Ladies AOH

Division 5, “Mary of the Gael”

Division Happenings
Volume 1, Issue 7, Division 5, Orange County, NY, Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians October 2009

President
A Message from the President...
Gail Edmonds Latha Math Dhuibh.

Editor I hope we are all enjoying the cool fall weather as we know we will soon be knee deep
in snow. Please remember the faithfully departed on the upcoming All Soul's Day. I
Gail Cane would like to take a brief moment to think about the word “One”.
Upcoming Events “One bread, one body,
one Lord of all,
Friday, Oct. 23 – One cup of blessing which we bless.
LAOH Mtg., 8 pm And we, though many,
throughout the earth,
Sunday, Oct. 25 – We are one body in this one Lord.”
AOH Div. 1 40th
Anniversary Party “One love, One blood, One life
1-6 pm You got to do what you should
One life with each other
Saturday, Oct. 31 – Sisters, Brothers, One life
Halloween Party, 7 pm at But we're not the same
the Hall (children & adults) We get to carry each other
“Drop off cards to troops” Carry each other”

Sunday, Nov. 1 – The above are song lyrics, the first from “One Bread, One Body”, a hymnal song often
All Saints’ Day heard after receiving Communion at Mass. We are all One, but together we make up
Monday, Nov. 2 – the Many. The second set of lyrics is from the U2 song “One”, a contemporary song but
All Soul’s Day again, telling us we are One, but together We carry each other. Sisters & Brothers. I
would like to hope that we can go forward as Sisters in the LAOH as ONE group, a unit
Friday, Nov. 20 carrying each other through the years. Can you imagine us at our 25th Anniversary
LAOH Div. 5 Meeting, 8 pm Party?? We have the support of our Brothers in the AOH which is what our National
Presidents together are striving for. We have it all here in Monroe, and again remember
Saturday, Nov. 28 – it takes all of us working together to move forward. It takes more than one to make a
LAOH Div. 5/AOH Div. 1 family, more than one grain of wheat to come together to create the Eucharist. It takes
Co-host U2 Nation, 9 pm more than one to make the many. On that note, again please invite a worthy candidate
to join our LAOH Division 5 so we can all carry each other forward.
Thursday, Dec. 10 –
LAOH Div. 5 Let us remember our Soldiers on Veteran's Day; if any of you have a Brownie group,
Christmas Gathering CCD class, etc., if you can have your children make cards for the soldiers, please do -
Logan’s Well have some fun and make them together! Let us support Mr. Jim Kelly in his worthy
7 pm endeavor “Adopt A Platoon” through this simple gesture. Cards can be dropped at the
Hall no later than Oct 31. There is a Halloween Party at the Hall that night as well & we
Ongoing Events will have supplies available for any children to make cards (as well as have some
spooky fun). U2 Nation is coming to the Hall on Nov 28; tickets are available now.
Traditional Irish Please see me; they are $20 each and this will be a great night. Proceeds again to be
Music Seisiun used for Christian Charity, foremost our adopted Soup Kitchen.
Every Sunday afternoon,
from 1- 4 Please feel free to make any suggestions to make LAOH Division 5 even better.
Irish Set Dancing Lessons
Yours in Friendship, Unity and Christian Charity,
Every Monday, 7 pm
Gail
Volume 1, Issue 7, Division 5, Orange County, NY, Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians
LAOH DIV. 5 AND AOH
DIV. 1 are sponsoring
U2 Tribute Band
“A Complete U2 Experience”
NOVEMBER 28, 9 PM
The concert will be held at the
Monroe Irish Center, 10
North Main St. Tickets are
$20/ advanced sales only.
Tickets are available at the
Irish Center or by contacting
either Gail Edmonds at
gailedmonds@frontiernet.net,
or Brendan O’Dowd at 845-
551-0563. This concert is
open to members and non-
members, so please bring your
family and friends to this
event! If you are a U2 fan, you
don’t want to miss this great
night!
SUPPORT THE TROOPS!
Jim Kelly, AOH Div. 1, will
again be sending packages
and cards to the troops for
Christmas. Have your children
make cards and drop them off
SAVE THE DATE!
Thursday, December 10, 7 pm.
LAOH Division 5 will hold their
Christmas gathering this year at
Logan’s Well in Florida. Don’t miss
this night to join together to
celebrate our first Christmas
together as a Division!
Page 2
HIBERNIANS IN THE NEWS
Did you see Barbara Bedell’s column on October 18?
“The chill of fall is a rude awakening that winter's on the way. Some
of us have already heard the oil burner's familiar drone. It's a
rallying call to get the shovels and warm gloves ready for snow and
ice. And it's a reminder to stock up on non-perishables for those
days when you can't get out to the grocery store or when the
power's out. For families who already are living in a daze without
jobs or their once familiar roof over their heads, it's just another
day.
It's comforting to know that there are volunteers who are trying to
make a difference. They're gathering coats and warm clothes for
shelters and schools. And they're making donations to food pantries
and soup kitchens, which always need a helping hand but especially
during cold-weather months. For the people who use the
nonprofits, there should be no pride in seeking food to feed
ourselves and our families or seeking free coats and school
supplies. We're all part of this "we've paid our dues" society. Most
of us know that phrase "There but for the grace of God go I." We
could be next..
On a recent weekend, members of the Ladies Ancient Order of
Hibernians Division 5 and the men's Ancient Order of Hibernians
Division One co-hosted a "Halfway to St. Patrick's Day Party." The
Irish always enjoy a party. Because they're a giving and caring lot,
the party became a wrap for the new soup kitchen at the Sacred
Heart Parish in Monroe, appropriately dubbed "Our Father's Kitchen.
With more than $1,400 left over after party bills were paid, the
committee wrote a check and presented it to the Rev. Tom Byrnes,
church pastor. Also present were Jonelle Rizzi and Betsy Johnson,
coordinators of the parish's outreach program, who welcome
donations anytime. Congratulations to Gail Edmonds, president of
the Ladies AOH, and Brendan O'Dowd, president of the men's AOH,
and all the members who wear green all year and carry in their
hearts the deeds of St. Patrick as well as the Golden Rule.”
Pictured are Gail Edmonds, Fr. Tom Byrnes, Jonelle Rizzi,
Brendan O’Dowd and Betsy Johnson.
 Volume 1, Issue 7, Division 5, Orange County, NY, Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians Page 3

