Ancient Order Of Hibernians Serving Reading Pa (County Berks) and the Surrounding Communities
Berks County Ancient Order Of Hibernian Divisions
- St. Brendan's Division #1 Berks County meets promptly at 8:00 pm the second Friday of each month at Holy Guardian Angels Church Hall 3121 Kutztown Rd. Laureldale Pa. If you are at least 16 years of age, Irish by birth or descent, and a practicing Roman Catholic, you are cordially invited to join one of the Divisions of the AOH or our sister organization, the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians (LAOH). We'd like to hear from you; drop us an e-mail line at: aohdiv1berks@aol.com.......Or call John Mackey @ 921-0986..... Bob Mchale @ 488-9041.....Tom Healey @ 562-5765....... Current Officers for the Year 2000..........Chaplain Father Francis Patrick Shoenauer..........President Robert J. Mchale..........Vice-President Thomas P Healey..........Recording Secretary Robert J. Devlin..........Financial Secretary Joseph K Delapp..........Treasurer Kevin Mchale..........Standing Comittee John C Dore Jr...........Marshall John Mchale..........Sentinel Lee Garrigan.......... Immediate Past President John C. Mackey..........Trustees John F. Dougherty..........James A Doyle..........Timothy Dillon
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- ACTIVITIES:.......... Next Meeting is Friday November 10th at Holy Guardian Parish Centre 3121 Kutztown Rd Hyde Park...............................Saturday July 8th The Annual Hibernian Summer Picnic...... This years event will be held at the Reading Leiderkranz located on Spook Lane next to Stokesay Castle. Festival of Nations Saturday & Sunday July 29th & July 30th at the Fairgrounds Mall in Muhlenburg Twp...............Our 9th Annual Lady of Knock Mass Saturday August 19th at St Margaret's Church 3rd & Spring St.s Reading Pa. We will meet at 4:45 and have a procession in. Mass will begin at 5:00pm. There will be a dinner following at the Riveredge on 183 below the Reading Airport. Cocktails begin at 6:30 followed by dinner at 7:15pm. Choices for dinner will be Chicken Athena,Stuffed Flounder or a Vegetarian Platter. Cost per person is $30.00. This includes your meal wine,beer,soda and entertainment. Congressman Tim Holden will be our guest speaker and Sean McCormick will lead our procession as our piper. Bridget Joyce will entertains us at the Riveredge. For further information please call Tom Healey at 610-562-5765.....
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- ANNIVERSARY.....The Ancient Order Of Hibernians of Berks County observed their 20th anniversary during February 1999. The Order was reorganized on February 16th 1979 after a 50 year hiatus. Originally founded in 1887 at St. Peter the Apostle Church in Reading the intent of those early members was to assist the large influx of Irish Immigrants coming to the area due to the Great Irish Famine and other causes. At that time and later at St. Josephs Parish on North 8th st these were the two parishes where the Irish settled in Reading. On February 16, 1999, St. Brendan's Division #1 will observe their 20th anniversary of the reorganization of the AOH in Berks County. The rebirth of our division took place in Sacred Heart Parish with 17 members being sworn in. Our first president was William Duddy and our first Chaplain was Father William Campion. Brother Danniel J. Flannery was the driving force in organizing this new division. Congratultions to all that have worked so diligently over the past 20 years to make us the strong, viable, respected organization that we have become. Thanks to our members, present and past and also our families and friends.------------------------------------------------------The 20th Anniversary Article was Submitted by Joseph G McCarthy AOH Historian................An Irish Blessing May the road rise to meet you, May the wind be always at your back, May the sun shine warm upon your face The rains fall soft upon your fields and, Until we meet again, May God hold you in the palm of His hand.
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- St Brendan's Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians...............President.....Betsy Paolini 374-0557 Entertainment Books for the year 2000 are available. The proceeds from the discount book will benefit one of the LAOH charities contact Carol Healey @ 610-562-5765 the cost of the book is $25.00
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- St. Columcille Division #2 Boyertown Pa..........St. Colmcille Division #2, Boyertown meets the second Tuesday of each month at the Knights of Columbus home in Stowe, PA. Meetings begin at 8:00 pm. On September 23, 2000, the AOH-LAOH of Division #2 will sponsor their annual Project Children Golf Tournament, to be held at the Gilbertsville Golf Club. The proceeds from the Golf Tournament will be used to offset operating costs to bring children over from Northern Ireland. The cost will be $75 per golfer and will include a steak dinner at the conclusion of the tournament. Any organization or person interested in sponsoring a hole can do so for $40 per hole. For information please leave message by clicking below.
