Catholic Action
The website for the USCCB is a wonderful tool for all Christians, especially Catholics. The site provides a world of resources to help men and women grow in their faith lives. The Bishops provide teaching and guidance on how to grow closer to Christ as we grow closer to our sisters and brothers throughout the world, and in our own parishes. Below are just a few of the many news stories and articles that the USCCB provide for us through their website.
Charities and Missions
The Hibernian Charity Appeal is our primary vehicle for individual members to contribute to our charity programs. These programs include– Saint Patrick Centre Young Ambassador Program; Project Saint Patrick; Project Saint Patrick Ireland; Hibernian Hunger Projects; Hibernian Disaster Relief; and Study Abroad scholarships. Our projects fulfill our core Hibernian values and enhance our legacy. We are very proud of our
impact in many local communities and the investment in our culture through these outstanding initiatives.
Freedom For All Ireland
The heartbreaking battle for justice by Sean Brown’s widow and children is a telling example of why Hibernians must continue to make legacy justice a priority. Sean Brown was not involved in politics. He was devoted to the Bellaghy Wolfe Tone’s Gaelic Athletic Association Club. That was enough to make him a target for a Loyalist murder squad on May 12, 1997, who abducted him at gunpoint as he locked up the Gaelic club grounds, drove him 10 miles to Randalstown, County Antrim, and then brutally murdered him.
Hibernian Hunger Project
The Great Hunger that took place in Ireland from 1845 – 1849 literally changed the face of the Emerald Isle forever. During this time period over one million men, women and children died from starvation. At the same time, many Irish men women and children emigrated to Britain, Canada, and the United States in the hope of escaping this horrific tragedy that had befallen their native land. In reality, though the potato blight did happen, there was plenty of food in Ireland that could have fed, and more than likely saved the million plus who died. The wealthy landowners in Ireland shipped their crops and other edible food items to England and the other parts of the world for profit.
Immigration
Irish American Heritage Month Program
Since 1991, American President’s of both parties and numerous acts of Congress and the Senate have designated March as “Irish American Heritage Month”, a time to honor the numerous contributions that Irish immigrants and their descendants have made to our country. Sadly despite the fact that these Presidential proclamations “call upon all Americans to celebrate the achievements and contributions of Irish Americans to our Nation with appropriate ceremonies, activities, and programs“, Irish American Heritage month has not received recognition comparable to that shown to other Heritage Months by our public and education institutions.
Political Education
The purpose of the Political Education Committee is to support the initiatives of the Ancient Order of Hibernians through political action. The Ancient Order of Hibernians is non-partisan and is willing to work with all parties to achieve the goals of the Order; we can work in common cause with political figures on some issues while maintaining the right to respectfully disagreeing on others.
Pro-Life
The Pro Life Committee works to provide news, education and advocacy for life from conception until natural death according to the teachings of the Catholic Church and Holy Bible.
Project St. Patrick
Ritual and Degrees
The Rituals and Degrees of the AOH are an important component of who and what we are as an organization. While it is essential for us to urge our members to take the Major Degree, it is also incumbent on us to assure that the Degree Teams themselves are available to perform this service wherever required. During the first week of September I mailed a Degree Team Profile form to be completed by each of our teams. My purpose was to ascertain which teams are currently active, as well as to update contact information for all teams.
Scholarships
The National Board of the Ancient Order of Hibernians offers several opportunities for the children and grandchildren of its members. Information on two of their Scholarship Programs is noted here. Your National Board strongly encourages you to take advantage of these scholarship awards.