This year is a state convention year when states will organize meetings and events that bring members from throughout a state together to conduct business and elect officers. State conventions are important for many reasons. Business is conducted and state officers are elected for the new term. It is also a fun experience to meet and be together with so many other Hibernians.

            Regarding state conventions, I strongly recommend the following:

To state leaders: Organize a structured schedule that supports quality leader/officer reports, sharing of information, and encourages productive discussions. Treat the business of the Order as important AND make the experience meaningful for others to learn and participate. The Blue Book is a terrific guide. Including a Major Degree in your schedule is also critical.

            Social events, such as hosting/attending Irish music or other cultural presentations, would ideally be included and available for members to socialize and network. 

            To delegates and attendees: Please attend and participate! Your state leadership shares important information at conventions, and it is your opportunity to not only learn but contribute. It is your opportunity to engage with leadership and support their work while also meeting other Brothers.

            Any member of a Division is eligible to serve as a delegate at a state convention and represent your division. If you’re interested, please contact your Division President.

Hibernian Charities

            Thank you! Thank you to all Brothers who contributed to the Hibernian Charity Appeal in recent months. Though we started the initiative later than usual, it didn’t impact your generosity. Your financial support will help other Brothers and their families through the Hibernian Disaster Relief, when needed. Project Saint Patrick, Hibernian Hunger and the Irish Way program also benefitted from your support, just to name a few of our charities.

            Thanks again for demonstrating your commitment to supporting others and opportunities for us to share our culture with the next generation.

            The next big event for Veterans as a whole is Memorial Day, Monday, May 26. This day commemorates those that gave their utmost in the service of our country. Abraham Lincoln described it as the “last full measure of devotion.” It truly is the last thing that a person can give, their lives. In a way, this ties in with the major Catholic event of Easter. The time when Jesus gave his life so that we might have the chance to go to heaven. I do not mean to belittle what Jesus did for all of us, but the sacrifice is similar. As it reads in John 15:13, “Greater love hath no man than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” The similarities are profound and we should remember and respect the choices and sacrifices those who have gone before us made for their friends. I hope that you all take time out to remember and celebrate the gift that those people have given us and the opportunities that gift has opened up for all of us and our families.

            The Easter Season is our time to reflect and be with family and friends to celebrate the sacrifices made by Jesus for us and our everlasting lives. Take time during this season to reach out to others, especially Veteran friends that you haven’t seen in a while and check in with each other. Holidays are always tough as we remember those who are no longer with us and who can no longer celebrate with us.

            I have recently added a couple of new resources to the Veterans Affairs section of the AOH Website and I encourage all of you to visit the site and explore the resources available. There are many, and some may be valuable to you. If you have a resource site/organization and would like to see them added to the Website, please do not hesitate to let me know. I will, of course, vet the information that is submitted before I can allow it to be posted. I recently received some solicitations from organizations that wanted to be a part of our resource page. Upon investigation, one was a clear scam and one was a disguised solicitation for money. I will try to prevent that from getting on the website, to the best of my ability. In any case, if you are ever seeking to get help with something, make sure that you check things out yourself to avoid any pitfalls that may lie in wait.

            As always, if you have questions or concerns you can call me at (406) 459-3958 or email me at p.e.flaherty44@gmail.com and I will do my best to get you any help or answers that you need.

In our Motto.

State Conventions

                This year is a State Convention year. The National Board has asked State leadership to send them information concerning the dates and locations for their state convention. The National Board would like to have representatives at as many state conventions as possible so that we can see firsthand the good work done throughout the Order. If you have not already done so please get that information to National Secretary Ray Lynch.

Hibernian History Tour

                At the time of writing this article I have just returned from the AOH History Tour in Ireland. National President Sean Pender and National Historian Dan Taylor put together a great tour with unique site locations stacked full of historical information, Irish culture and plenty of time for your own brand of fun. Lastly, I need to tell you about a conversation I had with our bus driver. I knew he lived in another part of Ireland and when I asked him why he came so far to take us from location to location he told me he would do anything for the AOH. He told me a little bit about his family history and that he knew firsthand about the good work the AOH does in Ireland especially for those who need it most. Those are his words not mine. I could not help thinking that it is not only the organizations we support that appreciate our good work. It is also the people of Ireland, every day working men and women, who appreciate the good work we do together.

            To begin with, Form 40 must be filled out with meticulous attention to detail. This form significantly facilitates various updates and administrative functions, which are essential to get information about our membership. We also use Form 40 for the Hibernian Digest mailing list. Division Presidents and Financial Secretaries must take time to ensure that all sections of the form are completed correctly. Also, please Do Not Use all capital letters when filling the information out. Doing so makes the transfer of information cumbersome. In addition, when entering address information, the street address and apartment information should be listed on only 1 line – not 2 lines. The 2 lines are only used when entering a PO address in addition to the street address or when entering the name of a Church or Institution. For example: 2568 Broad Street, APT 14B is entered entirely on one line — not 2 lines.