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Our Favorite Links
AOH National Page
Berks County Board Web Page
St Brendans AOH Newsletter
Irish Voice Online
The Irish Famine
The Jeanie Johnston Project
Pennsylvania State Hibernian Newsletter
Pottsvile JFK Division 2 McGeary
Pottsville JFK Division 2 Moran
Girardville Pa Jack Kehoe Div 1
Jim Thorpe Pa Alec Campbell Div 1
Pittston Pa Wolfetone Div 1
NE Phila Fr Mcgonigal Div 17
Tacony/Palmrya Division 39
The Catholic Goldmine
The Irish Emigrant
Coal Miners Son
Irish Songs
Virtual Ireland
New York Irish Network
Federation of Irish American Societies
O'Connell Street
Newspaper Article on St Brendans Division 1
Article on Noel Behan
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GOD SENT THE BLIGHT BUT ENGLAND SENT THE
HUNGER
AN GORTA MOR, 1845 - 1849
(THE GREAT HUNGER
This Is
the AOH
The Ancient Order of Hibernians in America is
a Catholic, Irish-American Fraternal
Organization founded in New York City in
1836. The Order can trace its roots back to a
parent organization, of the same name, which
has existed in Ireland for over 400 years.
However, while the organizations share a
common thread, the North American AOH is a
separate and much larger organization. The
Board of Erin and the Board of America
cooperate on projects and had a joint Board
meeting in Dundalk, Ireland in 1995.
The Order evolved from a society formed in
1565 to protect the priests who risked
immediate death to keep the Catholic Faith
alive, in occupied Ireland, during the reign
of England's Tudor monarchs. In 1697, when
England imposed its dreaded Penal Laws on
Ireland, secret societies were formed across
Ireland to aid and comfort the clergy and the
people by whatever means available.
Similarly, the Ancient Order of Hibernians in
America was founded on May 4, 1836, at New
York City's St. James Church, to protect the
clergy and church property from the "Know
Nothings" and their followers. In the late
1840s, the vast influx of Irish immigrants
fleeing The Great Hunger (An Gorta Mor) in
Ireland prompted a growth of various social
societies in the United States to aid these
refugees, the largest of which was, and
continues to be, the Ancient Order of
Hibernians.
Active across the United States today, the
Order seeks to aid, socially and politically,
both the newly arrived Irish and those
Irish-Americans from generations removed. The
many Divisions and club facilities located
throughout the U.S. have traditionally have
been among the first to welcome Irish
immigrants and to preserve Irish Culture.
Here, the Irish language, art, dance, music,
and sports are fostered and preserved.
Newcomers can meet some of "their own" and
are introduced to the social atmosphere of
the Irish-American community. The AOH has
been at the forefront of Irish issues such
as: economic incentives (both here and in
Ireland); Peace with Justice in a United
Ireland; the Human Rights issues addressed in
the MacBride Principles Legislation; Genocide
Curriculum Legislation; freedom of religion;
and Respect for Life.
The Order has provided a continuing bridge
with Ireland for those Irish-Americans who
are generations removed from their country of
origin. Many AOH Divisions host visiting
children from the North of Ireland under
Project Children or other programs. The Order
sponsors many programs associated with
promoting our Irish Heritage, such as one
year overseas study scholarships at Irish
Universities and the Irish Way Program. Irish
Studies programs at American universities,
and scholarships at universities such as
Notre Dame, are also sponsored by the Order.
You are seeking admittance to the finest
Irish Catholic Organization in the world -
all we ask is for you to live our motto of
"Friendship, Unity, and Christian Charity".
The preceding summary is based on text kindly
supplied to us by Ned McGinley, the AOH
National Vice President.
