Gerald Partsch  March 5, 2024 

Minutes of the February 12, 2024 Meeting of the Ancient Order of Hibernians

Father Kelley Division

Highlights of the Meeting: Two candidates, Tom Canavan & Kevin O’Connell, were welcomed into the order as new members of the Father Kelley Division.

Propositions on Candidates for Membership

Brian Tumulty nominated the candidates, Tom Canavan & Kevin O’Connell, Patrick Sullivan seconded, unanimous vote by the members present to accept the candidates as new members.  The new members recited the St. Patrick’s Pledge.

Meeting Agenda

The meeting was called to order at 7:10 PM at the VFW Hall, 9304 Centerville Road in Manassas by President Greg Gibbons.

President Greg Gibbons recited the opening prayer, and the Division recited the Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be.

Tom Masarick led the division in the Pledge of Allegiance

The singing of Opening Ode, “O’Donnell Abu”, was suspended.

President Greg Gibbons declared the meeting duly open for the transaction of such business as may properly be brought before it.

Recording Secretary Jerry Partsch called the Roll of Officers:

President Greg Gibbons – Present

Vice-President Brian Tumulty – Present

Chaplain Father Daniel Reuwer – Excused

Recording Secretary Jerry Partsch – Present

Financial Secretary Rich Aleksy – Present

Treasurer Paul Hannan – Present

Standing Committee Doug Morrison – Excused

Marshal Greg Rebbert – Present

Sentinel Jerry Laffey – Present

Past President Pat Sullivan – Present

Reading of previous meeting minutes

Recording Secretary Jerry Partsch stated that he distributed the minutes to all members via email and posted them online on January 31, 2024.  Mike Egleston made a motion to accept the minutes as posted, Tom Masarick seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous.

Presidents Report: 

1. Kudos to all who participated in the State Meeting.  FKD did a great job.  The Unity of our brothers to put on this event made it a success from our standpoint.  We had many folks who stepped up: Chair, Hall Manager, breakfast, lunch, Sub prep, clean up, sales table and reset the hall. The Marshall was a big support.  FKD had seven brothers earn the Tower Degree. 
2. We conducted the Installation of Officers and Raffle ticket sales.  This is the busiest time of the year for us.  And it continues through March.
3. We had a very successful February Beer tasting event led by Joe Martin & Vince F.  In addition to the funds raised there was a lot of Friendship displayed. 
4. Hunger Project Report Submitted to National Office to obtain funds.
5. Keep in mind these efforts make possible our Christian Charity donations.  Again, many volunteers made this possible.
6. Friendship – Refreshments afterwards.  Welcome our new members.
7. Future activities will be covered in the calendar review.  I will point out we have the Fish Fry 8 March.    Last year $650 was raised.  We need you to accomplish this.  10 Volunteers.

Communications & Correspondence:

Recording Secretary Jerry Partsch reported that there were no communications or correspondence.

Reports

1. Greg Rebbert reported that 617 raffle tickets had been sold, 155 in circulation , and 228 in inventory.
2. Greg Rebbert also reported that help is needed the weekend of February 17/18  to sell tickets after Masses at All Saints Church.
3. Mike Egleston reported that 18 cookbooks remained for sale.
4. President Greg Gibbons went over the calendar of events.
5. John Masarick asked for volunteers for the Road Cleanup on February 24^th.
6. Tom Masarick spoke about the upcoming St. Patrick’s Dinner Dance on March 16th

Report on Special Committees:

• Chaplain’s Reflection, Father Daniel Reuwer. No Report.
• Charities and Missions, Greg Rebbert gave a report on Report on Medical Missionaries.
• Freedom for all Ireland (FFAI), Dominic Preston gave a report on Michelle O’Neill.
• Report on the Standing Committee/Grievance, Doug Morrison: No Report.
• Historian, Johnny McLauglin gave his report on St. Modomnoc of Ossory
• Hibernian Hunger Project, Bart Emanuel: No Report.
• Immigration, Brian Tumulty provided his report on Medical Professionals.
• Project St. Patrick, Rich Aleksy: Continue to remember priests and our seminarians in your prayers. 50 seminarians in the diocese.
• Pro-Life, Paul Huber gave his report on the Marches for Life (National and Virginian)
• Publicity/Webmaster, Brian Tumulty said that cookbooks are now available for sale online.
• Report on the Sick/Visitation, President Greg Gibbons metioned that Bill Yochem’s mother was now in hospice care.
• Strategic Planner, Mike Riley gave a report on political education
• Veterans Affairs, John Masarick read Doug Morrison’s Veterans Report
• Paul Hannan gave the Report of the Treasurer.
• Rich Aleksy gave the report on Bills and Claims and Receipts of the Meeting.

Unfinished Business:

• Vince Fitzpatrick reported that the Beer Tasting was a successful event

New Business:

• Tom Masarick made a motion to move the March meeting from March 11^th  to  March 12^th, seconded by Patrick Sullivan and there was a unanimous vote to accept the motion.
• Vince Fitzpatrick reported that the FKD Golf Outing will be Friday May 10^th  at Prince William Golf Course with a 9 AM shotgun start at a cost of $120 per golfer.  Proceeds to support FKD Charities.

Good and Welfare of the Order

Prayers: For successful recovery Kay Sullivan & Kathleen Tumulty & Maggie McCusker.  Bill Yochem’s Mom went into Hospice, Doug Morrison – bad hip, Kim Ulrich – eye, Rich Aleksy – kidney, lung, Chris Sozio requested prayers for himself and family members.

Prayer to St. Jude

 Saint Jude, glorious Apostle, faithful servant and friend of Jesus, the name of the traitor has caused you to be forgotten by many, but the true Church invokes you universally as the Patron of difficult cases, and of thing almost despaired of.   Pray for us who are so helpless and alone.  Intercede with God for us that he brings visible and speedy help.  Come to our assistance in this great need that we may receive the consolation and help of heaven in all our necessities, tribulations, sufferings and particularly with those mentioned in the Good and Welfare of the Order and those who’s intentions are on our hearts, and that we may bless God and you with the Elect throughout Eternity.     Amen.

Rap the gavel to be seated

Adjournment Motion

Tom Masarick made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Dominic Preston and the vote was unanimous.

Closing Prayer led by President Greg Gibbons

“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 Thou 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.”

President: “Let us pray for our deceased Brothers & today Sisters especially Mary Burns & Agnes Aleksy.

The Division recited an Our Father, 3 Hail Mary’s, and a 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

The Division recited 3 Hail Mary’s.

The meeting concluded at 8:15 PM.