Do not undertake any course of action, not even the most lowly and insignificant, without first offering it to God.
- St. Padre Pio
NEXT DIVISION MEETING - August 20, 2009 8pm
June 1, 2009
ANCIENT ORDER OF HIBERNIANSMONMOUTH COUNTY BOARD NJ
Brendan MooreAncient Order of HiberniansNational Vice President
Brother Moore,
I have recently been elected as Monmouth County board president for 2009. The county board has met several times and has discussed many issues including a better communication between the three divisions in Monmouth Coun ty. I also realize as County President that I must assist all three divisions in promotion of the Order and continue to be guided by our motto, Friendship, Unity, and true Christian Charity. At the root of the motto is growth, where brotherhood must be an active part of truthful communication where politics must be pushed aside. During our meetings we have explored potential ways of living by our important motto and strengthening the divisions by increasing membership and promoting the Order itself. After much discussion the board has decided that the first step in this task is to run a major degree, sponsored by the County board. I also would like to extent an invitation to all three Monmouth County divisions to participate and assist with this important function on our fine order. Although strength comes in numbers the true strength comes with a strong friendship held together by unity. During our discussion your report in the November – December 2008 Hibernian Digest has made this degree the first in what I hope many functions as a great county brotherhood where we as brothers can share ideas, friendship, and our pure Irish laughter. I would also like to extent an invitation to you, the National Board and the New Jersey State board. I have included the Major Degree information with hopes that the details can be passed on to all divisions and the possibility of mentioning it the Hibernian Digest so that brothers needing to take their Major Degree can be so advised. Because we are centrally locate d in New Jersey this should entice and be more convenient to divisions from both the northern and southern parts of the state. I thank you for assistance and your service to our order.
Major DegreeMonmouth County Board NJ November 7, 2009 -
Registration 10 amCu Chulainn Celtic Warriors MDT – Staten Island NY
cc : Seamus Boyle – National President Jere Cole – NJ State President Sean Pender – NJ State V.P Kevin Weldon Monmouth Co. VP Jack Sullivan Div 2 President Ray Barnes Div 32 President
New Jersey State A.O.H State Convention - May 15 – 16 2009
Elected as President Jere Cole - Vice President Sean Pender- Secretary Bill Young- Treasurer - Jack Nosti- 2011 NJ Convention will be in Belmar NJ
Division 16 Will be marching in the 135th Freehold Memorial Day Parade - May 25, 2009 Parade. The Parade begins at 10 am. We will meet at Brinkerhoff ave and Main street no later than 9:30 am. If you have questions contact President Keane
Brothers, May 15, 2009
I was lucky enough to be able to watch the installation Mass of the newly appointed Archbishop of New York Timothy M. Dolan at St. Patrick’s Cathedral on April 15. Arch Bishop Dolans homily was powerful and gave Catholics a good understanding of where archbishop stood on some of the most important issues, from abortion to a city still dealing with the 9-11 tragedy. What really convinced me that Timothy Dolan was the right choice to guide the Catholics of New York was his expression of joy. Archbishop Dolan stood outside the Cathedral as the procession into Mass passed, he took the time to greet each person in that procession and seemed to know many by their names. Dolan also began to wave to the crowds of people on the street. The absolute joy in his face was like a light or beacon that I am sure will draw many to Christ’s Church. On a recent visit to the book store I noticed the Archbishops book titled Called to be Holy. The book was written for Seminarians and those contemplating the Priesthood. The book is not only for religious, this book is a lesson for all Catholics and gives a clear message about virtues and what we are ALL called to be; good Catholics.
Called to be Holy – Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan – Published by Our Sunday Visitor- www.osv.com ($12.95)
The Notre Dame Issue
I have sent dozens of emails on the Notre Dame controversy in recent weeks. I am sure you are all up to date on all the current information. We have heard arguments from both sides most if not all of us have signed petitions against the President receiving an honorary degree for this countries most prestigious Catholic University. Many groups have voiced their dismay and objection based on the Presidents view on abortion and stem cells. The Bishops have untied and voiced their frustration and pointed out Catholic doctrine. We have been instructed by many of the Bishops to use the day of commencement May 16, as a day of prayer.