            Additionally, I would like to draw your attention to our policy concerning the reissue of membership cards. Reissues are strictly accepted under specific circumstances, such as outlined below for your reference:

• Changes in Veteran status.

• Updates regarding your Major Degree; and

• New memberships, which necessitate the issuance of a fresh card to represent your current standing within our organization.

            It is important to note, however, that we do not accommodate requests for card reissues solely based on changes of address. This card only represents that you are a member in good standing for the year on the card, it is not used for identification purposes. Of course, if your card is unserviceable, we will replace it.

            Should you have any further questions, require additional clarification, or need assistance to complete your Form 40, please do not hesitate to reach out to Deputy National Secretary Greg Seán Canning (201-787-6650; grioghar@mac.com ) or myself, Ray Lynch (772-298-2244; irishyankeenut@gmail.com ). We are here to support you throughout this process and ensure everything is handled smoothly.

            Thank you for your understanding and cooperation in this matter. We greatly appreciate your attention to these policies and look forward to assisting you soon.

            For more than 35 years the AOH has helped American high school students study in Ireland through the Irish Way Program. This multifaceted program consists of a wide variety of classes, workshops and tours. The dates for the 2025 Irish Way Program are June 29 – July 23.

            The $1,000 scholarship offered is for an AOH member who is attending high school, as well as for the child or grandchild of an AOH member. For more information on this scholarship, and the Irish Way Program, please visit our AOH National Web Page (aoh.com) under Committees/ Scholarships. Information on this program and our Irish Way scholarship can also be found on the AOH Facebook page.

            If you are a college student, or the parent or grandparent of a college student who just might be on the fence to study or not study in Ireland, take the leap or at least give it some serious thought. This scholarship could be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to study abroad! Opportunity does not knock twice! We strongly encourage you to take advantage of this scholarship’s golden opportunity. Please check out the AOH National Board website under Committees/Scholarships for a Study Abroad Scholarship Application and other pertinent information on studying in Ireland at the undergraduate and graduate level. Information on our study abroad scholarships can also be found on the AOH Facebook page. Please note: our college scholarships are open-ended until filled.

            Please feel free to contact me with any concerns, comments or questions. I look forward to hearing from you! My email address is: williamjsullivan@verizon.net Happy Spring!

Here is a complete list of our state convention Major Degree ceremonies being offered this year:

• Michigan – Saturday, May 17. Grand Rapids. Amway Grand Hotel, 187 Monroe Avenue, NW, Grand Rapids, MI. Sons of Milesius (OH) Major degree Team exemplifying.  www.michiganaoh.org.

• Ohio – Saturday, June 28. Cuyahoga Falls. Sheraton Suites Akron, 1989 Front Street, Cuyahoga Falls, OH. Sons of Milesius (OH) MDT exemplifying.  www.aohlaohohio2025.org.

• New York – Saturday, July 19. Rochester, NY.  www.nyaoh.com

• Pennsylvania – Saturday, July 19. Scranton, PA. Hilton Scranton and Conference Center, 100 Adams Avenue, Scranton, PA. Isle of Erin (PA) MDT exemplifying. Candidates and observers are encouraged to pre-register at www.aohlaohpaconvention.com or www.isleoferin.com.

• Virginia – Saturday, August 2. Richmond, VA. Brian Boru (VA) MDT exemplifying.  www.aohvirginia.org.

• Montana – Saturday, September 13. Helena, MT. Knights of Columbus Hall, 1867 North Washington Street, Helena, MT. Copper Kings (MT) MDT exemplifying. www.hibernian.org

• South Carolina – Saturday, September 13. Brian Boru (VA) MDT exemplifying. www.scaoh.org.

• North Carolina – Saturday, October 4. Southport, NC. Brian Boru (VA) MDT exemplifying.  www.ncaoh.org.

• Florida – Saturday, October 12. Orlando, FL. Rosen Centre Hotel, 9840 International Boulevard, Orlando, FL. Innisfail (FL) MDT exemplifying.

            We look forward to seeing as many Brothers as possible participating in these Major Degree exemplifications as candidates or observers. Best of luck to all our Major Degree Teams in carrying out our rituals and safe travels to all.

The 2025 Easter Appeal is underway! This year is the 30^th Anniversary of Project Saint Patrick. The primary business of Project Saint Patrick during the appeal is to raise funds for scholarship grants awarded to Seminarians and Religious. We need every division to participate with a donation to ensure the success of Project Saint Patrick and demonstrate our commitment to our Church. The Donation form can be found on the AOH website under the “Forms” tab at the top. Here’s the link to the Donation form….. https://aoh.com/gobansaer/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/2025_Project_St_Patrick_Donation_Form.pdf.

            Project St. Patrick was created to help our Seminarians on their path of discernment and study to becoming a Priest. Your generous donations throughout the years have positively affected hundreds of Seminarians who have been ordained. We need your continued support to expand our good work. Our Priests do not just appear clothed in their vestments but come from the pew as young men and with your prayers and steadfast support become Seminarians and eventually an ordained Priest.

