PA LAOHappenings
Newsletter of the Pennsylvania Ladies Ancient Order Of Hibernians, Inc.
From Our State President
Dear Ladies:
I hope everyone is well and had a great summer. It seemed that summer just
slipped by .. too quickly. Now that fall is here hopefully you are all back in
full swing with the LAOH meetings and gatherings. This summer we celebrated the Feast of Our Lady of Knock in August. Many of you held masses
dedicated to the Feast Day. As I noted in my letter to the Presidents in August, the Conventions for the Constitution and the National LAOH were well
attended by Pennsylvania and across the country. I would like to again
acknowledge the hard work of Mary Ellen Chajkowski, National Legal Counsel, member of Allegheny County, who chaired the Constitution Convention
and Dorothy Weldon, Past National President and Past State President, member of Washington County, who served as Recording Secretary of the Constitution Convention. They are both to be commended for devoting so much
time and a job well done. Also, the Claddagh Degree Team from Allegheny
County exemplified degrees at the Convention. Pennsylvania was well represented in St. Louis.
Also, On behalf of the members of the Pennsylvania State Board, we would
like to thank Sarah Mains for her work and dedication while serving on the
National Board. Due to personal reasons, Sarah stepped down this year from
the National Board but remains an active member of our Pennsylvania State
Board; and we congratulate Mary Ann Lubinsky, PA LAOH Webmaster and
PA Past State President, for her election to the National Board in the Office of
Catholic Action. We know Mary Ann is dedicated and knowledgeable and
will do an excellent job. We are fortunate to have Mary Ann join the other
Pennsylvania National Board Members, Peggy Cooney and Dorothy Weldon,
both Past National Presidents and Past PA State Presidents, representing the
interests of the members of our Commonwealth.
Congratulations to all the newly elected National Board Officers: President,
Mary Hogan; Vice President, Patricia O’Connell; Secretary, Carol Scheyer;
Treasurer, Karen Keane; Irish Historian, Marilyn Madigan; Missions & Charities, Dee Ramp; Catholic Action, Mary Ann Lubinsky.
Volume 1, Issue 4
October, 2014
Inside this issue:
President Greeting
1
2
President Greeting (continued)
and Degree Teams/Bucks Div. 1Bristol
3
Congrats National Catholic Actions Officer Mary Ann Lubinsky
Vice President-Upcoming Fundraiser / Irish Historian
4-5
Division 4 Washington CountyHappy 30th Anniversary/Phila.
Div. 61 Scholarships
6-7
Allegheny Div. 11/Div. 3 Maire
Drum Montco/Phila. County
Board Seniors Luncheon /Phila.
Div. 22 Retreat
8-9
Div. 2 ND-Montgomery County
Ceili/In Memoriam/Chaplains
Prayer
1011
President’s Letter Continued….
The revised Constitution will be available soon on the National website and revised to 8 ½ x 11. A reminder that once the Constitution is available, all divisions and counties should review your Bylaws to
make sure no items are in conflict with the National Constitution. Also, the National officers are in the
process of sending their introductory letters which will also be added to the National website.
The next General Session of the PA State Board will be held Saturday, 9:00 a.m., October 25, 2014 at
the Radisson Hotel Harrisburg,1150 Camp Hill Bypass, Camp Hill, PA17011. All members in good
standing are welcome to attend. The Pennsylvania State Convention will be held next year at the Doubletree Hotel, 301 West DeKalb Pike, King of Prussia, PA 19406 (Formerly Dolce Valley Forge Hotel &
Conference Center) beginning July 22, 2015. The website is www.aohmontco.com.
Please remember all members of the State Board are available if you need have questions or need assistance at any time. The Thanksgiving Holiday is just around the corner. God bless you are your family
and enjoy the Holidays.
Yours in Friendship, Unity and Christian Charity,
Nancy Cullen,
PA LAOH State President
PA LAOH DEGREE TEAMS NEWS
The Claddagh conferred the major degrees of the Order at the National Convention in St. Louis. How
wonderful!
The Tara degree team exemplified degrees to ladies from Bristol Division, Bucks County on Sunday October 19th in their hall.
If you would like to have degrees conferred in your division or county, please contact the closest director
to your location. The directors are:
· Peggy Cooney – Claddagh Degree Team – Pittsburgh –
Peggy’s email address is: [email protected]
· Marie Nealis – Tara Degree Team – Philadelphia –
Marie’s email address is: [email protected]
Newly Degreed Members of Bristol
Division 1- Bucks County
Page
3
Special Message From Our State Webmaster and Newly
Elected National Catholic Action Officer:
Thank you from the bottom of my heart to my Pennsylvania LAOH Sisters
who were with me in body or spirit in St. Louis on August 2nd for my election
to the National Board. It was a wonderful day that I will never forget.