The issues here is abortion and our pro-life morals, we are a people of LIFE. I believe that this is call for more than us showing our protest, anger and dismay; it is a time for Catholic action. A time that we are being challenged as Catholics, the issue now, is abortion but, it also ammunition for anti-catholic’s to point out our weakness that they will use to show that we are vulnerable. We have always stated our resentment when our Irish heritage is ridiculed and is the brunt of distasteful jokes. We need to channel that anger and become steadfast in our faith and defend that faith. This is not a time for politics, it is a time for action, believe me others look to us and how we, a catholic organization reacts and answers an assault on our catholic morals. These issues of morals and attack on our catholic doctrine will only grow, we need to use our voice as a strong Catholic organization and share a dialog with our church leaders and stand behind our Bishops. This is a fight that we did not ask for but, it is a fight we need to win. The must be dedicated and firm. These times are unfortunate but, when we do not defend the education of young Catholic men and women, what does that say about our future as Catholics? This is a test, how we score on this test is up to us. They have pushed us, we need to push back. An easy fight it will not be and we are most likely the underdog in this fight but, victory is attainable. After all, we are The Fighting Irish!
In Friendship, Unity, and True Catholic Charity
John M. Keane Jr.
NJ State Board Catholic Action Chairman
7th Annual "Evening with The Irish" Honoring Lt Brian Brennan & Alex Burke
1st Lt Brian Brennan is honored as Irishman of the Year
Alex Burke is Honored as Hibernian of the Year
Hibernian Piper - Brother Tim O'Sullivan Salutes the Honored guests- Slainte !
The 3rd Annual Polar Bear Plunge for Catholic Schools was held on January 11, 2009.
The counts are not all done and some checks are still coming, but it is generally agreed that the end number will be in excess of $50,000. Full Tally's will follow 2009 $52,000 - 2009 275 Plungers –2009 - 13 Schools
2008 $33,000 - 2008 225 Plungers - 2008 7 Schools
St. Rose of Lima had $7593Thank you to Division 16 plungers – John Klapouchy – Alex Burke – John Keane
Monmouth County Board will hold it’s first 2009 meeting January 21, 2009 @ Middletown Division #2 Hall, 7 PM
2009 Officers
President – John Keane Div 16
Vice President Kevin Weldon Div 32
Treasurer – John Klapouchy Div 16
Secretary – Gerry Ward – Div 2
New Jersey State Board Meeting – Saturday February 21, 2009, 12pm – 2pm
2419 Kusar Road Hamilton Square, NJ 08691
Ancient Order of Hiberninas State Board will holding a Major Degree following a State Board Meeting @ 12 noon on Saturday April 18, 2009 - 900 Beach Blvd, Forked River , NJ 08731
Belmar St Patrick’s Parade – Sunday March 1, 2009 12:30 Pm - Our division is registered to march and waiting for our assignment for the line of march.
Land of Saints & Scholars - January - February
Saint Oliver Plunkett Ordained Priest Jan 01, 1654
Saint Feichin (pron. Fe-heen), ( Patron - The persecuted, evangelisers) Jan 14 - establishing oratories and monastic settlements throughout Mayo and Galway and further along the western seaboard of Ireland during the early to latter 7th century
Ita (Ide) Died c. 570 Feast Day 15 January
Ita of Killeedy Saint Ita The revered teacher of St. Brendan. Also known as St. Ide and Brigid of Munster
St. Canair of Bantry Bay Her feast day is January 28
Remember Bloody Sunday Jan 30, 1972 14 KILLED by BRITISH soldiers . In DERRY
St. Maedoc of Ferns 6th cent.
February
1st Saint Oliver Plunkett Leaves for Rome Feb, 1647
3rd Saint Ia of Cornwall - she sailed across the Irish Sea on an ivy leaf. Ia was martyred on the River Hayle and buried at St. Ives, Corwall, where St. Ia’s Church, St Ives, of which she is now the patron, was erected over her grave. The town built up around it. Her feast day is February 3.
4th St. Cuana, whose festival and natal day is the 4th of February
18th St. Colman of Inisboffin St. Colman died on the island of Inishbofin on February 18, 675.
Please Pray for those who are unable to pray for themselves. Let us also remember all those Men and Women serving our country.
