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.
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