*Knock, Ireland "Our Lady of Knock "
Knock, Ireland " Our Lady of Knock " 1879
On August 21, 1879, Margaret Beirne, a
resident of Cnoc Mhuine, was sent by her
brother to lock up the church for the
evening. When she was ready to leave, she
noticed a strange brightness hovering over
the church. Margaret had other things on her
mind, and didn't tell anyone what she saw.
Around the same time, another member of the
Beirne family, Mary, was leaving from a visit
to the church's housekeeper, and stopped with
the housekeeper at the gables, where they
could see the church. Mary replied:
" Oh look at the statues! Why didn't you tell
me the priest got new statues for the chapel?
"
The housekeeper responded that she knew
nothing of the priest getting new statues.
So, they both went for a closer look, and
Mary Beirne said:
" But they are not statues, they're moving.
It's the Blessed Virgin!"
Thirteen others also came and saw the
beautiful woman, clothed in white garments,
wearing a brilliant crown. Her hands were
raised as if in prayer. All knew that it was
Mary, the Mother of Jesus, Queen of Angels.
On the right of Our Lady stood St. Joseph,
his head inclined toward her. On her left
stood St. John the Evangelist, dressed as a
bishop. To the left of St. John stood an
altar which had a lamb and a cross surrouned
by angels on it. The vision lasted about two
hours. People who were not at the apparition
site reported that they saw a bright light
illuminating the area where the church was.
Many of the sick were healed upon visitng the
church at Knock.Knock, Ireland "Our Lady of
Knock "
Knock, Ireland " Our Lady of Knock " 1879
On August 21, 1879, Margaret Beirne, a
resident of Cnoc Mhuine, was sent by her
brother to lock up the church for the
evening. When she was ready to leave, she
noticed a strange brightness hovering over
the church. Margaret had other things on her
mind, and didn't tell anyone what she saw.
Around the same time, another member of the
Beirne family, Mary, was leaving from a visit
to the church's housekeeper, and stopped with
the housekeeper at the gables, where they
could see the church. Mary replied:
" Oh look at the statues! Why didn't you tell
me the priest got new statues for the chapel?
"
The housekeeper responded that she knew
nothing of the priest getting new statues.
So, they both went for a closer look, and
Mary Beirne said:
" But they are not statues, they're moving.
It's the Blessed Virgin!"
Thirteen others also came and saw the
beautiful woman, clothed in white garments,
wearing a brilliant crown. Her hands were
raised as if in prayer. All knew that it was
Mary, the Mother of Jesus, Queen of Angels.
On the right of Our Lady stood St. Joseph,
his head inclined toward her. On her left
stood St. John the Evangelist, dressed as a
bishop. To the left of St. John stood an
altar which had a lamb and a cross surrouned
by angels on it. The vision lasted about two
hours. People who were not at the apparition
site reported that they saw a bright light
illuminating the area where the church was.
Many of the sick were healed upon visitng the
church at Knock.Knock, Ireland "Our Lady of
Knock "
Knock, Ireland " Our Lady of Knock " 1879
On August 21, 1879, Margaret Beirne, a
resident of Cnoc Mhuine, was sent by her
brother to lock up the church for the
evening. When she was ready to leave, she
noticed a strange brightness hovering over
the church. Margaret had other things on her
mind, and didn't tell anyone what she saw.
Around the same time, another member of the
Beirne family, Mary, was leaving from a visit
to the church's housekeeper, and stopped with
the housekeeper at the gables, where they
could see the church. Mary replied:
" Oh look at the statues! Why didn't you tell
me the priest got new statues for the chapel?
"
The housekeeper responded that she knew
nothing of the priest getting new statues.
So, they both went for a closer look, and
Mary Beirne said:
" But they are not statues, they're moving.
It's the Blessed Virgin!"
Thirteen others also came and saw the
beautiful woman, clothed in white garments,
wearing a brilliant crown. Her hands were
raised as if in prayer. All knew that it was
Mary, the Mother of Jesus, Queen of Angels.
On the right of Our Lady stood St. Joseph,
his head inclined toward her. On her left
stood St. John the Evangelist, dressed as a
bishop. To the left of St. John stood an
altar which had a lamb and a cross surrouned
by angels on it. The vision lasted about two
hours. People who were not at the apparition
site reported that they saw a bright light
illuminating the area where the church was.
Many of the sick were healed upon visitng the
church at Knock.
