Ancient Order of Hibernians
of Hampden Hampshire Counties
PO Box 826
Holyoke, MA 01041-0826
Next Meeting –
Monday, April 6, 2015 7:00 p.m.
LAOH – 6:30 p.m.
At The Wherehouse?
www.AOH-Holyoke.com
and now on Facebook
In ainm an Athar agus an Mhic agus an Spiorad Naoimh, Amen.
It was another great Danny’s Irish Night. We celebrated our Hibernian
Heritage, enjoyed a great meal, raised funds for the Maurice Donahue Scholarship
Fund, and after 13 successful years as co-chair, Patty Meon is stepping aside. Patty
your efforts have always been appreciated. Many members make this a great event
including co-chair Paula Lunney: head chef, Bob Cameron; Sam Methot from The
Wherehouse? for coordinating ticket sales and table reservations; Rosalie Pratt for her
raffle donations; Judy Pratt and her placemat advertising; Jane Kane’s cupcakes;
Publicity Chair Fran Hennessey; the kitchen crew, Pat Bresnahan, Paul Hogan, Patty
Meon, Joe O’Connor, Pat Bresnahan, Tim O’Shea, Jeff Meon, Peter Hogan, Charlie
Popp, Skip Clayton, Molly Burns, Becky Hoyt and Tom Hohol; dining room servers
from the Blessed Sacrament Confirmation Class, Dan Nichol, Zach D’Ordine, Aiden
Griffin and Deacon Wendell Pennell; AOH/ LAOH volunteers, Jim Sheehan, Joanne
Beliveau, Rachel Beliveau, Tom Griffin, David Popp, Mary Laura Hohol, Barb Twohig;
non-members, Ed Meon and Eileen Curran; Front Table Crew - Elroy Barber and Jim
Cannon, Mary Pat Murphy and Louise Bisson: Paula Paoli, Noranne Duquett, Amanda
Olmo, Margo Kane Kelly, the Curran girls, Janet Dwyer; our bagpipers, Matt O’Connor
and Jim Martin; emcee Tim Allen (note to Tim, the evening starts at 6:30); Sister
Kathleen Keating who blessed the event. Our Hibernians of the Year, Dr. Thomas
Moriarty and Barbara Gaughan who brought so much joy to the event; and Ireland
Parish, Ben Lavelle and Brian Conway.
Raffle winners at Danny’s Irish Night were Grace Curran, 1st Prize, 32” smart
screen tv; Peter Hogan, 2nd Prize, Pot O’ Gold lottery. Pete has been suggesting this
for years; 25 3rd prizes.
And in case you were wondering…. We served 390 lbs of corned beef, 200 lbs. of
ribs, 100 lbs. of carrots, 250 lbs. of potatoes and 150 lbs. of cabbage. That is a lot of
work.
“To Be Irish Is a Blessing – To Be A Hibernian An Honor”
Thank you to Jay Driscoll on another fine Communion Breakfast and to Fran
Hennessey, chairman of our Christian Charity Award Committee. Our substitute
guest speaker Suzanne Strzempek Shea gave a great talk about becoming a writer.
Monsignor David Joyce was gracious and typically humble accepting the 2015 Christian
Charity Award.
Pete’s Raffle Calendar Fundraiser continues to be a great success. This year 290
were sold resulting in a profit of $1,240.00 to the club. For a list of the winners visit our
website at www.AOH-Holyoke.com.
What many have considered the coldest Saint Patrick’s Parade in memory, we
Hibernians brought a strong, hearty contingent which included our 3 floats
stretching 2 ¾ blocks long. The float committee consisted of Jim Curran, Charlie
Popp, Pete, Pat & Paul Hogan with help from Jim Cannon, Scott Curran, Noranne
Duquette, Mary & Joe O’Connor, Paula Paoli, JD Watson. Our marchers included
Hibernians of the Year, Tom Moriarty and Barbara Gaughan, Monsignor David Joyce,
Christian Charity Award Winner, the Worcester Division 36 Color Guard led by Paul
Verdini, Clinton Division 8 President Barry Platt, Kathy Rafuse, Past State LAOH
Board, Mary Ryan Watertown LAOH President, Beth Lynch from Salem, our own Saint
Patrick, Patrick Hogan, Amanda Olmo, Paula Paoli, Noranne Duquette & Tim O’Shea
carrying banners, with the Irish flag were Owen Donohue, Jay Driscoll, Sean Crane,
Rosalie Pratt, Barb Twohig, Mary Mulvena and Dan Leary. Pete Hogan took photos
while spinning the Celtic Cross on float #2, Jim and grandson, Matt Curran in the golf
cart. Float drivers, Chris Barney, Bridie Glynis, Rich Laurin and J.D. Watson. Janet
Dwyer for coordinating the Cassin Academy of Irish Dance and to Fran Hennessey for
chauffering our guests on the Parade route.
