Two years in the making, with the support of Father Kevin Walsh and Father Chuck Smith, the Virginia Ancient Order of Hibernians established its first new division in more than two decades. Although this division’s membership is equally divided between Culpeper and Fauquier Counties all brothers agreed that it should be centered in Warrenton. Eighteen Irish Catholic men became the “charter members” as Virginia State President Bob Fay and State Organizer/Past State President Bill Halpin, assisted by PSP Jay McCarthy and State Treasurer Pat Sulivan, made the division “official” in a ceremony on January 9, 2024. Brother Jerry O’Brien hosted the event at O’Brien’s Irish Pub. President Fay administered the AOH pledge and installed the elected officers. They are President Dennis MacMinn, VP Mike McCarville, Recording Secretary Mike Fitzgerald, Financial Secretary Garrett Moore, Treasurer Frank King, Standing Committee Chair Bill Shanley, Marshal Randy Tyson. Regrettably, a few brothers could not attend this inaugural event due to the inclement weather conditions that evening. Known by its AOH National designator 44FQ01, the brothers selected Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen to be their role model and division’s proper name.

Elsewhere in Virginia, divisions celebrated Saint Brigid’s Feast Day and are preparing for Lent and putting together Irish American Heritage Month outreach programs to demonstrate Irish culture, traditions, and heritage during March. As in past years the U.S. President and the Governor of our Commonwealth have proclaimed March to be Irish American Heritage Month. Following the AOH tradition the brothers of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen Division are making plans for the Warrenton Saint Patrick Day parade.

In Friendship, Unity, and Christian Charity

PSP Bill Halpin

Virginia State Organizer