................................Hibernian Hunger Chairman John Patrick Walsh ( ).....................................................................................................Pro-Life Chairman John Fitzmorris III (LA) ...............................................Catholic Action / Liaison LA, TX, AR, MS, AZ Neil Cosgrove (NY)............................................................PEC / Anti-Defamation / IAHM Chairman James Green (PA).................................................................................................................Veterans Affairs Brendan Moore, George Clough, Nick Murphy (PP) ..........................................Oversight Committee ptember 22-2 Joseph Roche (PP-VA) ............................................................ Deputy Chairman Oversight Committee Se 5 92 016 J.J. Kelly (VA) ...................................................................................................Ritual & Degree Chairman 19 2 Ned McGinley (PA-PP)................................................................................Notre Dame Fund Chairman Jeff Nisler (NY) .............................................................................................................................Webmaster Greg Sean Canning (FL)..............................................................Irish Way and Study Abroad Program Daniel O’Connell (OH) .............................................2018 National Convention Chairman, Louisville Seamus Boyle (PA-PP) ........................................................................................................ Special Projects HIS EMINENCE, PATRICK CARDINAL O'DONNELL OF IRELAND Subscription price of $8.00 included in the organization’s dues. Periodical postage paid at West Caldwell, NJ and additional mailing offices USPS 373340 A bi-monthly publication dedicated to Friendship, Unity and Christian Charity. The National Hibernian Digest is the complete chronicle of the ideals, hopes, and achievements of Hibernians everywhere. The National Hibernian Digest is printed and mailed out of Ronkonkoma,