I promise to do the best job I can as a National Officer and to make you proud
to call me a Pennsylvania Sister. My new email address for National Catholic
Action is [email protected].
For everything else, it is still [email protected]. Thank you!
In Friendship, Unity and Christian Charity,
Mary Ann Lubinsky
Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians, Inc.
2014-2016 National Catholic Action Officer
2007-2009 PA State President
2011-2015 PA State Webmaster
Mary Ann!!!
Here’s our Lady, Mary Ann
pictured with the new National board! Way to Go, Mary
Ann!
Your PA Sisters are proud of
You!
Page
4
State Officers’ Reminders-MessagesThanks
Vice President...
•The LAOH State Board is proud to announce its new fundraiser “ A Year of Prizes”
•We will be selling chances for 12 months of prizes!
•Gift Cards to local restaurants, home improvement centers, online services and other surprise gifts
•The value on this fundraiser will be over $300
•The tickets will be available for sale after the State Board Meeting in October
•This meeting will be held in Camp Hill on Saturday, 10/25/2014
•Tickets will be $2 each, 3 for $5 – they will be sent to the President of your division based
on your membership – we would appreciate it if all Presidents can make an effort to
assist us in selling these chances
IRISH HISTORIAN…..
Page 5
The winners of the 2013-2014 Irish History writing contest were announced at the National Convention in St Louis.
Among the more than 70 essays submitted from 11 different states, I’m so proud that Pennsylvania had three winners!!!!!!
Level 1 – Grades 6, 7, 8 Giants Causeway
First Place – Emma Fawcett – North Carolina $500
Second Place – Gianna Mehl – Pennsylvania $250*****
Third Place – Tommy Liuzzo – Virginia – $125
Hon. Mention – Zachary Sorgini – Pennsylvania - $50*****
Hon. Mention – Ellie Kuoppala – Montana – $50
Level 2 – Grades 9, 10-11-12 Book of Kells
First Place – Sheelagh Jackson – Ohio – $1000
Second Place – Kelsey Reiser – Pennsylvania – $500*****
Third Place – Michael Hessler – Montana – $250
Hon Mention – John F. Patterson – Virginia - $100
Hon. Mention – David Pedler – Michigan – $100
Thank You to all who submitted an essay. They were interesting and imaginative to read.
Please encourage entries for 2014-2015 essay contest.
The topic for all levels is “The Role of the Irish People in the American Civil War”.
The contest is comprised of two levels: Level 1 is for students
in Grade 6, 7, or 8 and Level 2 is for students in Grades 9,10,11,or 12.
Students who are enrolled in parochial, private,
public or home schooled are eligible to participate.
CONTEST TIMELINES
October 1- November 15, 2014: Students wr ite paper s
November 15, 2014: Students ar e r equir ed to submitted four (4)
copies of their essay to the LAOH Division Historians
December 15, 2014: Essays submitted to LAOH County Histor ians
January 15, 2015: Essays submitted to LAOH State Histor ians
National Awards Announced March 31, 2015
Any questions contact Maria Gallagher- 609-304-7929
WEBMASTER
The PA State LAOH website has been updated, pictures from the National
Convention have been added.
Mary Ann Lubinsky
LAOH PA Past State President
2013-2015 State Webmaster
http://statepalaoh.com/
Page 6
THIRTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF THE LADIES ANCIENT ORDER OF HIBERNIANS, INC.
MARY ELLEN O’NEILL DIVISION #4, WASHINGTON COUN TY, PA.
Chartered AUGUST 2, 1984 - Celebrated SEPTEMBER 6, 2014
PICTURE - LEFT TO RIGHT:
Susan Chappel - Vice-President, Webmaster, Catholic Action, Immigration/Legislation
Dorothy Flaherty Weldon, Past National and State President, #4 President, Freedom for All
Ireland
Rose Venanzi, Irish Historian, Financial Secretary, Past #4 President
Carole Cohill Seader - Secretary
Laura DeBor - Missions/Charity
Mary Rosick, Treasurer (absent)
THIRTY YEARS OF DEDICATION TO RELIGION, HERITAGE AND CHARITY
symbolizes the work of Mary Ellen O’Neill, Division #4, Washington County, PA.