THERE WILL BE A SPECIAL FUNDRAISER MEETING ON FEBRUARY 5th 2009 8pm
Next Regular Monthly Meeting February 19, 2009 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- November2008 Meeting agenda and Notes:
Annual Thanksgiving Food Cards 2008
BROTHERS VOTED TO GIVE
3 CERTIFICATES TO ST.VINCENT DEPAUL (ST.THOMAS MORE)
3 CERTIFACATES TO ST. VINCENT DEPAUL (ST. ROSE of LIMA)
3 CERTIFICATES TO ST.VINCENT DEPAUL (NATIVITY PARISH, MONROE) 3 CERTIFICATES TO ST.VINCENT DEPAUL ( St Catherine of Farmingdale-)Total Thanksgiving donation – 2008 - $600. Covering 4 Parishes.
Polar Bear Plunge will be held on January 11, 2009. Please consider either participating as a swimmer or getting sponsors for the event. I have sponsor form for members. This year we will be Plunging for St Rose of Lima School – Freehold. PLEASE CONSIDER PLUNGING OR SPONSORING A BROTHER
James R. Sweetman DIVISION 16 , Monmouth, Brother. Please keep the Sweetman and Cannon Families in your prayers (Asbury Park Press)
JAMES R. SWEETMAN AGE: 72 FREEHOLD James R. Sweetman, 72, a longtime resident of Freehold Borough, most recently residing in The Villages, Howell, departed this life at home, on Friday, Oct. 24, surrounded by his loving family. Born to Edward and Anna Sweetman in Freehold, Jim considered Freehold his home even after moving from the Borough. He was a graduate of St. Rose of Lima Grammar School and Freehold High School and a lifetime communicant of St. Rose of Lima Church. Jim served in the U.S. Army from 1958 to 1961, before returning to Freehold. He was in partnership with his father, Edw. H. Sweetman in Sweetman's Amoco Station in Long Branch, later became an equipment operator for C.H. Sutphen, road contractor, and eventually joining the NJ Division of Motor Vehicles as a motor vehicle examiner. He retired from NJDMV as Supervisor of the Freehold facility in 1998. From 1970 to 1983 Jim also held the position of special officer for the Freehold Borough Police Department. Upon retirement, Jim obtained his favorite job in security at the Lakewood Blue Claws baseball stadium. He could not believe how lucky he was to get paid to watch a baseball game. Most recently he served as a security officer for Brookdale Community College at the Wall and Freehold campuses. Always interested in public service, he was a life member, ex-captain and past president of the Freehold First Aid and Emergency Squad. He was instrumental in establishing a Cadet Corps and was one of the original cadet advisors. He was also a life member and past Exalted Ruler of the Freehold Elks Lodge No. 1454 and a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians as well as a member and former assistant scoutmaster of Troop, 18, BSA. For many years he served as the Freehold Borough representative on the Manasquan River Regional Sewerage Authority and the Lake Topanemus Park Commission and was a former member of the Borough Zoning Board of Adjustment. Always a "Kennedy Democrat," Jim served as a Member of the Monmouth County Democratic Executive Committee, Municipal Chairman of the Democratic party for Freehold Borough and worked many years as an election board member. His children were his pride and joy and his grandchildren his delight. While his family was his life and love, his passion was the Philadelphia Phillies baseball team. He was never happier than sitting in the Phillies stadium, whether, Connie Mack, The Vet, or now Citizens Bank Park watching his beloved Phillies. Jim was predeceased by his parents, Anna and Edward Sweetman and his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Harry and Harriet Hulse, together with his brother-in-law, Richard Havlin. He is survived by his beloved wife of 46 years, the former Susan Hulse; sons, James Sweetman and his wife, Sheryl Stein, of Arlington, Va. and their children Kira and Julian, Michael Sweetman and his wife, Jean, of Freehold and their two daughters, Sydney and Payton; a daughter, Mary d'Hedouville and her children, Emilie, Darren and Hunter; along with her partner, Richard Tart of Seaford, N.Y. Also surviving are his daughters, Harriet Lynn Cannon and her husband Bill, and their children, Kyle and Kara of Freehold, and Catherine "Carrie" Sweetman and her partner, Charles Norwood, of Franklin, N.H. He is also survived by his sisters, Mary Kay Havlin of Indiana and Margaret McGinn and her husband, Richard, of Manchester, and several nieces and nephews and grand-nieces and grand-nephews as well as many valued friends. Visitation will be held from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Monday with Freehold First Aid and Freehold Elks services at 7 p.m. and 7:15 pm., at the Freeman Funeral Home, 47 East Main Street, Freehold. A Funeral Liturgy will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Tuesday at St. Rose of Lima Church, McLean Street, Freehold. Interment will follow at St. Rose of Lima Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Freehold First Aid and Emergency Squad, 18-20 Spring Street, Freehold or VNA of Central Jersey, 176 Riverside Avenue, Red Bank, NJ 07701.