            The next Project St. Patrick zoom call will be on April 29^th at 8 p.m. Eastern time with all the various State Project St. Patrick chairs across the country. The goal is to have a quarterly zoom call to help increase the flow of knowledge and information both ways between the National Chair and the State chairs. I’m happy to report that the engagement of the State Chairs is bearing fruit in multiple ways. The dialogue on the calls is very interesting and informative.

            I’ve also received information from Brothers from Florida to Montana on Vocation Directors in their respective states that we’ve never received before. So we’ll be able to increase the number of Vocation Directors contacted for the application process. The Vocation Directors are key in the grant application process since they provide the Project St. Patrick application to the Seminarians and write the letters of recommendation.

            I encourage all Project Saint Patrick chairs at the Division level, County level and State level to join the next scheduled zoom call. Please email me at kdelaneypsp@yahoo.com if you’d like to receive the link for the next scheduled zoom call.

            I’d also like to provide an update on Project Saint Patrick Ireland. President Pender traveled to Ireland in March to present a grant to St. Patrick’s National Seminary in Maynooth. Saint Patrick’s is the only Diocesan Seminary remaining in Ireland. President Pender will be presenting a grant for $25,000 from the National Board to help rebuild the Church in Ireland. We can be proud of our Order’s efforts to support the Seminarians in Ireland.

            I’ve added a QR code at the top of this article. The QR code will allow an individual to easily donate to Project Saint Patrick by following the directions on the screen. The use of modern technology makes it easy to contribute to Project Saint Patrick at any time.

            I wish my all of my Brothers and their families a fruitful Lent and a Blessed Easter Season.

            Hopefully you’re enjoying a wonderful and blessed Easter with your families, and you’re busy planning your summer activities and vacations. During the month of May, we celebrate Mother’s Day. If your mom is still alive, make the effort to spoil your mom, because nothing is too good for her!

            In February, our family suffered the loss of a cousin, who was 66, and was under the care of her 91-year-old retired nurse mother for the last several years of her too short life. Cancer is a horrible disease that attacks without prejudice and frequently forces very difficult end-of-life decisions and situations. The relationship between my cousin and her mother, who is also my Godmother, was nothing short of miraculous, especially in the last weeks of my cousin’s life. My aunt moved with the strength and stamina of a woman one-third her age, even if her face was soaked with tears, as she tended to my cousin’s needs. As I witnessed this act of love, I gained a new appreciation for the powerful bond between mother and child. As sad as the situation was, my aunt and cousin were relieved, and so very happy, when Fr. Tom Burke came to their house and heard my cousin’s last confession, presented her with the Holy Eucharist, and anointed her with the Holy Chrism. They both felt blessed and fortunate to be Catholic and fully supported by their parish, pastor and the sacraments, as end of life became imminent. Although cut too short by cancer, and ending in sadness, my cousin had a full life from conception to natural death.

            While my aunt is amazing, there are many more mothers like her, with powerful stories of their motherhood and how faith pulled them through impossible situations. Many of these mothers fill the ranks of volunteers for 40 Days for Life. These moms show up on the sidewalks around their neighborhood abortion facilities to pray and urge new mothers to avoid abortion and look to other options for their pregnancy, as they, like my Godmother, carry the intense pain of losing a child in their heart. 

            The AOH National Pro-Life Committee meets once a month by Zoom, usually the Monday or Tuesday before the First Friday of each month, which is when the Pro-Life Newsletter is published. We are gaining new attendees every month, usually Brothers who hold a Pro-Life Chair at the State, County or Division level, but also there are many brothers who are not Pro-Life Chairs but have a vested interest in Pro-Life activities. If you would like to join the Pro-Life Committee, please send me an email at lspittcmf@gmail.com. If you’re a State, County or Division President, and you need some assistance with filling a Chair, or wondering what’s involved in the office, send me an email, and we’ll schedule a call and get your Pro-Life Chair up and running!   — May God bless you! In Our Motto! Larry Squires

In the first quarter of 2025, our organization successfully engaged in a series of major events that significantly enhanced our visibility and strengthened our partnerships. We used this time to continue to develop relationships and sponsorships with many other Irish organizations and position the AOH as the premier Irish organization in the U.S. and the voice of Irish America. While consistently promoting the positions that we consider important. Notable highlights included the Irish Citizenship webinar cohosted by Immigration chair Den Dennehy, the Irish Consul General office of NY and the Irish American Baseball Society. With Project Children we hosted a webinar regarding their 50th anniversary and the upcoming October 2025 celebration in County Monaghan. With the LAOH and GAA clubs we hosted an 11-city, 14-day book tour to launch Lost Gaels by Peadar Thompson. When we collaborate with like-minded groups we amplify our impact. Joint initiatives and co-hosted events allow us to share resources and reach a broader audience, further solidifying our position within the community and promoting growth.

