Update from our National Treasurer- 12/27/2016
Immediate Action Required
​
"Sisters,
I am preparing the Year End Reports and still need copies of the following exemption letters:

Albany County Board
Albany Div 1
Broome County Board
Broome Div 1
Broome Div 2
Cattaraugas Div 2
Cayuga Div 2
Chewing Div 1
Dutchess Div 1
Erie Div 1
Greene Div 1
Kings Div 9
Kings Div 19
Kings Div 22
Monroe Div 1/4
Nassau Div 15
Niagara County Board
Niagara Div 2
Oneida Div 17
Onondaga Div 1
Orange County Board
Orange Div 2
Orange Div 4
Orange Div 5
Oswego Div 3
Queens County Board
Queens Div 15
Queens Div 25
Rensslears Div 5
Richmond County Board
Rockland Div 2
Rockland Div 3
Rockland Div4
Schenectady Div 1
Suffolk County Board
Suffolk Div 1
Suffolk Div 2
Suffolk Div 3
Suffolk Div 4
Suffolk Div 5
Suffolk Div 7
Ulster Div 5
Westchester Div 11
Westchester Div 16
Westchester Div 17
Westchester Div 18
Westchester Div 19

...email a copy of the letter to me at memadigan@gmail and a copy to [email protected]

Thank you,

Marilyn"

Update October 1, 2016
In order to clarify this change for you  a bit  as of January 2017 the donation amount that is accepted is $10 ,I know that many of you have been donating already at that rate but some of you still have the forms that are asking for $5 so I ask you to please note that this will now be increased to $10. For now up until December 15 you may still donate the $5 . BUT any donation postmarked after December 23 please note National will no longer accept the $5 donation and it will be returned to you for the correct payment amount of $10. My suggestion to possibly make life easier for yourselves, and whomever maybe newly elected to Missions and Charity in your divisions this fall, is that it might just be easier for all to start the change now and just mail in the $10 donation to National. Just a thought 

This information will be on our state website also.

As always please don't hesitate me with any questions or concerns regarding this matter or anything else regarding Missions and Charity. 

Yours in our motto,

​Terry Meyer
NYS Missions & Charity Officer
[email protected]
Cell 914-443-0362

​
Notice of Change Regarding Mass Offerings
For many years, the Columban Fathers have accepted Mass offerings of $5.00.  As was mentioned at the LAOH national convention in July 2016, the Archdiocese of Omaha, where the Columbans are headquartered, changed the minimum offering to $10.00 some time ago.  As we are obliged to follow the Archdiocesan guidelines, we will be transitioning to the $10.00 offering effective January 1, 2017.  Until that time, we will continue to accept $5.00 offerings.

In order to be in compliance with the change, please ensure that any payments sent to me for $5.00 Mass cards are postmarked by Friday, December 23rd because of holiday mail delivery. I will not accept any $5 payments for cards effective January 1st.

​Thank you and God bless!

Yours in Friendship, Unity and Christian Charity,

Mary Ann Lubinsky
2016-2018 Missions and Charities Officer
Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians, Inc.
570-617-7961

​Advocates of Brexit, and post Brexit politicians in Ireland and the United Kingdom seeking to minimize its impact to a nervous constituency, have attempted to dismiss this fact by citing  that the UK and Ireland have had a “common travel area” which long predates their EU membership.  While the long existence of the “common travel area” is a fact, it is not a relevant one in the current Brexit scenario. The “common travel area” was an agreement between a sovereign Ireland and a sovereign United Kingdom, not an independent Britain and EU member Ireland.  Given a prime motivation for the Brexit vote was British frustration with EU immigration policy, the idea that Brexit Britain is going to leave an open door with an EU member Republic of Ireland can only be described as naive or disingenuous.  Currently the British government is erecting a wall in Calais in an effort to keep out migrants from EU member France, is it plausible that they are going to keep a wide open border in Armagh post Brexit? Additionally, those who cite the "good old days" of the pre-EU “common travel area” also conveniently forget the significant British military presence which was an integral part of the British security policy during the “common travel area” era.  The psychological effects of seeing what can only be described as a new partitioning of Ireland cannot be underestimated and threatens to undermine all the work to build trust between both communities. The imposition of a hard border would be an abrogation of key terms of the 1998 Good Friday Agreement.