Applications for the Maurice A. Donahue AOH/LAOH scholarships are now
available on line at www.AOH-Holyoke.com. Eligibility requirements include being a
son/daughter, grandchild of a member in good standing.
Think about volunteering this Spring. Providence Ministries is most appreciative of
our serving supper at Kate’s Kitchen throughout the whole year. In 2015, will be serving
Sundays, May 3, and June 28. If you would like to volunteer, call Paul Hogan at 2101416. Volunteering on March 29 were Joanne Beliveau, Jim Curran, Janet Dwyer, Jay
Driscoll, Fran Hennessey, Paul Hogan, Peter Hogan, Barb Gaughan, Paul Mengel, Tom
Moriarty, Paula Paoli, Charlie Popp and Barb Twohig.
Gentlemen, your yearly dues, $30.00 for the AOH can now be sent directly to
Peter Hogan. Checks can be made out to AOH, c/o Peter Hogan, 22 County Road,
Holyoke, MA 01040.
Thank you to Brian Conway of Ireland Parish for his generous donation of family
AOH treasures. A beaver skin ceremonial cap and sash worn by the Hibernian Knights
from the late 1800’s is now part of our prized collection.
“To Be Irish Is a Blessing – To Be A Hibernian An Honor”
Continued get well wishes to Fran Hennessey’ son-in-law, Keith Connellan who is
fighting brain cancer. Contributions from the fundraiser held last month for Keith and
Fran’s daughter, Moira, were quite generous. Keep the Connellans in your nightly
prayers
When a club member passes, the AOH and LAOH pay our respects at wakes for
the deceased with a Hibernian ritual. If you would like more information or would
welcome one, contact Paul Hogan at 210-1416 for the AOH and Paual Paoli at 210-6013
for the AOH.
LAOH News
Welcome to the newest LAOH member, Lori Beliveau. Lori is the sister-in-law of
Joann Gaughan Beliveau and aunt of Rachel Beliveau.
And who won the 2015 LAOH quilt? Well, first we have to thank Noranne Duquette
for her work on the design, Barb Twohig in marketing and all the ladies for their hand
embroidery. The winner was …. Casey Pratt, Judy Pratt’s granddaughter.
Our monthly reminders:
Kate’s Kitchen needs non-perishable food items, spices and oil for cooking, plastic
forks and 8 oz. plastic cups. Donations will be gladly accepted at the April monthly
meeting. Thank you Doc Dean for the reminder.
Upcoming Events:
Sunday, May 17, 2015 – An Gorta Mor Mass
Sundays - May 3, and June 28 – Kate’s Kitchen
Irish Cultural Center Events
Leon & Anton in Concert
Leo Moran and Anthony Thistlewaite in concert – Leon and Anton from The Saw
Doctors will perform in concert on Saturday, April 11, 7 p.m. at The Munich Haus
in Chicopee. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $25 for cultural center members, $30
for non-members and $35 at the door. For more information and to buy tickets contact
the ICC at 265-2537 or on line at www.elmsirishcenter.org
Bob Dixon’s name was chosen for the 50/50 raffle. Bob, you were not at the
meeting and didn’t win the $34.50 pot o’ gold.
Never more an Honorable Mention. Finally, after years of hard work, dedication and
effort, the James A. Curran Division 1 Holyoke AOH and LAOH took 1st Prize in the
Religious Category for our Celtic Cross float.
In ainm an Athar agus an Mhic agus an Spiorad Naoimh, Amen.