Brothers,
Please pray for Chris O’ Brien ( Jeff’s Brother) as he continues treatment. Please also keep Jeff and the entire O’Brien family in our thoughts and prayers as well.
Congratulation to our Brothers of Division #2 Monmouth on a Great Irish Fest. Thanks to all Brothers that assisted with the sale of T-Shirts.
Ancient Order of Hibernians National Board Election
Saturday July 26, 2008 At the 94th Biennial Convention in New Orleans LA
President Seamus Boyle (PA)
Vice President Brendan Moore (NY)
Secretary Thomas McNabb (NY)
Treasurer Judge James McKay (LA)
Elected Directors Joseph Brady (RI) Frank Kearney (CT) Keith Carney (DC) Danny O'Connell (OH) Martin Kelly (NY) Chris Norris (PA)
Appointed to Financial Oversight Committee Sunday July 27, 2008 Past National Presidents George Clough (MO)Joseph Roche (MD)Nicholas Murphy (NY)
Appointed National Chaplain Saturday July 26, 2008 Father Patrick Sullivan C.S.C.
Hibernian Charity Board President Ned McGinley (PA) - Elected 2007 (two year term) Secretary Frank Kearney Jr (CT) -
Elected 2007 (three year term) Treasurer Edward J. Wallace (NY) -
Elected 2007 (two year term) Board of Directors(Elected to 2 year term at the 2008 Convention) Joseph Brady (RI)Robert Mott (SC)Phillip Gallagher (CT)Edward Dougherty (PA)
Brothers, Celebrate 1st annual Division Summer Hooley @ The O'Brien's
Project Children 2008
2008 Project Children - Clifton Chapter- Welcomed by John Hughes ( Clifton Area Coordinator- NJ AOH- Bergen County Div 32) & John Keane Div 16, Monmouth NJ
ANCIENT ORDER OF HIBERNIANS
ST. OLIVER PLUNKETT
MONMOUTH NJ - DIVISION 16
June 29, 2008
Mr John Hughes
Project Children
Clifton Area Coordinator
15 Holster Road
Clifton NJ 07013
Dear John,
Please accept this donation to Project Children. This donation is our divisions continuing effort to assist the programs goal towards peace in Northern Ireland. We would also like to thank the efforts of the programs many volunteers and their undying efforts to bring peace to Northern Ireland and changing the lives of thousands of Children and their families both here in America and Northern Ireland. Thank you and may God Bless you.
Go mbeannaí Dia duit
John M. Keane Jr
Ancient Order of Hibernians
President Div 16, Monmouth Co NJ
8 Cornell Place
Manalapan NJ 07726
Please keep the Sick, Especially Chris O’Brien ( Jeff’s Brother) in your Prayers.
The Land of Saints and Scholars
July 11: Feast of St. Oliver Plunkett – Executed July 11, 1861
July 24: Feast of ST. Declan of Ardmore.Saint Declan was an early Irish Bishop and abbot. He is sometimes said to be one of four bishops to have preceded Saint Patrick in Ireland in the early 5th Century.
July 27: Reek Sunday - Popularly called ‘The Reek’, Crough Patrick has long been the site of an annual pilgrimage held the last Sunday in July.