            We continued to invest in events that recognize youth and our younger members. The AOH National Board sponsored the attendance of Davy Holden, one of the world’s leading providers of Irish history content on the web, at the 18th annual Gael Scoil in NJ. Once again sponsored by Joe Cahil Division 10 of Mercer County, NJ, and chaired by Gerry O’Rahilly, it was an amazing two-day event that I was proud to attend. In May thanks to collaboration with the AOH in Florida and the University of Southern Florida at Tampa, Gael Scoil will be unveiled at a new location. For several years working with Gerry, we have offered Gael Scoil to other areas of the country. It is my hope that 2025 will be the year others will finally step up and bring this program to other locations. In late February we honored AOH members at the Irish Echo 40 under 40 in Lower Manhattan.

            I was honored to spend time with two great leaders of the church: the Most Reverend Frank J. Caggiano, Bishop of the Bridgeport diocese in Connecticut, and Eamon Martin, the Archbishop of Armagh and the Primate of All Ireland. Bishop Caggiano and I shared the dais at the 75th anniversary communion breakfast of the Bridgeport AOH. At the invite of the Bronx AOH and Father Brendan Fitzgerald and with local members we met the archbishop privately prior to attending mass and a concert to benefit the cathedral in Armagh.

            To grow our Order, Chad Ghastain, Chris Cooke and Ryan Curry continue to collaborate and work to expand our membership. Areas like Iowa, Michigan, California and South Carolina have been engaged. Our increased social media presence is yielding more applications than ever, but we continue to have issues with timely follow up. This is an area where we MUST improve; national directors will be tasked with overseeing the successful conversion of applicants to members. This must be a priority to all our leadership.

            The highlight of the first quarter was the AOH history trip to Ireland, hosted by AOH Historian Dan Taylor and me and documented by AOH Digital co-coordinator Chris Cooke. We spent an amazing 10 days in Ireland. See Dan’s article in this issue. We finished the trip in Dublin, where Freedom For All Ireland Chairman Martin Galvin and I had high level discussions with all major Irish political parties and the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs regarding the issues of legacy justice and unity referendum. I traveled to the North with Martin and Deputy FFAI Chairman Bob Bollbach, and we presented the yearly FFAI Christmas Appeal grants to 19 very worthy organizations; a remarkable $150,000 was raised and distributed. Well done to all who contributed.

            In early April, the AOH will be a leading voice and co-sponsor of the Ireland’s Future USA Gala dinner in Philadelphia. Ireland’s Future is setting the path to a united Ireland and the AOH is proud to be part of that historic project.

            In closing for reflection, I stood in the graveyard of St. Mullins in Carlow during the AOH History Tour and I showed many on the trip the penal altar that still stands. From the altar a priest would say mass while keeping an eye out an opening in a wall where he could see the lookout who was posted on the motte (hill). Throughout the centuries, courageous Irish men and women risked their lives to attend Masses held at mass rocks in secluded woods, led by brave priests who faced the threat of execution by British forces if discovered. The Ancient Order of Hibernians was established 189 years ago in response to the urgent call for the Irish community to safeguard the church from the attacks of those who opposed it. Our ancestors demonstrated remarkable bravery in celebrating Mass and defending their faith. As we have closed out Irish American Heritage Month it is essential to recognize that our Catholic faith constitutes a significant aspect of our Irish heritage and deserves to be celebrated alongside events such as the St. Patrick’s season.

            In March, cities and towns across the country witness the Irish community proudly marching to honor their heritage. It is my aspiration that in the coming years, we can fill our churches to celebrate the faith of our forebears.

            Credit where it’s due: this didn’t happen on its own. It happened because Hibernians picked up the phone, sent emails, and made this matter to their representatives. Every one of those 37 signatures has an AOH member behind it who got involved and followed through — and we thank you.

            But as proud as we are of that number, we need to be honest with ourselves: it should have been higher.

            This was not a controversial issue. The Special Envoy role has existed under every U.S. President since 1995. It supports peace. It supports business. It costs the taxpayer next to nothing. And yet, we didn’t get signatures from several congressional representatives who represent districts where Hibernians are well established.

            One of the signers? A representative from Guam. That’s right — Guam. Meanwhile, in areas with strong AOH presence, we came up short.

            As we reviewed those districts, one thing became clear: in every case where support was absent, so was meaningful outreach from our local divisions. That’s not about blame, it’s about reality. We can’t expect results if we’re not making the ask. Political engagement isn’t passive, it’s personal, and it’s local.

            This should be a wake-up call. Having a presence isn’t enough. Our voice must be heard directly by the people we elect. Offices need to know that when the AOH is engaged it’s a call to action. That’s how we build influence, that’s how we deliver results.

            We got 37 this time. That’s our floor, not our ceiling. Let’s get to work.

            My family and I attended the St. Patrick’s Day Mass for the New York Fighting 69th Regiment at St. Patrick’s Cathedral. This event honors the Grand Marshal and Hibernian Aides from Metropolitan New York. Concelebrated by Cardinal Timothy Dolan and other clergy, the Mass featured a moving homily from Archbishop Eamon Martin, who traveled from Armagh, County Tyrone, the seat of the Roman Catholic Church in Ireland.

