Greetings Brothers,

Thanks to the Frank Herbert/Pat Cady Division in Alexandria for staging a wonderful Mass and reception before the St. Patrick’s Day parade this past Saturday.

The weather cleared just before the start of the parade and dozens of AOH Brothers from several Virginia Divisions, and the State Board, stepped off to March in front of  hundreds of spectators that lined the streets proudly wearing the green and waving Irish flags.

Irish American Heritage Month (IAHM) is off to a great start and presents us with a great opportunity to recruit new members for our Divisions.  I hope to see some of you in Manassas this Saturday for the parade or next Monday at the Gaelic Mass in Arlington.

Check the AOH Virginia website for details:  http://www.aohvirginia.org

Please see the attached document which contains a QR code link to the AOH National application on line.  I ask each of our Division Presidents to consider sending this in to your local parishes for inclusion in their parish bulletins during the coming St. Patrick’s Day weekend. 

The following e-mail can be used/modified as needed:

QUOTE*****

Dear Reverend Father and Parish Staff,

As we head into the St. Patrick’s Day season, I would like to place the attached notice in the Parish Bulletin.

The Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH) is the oldest Irish Catholic Organization in the country, and are in fact 46 years older than the Knights of Columbus (with whom we maintain a cordial and mutually supportive relationship).

Our motto is Friendship, Unity and Christian Charity.

Since its founding to protect the Church and Clergy in 1836, the AOH in America has worked to foster and perpetuate the history and culture of the Irish people, support the Catholic church, and promote peace and unity in Ireland.

More information about the organization can be found at www.aoh.com

Thank you very much!

********UNQUTE

Sometimes all that is needed to get a new member is to ask.

                  We Stand Stronger Together!

In Our Motto,

Bob Fay

Capt. Robert A. Fay

President,  AOH Virginia State Board

Ancient Order of Hibernians in America