Highlights of the Meeting: The Father Kelley Division fund raising efforts and results were discussed. The schedule of activities in 2023 was reviewed and modified. Future key fund raising and recruiting events were discussed.
The meeting was called to order at 7:31 PM at the George Brent Council of the Knights of Columbus, 9290 Stonewall Road in Manassas by Vice President Greg Gibbons.
Recitation of the Opening Prayer & Pledge of Allegiance: In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Amen. In the name of St. Patrick, the Glorious Apostle of Ireland, I open this meeting and beseech our Heavenly Father to watch over us and protect us. May He grant us that peace and harmony will always prevail among us, and that Friendship, Unity, and Christian Charity will inspire all our deliberations, through Christ our Lord, Amen.
- Our Father x
- Hail Mary x
- Pledge of Allegiance x
Meeting Agenda:
The Recording Secretary, accomplished the Roll Call of Officers:
| President: | Patrick Sullivan | E |
| Vice President: | Greg Gibbons | P |
| Chaplain: | Fr. Daniel Reuwer | E |
| Recording Secretary: | Michael Eggleston | P |
| Financial Secretary: | Richard Aleksy | P |
| Treasurer: | Brian Tumulty | P |
| Standing Committee: | Douglas Morrison | P |
| Marshall: | Greg Rebbert | P |
| Sentinel: | Paul Hannan | P |
| Past President: | Tom Masarick | P |
Minutes from previous meeting. Mike Eggleston: The 13 February 2023 Minutes were distributed to all members and were posted to the division website on 2 March. One change was received to include Eric Latcheran‘s participation in the Polar Plunges. This change was made, and the revised minutes were posted to our website. A motion to approve the minutes was made, seconded and those members present voted to approve the minutes as posted on the division website.
President’s Report. Greg Gibbons: March is obviously a busy month for the AOH. We have a lot of information to cover but will move through as quickly as appropriate.
President Pat is currently standing down due to his efforts to assist Kay. Please remember them in your prayers and our special intentions at the end of the meeting. There is a signup sheet if anyone is interested in providing a meal for them.
We attended the Manassas City Proclamation on 27 Feb for March as Irish Heritage month. In attendance were Pete, Bill, Mike, and me (see Photo). PWC conducted a Proclamation on 28 February Big thanks to Brother Vince Fitzpatrick aka St. Patrick himself at the parade (see Photo).
4 March was the Alexandria Parade and we had 5 Marchers. We were with the Dowd Division and attended a function afterwards with the AOH Brothers.
Of course, 11 March was the Parade. Thanks to those who participated. We had approximately 25 Marchers (see Photo). Great Showing.
We still have an open action to find a division member to take over Rick’s responsibility to setup our Road Cleanups. I have asked Rick to bring the Road Cleanup Gear. Next scheduled cleanup is May.
I have received several notices from State: a History Bulletin; Northern Ireland Protocol Information; a Project St. Patrick Easter Appeal, and an Irish American Heritage Month Proclamation.
13 March Seven Brothers and two wives attended the Gaelic Mass at St. James, followed by refreshments and entertainment. Brother Hugh O’Brien was a star there.
Excellent information has been put out by Mike and Pete in e-mails. Thank you for that. If you are not receiving the emails check your spam. If you have a division report for the division Meeting, please forward it to Mike prior to the meeting.
Propositions for Membership. Pete Hawkins: No new propositions for membership.
Reports on Candidates for Membership. Pete Hawkins: None.
Communications & Correspondence. Mike Eggleston: We received a thank you note from the Irish School of Dance for our donation.
Reports.
1.Trip to Ireland Ticket Sales. JP McCusker: We have sold 975 tickets and have 25 floating. If not already sold, these need to be returned and sold at the St. Patrick’s day drawing at OTSP.
2.Cookbook Status. Mike Eggleston: We received 226 copies of our cookbook from the Morris Publishing Company
Sold 171.
Remaining 55.
We are selling our cookbook on eBay and sales have increased slightly as we approach St. Patrick’s Day. We should plan to buy a hundred more cookbooks from the publisher. Cost would be about $600. Once we have these, we can advertise in the Irish Echo for $100. Irish Echo will run our ad for a week. We have $750 in the budget to cover cookbook costs.
3.Veterans Charity Beer Tasting. Vince Fitzpatrick: We had a profit of $1,194 for the beer tasting. This is $45 more than last year. A motion was made and approved by those present to donate profits of $600 each to TAPS and ABLE Forces.
4. Status of the Financial Audit: Brian Tumulty stated that the audit has been completed.
5.Calendar Events/Special Reports. Pete Hawkins distributed and discussed the 2023 Calendar.
18 March is the Dinner Dance after the 5:30 Mass. We’ll have corned beef, cabbage, carrots and dessert. We’ll also have a band. There are still a few spots available for those who wish to attend. Cost is $20 per person.