            The Primate of Ireland’s visits are rare. On March 16, Archbishop Martin visited St. Barnabas Parish in Woodlawn; like his legendary predecessor, Archbishop Tomas O’Fiaich, Martin met with AOH National leaders and held a community reception. Woodlawn is home to AOH Woodlawn Division 5 of Bronx County.

            Archbishop Martin spoke about the desperate Irish who arrived in New York during An Gorta Mór with little more than the clothes on their backs. Despite their hardships, they held onto great hope forged in adversity and grounded in the same strong faith that had inspired Saint Patrick centuries earlier to persevere. He remarked, “It’s no wonder so many Irish people and their descendants played pivotal roles in building the great city of New York, serving as leaders in their parishes and communities, as well as in business, education, healthcare, law and emergency services.” He emphasized that the responsibility to strive for better lives for future generations rests firmly on our shoulders.

            After the Mass, I had the chance to thank Archbishop Martin for sharing his hopeful message. In the spirit of his inspiring words, I want to emphasize the AOH’s priority regarding immigration in 2025. We aim to educate and inform our fellow members and legislators, encourage the hiring and support of Irish immigrants, put an end to visa denials for Irish individuals seeking U.S. visas — particularly for residents of Northern Ireland and Irish artists — and contribute to the celebrations and commemorations of the USA’s 250th anniversary, which will highlight the Irish contribution to America.

            Please watch the AOH webinar, Obtaining Irish Citizenship and Passports. Hosted by the Consulate General of Ireland NY and the Irish American Baseball Society and presented by President Sean Pender and myself, it is filled with excellent information about the documents, requirements and benefits of Irish citizenship and passports. The video can be found on www.aoh.com or Ancient Order of Hibernian YouTube using the title Obtaining Irish Citizenship Webinar.

            You can locate a local Irish Immigration Center at www.ciic-usa.org. Your involvement at these centers is encouraged, and I urge everyone to participate for mutual benefit.

            However, while we turn the page of the calendar, we can not turn our back on our heritage. After surviving hundreds of years of oppression and efforts by one of the most powerful empires that history has ever seen to eradicate our history, we are seeing new and sadly very effective threats to our heritage.

            The new danger is Artificial Intelligence airbrushing the Irish out of history. It must be appreciated that A.I. is not an “All Knowing.” unbiased oracle; its responses are tailored and limited to the material it is trained on. A.I. is only as good as what it’s trained on — and it’s primarily trained on recent documents that emphasize other heritages, but not the Irish. Our stories are often missing from that data. The risk is real: we may be digitally airbrushed out of the historical record, not out of malice, but out of omission. We all have likely laughed at some point when we have seen an obviously bad A.I. image, and how it is fake, but will our children (or even their teachers) be able to spot bad A.I. answers regarding their heritage? If we don’t speak for our history, no algorithm will.

            Apathy toward our heritage among the young is growing; should that surprise us? How can you be passionate about something you know little about? That should sound alarm bells with every Hibernian. Edmund Burke, himself an Irishman, said it best: “People will not look forward to posterity who never look backward to their ancestors.” If we don’t teach the next generation who we are and where we come from, they won’t know what’s worth defending — or what’s at risk of being lost.

            March is Irish American Heritage Month, not Irish American History Month. History is the past, a collection of names and dates. Heritage is identity. It’s a legacy. It’s the roadmap of how people from a tiny Island on the fringe of Europe went from famine ships and “No Irish Need Apply” to being successful in every field of human endeavor. When we lose our connection to that past, we become easy prey to those who want to erase it or rewrite it because it may be an inconvenient truth that does not fit into a narrative they wish to tell.

            We are members of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, founded not just to celebrate Irish culture but to defend it. And you cannot defend what you do not know. If our children and grandchildren don’t learn about the Great Hunger, the Civil War Irish Brigade, the Molly Maguires, and the Easter Rising, our history dies with us. And if our history dies, our Irish identity becomes hollow — just green beer, inflatable Leprechauns, and plastic shamrocks once a year.

            So I urge each of you: Don’t just be Irish once a year, be a Hibernian. Be the keeper of the flame. Share our stories, not only about Commodore Barry, but your Father, Grandfather, etc. We talk a lot about “keeping the tradition alive” and “being proud to be Irish”; let us translate those words into action.

            On Monday, February 3, we held our second Zoom meeting with the HHP State Chairmen along with many of our national officers. Discussion centered on encouraging the state chairmen to contact divisions in their states to submit their hunger grant applications, as well as encouraging division presidents to appoint a hunger chairman. The data from the HHP applications may be beneficial when the AOH National Board applies for grants, since this information might impact the decision on the grant. The next HHP State Chairmen Zoom meeting will be held on Monday, May 5.