The Celebration of the 30th Anniversary of the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians, Mary Ellen
O’Neill Division #4 was held on Saturday, September 6, 2014 at the Mon Valley Country Club. Susan Chappel, Chair, her sister, Elizabeth and mother, Margaret Foyle provided the members with a
canvas, brushes, paints and 2 finished Paintings of Shamrocks and members readily, under her guidance, painted their interpretation of a Shamrock. Lunch preceded the Painting Project and a 30th Anniversary Cake provided by President Dorothy Weldon.
Page 7
News from Division #61, St. Katharine Drexel, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania
Since 1998, the ladies of Division #61 have worked tirelessly to raise funds for scholarships for worthy
8th grade students that help to defray part of the cost of the first year of Catholic high school. This
scholarship program is named in honor of Maureen T. Lavin, a young girl that never made it to high
school. This year, the division was able to provide scholarships of $1000 each to the following young
girls:
Stephanie White: $1000 plus gift cards – to attend St. Hubert’s Catholic High School
Nameh Lotty: $1000 plus gift cards – to attend Little Flower Catholic High School
Madison Schwegler - $1000 plus gift cards – to attend Nazareth Academy
Madelyn Murphy - $1000 plus gift cards – to attend Little Flower Catholic High School
Shaye Mc Knight – $1000 plus gift cards to attend Little Flower Catholic High School
In addition to the grant given directly to the high school, students are supplied gift cards for uniforms
and shoes as well. To date, the scholarship program has awarded in excess of $65,000 to worthy young
catholic students to attend a catholic high school.
Pic 1 – Nameh Lotty, student
Pic 2- from left to right – Barbara Sperandeo, division #61 Missions and Charities, Shea Mc Knight,
student, Cathy Moffitt, division #61 member and Margie Byrne, division #treasurer.
Pic 3 – Jane Kelly, division #61 Publicity and Madelyn Murphy
Pic 4– from left to right, Ellen McCrane, State V-P, Stephanie White, student, Marie Pierce, division
#61 mistress-at-arms
Page 8
Volume 1, Issue 4
Allegheny County - Division 11
The Irish American Unity Conference (IAUC) was held in Washington, DC and was entitled “The Rocky
Road to a United Ireland”. The conference featured Anne Cadwallader, Author of Lethal Allies; Alan
Brecknell, with the Pat Finucane Centre (who collaborated on the book); Pat Doherty, Sinn Fein, MP West
Tyrone, MLA; Niall Murphy, attorney, Relatives for Justice and KRW Law, LLP, Belfast; and Roy Garland, author and Journalist, Irish News.
Pictured with the guest speakers are: Shirley Murphy, PA State
M&C; Mary Ellen Myers, PA Allegheny County Division 11 CA
and I&L chair; Alan Brecknell and Anne Cadwallader.
News from LAOH-Maire Drumm-Division 3, Montgomery County, PA(July 2014)
*Greetings from LAOH-Maire Drumm-Division 3, Montgomery County, PA! Our division is always
on the go! Similar to every other Hibernian Division across the State, we participated in many parades
and other St. Patricks Day events over the month of March. The month was action packed and our
division won the Best LAOH Presentation in the Conshohocken Parade! We held a very successful
Coach and Vera Bradley Bag Bingo in April. Many of our sisters helped to organize and run this event
under the supervision of our most knowledgeable sister, Susan DeMedio! The Bingo was well attended
by the community and a lot of fun for everyone. Most recently, we attended early morning Mass together at the St. Michael's Irish Festival in Phoenixville, PA. It was a beautiful day and wonderful to
celebrate Mass along with a lot of our Brother/Sister Hibernians from the surrounding counties. Two
of our sisters, Shawn Marie Brown and Jo-Ellen Roberts, had the wonderful opportunity to travel to
Ireland with The Irish Thunder Pipes and Drums! They
had a lot of fun and wore their Maire Drumm LAOH
shirts with pride! Our next adventure is to volunteer at
the Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Parish fair in Limerick,
PA. Our division helps out with this fair every summer
and we enjoy being a part of this community event. The
fun never ends for Division 3!
(*I inadvertently forgot to add this to the last newsletter,
so I am doing it now. –Clare)
Page 9
PA LAOHappenings
Philadelphia County LAOH Hosts Senior Citizens Lunch
On October 4, 2014 The Philadelphia LAOH County hosted a luncheon and the Guests of honor were
local Senior Citizens from the Philadelphia area Irish community. The lunch was held at Division
39 AOH Megonigal Hall in the Mayfair section of the City. The Seniors came for a meal of sandwiches, salads and an assortment of homemade cupcakes(baked by several ladies from the County)
for dessert. They enjoyed chatting with friends old and new and were entertained by the wonderful
Vince Gallagher Show Band. A big shout out to Becky Puchalski of Division 61 who organized the
Event and coordinated with The Irish Immigration Center and Philadelphia Commodore Barry Club.
