On April 14, I witnessed a wonderful program at Mullaney's Harp & Fiddle which marked the 90th Anniversary of the 1916 Easter Rising.
The Year of Remembrance Committee led and co-chaired by Diane Byrnes of Echoes of Erin and the IAUC'sSarah McAuliffe-Bellin did a tremendous job organizing the event as did all of the speakers - especially AOH32 brothers such as Denny Donnelly, Michael Finnerty, Jim Lamb and Pat McCann. In addition, the musical talents of brother Dennis Murphy were enjoyed by all - he knows every word to every song and can turn a Gaelic verse as well any native from the Old Sod.
"It really was an excellent evening with the most impressive being the audience as they truly were quiet and listened," said Diane. "Sean McClorey was the thread that wove the patches of history together with his poetry recitation and songs. From the stage, where I was, as emcee, at the end of the program; it was an awesome sight with all the candles lit."
The program consisted of readings including the Proclamation read by Míchael McDonagh from Connemara, music with Sean McClorey, a candle vigil and raffle.
Over 100 attended and witnessed a historical night they won't (and should never) soon forget.
Later this year, The Year of Remembrance Committee will be presenting a Commemoration of the Hunger Strikers as well. I'll keep you posted - you won't want to miss it.
I did a little soul searching "googling" during Holy Week and came across this interesting perspective about the Original Good Friday Agreement made by God on earth and in heaven more than 2,000 years ago and the one made by the men and women of Ireland in 1998. It made me sad, disappointed, happy and hopeful.
AOH National President Ned McGinley sent me the following note today..."The NY Times has many times ignored The Troubles in Ireland and has more often backed the London government in its interpretation of the situation in the north of Ireland. This editorial lays out the realities of the situation in the six counties today and the need for a political solution in which the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) recognize the mandate of the SDLP and Sinn Fein. It is time for politics not sectarian rhetoric to come to the forefront in six of the nine counties of Ulster and the Belfast Assembly envisioned in the Good Friday Agreement take it's lawful position and govern the North."
Every day we should pray for world peace, however there has never been a better time to "raise the bar" of our prayers for peace in Northern Ireland, Iraq, Afghanistan, Africa, the Middle East and throughout the world than now during Holy Week.
AOH 32 Jr. Division Tours Irish Brigade Battlefields at Gettysburg
On Wednesday, March 29, the AOH 32 Junior Division from Bishop Canevin - led by AOH Division 32 brothers' Jim "Bear" O'Connell, Mark Pritchard and I - travelled to Gettysburg to visit the sites where the infamous Irish Brigade fought. They left Pittsburgh at 6:00 a.m. and watched the movie Gettysburg on the way in order to get some insight into the battle.
When they arrived at Gettysburg around 10:00 a.m., they were met by the resident Irish Brigade expert/tour guide, Rich Kohr, at the National Visitor Center. He led them on a tour of some of the battle sites of Gettysburg, including the Peach Orchard, the “Wheatfield” (the most famous battle site of the Irish Brigade at Gettysburg), Devil’s Den, Little Round Top, and the end point of Pickett’s Charge.At the Wheatfield, Kohr aligned the group as the 116th Pennsylvania Regiment of the Irish Brigadewould have been as they entered the battle. They marched through the Wheat Field and up to the Irish Brigade Monument, which depicts a life-sized Irish wolfhound lying at the foot of a monumental Celtic cross.
Here are what some of the Jr. AOH members had to say about the trip. "That was the most fun I’ve ever had for a history lesson,” said Sentinel Ross Hirschfeld. “It made me feel connected with my Irish roots,” added Nick Midgley, freshman. President Wesley Baker remarked, “The trip provided us with a great opportunity to tour the route of the Irish Brigade. Being able to stand on the same ground where our forefathers fought and died was an unforgettable experience.” Treasurer Mike Garrity summed up the group's entire day, “There is only one word to describe the trip…tremendous!” One of the goals of the Jr. AOH is to cultivate an appreciation of Irish tradition and history and the students look forward to similar experiences in the future.
"The Year of Remembrance Committee" invites you to join them on Monday, April 17th at Mullaney's Harp & Fiddle for a special Easter Rising Program at 7:00 p.m. Donation is $2.00 at the door.
The Program consists of readings (including the Proclamation read by Míchael McDonagh from Connemara), music with Sean McClorey, a candle vigil and raffle.
Later this year, The Year of Remembrance Committee will be presenting a Commemoration of the Hunger Strikers as well. I'll keep you posted.
For more information, call Jim Caldwell at 412.580.3759 or Diane Byrnes at 412.781.6368.
Old St. Patrick's Windows a Gift of True Christian Charity
Through the kind generosity of the Allegheny County Ancient Order of Hibernians and spearheaded by AOH 32, our two year crusade to gift windows to Old St. Patrick’s Church in Pittsburgh's Strip District (on the corner of Liberty Avenue and 17th Street) was accomplished and the AOH’s honorable tradition of gifting windows to Catholic churches will continue to inspire future generations of Irish Catholic faithful.