            As evidenced by the HHP applications received, divisions are addressing hunger in their communities in a multitude of ways. Due to the generosity of our members, 29 divisions received grants for their 2024 hunger projects. Due to the numerous first-class projects submitted, the HHP committee found the judging very difficult, but after much thought and discussion, decided on the five divisions who would receive $1,000 grants, and the 24 division who would receive $500 awards.

            Divisions selected to receive $1,000 grants were: Division 1, Allegheny County, PA; Division 87, Port Richmond, Philadelphia, PA; the Father John Lynch Division, Roanoke, VA; Division 1, Saratoga Springs, NY; and Division 1, of Sarpy County, NE.

            Divisions selected to receive $500 awards were: Division 2, Carbondale, PA; Division 2, South Amboy, NJ; Division 1, Columbus, OH; Division 1, Buck’s County, PA; Division 2,  Babylon, NY; Division 2, Middletown, NJ; Division 1, Watertown NY;  Division 1, Guilford County, NC;  Division 3, Fairfax, VA; Division 1, Watervliet, NY; Division 1, Binghamton, NY; Division 3, Silver Springs, MD; Division 5, Buck’s County, PA; Division 1, St Charles County, MO; Division 1, Omaha, NE; Division 39, Philadelphia County, PA; Division 1, Holyoke, MA; Division 2, Cape May County, NJ; Division 32, Cook County, Il; Division 1, Manchester, NH; Division 1, Helena MT; Division 1, Cambria County, PA; Division 1, Lucas County, OH; and Division 2, St Louis, MO. In future Hibernian Digest articles, we will report on how these Divisions addressed hunger in their communities.

            Tim Myles of Nassau County, NY, initiated a successful hunger project on his own, where customers of local businesses could purchase a paper shamrock and write their name on it for a nominal charge. The business would then display the shamrock for other patrons to see. All monies collected from this activity were donated to local food pantries in the New York area. This is certainly an idea that a division could utilize as their hunger project.

            The next round of Hibernian Hunger Project Awards will cover Division Hunger Projects that will take place between January 1 – December 31, 2025. If your division has not already begun planning a hunger project, now might just be the time to do so! 

            Please feel free to contact me with any concerns, comments or your questions. I look forward to hearing from you! My email address is: williamjsullivan@verizon.net

            The Belfast Telegraph on March 21 headlined the story that British Secretary Hilary Benn had met with Irish Republican “hardliners” during his visit to Washington. The story was accompanied by a photo of the British official who presides over the six counties for Keir Starmer meeting an American delegation that included National AOH President Sean Pender and myself (wearing an Easter Lilly). While the ground rules of the meeting prevent me from quoting directly, Hibernians will have no doubt that we took a hard line in support of victims’ families fighting for legacy justice, challenging Benn to keep his pledge to repeal and replace the Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR) cover-up commission.

            We were there because British officials recognize that the AOH is an influential voice in shaping Irish American opinion, and AOH “hardliners” on issues like Freedom for all Ireland must be heard. 

Irish Government

            During the first week in April, Hibernians were in Leinster House, meeting with key Irish representatives, including two party leaders and the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs. It was a crucial week as tariffs were being announced and a major dispute over opposition speaking rights dominated the parliamentary agenda. Yet these key officials made time to brief and get the views of the AOH because Irish America is important and the AOH is an important voice in Irish America.

Congressional Letter

            At the same time as we were meeting in Leinster House, Hibernians were calling local Congressional offices and getting backing for a bipartisan Congressional letter in support of the Finucane family and justice for the murdered Civil Rights lawyer murdered by British state agents.

Christmas Appeal Grants

            Hibernians also presented a record $150,000 in Freedom For All Ireland (FFAI) grants to 19 applicants, during a live webinar broadcast from the Houben Centre in Belfast. Each grant winner spoke about their work for Irish freedom and how much they count on AOH donations. The event is now posted on YouTube so it can be watched by any Hibernian who wants to see where our contributions go.

            Among the recipients this year were the Ballymurphy Massacre Campaign, and Bloody Sunday Trust, whose respective half-century battles for justice have been an inspiration to victims’ relatives across the north. Others who were awarded grants because of their work in fighting for legacy truth were Relatives for Justice and the Witness Project. The EALU center was awarded a grant for its work with Republican ex-political prisoners in Tyrone.

            A heritage grant was awarded to the St. Patrick Centre. Both Belfast National Graves and Tyrone National Graves were awarded grants for their work in honoring and caring for the graves of Irish patriots.

            Joe Doherty, who spent years in a New York prison battling extradition, spoke on behalf of the Greater New Lodge Commemoration Committee.

            The Bogside Artists and Martin McGuinness Foundation were among the Derry grant winners. Green Cross, Duchas-Oriall, Committee, Bridges Beyond Boxing, and the O’Neill-Allsopp Memorial Band were also grant recipients.

            Among the first-time recipients were the Ardoyne Youth Club and Eileen Hickey Museum. A special contribution will be made to Ireland’s Future, which is holding a major event in Philadelphia in April.

