District 4 Director Report September
District 4: Bronx, New York, Westchester
All County Boards and Divisions have been advised that the preferred manner of meetings is in-person. There have been some concerns expressed by older members of the Order that with the pandemic infection rates rising that they may not be able to attend in-person meetings.
Bronx County
Bronx County AOH will hold its annual Gaelic Mass on Saturday, October 2nd at 2:30 at St. Barnabas, located at 240th street and Martha Avenue. The Mass can be attended in-person (preferable) or viewed on-line through Facebook – just search for St. Barnabas
Church (Bronx, NY). The Mass said by Fr. Brendan Fitzgerald will also feature Irish singers and readings done by local Woodlawn groups. Specially prepared Irish-English translations of the prayers will be handed out to those coming into St. Barnabas or downloaded by those viewing on Facebook. These booklets allow everyone to follow the prayers in English as they listened to the Irish words.
The Mass began as a New York State initiative requested by former State President Vic Vogel. Last year this Mass became a national Hibernian event, endorsed by AOH President Danny O’Connell and watched by more than 7,000 viewers on the parish and AOH Facebook pages. Viewers from as far away as Texas and California joined leading Hibernians wearing sashes and medallions, Irish community groups, Irish speakers and parishioners, to hear Mass said in Irish by Fr. Brendan Fitzgerald at St. Barnabas. The Gaelic Mass, dedicated to those who kept the Irish language and culture alive, was symbolized by the Mass Rock and spirit of Irish speakers gathered in secret to hear outlawed Masses in defiance of British laws. This year's Mass will be followed by the installations of Bronx County officers and the County will provide refreshments afterwards. Please make all efforts to join us.
Bronx County will hold its Annual Dinner on Sunday November 21st at Rory Dolan's on McLean Avenue in Yonkers. National President Danny O'Connell will be one of this year's honorees.
New York County
New York County Board President Jaime Hamilton arranged a mid-summer AOH social at The Black Sheep on Third Avenue in Manhattan. The establishment, owned by Brother Hibernian, Tom McGrath, reopened in early August after 18 months being shuttered due to this pandemic. Brother McGrath has always championed the Hibernian ideals. You may remember that Brother McGrath ran the equivalent of 5 marathons to raise funds and awareness for the memorial to Commodore Barry at the home of the U.S. Naval Academy. New York County used this recent Social event to bring Brothers together in a purely fraternal atmosphere to catch up, discuss the up-coming year, and support a Brother, who has always supported others.
New York County Board will sponsor the Respect Life Mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral on Sunday, October 3rd. As is every year, NY County Board gathers with fellow Brothers from New York State at the 10:15 am Mass to celebrate Respect Life Sunday. As Catholics, we are called to cherish, defend, and protect those who are most vulnerable, from the beginning of life to its end, and at every point in between. Please make every effort to join us at our Cathedral to show the numbers of Hibernians who believe that all Life is important.
On October 16, 2021, at the Archbishop John Hughes Center at 32 Prince Street, NYC, the New York County Board will hold its annual offering of the Major Degrees. The ceremony will be conducted by the Cu Chulainn Celtic Warriors of Richmond County.
Westchester County
The 12th Annual Hudson Valley Irish Fest’s riverside celebration is planned for Saturday, September 25, 2021. The Fest and Center depend on community support, particularly from the men, women, and families of Peekskill Division 18 Westchester County Hibernians. All Hibernians are encouraged to attend this fabulous event and bring friends. This is a great opportunity to introduce everyone to the Order and increase membership!!!