The new stained glass windows of Saint Brigid of Kildare and Saint Patrick of Ireland - designed and crafted by Nick Parrendo of the Hunt Stained Glass Studios - were blessed by Bishop Bradley of the Diocese of Pittsburgh on Saint Patrick’s Day, March 17th 2006.
The media loved our story. KDKA-TV, WTAE-TV and WPXI-TV covered the Mass along with front page/main section stories in the Pittsburgh Catholic, Pittsburgh Tribune Review and Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
Here is a brief backgrounder about the symbolism of the windows.
Saint Patrick of Ireland Born: 387 at Kilpatrick, near Dumbarton, in Scotland Died: March 17, 493 at Saul, Downpatrick, Ireland (460 or 461 by other sources). Canonized: pre-congregation. Buried in Downpatrick, Ireland.
Patron of Ireland, and as represented in the window, bishop holding the shamrock used to explain the mystery of the Blessed Trinity. To Saint Patrick’s right is a representation of Saint Patrick enslaved as a shepherd in Ireland and instructed by the Angels to flee his enslavement.
Below both Saint Brigid and Saint Patrick are representations of stone posts and lintels -symbolic of the darkness and oppression of the people through the druid influence. Above them is a Celtic Cross symbolic of the liberation that the Catholic faith brings to the people of Ireland and the world. Saint Patrick stands atop a globe symbolic of his being one of the Saints universally recognized around the world. The likeness of Saint Patrick in the window is that of Fran Walsh, who for decades represented Saint Patrick in Pittsburgh’s annual Saint Patrick's Day parade. May he rest in peace!
Saint Brigid of Kildare Born: 453 at Faughart, County Louty, Ireland. Died: February 1, 523 at Kildare, Ireland Canonized: pre-congregation. Buried with Saint Patrick and Saint Columba in Downpatrick, Ireland.
Patroness of Ireland, and as represented in the window Saint Brigid is holding a cross she wove out of rushes from the floor to explain the love of Christ in His Passion.
To Saint Brigid's left are students holding manuscripts -as Saint Brigid founded a school of art (Illuminations). Also to the left is a ship representing Saint Patrick coming to Ireland as slave.
All of God’s Blessings to members of AOH 32, LAOH 32 and the AOH 32 Junior Division who unselfishly gave of themselves to support our holy crusade for Old St. Patrick's Church, for witnessing the great things we can do together in true Christian Charity!
Unionists have criticized Tony Blair over a reference he made to "Protestant extremists" during a recent speech on global terrorism and religious intolerance. He said Muslims who committed acts of terrorism were no more true to their faith than the "Protestant bigot" who murdered Catholics in Northern Ireland. Read article here and view video here.
A former senior official of Sinn Fein recently exposed as a British spy has been found fatally shot in northwest Ireland, according to police. Click here to read the AP story.
The Third Annual AOH Allegheny County "Celtic Open" Scramble sponsored by the AOH Allegheny County Board will be held at South Park Golf Course on Friday, May 12. Registration is at 7:15 a.m.., 8:00 AM “Shotgun Start” is at 8:00 a.m., followed by a hot buffet and awards presentation at 1:30 p.m.
The $75.00 per golfer package includes: 18 holes of golf with cart , Continental Breakfast, Snacks at 9th hole , Hot Buffet, Prizes on selected Par 3’s , Hole-in-One Contest for New Car and Door Prizes
Mail all registrations along with $75.00 per golfer to: John J. McEvoy, 311 Sterling Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15210, 412.431.7196. Registrations due by April 28, 2006 and checks are payable to: AOH County Board.
For questions email Dan Devinney or call him at 412.687.2459 (H) or 412.434.8090 (O).
On April 14, I witnessed a wonderful program at Mullaney's Harp & Fiddle which marked the 90th Anniversary of the 1916 Easter Rising.
The Year of Remembrance Committee led and co-chaired by Diane Byrnes of Echoes of Erin and the IAUC's Sarah McAuliffe-Bellin did a tremendous job organizing the event as did all of the speakers - especially AOH32 brothers such as Denny Donnelly, Michael Finnerty, Jim Lamb and Pat McCann. In addition, the musical talents of brother Dennis Murphy were enjoyed by all - he knows every word to every song and can turn a Gaelic verse as well any native from the Old Sod. 
The program consisted of readings including the Proclamation read by Míchael McDonagh from Connemara, music with Sean McClorey, a candle vigil and raffle. 
Over 100 attended and witnessed a historical night they won't (and should never) soon forget.
Later this year, The Year of Remembrance Committee will be presenting a Commemoration of the Hunger Strikers as well. I'll keep you posted - you won't want to miss it. 
AOH National President Ned McGinley
When they arrived at 
At the Wheatfield, Kohr aligned the group as the 
One of the goals of the Jr. AOH is to cultivate an appreciation of Irish tradition and history and the students look forward to similar experiences in the future. 
For more information, call Jim Caldwell at 412.580.3759 or 