Below pictured are other Sisters from Philadelphia County who helped make the day possible with
their volunteering to serve and decorate the hall for the sixty or so Seniors who attended. Special
Thanks also to Kathy Fanning, County President for the food arrangement and Ed Rooney from the
Men’s AOH for the Graphic design and production of the “Thank you from the Philadelphia County
LAOH” stickers that adorned the take home gift notebook.
LAOH Philadelphia -Div. 22
Division 22’s Chaplain Sister Kathleen McGovern held a retreat
for the members of Division 22 in May at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel church in So. Phila. After mass together, the Sisters of 22
went back to the Convent and had coffee/Danish and listened to
guest speaker, Sister Ann from the Sisters of Mercy. Afterward
the LAOH sisters were free to use the chapel and sitting areas of
the convent for private meditations and individual prayers and
then reconvened for lunch . What a lovely day!
Page 10
LAOH Notre Dame Div 2, Montgomery County
Catholic Action Chair, Sharon Hanson put together a beautiful ceremony to celebrate our devotion to the
Blessed Virgin Mary, during our meeting in May. The ceremony started with a procession to the May Altar,
led by Veronica Bradley, chosen by the members as the May Queen. Followed by the crowning of the Blessed
Virgin, while singing hymns and saying prayers, on a beautifully decorated altar of fresh flowers.
The LAOH joined forces with the AOH, to help put on a wonderful showcase of Irish culture and family fun,
at their annual charities fundraising Festival. It featured an authentic Ceili (pronounced Kay-lee) where Dancers travelled from all over the Delaware Valley to participate in all styles of Irish social Dancing including a
variety of Round, Long (progressive) and Square Dances, known as Ceili Dances. A low to the floor style of
dancing known as Set Dancing, which comprises of a sequence of figures danced in a square, to a set of tunes,
and Two Hand Dancing or couple dances. A local Gaelic Athletic Association group gave a display of the ancient, native Irish sports. Gaelic football, which combines the footwork and endurance of soccer, the jumping
and hand skills of basketball and the kicking and tactical awareness of rugby. Hurling and Camogie. which are
both bat and ball games, that combine the hitting skills of baseball, with the stick skills of hockey/field hockey
in a field sport reminiscent of lacrosse. Children from The Delaware Valley branch of Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann, an organization that started in the 1950’s, to promote the traditional music of Ireland played at the festival. They included the current 2013 All Ireland Under 12 Fiddle Champion - Haley Richardson, with the Mid
–Atlantic Regional Under 15 Fiddle Champion, Alex Weir and Under 15 Uilleann Pipes Champion, Keegan
Loesel, accompanied by Dylan Richardson on guitar. Workshops on making a St Brigid’s Cross, Step Dancers,
Irish Thunder Pipes & Drums and loads of Irish music rounded out the “All Ireland” cultural experience.
IN MEMORIAM
It was suggested by a sister from Division 39, Maria McDonald, that we have a Memoriam page added to our newsletter so that those around the State can be aware when a Sister has passed. It may have been someone that you shared
many moments and have many memories with as a Hibernian sister or perhaps you only shared a cup of tea at a Convention one time years ago with, but no matter how long you knew the Sister, she was important to you and you want
her name put in the Newsletter so that others can pray for the happy repose of her soul. My thoughts were to list the
Sisters name, division and county, and then every publication just add to the page. If anyone has any suggestions on
how to improve upon this, please let me know. I was going to start the list from January 2013, so please let me know
the Sisters name and what division they belonged to and I will add it to the list. God Bless.
Alice Murphy-Pottsville Division, Schuylkill County
Pat McLaughlin-St. Brigid’s Division 39, Philadelphia County
Colleen McGinley Ostronic– Allegheny County
Rita Garrah, Lifetime Member and Past President Lackawanna County
Margaret Matasky, Mary Ellen O’Neil Division 4, Washington County
Kathryn Timlin Russell, Mary Ellen O’Neil Division 4, Washington County
Betty Farrell, Division 1, Luzerne County
Sister Marie Veronica, our State Chaplain sends well wishes to us all and offers a Prayer for All Saints
Feast Day, November 1st.