August 6: Daniel O'Connell, Irish statesman, known as "the Liberator", was born on the 6th of August 1775
August 8: St. Colman of Mayo feast Day August 8 Founder of the Abbey and Diocese of Mayo, born in Connacht, c. 605; died 8 August, 676. He became a monk of Iona, and so famous were his virtues and learning, as testified by St. Bede, that on the death of St. Finan
August 9: St. Nathy Feastday: August 9 Nathy is surnamed Cruimthir (the priest). He was born at Luighne, Sligo, Ireland and became a disciple of St. Finnian of Clonnard, who made him a bishop. He was founder-abbot of a monastery, which is questioned by some in view
August 11: St. Attracta Feastday: August 11 6th century Hermitess and co-worker with St. Patrick, also called Araght or Taraghta. She is traditionally listed as a daughter of a noble Irish family. Her father opposed her religious vocation but Attracta went to St.Patrick, Coolavin, Ireland, and made her vows to him. Attracta founded a hospice on Lough Gara called Killaraght. She also performed miracles, while living at Drum, near Boyle.
August 12: St Muiredach' feast is on 12th August, Saint Muiredach (Muredach) was the founder of the diocese of Killala, Ireland. He was placed at the head of the church by Saint Patrick about 442. He probably resigned after a few years, and retired to an island off the Sligo coast in Donegal Bay. The uninhabited island, Inishmurray bears his name. He may also be the patron of the monastery that was on that island. His feast day is August 12.
August 21 Feast of Our Lady of Knock, County Mayo, Ireland Thursday 21 August 1879 at 8pm
Hunger Project Continues A Burke has done above and beyond 200 lbs +
Next Division Meeting August 21, 2008 8PM (Feast of Our Lady of Knock)
Brothers,
I want to thank all that participated in the 2nd Annual Stickball tournament sponsored by division #2 Monmouth this past Saturday. Our team pulled off an exciting bottom of the 5th inning, 5 - 4 win over Mater Dei High School. Our team was lead by Jim 'Slugger O'Toole' also know to us as 'The Big Fella or Michael Collins' Palser who had 3 hits, John 'The Babe' Klapouchy who had the game winning hit. The AOH team was also lead by our Manager Alex ' Casey without a Bat' Burke. Thank God for the rains as our second games was cancelled, Not sure if the boys had it in them to play another! Twenty teams participated in raising over $4,000 for the Catholic Schools in the Bayshore area. SLANITE BOYS! WELL DONE!
Division 2 is currently working on part two of this fundraiser, The Polar Bear Plunge to be held in January 2009. We are going to try to double our divisions' participation in the polar Bear Plunge next year. Start training men!
In Our Motto
Go mbeannaí Dia duit JMK
THE ANCIENT ORDER OF HIBERNIANS by Mike McCormack, AOH National Historian
The Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH) is the oldest Catholic lay organization in America. Officially formed in New York in 1836, it was born in anger centuries earlier in Ireland, after successive invasions by those who tried to master the Irish, and alter their Gaelic life style. Inflexible opponents like the Vikings were fought until their power was broken; others, like the Normans, were absorbed until they became as Irish as the Irish themselves. Through it all, the Irish maintained their language, traditions, and religion. But in the Sixteenth century, a concentrated attack, unswervingly focused on the most precious part of their heritage - their religion - and proved to be their greatest challenge.
Since the time of St. Patrick, the Irish had become such devoted followers, and dedicated champions of Christianity, that Ireland became known as the Isle of Saints and Scholars, sending missionary monks to the far corners of the world. In contrast, the Church on the continent became more materialistic, and protests against abuses of power by some clergy, led to attempts by others to reform the Church. A period of Protestant Reformation swept Europe in the 1500s, marked by Royal intrigues over control of the Church's wealth. Conflicts over which religion could be practiced led to violence in many countries. In England, the Reformation made inroads from the reigns of Henry VIII to Elizabeth I, who finally declared the Church of England (Anglican) as the State religion. At the time of this declaration, Elizabeth considered Ireland part of her state, and even though the Irish didn't agree with that assessment, the Roman Catholic religion, which St. Patrick had brought them, and to which they had been faithful , was proscribed and its clergy outlawed.
