Father Kelley Division, Ancient Order of Hibernians

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 7:33 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	E

Minutes from previous meeting. Mike Eggleston: The 14 March 2023 Minutes were distributed to all members and were posted to the division website on 30 March. 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.  

• We have had some great events and a lot of Unity and Friendship activities to complement our Charitable Work.  That is great and a way forward.  Think of a three-legged stool of Friendship, Unity, and Christian Charity.  We need to balance them.  We have some social events on the horizon, Picnic, Golf Tournament, Wine Tasting, Father Kelley Mass, & Breakfast.  This is a way to get some of our less active members back.  Please invite them. Please participate.
• Several attended the St. Pat’s Dinner Dance headed by Tom Masarick.  Brother Dennis Connally provided a musical presentation.  A band and dancing followed. It was a Great event.  155 attendees.  I would encourage your attendance next year. 
• The Raffle drawing was held on 17 March at the OTSP.  The winner was Terry Riley.
• John Masarick volunteered to take over Road Cleanup.  22 April is Earth Day. During Calendar Review I propose we make 22 April our 2^nd Quarter cleanup.  John unavailable that day but we can push through.  Need some participants.
• Fish Fry – Thanks to those who helped, AOH made $686.   Many AOH workers were also Council volunteers on the core team. 

Communications & Correspondence. Mike Eggleston: We received a thank you note from ABLE Forces for our Beer Tasting Fund Raiser. We also received a Certificate of Appreciation from the Down Syndrome Association of Northern Virginia for our help with the 2022 Buddy Walk.

Reports.

          1.Trip to Ireland Ticket Sales.  J.P. McCusker: All tickets were sold, and we look forward to success next year.

          2.Cookbook Status. Mike Eggleston: We received 226 copies of our cookbook from the Morris Publishing Company. We have 45 remaining on hand. Our approximate profit is $1,300.

       3. Fish Fry Wrap: Gerry Ulrich summarized Fish Fry profit.

4.Calendar Events/Special Reports. Greg Gibbons reviewed calendar events.

• 22 April is Road Cleanup. We need volunteers to help. Greg Gibbons has the lead. Show up at 8 AM. It takes about an hour to complete.
  • Parish Festival Cleanup: Volunteers are needed. Vince Fitzpatrick has the lead. This year’s festival will be on Friday, April 28th from 5 PM to 9 PM and Saturday, April 29th from 11 AM to 8 PM.  Our division has been asked to help with trash pick-up. You would be volunteering for a two-hour shift.  
  • The Officer Meeting on 3 May will be at Brian Tumulty’s home.
  • The division meeting is on 8 May in Knight’s Hall Club Room.
  • 13 May is the division picnic: We need someone to take the lead.  Chris Sosio has secured the pavilion.
  • Wine Tasting is on 4 June. Bill Yokem has the lead.
  • Golf Tournament is in June, but the date has not been confirmed.
  • 29 July Beer and Brats Event.  Brian Tumulty: Knights will support our use of Knight’s Hall and will waiver the fee. Rich Aleksy added that 28 July is also reserved.

Special Committees:

          1.Chaplain’s Reflection. Father Daniel Reuwer. No Report.

2.Charities and Missions. Greg Rebbert: No Report

          3.Freedom for all Ireland (FFAI). Dominic Preston explained that this is the 25^th Anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement and President Biden will arrive in Northern Ireland tomorrow. A four-day visit to Northern Ireland and the Republic is planned.

          4.Report on the Standing Committee/Grievance. Doug Morrison: No    

Report.

          5.Historian. Mike Eggleston provided his report on Michael Collins.

         6. Hibernian Hunger Project. Bart Emanuel: No Report.

         7.Immigration. Brian Tumulty: Brian provided his Immigration Report.

         8.Political Education Chair (PEC). Vince Fitzpatrick: No Report.

         9.Project St. Patrick. Rich Aleksy: Continue to keep our seminarians in your prayers.

         10.Pro-Life. Paul Huber:  Paul presented his Pro-Life Report.

         11.Publicity/Webmaster. Brian Tumulty is updating our website including photos of our 2023 officers. Users will find our website more user-friendly.

         12.Strategic Planner. Mike Riley: No Report.

         13.Veterans Affairs. Doug Morrison: Doug provided his Veterans Affairs Report.

         14.Bills and Claims. Rich Aleksy: 

Income:

Dues: $24.00

Cookbooks: $78.45

Ireland Trip Raffle: $630.00

50/50 Raffle: $21.00

Total: $753.45

    15.Report of the Treasurer. Brian Tumulty: Brian provided the Treasurer’s Report.

       Unfinished Business:

• 35^th Anniversary Discussion, not happening 29 July because of a lack of funds.  There is a suggestion that we set up an accrual account to collect funds for the 40^th Anniversary,
• Sash – Gettysburg Flag has them for $89-$109.  Green Jacket is only $90 at Blazers for Everyone.  Be sure to get Irish Green not Augusta Green.  Amazon Sash was not worth the $10. 
• Location of Division meeting.  Status of new meeting location: Mike Riley said the VFW, by the fire station, would let us have space for $50 per meeting. WGK Mike Rule said we can use the club room while he is GK.   Pat Sullivan will visit VFW.
• The financial audit has been completed and Vince Fitzpatrick provided the audit report for the record.

New Business:

• Sash.  Gettysburg Flag has them for $89-$109.  Green Jacket is only $90 at Blazers for Everyone.  Be sure to get Irish Green not Augusta Green.  Amazon Sash was not worth the $10.
• Dues:  Rich Aleksy made a motion that since AOH National Board and the AOH State Board have increased the Per Capita of $ 7.00 that the Officers recommend that We increase our Division Dues by $ 7.00. Division Dues would be $ 31.00. The motion was seconded by Doug Morrision. JP McCusker further made a Motion to Table this motion until the next meeting. This is the first increase in dues that our division has ever considered. In the discussion that followed it was determined that we need to find out why National/Division increased dues and let the division know that we will vote on the increase and revision to our by-laws in our division 8 May meeting.

Good and Welfare of the Order — Prayers:

• Doug Morrison asked that we pray for peace in Ireland and the safety of President Biden during his visit.
• Chris Sozio asked for prayers for his brother and his brother’s new wife who will be on travel.
• Doug Morrison requested prayers for his brother-in-law, a Vietnam veteran who has cancer and his wife’s aunt. Doug also requested prayers for a good friend.
• Greg Gibbons requested prayers for his deceased brother.
• Greg Gibbons also 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.

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, 8 May 2023. The meeting was adjourned at 8:39PM. After the meeting, the 50/50 Raffle Drawing was accomplished. Paul Hannan won the raffle.