Gerald Partsch  September 9, 2024

Minutes of the September 9, 2024 Meeting of the Ancient Order of Hibernians

Father Kelley Division

Highlights of the Meeting: The Division hosted State Chaplain Father Farrell and presented a $5,000 check to Father Farrell for the St. Patrick statue for the Cathedral Project.  Inisfail also presented a $2500 check to Father Farrell for the statue.  There was a post-meeting cookout to replace the cancelled summer picnic.

Propositions on Candidates for Membership

Kevin O’Connell proposed the candidate, Thomas Hartman. Tom Masarick motions to accept Thomas Hartman as a new member/Second by Vince Fitzpatrick. Unanimous vote by the members present to accept the candidate as a new member. 

Meeting Agenda

The meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM at the VFW Hall, 9304 Centerville Road in Manassas by President Greg Gibbons.

State Chaplain Father Farrell recited the opening prayer, and the Division recited the Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be.

Vince Fitzpatrick 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 – Present

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 the minutes were distributed to all members via email and posted them online on September 9, 2024.  Pat Sullivan made a motion to accept the minutes as posted, Tom Masarick seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous.

Presidents Report: 

Brothers,

• Road Cleanup was successful 9 Brothers attended. Reports have been

filed.

• Presidents’ Dinner was well attended 32. Thank you, JP, for a nice event.
• Lady of Knock & Breakfast. Had good attendance at both. 30-35.
• Thanks to Greg R. and Vince manning the table with information concerning

the Apparition of the Blessed Morther. Pictures from these events are on the

website.

Communications & Correspondence:

There were no communications or correspondence.

Propositions on Candidates for Membership

Kevin O’Connell proposed the candidate, Thomas Hartman. Tom Masarick motions to accept Thomas Hartman as a new member/Second by Vince Fitzpatrick. Unanimous vote by the members present to accept the candidate as a new member. 

Reports

1. Greg Gibbons reviewed the calendar of events.
   1. 15 September Halfway to St. Patrick’s Day at Old Town Sports Pub 12-4 PM
   2. 5 October Manassas Fall Jubilee
   3. 19 October Hunger Project
   4. 26 October Beer and Brats to benefit House of Mercy
   5. 2 November Manassas Veteran’s Day Parade

Report on Special Committees:

• Chaplain’s Reflection, Father Daniel Reuwer. No Report.
• Charities and Missions, Greg Rebbert. No Report.
• Freedom for all Ireland (FFAI), Dominic Preston provided his report.
• Report on the Standing Committee/Grievance, Doug Morrison: No Report.
• Historian, Johnny McLauglin. Report on Our Lady of Knock.
• Hibernian Hunger Project, Bart Emanuel reported on upcoming food drive.
• Immigration, Brian Tumulty. Report on number of immigrants to Ireland, more than double those leaving.
• Project St. Patrick, Rich Aleksy: Pray for Priests, Deacons, and Seminarians.
• Pro-Life, Paul Huber reported on Lila Rose and Live Action.
• Publicity/Webmaster, Brian Tumulty. No Report.
• Report on the Sick/Visitation,  Bill Yochem. No Report.
• Strategic Planner, Mike Riley. No report.
• Veterans Affairs, Doug Morrison. No 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:

• Checks presented to Father Farrell for the Saint Patrick statue at the Cathedral.
• Spoke to Kris at East to West. I ordered 4 shirts on August 14 for Patrick,

Paul, Chris and Tom. I checked and she is waiting for the stock to arrive.

• Halfway to St. Patrick’s Day will be at the Old Town Sports Pub this

Sunday 15 September. This is the start of our major fundraiser. Greg R.

has coordinated with the Pub. JP- Tickets, Greg R. is Staffing. Show time

noon to approximately 4PM. Explain program.

• Beer and Brats on 26 October, 6:30 PM. Brian is chair. It will be a

joint fundraiser with AOH working with the KofC, All Proceeds to be

donated to the House of Mercy. GK said we can use the hall. AOH provides the

manpower. We will sell tickets in advance. It will be a $25 donation. Need

a bulletin Announcement for All Saints by 23 Sep. Flyer, Tickets, QR Code.

Paul and Dennis to provide music.

• Saturday September 28th House of Mercy is having an Open House, Brian has a table and will sell tickets. See Brian if you’d like to help him man the booth.
• 4 Charities, Greg Rebbert is chair. We will make donations of $5,000

this year in November or December. The $5,000 donations are in to the

$1,100 for TAPS/Able Forces, the $5,000 for the St. Patrick Shrine and what

money we raise for the House of Mercy.

New Business:

• October 5 is the Fall Jubilee. Tom Masarick is the chair. We set up a booth

next to the Harris Pavilion and sell Raffle Tickets, Cookbooks, and

Bracelets. Tom needs some help. If you can work for an hour or two see

Tom.

• DSANV Buddy Walk is 6 Oct
• The next Hunger Project will be on October 19. Same as last time. 10 AM

to 2PM at the Sudley Manor Giant. Bart is the Chair.

•  It is early but we do march in the Veterans Parade.

Good and Welfare of the Order

• Prayers for Joe Martin, Chris Dubois’ wife’s pregnancy, co-worker of Greg Rebbert passed away; Chris Sozio’s neighbor who is expecting first child.

Father Farrell led the division in the prayer to St. Jude.

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.

Adjournment Motion

Mike Riley made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Pat Sullivan and the vote was unanimous.

Closing Prayer led by Father Farrell.

“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.”

Father Farrell: “Let us pray for our deceased Brothers and Sisters”

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

Father Farrell: “Eternal Rest grant to them, O Lord”

Members: “And let perpetual light shine upon them”

Father Farrell: “May they rest in peace”

Members: “Amen”

PRAYERS FOR VOCATIONS

The Division recited 3 Hail Mary’s.

The meeting concluded at 7:50 PM.