22 March is the DSANV Volunteer Appreciation Event. This will be discussed under Unfinished Business.
24 March is the Fish Fry. Gerry Ulrich has the lead. We’re doing really well. I’m hoping to get 10 pounds more fish so that we can accommodate the people that we’re currently turning away. We need to line up volunteers: Two slots in the kitchen at 2 PM and then another ten at 4 PM. We also need dishwashers and a couple of people to run the bar, some help at the sales table, and maybe a server to coordinate. I’d like to have all the names by the end of the day on March 21. No curb side service will be provided this year. 50% of the profits will come to us.
13 May is our annual picnic. Chris Sozio is organizing this event. We need other people to help.
July includes the 35th anniversary of the founding of our division. We have the Knight’s Hall tentatively reserved on 29 July for this event. We should try to marry up our anniversary with some other event like the division social/dinner. We’ll need a chairmen and committee. The State convention will be 14-16 July.
Special Committees:
1.Chaplain’s Reflection. Father Daniel Reuwer. No Report.
2.Charities and Missions. Greg Rebbert: We have started a good year for raising money.
3.Freedom for all Ireland (FFAI). Mike Eggleston provided the FFAI Report for Dominic Preston.
4.Report on the Standing Committee/Grievance. Doug Morrison: No
Report.
5.Historian. Mike Eggleston provided his report on the Battle of Fredericksburg.
6. Hibernian Hunger Project. Bart Emanuel: No Report.
7.Immigration. Brian Tumulty: Brian reported that he has received his Irish passport. He will provide more information on immigration at the April division meeting.
8.Political Education Chair (PEC). Vince Fitzpatrick: No Report.
9.Project St. Patrick. Rich Aleksy: Continue to keep our seminarians and our priest in your prayers.
10.Pro-Life. Paul Huber: Paul presented his Pro-Life Report.
11.Publicity/Webmaster. No Report.
12.Strategic Planner. Mike Riley: Mike Riley provided his Strategic Planning Report.
13.Veterans Affairs. Doug Morrison: Doug provided his Veterans Affairs Report.
14.Bills and Claims. Rich Aleksy:
Income:
Dues: $96.00
Cookbooks: $330.00
Ireland Trip Raffle: $3,300
Beer Tasting: $1,195.00
Total: $4,957.00
Vouchers:
23-007 Past President’s Dinner: $116.63
23-008 TAPS: $600.00
23-009 ABLE Forces: $600.00
23-010 Liability Insurance: $144.00
23-011 Picnic Pavilion Deposit: $50.00
Total: $1510.63
15.Report of the Treasurer. Brian Tumulty: Brian provided the Treasurer’s Report.
Unfinished Business:
- DSANV 22 March dinner. Eric Latcheran hopes some brothers will attend. Meal is for volunteers and future Volunteers. There are also On-line Raffles. A link for DSANV and other information was subsequently forwarded to the division.
2. 35th Anniversary Discussion. Rich Aleksy: We need to put a committee together.
New Business:
1. Membership Drive. Pete Hawkins: Membership Drive in 2023 will be focused on the Father Kelley Mass of 8 July. Pete Hawkins will put something together that defines the recruiting drive before he leaves for Korea. If we’re allowed to have someone speak for two minutes or so at the end of each mass that would help. We’ll need two people at each door. Pete will have a script. We will have to get Father’s approval on this.
2. Sashes. Greg Gibbons: Some have expressed interest. Amazon has them and a wide range of prices is shown. East West does not sell sashes. Gettysburg Flag may have some and Greg Gibbons will check on this.
Good and Welfare of the Order — Prayers:
Chris Sozio asked for prayers for some of his mother’s friends and his neighbor who had a house fire.
Doug Morrison request prayers for his brother-in-law, a Vietnam veteran who has cancer and his wife’s aunt.
Greg Gibbons requested prayers for his deceased brother.
Vince Fitzpatrick asked that we pray for Pat Sullivan and his wife, Kay and also the Aleksy family.
Rich Aleksy requested prayers for Mary Burns.
Adjournment: The president made a motion to adjourn that was seconded and approved by vote of those present.
Closing Prayer
In the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. And in the name of St. Patrick, the Glorious Apostle of Ireland, I declare this meeting closed. Grant, O Lord, who makes the minds of the faithful to be of one will, that we, Thy people may love what Though has commanded, and desire what Thou has promised, and that amid the changes of the world our hearts may ever love and obey Thee, through Christ Our Lord, Amen.
Let us pray for our deceased Brothers. All say:
Our Father
3 Hail Mary’s
Glory Be
President: Eternal Rest grant to them, O Lord.
Members: And let perpetual light shine upon them.
President: May they rest in peace.
Members: Amen.
PRAYERS FOR VOCATIONS
President: Lead division in saying 3 Hail Mary’s
Hail Mary
Hail Mary
Hail Mary
President: Brothers, you are cautioned against speaking of anything that has transpired at this meeting to any but those who you know to be members in good standing and bound by the same fraternal ties of Friendship, Unity, and Christian Charity
Adjourned. The President noted that the next division meeting is scheduled for Monday, 10 April 2023. The meeting was adjourned at 8:28PM. After the meeting, the 50/50 Raffle Drawing was accomplished. Paul Huber won the raffle.