The second implication of Brexit is economic. While the markets have recovered from the initial Brexit shock, the impact on the British economy has the implications of Brexit are implemented are inevitable. Many in the “leave” camp have attempted to downplay this, pointing to a “hope” that the UK will come to a “special deal” that will stave off the economic consequences. Hope is not a plan and no one has put forth a cogent argument why the EU and its member economies would want to award a special dispensation to an ex-member for leaving the fold and set a dangerous precedent for other “leave” campaigns. Former Northern Ireland Secretary and European Trade Commissioner Lord Mandelson has estimated that the eventual economic fallout from Brexit could see the Northern Ireland economy shrink by 3% with 50,000 jobs at risk.  History has shown whenever the British economy has experience a prolong downturn it shrinks inward toward London with Scotland and Northern Ireland bearing a disproportionate burden of job loss and economic impact.  History also teaches us that in Northern Ireland when jobs are scarce sectarian based discrimination rises and is a precursor to a resumption of violence.

​​Finally, Brexit means the loss of an independent observer and advocate of the Irish peace process.  The Good Friday Agreement emphasizes Britain and Ireland’s joint membership in the EU as an area of common interest which can be built upon to lead to greater peace and understanding.  The EU has backed up the peace process with considerable funding of initiatives that promote cross-border co-operation such as the PEACE IV initiative where the EU now picks up 85% of its €229 cost. Exit from the EU also raises question on human rights protections for Northern Ireland. Current Prime Minister Theresa May has been an ardent critic of the European Convention of Human Rights as "binding parliament’s hands", only softening her tone when she launched her bid to become Prime Minister.
 
The Brexit vote takes the United Kingdom and the people of Ireland into unchartered waters in the fragile boat that is the Good Friday Agreement. While having voted by a much wider majority to stay in the EU than the broader population of the United Kingdom to leave, the long suffering people of Northern Ireland are being involuntarily swept along with the Brexit tide to an area of the map where it says "Here be Dragons". In a sea off uncertainty and political instability there is reason to be legitimately concerned that the old Dragons of "Playing the Orange Card" and sectarianism which have been fitfully sleeping for nearly two decades may once again awaken with the violent consequences that impact the people of all communities of Northern Ireland. 
 
Brexit and the severing of ties with the EU which has served as an independent guarantor to the Northern Irish Peace process has created a dangerous leadership vacuum. The Unites States has a significant investment in the Northern Irish peace process and if it does not wish to see the dividends of peace that the Good Friday Agreement delivered squandered it must again become an active advocate for peace and justice. History has sadly shown that progress for justice in the Anglo-Irish relationship only occurs when the United States, led by calls form Irish America, is actively involved.  Unfortunately, in recent years peace and justice in Northern Ireland has erroneously fallen off the U.S. Government agenda in a mistaken belief of “mission accomplished”. It is up to us, Irish America, to educate them. We must immediately stop the erosion of the commitment to the MacBride principles; now is the wrong time to signal that America is disengaging from the Northern Irish peace process. We must make justice in Northern Ireland a precondition to any trade agreement or treaty that Britain seeks with the U.S. if it seeks to develop U.S. markets to replace what it will lose as a result of its E.U. exit.
 
Peace is too precious to wait until it is lost and the violence begins. Shame on us if we do not take proactive action and it takes the sacrifice of another Terence MacSwiney or Bobby Sands to motivate us. It is time to make Northern Ireland a U.S. priority now before a Brexit iron curtain descends upon Ireland.
 
Neil F. Cosgrove
National Political Education Chair
Ancient Order of Hibernians in America

The Irish name for a Mass Rock is Carraig an Aifrinn: a rock or an earth-fast stone that was used for Catholic mass during the Penal times in Ireland,"an altar from which Irish Catholics could practice their religion"

Our research shows that there is no other mass rock in the United States, but here in Greene County, New York ~ which has erected a memorial "Mass Rock" in the Catskill Mountains. This undertaking is shared by the Greene County AOH, Div. 2 and Our Lady of Knock LAOH Division 32. 