The Papacy launched a counter-reformation, and Ireland became a battlefield between the two forces as the Irish, who had embraced the Roman Church, became the target of a campaign to reduce the power of Rome by converting the masses to Protestantism. Anglo Lords in Ireland provided a base from which assaults on Irish religion were launched, and in the conflict, great tracts of land were confiscated and given to Crown supporters who professed the State' religion. They became the landlords who governed the future of the native population. The Irish fought the theft of their lands, and the persistence with which they clung to their religion drove the English to extremes in repression. Penal laws disenfranchised Irish Catholics from the political, social, and economic life of their own country; with their religion outlawed and their clergy on the run, they became an underground society practicing their faith in secret. Not surprisingly, secret societies were formed to protect the values under attack. In various locales, groups with names like Whiteboys, Ribbonmen, and Defenders were identified with attacks on landlords, but each included in its avowed purpose the protection of the Roman Catholic Church and its clergy. As time passed and governments prevailed, some societies were suppressed, but most immediately reorganized under a new name for the same purpose: defense of faith and homeland.
History provides us with the names of many of these organizations, and even limited details of some. We know, for example, that the motto of the Defenders in 1565 was Friendship, Unity, and True Christian Charity, but the secret manner in which these societies operated left few records for modern analysts. As a result, a true history of their times may never be written. Today's AOH with its motto "Friendship, Unity, and Christian Charity" is the most recent link in the evolution of these ancient societies. Organized in Ireland for the purpose of defending Gaelic values, and protecting Church and clergy, it is the successor to the secret societies of old. Although the name AOH can only be traced back to 1641, the organization can claim continuity of purpose and motto unbroken back to the Defenders of 1565. The extension of that organization to America came in much the same manner as its birth in Ireland. The rise of the Native American Party, or Know Nothings as they were called, ushered in an era of unparalleled bigotry in 19th Century America. Not only were "No Irish Need Apply" signs evident in major American cities, but legislation, reminiscent of the penal laws was sought against the immigrant population who, it was stated, diluted American principles, and professed loyalty to a foreign prince - the Pope. The massive influx of Irish, fleeing starvation and disease in their native land, and professing the Roman faith, focused Know Nothing bigotry on that unfortunate group.
After several attacks on Irish and Church property, the Irish immigrant resorted to a familiar tactic. Those, who had been members of the AOH in Ireland, banded together in this new land, and in 1836, formed an American branch of their Order. True to their purpose, they stood guard to defend Church property, and though actual attacks were few and far between, the long, cold, and lonely nights of vigil were many. The early AOH in America remained a secret society, and little is known of its activities except that it provided a monetary stipend to immigrants who arrived as members in good standing from the Irish Order, and they assisted Irish immigrants in obtaining jobs and social services. Quite naturally, the early AOH Divisions were nurseries for the preservation of Irish culture and traditions in America.
In large measure due to the significant contributions of the Irish in defending the Union during America's Civil War, it became unfashionable to be anti-Irish, and the bigoted Know Nothings faded away, taking their No Irish Need Apply signs with them. The AOH, on the other hand, grew stronger, following Irish immigrants as they worked their way across the country. As the need for militant support of their Church dwindled, the AOH shifted its purpose to charitable activities in support of the Church's missions, community service, and the promotion and preservation of their Irish cultural heritage in America. Today they stand, not only as the oldest Catholic Lay organization in America, but as the largest Irish society in the world with Divisions in Ireland, and 49 of the United States.
The AOH in America is partitioned into Divisions, County Boards, and State Boards, and is governed by a National Board elected every two years. The Division is the basic unit in the Order, and membership in a Division is membership in the Order. Even County, State, and National Officers, maintain membership in a local Division. Annual dances, concerts, and parades sponsored by all levels of the Order raise millions for charity, while providing a showcase for the positive contributions of the Irish to every walk of American life. Divisions usually support local charities within their geographic areas, while sending a portion of their monies to higher levels for support of state, national, and international charities. Subcommittees are often established to perform specific functions such as the administration of an annual Feis or Festival, the raising of a historic memorial, or providing instructions in such Irish subjects as history, bagpiping, dancing, and language.
The many Divisions and Hibernian Halls across the country have also traditionally provided a welcome for new immigrants. Here, the unique art, dance, music, and other interests of the Irish are fostered and preserved, making the AOH Hall a home away from home for many. Together, they are at the forefront of support for issues concerning the Irish, such as Emigration Reform, MacBride Legislation, and the Right to Life. They never forget their ancestral homeland either, and can always be found actively lobbying for, praying for, and working for the total independence of a united 32-county Ireland, as their constitution avows: "by all means constitutional and lawful
Project Children 2008
