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Ancient Order Of Hibernians Serving Reading Pa (County Berks) and the Surrounding Communities

Berks County Ancient Order Of Hibernian Divisions

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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
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NE Phila Fr Mcgonigal Div 17
Tacony/Palmrya Division 39
The Catholic Goldmine
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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

Our next meeting is scheduled for Friday November 10th beginning at 8:00 pm @ Holy Guardian Angels Parish Centre 3121 Kutztown Rd Hyde Park.... Our Annual Hibernian of the Year was given too one of our Outstanding Members. This years recipient of The IRISH ANCIENT ORDER OF HIBERNIANS MAN OF THE YEAR award was accepted by our good brother THE HONORABLE JOSEPH K DELAPP (O'Lapien).


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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.
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