Crucial Role

            No Hibernian should underestimate the impact Hibernian hardliners have on Freedom for All Ireland. No Hibernian should overlook your crucial role in giving the AOH its strength. We can influence British and Irish officials, Congressmen and key groups doing vital work in Ireland only because we stand for members across 50 states, who work to support Freedom for All Ireland.

            I would like to preface this article by saying that what I have written below is not directed toward our past leadership in any way. Instead, it is my testimony of the early days of my membership and my ignorance that would soon be put into check.

            When I joined the AOH in 2014, I wouldn’t have been able to tell you much about our National Board, if anything. If you’d have asked me if I knew names like Murphy, Wallace, McGinley, Meehan and Boyle, I’d tell you I’d probably heard them in a movie or read them in a book. Names like Brendan Moore or Jim McKay may have come across my radar but, again, I would have had a better chance of guessing correctly the $2,000 questions on Jeopardy. My ignorance would ultimately be fixed, and I would learn the importance of our National Board.

            My first introduction to the National Board would be in 2016 during my time as Vice President of my local Montana division in Great Falls. We were told that our nonprofit status would soon be expiring if we failed to get our information updated with the IRS and the National Board. I think we all remember those dark days of the AOH when we thought the IRS paperwork was never going to end. Here I am, not once ever hearing of this elusive National Board, being told by “Big Brother” that we were in danger of losing our division. I thought, Who are these guys? Who are they to dictate what we do in our division? Like most Irishmen, my patience and calmness immediately kicked in, and I was ready to embrace these men as brothers… I can’t even use words like Irishmen, patience, and calm in the same sentence without cracking a smile. It would take almost seven more years before I would totally understand the purpose and goals of our National Board.

            Now, as I sit on the National Board, elected by you, my Bothers, I come, asking you to take a better path than I did. See the National Board for what it is: a group of dedicated Brothers just like yourselves who are trying to make the Order better for all involved. Please be patient with us as we guide the Order through this technological time, have compassion for us as we send you emails for the 20^th time. And mostly, say prayers for us and your fellow Brothers as we try to navigate this Order through a tumultuous time in our country.

            Lastly, we are always here to respond to your questions or concerns. Our email addresses are on the website and it’s our job to be here for our membership. I hope everyone had a wonderful St. Patrick’s Day!

Greetings Brothers! Spring has sprung and if you live anywhere in the Midwest, I am sure that your sinuses have let you know. I am anxiously awaiting the Kentucky Derby in My Old Kentucky Home on the first Saturday of May. This is always an exciting time and is considered the fastest two minutes in all of sports.

                The reason I bring this up is that our Irish ancestors built the horse racing industry here in the U.S. and continue to lead the way in breeding, training and management of these beautiful horses. I like to think that we continue celebrating our Catholic and Irish heritage from all the festivities of March and St. Patrick’s Day all the way to May with the Derby, Preakness and Belmont especially knowing that there is an Irish connection at every turn.

                When we think of spring, we often see the blooming of flowers on the trees and bushes and the beauty and renewal that it brings. This year I was able to be in our capital on the peak bloom day for the famed cherry trees at the Tidal Basin and Jefferson Memorial. It was absolutely amazing to see and experience. Pictures do not do it justice. But what I got from this experience is thinking how trees grow from the branches and not at the trunk. How they reach for the sun and bring life to the rest of the tree. This is very much like our Order – we grow at the Division level, our branches. Your state and national boards are here to help guide these branches to grow straight, true and strong. It is Brothers like you at the Division level that make the whole tree strong. Our Catholic faith and Irish roots keep us planted and able to survive the strong winds and storms that we go through occasionally. We have put a lot of effort with our recent push to go through open membership applications and new recruitment using social media and I ask you to help spread the word about our Order and all the great things that we do.

                One of the great things I do within my area is to hold a Midwest States Town Hall where we go over information of the day and then host a guest to speak. We have had the honor of having our National President Sean Pender as our first guest and that was a great meeting. You Brothers really had great questions and it was good to see the open and honest dialogue between all of us. We had Chad Ghastin talk about social media and how to use it, and I think we can see the results. Our latest guest was National Director and Organizer Ryan Curry who gave us a wonderful presentation on what organizing really means and the best practices doing it. I have some other fabulous guests lined up to talk with us. These meetings are Midwest centric but if you wish to see what we are doing and want to participate please reach out to me and I will share the link. I look forward to seeing you all online and hopefully at your state conventions.

            On Feb.15 I had the honor of attending with National Secretary Ray Lynch and Past National President Ed Wallace, a presentation of the movie, “How to Diffuse a Bomb, the Project Children Story,” in Jupiter, Fl. It’s always an honor to speak with Denis Mulcahy and his team as we prepare for the Project Children 50th Anniversary Celebration in Monaghan, Ireland, this October.

            I had the honor of marching in several St. Patrick’s Day Parades in March: St. Augustine, FL, Melbourne, FL, and Savannah, Ga. It was great to see old Hibernian friends and to greet new ones.