Kingston, NY AOH was instrumental in bringing this mass rock to our site on the grounds of the Michael J. Quill Sports and Cultural Centre grounds in East Durham, NY. Always feel free to stop by the blessed rock & grounds and offer a prayer for your intentions. Masses are offered there periodically.

At this time, we are installing a granite memorial monument next to our Mass Rock for those men and women who risked their lives defending our faith. We are asking for the monetary support from our fellow AOH and LAOH divisions throughout the State of New York and throughout our entire United States. This monetary assistance will help with the erection of the monument and on-going maintenance. Our start-up figure is set at $10,000 and we ask that your group consider a donation to this Mass Rock Memorial. Donations of $100.00 or more will have their names inscribed on the monument. 

Any donation is so welcome !
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Please refer to the attachment, which outlines how to donate to this wonderful way of identifying with and preserving our Irish heritage. 

Note: we need your response no later than October 1st, in that the engraver will be starting asap.
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We would be so happy to include your group and/or any individual on this memorial monument for those donations of $100.00.

Questions, call Tim O'Sullivan @ 518 622 9322
OR:           Patrician Steinhauer @ 518 622 8219

Information shared by Kay DeMott, LAOH Div.32 Historian

The Vatican has announced that Mother Teresa will be canonized on September 4, 2017. Click here to read more about the announcement.
​

I am asking for all LAOH New York State Counties and Divisions to recognize this date. Information will also be posted on our Website and on our Facebook Page. More information will follow as we get closer to September 4th.  

Yours in Friendship, Unity and Christian Charity,
JoAnn Gundersen,
LAOH NYS Catholic Action Officer 
718.219.4378 | [email protected]

Dear Sisters,

​​I have reached out to Pieta House which provides free one on one counseling by psychologists and psychotherapists for suicide, survivors, those with thoughts of suicide, and those who self harm.

There are currently 9 centers across Ireland and the first ever Pieta House has just been able to open partly in thanks to grants from Ireland at NY Irish Center. Their mission is to help anyone who is not  only contemplating suicide but also self harming, depression, support for families, support if they can’t get back home  when there’s been a tragic incident such as death in family etc. Basically all mental health issues including bi-polar and it is available to all for free.  They have just hired a second licensed counselor and one has just  gone to Ireland to be trained in the program and mission of the organization. Suicide has become a major issue among the Irish both in Ireland and here in the United States. The world is watching  now and this is becoming the model to follow. 

Every year Pieta House organizes its Darkness Into Light walk all across the globe to raise awareness about suicide and much needed funds. This year the first ever Pieta House Darkness Into Light walk took place in Gaelic Park on the 9th of May at 4:15 am. The early morning start did not scare people off, over 100,000 people participated right across the globe. The Emerald Isle Immigration Center staff, friends and neighbors participated in support of this great cause.

posted 10/28/2015
Update:
Remember to call the toll free number on the yellow postcard by November 1st to verify your information and ensure inclusion in the 100th Anniversary Membership Album.

You may also submit an article up to 300 words and a photograph about a division, county board, state board, or family. Call the toll free number for information on how to submit.

The Membership Album is available for purchase but purchase is not required for inclusion in the album.

original post 9/14/2015:
​The AOH and LAOH have joined together to compile the AOH/LAOH 1916 Rising Centenary Membership Album commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the Easter Rising. The first section will include a history of the event, the second will feature member submissions, and the third will be a member directory.

All members and division, county, and state Boards are encouraged to submit stories, articles, and photos about their history for inclusion in the album. Submission deadline is November 2nd.

A mailing with more detailed information is being sent and is also available on the National LAOH website

We offer our condolences to our Brothers across the State on the passing of Past New York State Ancient Order of Hibernians President John Egan. Our thoughts and prayers are with John and his loved ones.

"The wake will be Wednesday at Ruggiero's 732 Yonker's Avenue from 3pm-8pm. AOH members should assemble at 7pm for our tribute to this great Hibernian who represented everything that makes me proud to be Irish and a Hibernian The funeral Mass will be Thursday at St. Barnabas 10:45."

​http://brooklynirish.com/…/sad-news-great-hibernian-john-e…/