Thank you to those that were able to attend the rosary for John Gaughan and also to those that couldn't make it to Holyoke but prayed for John all weekend. Your prayers made a difference! Reports are that John is out of ICU, but we need to continue our prayers as he recovers. Cards can be sent to his home at 12 Richard Eger Dr, Holyoke 01040 - or - to the hospital: Mass General Hospital, John Gaughan RM 1234, Edison Building, 55 Fruit St, Boston MA 0211-2696. Continue to keep John and his family in your prayers. There's is power in prayer!
LAOH Irish History contest topic for 2026-27 has been announced for students in grades 6-12. The theme: " Beyond St. Patrick, St. Brigid, and St. Columcille, which other Irish Saints helped shape and sustain Ireland’s Catholic identity?” Attached is the Contest Poster, the Letter to Parents/Teachers, and the Student Guidelines for 2026-27. For more information, contact LAOH Division2 Historian Noranne Duquette @ celticma5@msn.com. Entries are due prior to October 30th to Noranne.
AOH partnering, with the Polish National Credit Union, announce their 2026 Annual Food Drive for Providence Ministries from September 1 – December 1st. Drop-off locations are: Rush Insurance [Bresnahan Insurance] 100 Whiting Farms RD Holyoke, Rush Insurance 270 Westfield RD Holyoke [formerly PNCU Insurance]. Non-perishable items such as: pasta, mac & cheese, tuna, Chef Boyardee, soup, baked beans, rice, and cereal are requested. Please read attached September press release.
There will be a President’s Luncheon honoring LAOH Mass State President Noranne Duquette and Mass State AOH President Joe McCusker on Sunday, October 18. Mass will be celebrated at 10:15 a.m. at St. John’s Catholic Church, 44 Temple St, Worcester. Following mass, brunch will be served at the Hibernian Cultural Centre, 19 Temple St, Worcester, across the street from the Church. Cost $30 per person. Contact Rita Stacy at 617.230.7408 or Charlie Sinclair 978.360.4425 for tickets. Purchase tickets no later than October 10th.
Peter’s calendars are now available. Tim O’Shea will serve as chairperson. These calendars make great Christmas stocking stuffers! Start your Christmas shopping early. You can get tickets at the October AOH meeting at the ICC, their November meeting at the Wherehouse?, or the December Christmas dinner. Any questions, please contact Tim at toshea1@comcast.net or 413.246.8785. Proceeds from this raffle will support float restorations for the parade.
Novmber 7th LAOH will hold their 1st annual Bowling Tournament at Canal Lanes, 74 College Hwy, Southampton. Contact Nora McMahon for details or to sponsor the event - text 413.218.2092 or driscona@gmail.com
LAOH will be preparing PB&J sandwiches for Kate's Kitchen on Saturday, December 12th at 10am. All are welcomed – 25 Roland Street, Holyoke. Contact Rosalie Pratt at 413.532.1677 if you have questions.
UPCOMING EVENTS – Save-the-Dates: Dec 7th Adult Christmas Party in lieu of the monthly meeting / Feb 27th Irish Night / Mar 14th Communion Breakfast / Mar 21st Parade. Details forthcoming as they are finalized.
Congratulations to JD Watson on receiving the Hibernian St. Patrick's Award. This award is presented to a member who goes above and beyond by living the motto of Friendship, Unity, and Christian Charity. Thank you, JD, for all you do for the Hibernians and our community!
The LAOH National Board is honoring the role that Irish American women played in shaping our country as part of the America 250th anniversary. This month they are looking for Irish stories. See attached announcement for Irish America 250 Story Telling Project, and the Tell Us Your Story Instruction Guide. All articles are being posted on the Irish History page, if you missed any of them.
LAOH has several items for sale. See attached order forms: Quarter ZIP Pullover; LAOH Black Jacket; LAOH Green T-Shirt. Any questions, contact Mary O'Connor at 413.627.7149
Except for Monday holidays: AOH and LAOH meetings are the first Monday of the month 6:00 p.m. for the LAOH and 7:00 p.m. for the men. There are no meetings in July and August.
Thank you to all who joined us at the Annual Hibernian Summer Picnic. Weather was perfect, food was delicious, company was awesome. See you next year!
Thank you to the Holyoke contingent that made the drive to support AOH Watertown's Memorial Day Parade: Holyoke's banner; Parade.
Applications for the 2026 Maurice A. Donahue Memorial Scholarship are no longer being accepted. Visit our website in April 2027 for next year's announcement.
Congratulations to the 2026 AOH Man of the Year Jordan Lamieux, the LAOH Woman of the Year Catherine (Kit) Collamore, and the Christian Charity award winner Sister Betty Sullivan SSJ. Read the Republican article announcing the awards, and the Catholic Mirror article as well.
Congratulations to our LAOH Division-2 Historian, Noranne Duquette who was unanimously voted State President at the recent State Convention. Thank you Barbara Twohig for your 3-year service as LAOH State President.
If you purchased a 150th Anniversary book to celebrate Holyoke's birthday, some articles were left out when printing. These links have been provided so you can add them as inserts to your book. 150th Anniversary Supplement; Holyoke Sun Congratulates Holyoke; Original article submitted; actual Sunday Republican June 2nd article.
Read about the History of the Ancient Order of Hibernians.
AOH_LAOH announce Membership Drive. Contact AOH Fran Hennessey (413.785.5687), AOH President Joe O'Connor or LAOH President Mary O'Connor if you have candidates or need more information. Applications for membership are always availabe on the Membership page.