            On Tuesday, March 11, we ran the Project Children Webinar “Move to Monaghan Peace Campus.” The webinar was moderated by National President Sean Pender and speakers from Project Children were Denis Mulcahy, Catherine Flood, Patricia MacBride and Sheila Keenan. If you missed it, you can view the webinar on our AOH Youtube page.

            On Thursday, March 13, Deputy National Secretary Greg Sean Canning and I were honored to attend the Consul General of Ireland Sarah Kavanagh’s gathering at the Castle Irish Pub in Orlando for the formal appointment of the new, Irish Honorary Consul in Orlando, Patrick Delaney. The event was attended by Irish Government Minister Darragh O’Brien T.D.

            To finish the month, on March 28, Irish Consul General Sarah Kavanagh, National Secretary Ray Lynch, Deputy National Secretary Greg Sean Canning, myself and many brothers from the Broward County Division and Florida, traveled down to Miami to Loan Depot Ballpark to attend Irish Heritage night at the park.

            This was a joint gathering of the Irish American Baseball Society, the Ancient Order of Hibernians and the Emerald Society. An on-field award was presented to Marlins Pitcher Declan Cronin. The Consul General had the honor of throwing out the first pitch.

            While recruitment issues have taken up most of the time of the National Board, other events are occurring. National President Sean Pender and our National Historian Dan Taylor led a group of Hibernians on a trip to Ireland, which boasted an itinerary that included stops at historical sites in Kilkenny, Kinsale, Killarney and Dublin. It sounds like quite the trip! If a similar trip is planned in the future, make plans to travel!

            Speaking of Ireland. Kudos to FFAI Chairman Martin Galvin and Deputy FFAI Director Bob Bollbach for again doing an outstanding job in raising more than $150,000, a new record for the Christmas Appeal! These Grant donations were presented in a ceremony held at the Houben Centre in Belfast on April 5, by AOH and LAOH members. Please make plans to donate to the Christmas Appeal next year if you have not previously done so! Having been a part of this very worthwhile effort and presentation in the past, I have seen firsthand how much the groups who benefit from these grants rely on these AOH donations as they work for peace in Ireland.

            I also look forward to continuing collaboration with my fellow Directors: Ryan Curry, Ed Dougherty, Keith Reynolds, Patrick Ryan, and Rory Schulte. There is a lot of energy within this group. We make an effective team!

            If any AOH Brother needs to reach me to discuss any AOH issue, I can be reached at TomLambert12@aol.com or on my cell phone at 716-796-7687.

Consider taking the next step

            Spring has arrived and numerous state conventions will take place in the next several months where we will reaffirm current leadership or choose new leaders. We in the AOH have been blessed over the years with Brothers at all levels playing key roles that have led to the successful organization we enjoy today. The National Board has been urging our State, County and Divisions to fill all the constitutionally required positions on each Board. The National Board has witnessed that our most successful Boards and Divisions have the constitutionally required positions filled. Our most successful National programs can trace their success to the fact that a committee chair has been appointed in many of our Boards. Your officers are very important, they have certain duties to fulfill. Your committee appointments are important to allow the steady flow of information from the National Board down to the Division level and back up to National. This is where leadership steps in. As a national director we are always looking for the next leaders to carry our flag forward. If you think you can help our organization at any level, please take the next step. It is one thing to be on the team and yet another thing to play in the game. Brothers, I understand we all have family, work and other commitments. We do have the resources available to help you in just about any position you choose to fulfill. Please consider an active role in our Order.

Easter Appeal for Project St. Patrick

            I would like to mention the Easter Appeal to benefit Project St. Patrick. Please consider an individual donation or more importantly have your Division or Board make a donation to help our seminarians. This program harkens back to the origins of our Order when our members were called upon to protect our Catholic priests while they celebrated mass for the faithful back in Ireland under the threat of death from British oppressors.

            Lastly, I would like to say “THANK YOU” to all the brothers who helped with our Open Applicant Lists. Your dedication and help is appreciated.

            Our focus must now shift toward converting these applicants into fully initiated Brothers in the months ahead. We cannot allow applications to sit idle through the summer. Division Organizers should take the lead, assembling teams to vet and initiate candidates as soon as possible.

            Equally important is ensuring these new Brothers are properly integrated into our Order. While each Division may tailor its onboarding process, several best practices should be prioritized to foster strong retention:

• Provide a working understanding of how a Division operates — this foundational knowledge is essential.

• Encourage each new Brother to receive the Major Degree. If a local opportunity isn’t available, explore options such as attending a neighboring State Convention as a group.

• Engage new Brothers in committee work that aligns with their interests — this is where our future leaders begin to emerge.

• Empower each Brother to be a force for growth. Help them identify and connect with potential members in their personal and professional networks.

            I extend my sincere thanks to the National Organizing Committee for their outstanding work this year. Their ongoing efforts are building the foundation for sustained, nationwide growth of our Order.