Celebrating Half Way to St. Patrick’s Day

On Saturday, September 19, LAOH Division 5 and AOH Division 1 co-hosted our first “Halfway to St. Patrick’s
Day” party, and what a night it was! There was traditional Irish fare prepared by the Division 1 men, led by resident
chef Dennis Browne; music was provided by the AOH’s own Seisiun Band, which of course led to some ceili and
set dancing by the “Monroe Set Dancers”; joke-telling by Division 1’s Ed Dennehy; and the tricky tray raffles,
which was coordinated by Division 5’s Mary Luciana. A guest appearance by the Orange County AOH Pipes and
Drums, was one of the highlights of the evening. The proceeds raised from this fundraiser, including the 50-50
raffle, was approximately $1400, and benefited “My Father’s Kitchen”, the new soup kitchen at Sacred Heart
Church in Monroe. Congratulations to those people who made this night a huge success.

OH WHAT A NIGHT!
Volume 1, Issue 7, Division 5, Orange County, NY, Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians Page 4

A Little Bit of Irish History….

Kitty Kiernan is best known as the fiancé of the great Irish leader, Michael Collins. But who was the woman
that could capture the heart of Collins and what became of her after his untimely death? Catherine Brigid
(Kitty) was born in 1892, in Co. Longford. While Kitty was in her teens, her family was struck by death. Her
sister died in 1907, both parents in 1908, and another sister died in 1909. All died of Brights’ disease (a
form of kidney disease). Despite all her hardships, Kitty became a quick-witted, vivacious young socialite.

It was May 1916, when Michael Collins and his friend, Harry Boland, checked into the Greville Arms Hotel
which the family owned. The three met and the two men became instantly smitten with her. As the two
men traveled and worked to change the Ireland in which they lived, the three exchanged letters daily. Kitty
was not interested in politics - she lived in the moment. When she and Michael wrote letters it was about
love and wanting to live a normal life. He wanted a normal life but in a united Ireland. It was Michael
Collins who eventually stole her heart.

Michael Collins went to London to negotiate a Treaty for Ireland. He was not happy with the outcome. The
Anglo-Irish Treaty made Ireland a Free State, but gave the northern six counties to Britain. Upon signing
the Treaty ,Michael Collins stated “I tell you, I have just signed my death warrant”. Nine months after
returning home from London, Ireland’s beloved Michael Collins was murdered on August 22, 1922.
Michael Collins was on his way to Cork to visit with the newly appointed Irish Army, when he was
ambushed and shot in the head. He died instantly. Kitty was inconsolable. She was unable to partake in
life’s pleasures.

Three years later, Kitty married Felix Cronin, a leader in the National Army and friend of Michael Collins.
They had two sons, the second named Michael Collins Cronin. She and Felix did not have a happy
marriage. Kitty continued to grieve for Michael. She would often reread her letters and kept a portrait of
Michael on display. Kitty died of Brights’ disease on July 24, 1945, and is buried not far from her beloved
Michael at the Glasnevin cemetery in Co. Dublin.

Irish Art Classes in Monroe --- As guest artist Patrick Gallagher led our group into
beautiful creations of Irish art, everyone who participated enjoyed the experience.
Look for Patrick to inspire our creativity in the near future.

Irish Ceili/Set Dancing Lessons
on Mondays, 7-7-9 pm, Div. 1 AOH
AOH
Hall. Please contact Ed Dennehy
@ 8158269422@optonline.net for
further information.
New Members
New members are welcome! If you
know a worthy candidate, please
contact Gail Edmonds at
gailedmonds@frontiernet.net. for
information on membership
DON’T FORGET YOUR DONATION TO
“MY FATHER’S KITCHEN” WHEN YOU
COME TO THE NEXT MEETING
They are in need of canned yams
and stove top stuffing mix.