Ladies AOH

Division 5, “Mary of the Gael”

Commencement Issue
Volume 1, Issue 1, Division 5, Orange County, NY, Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians March 2009

A Message from the President...

President
Dear Members,
Gail Edmonds
Editor Wow! What can I say? Where do we start? These past few weeks have been very
exciting and have gone by so quickly, my head is still spinning! Firstly, I need to
Gail Cane thank each and every one of you for being so supportive and electing me the first
Photos contributed President of Division 5, Mary of the Gael. I am truly honored and hope to make
by this the best possible division we can be. Thank you to the ladies who will be on
the first Board of this division. I also need to thank each and every member of the
Ann Curtin & AOH, Division 1 of Monroe, for their unyielding support in this endeavor. Thank
Annie Burke you also to Mrs. Anita Colman, Orange County President, LAOH, and Mrs.
Kathleen Conway, New York State President, LAOH, for their enthusiasm, advice
March Events and guidance over the past month. Now, where are we headed? We must all never
forget our motto:
Sunday, March 8
Irish Day, 12-6 pm, “Friendship, Unity & Christian Charity”
American Legion Hall,
Greenwood Lake This will be our guiding light down the many paths we will take, both as women
American Legion Hall and as members of Mary of the Gael, We are headed down a road of togetherness,
Sunday, March 15 a road that will make us all stronger as women, and as members. I see
Mass, 9 am,St. John’s, fundraising for Catholic charity, I see a fantastic Junior Division for our
Breakfast, 10:30 am, daughters, I see long lasting friendships being formed. We must follow our
Catholic faith and ensure that our children see the importance of strengthening
Kuhl’s Highland
our fait and culture. Our heritage rests in our children, without fine groups such
House
as the Hibernians, this task would be much harder to accomplish.
Mid-Hudson St.
Patrick’s Day Parade, Being the President of a new division can be scary. I have a lot of ideas for our
2 pm Goshen growth, and want to make sure we grow in unit as well as in rank. However, I
AOH Div. 1 Party would like to do such a good job that paves the path and makes it easier for the
Following Parade next Board, and the next, etc. I hope to see Division 5 planning their 10th, 25th,
Tuesday, March and 50th anniversaries in the future. This task may prove daunting, but one we
17 will live up to.
St. Patrick’s Day
Parade, New York We have accomplished so much over the past months; we elected a board, we held
City a special Mass for the Feast of St. Brigid, we were installed. We have so much
Sunday, March 22 more to do together; there are so many special memories waiting to be formed. I
Pearl River can honestly say that I am proud to be the first President of Division 5, Mary of
St. Patrick’s Day the Gael, and I am looking forward to serving you well.
Parade
Next Meeting — Yours in Our Motto,
Friday, March 27,
7 pm Gail Edmonds,
President, LAOH
AOH Div. 1 Hall
Division 5
PAGE 1
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 Volume 1, Issue 1 - Division 5, Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians
Page 2
Division 5 is Born!
In a movement spearheaded
by Gail Edmonds, wife of
Division I Hibernian Glenn
Edmonds, the formation of
Division 5 of the Ladies AOH
is now complete. The
installation ceremony took
place on February 27, 2009,
in the meeting room of
Flynn’s Funeral and
Cremation Memorial Center.
Tommy Flynn generously
offered this room for our
installation. The swearing in
was performed by Anita
Colman, Orange County
LAOH President, along with
members of the County
Board.
The formation process began
on December 30, 2008, when
a meeting was held to discuss
the possible formation of a
new division of the Ladies
AOH. At that meeting, it
was decided to go forward
with the process. Gail
Edmonds spoke with Mrs.
Colman on several occasions
and given direction on
proceeding with the
formation.
At a meeting held on
January 19, 2009, the
membership voted on the
board officers and named the
division. After several
suggestions, it was decided
that the division would be
called, “Division 5 Mary of
the Gael.”
At the installation, all
members present were sworn
in by Mrs. Colman, followed
by the installation of the
officers of the Division:
President— Gail Edmonds
Vice President—Eileen
Gertzkis
Recording Secretary—
Gail Cane
Financial Secretary—
Ann Curtin
Treasurer —Maureen
Kopping
Irish Historian —Patty
Ryan
March 2009
Office of Missions &
Charities—Mary Myers
Office of Catholic Action
— Lorraine O’Dowd
Mistress-at-Arms —
Barbara Slifkin
Sentinel — Janice Brocato
Chaplain—Sr. Ann Daly
(who was unable to attend
the ceremony as she was out
of town at that time).
Gail Edmonds was presented
with a gavel, given as a gift
from Eileen Gertzkis, Vice
President, and the Division 5
board.
A special thanks also goes to
Tommy Flynn, for the use of
the meeting space, and for
arranging a celebratory
dinner following the
installation.
Gail Cane, Editor
 Volume 1, Issue 1, Division 5, Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians, Orange County, NY March 2009
Page 3

Division 5 Election of the Board

January 19, 2009

The board (seated) with the membership. Gail Edmonds being presented with flowers from
Brendan O’Dowd and Dennis Browne, Div. 1
_____________________________________________________________________________________________

A Moment in Irish History — “St. Brigid, the Mary of the Gael”

St. Brigid was born in the early times of Ireland, around the year 453, to a society ruled by the old
Gaels and the Druidic religion. This early form of religion believed in gods and goddesses for
guidance and protection. The Druids thought that Brigid was very special even from birth and it is
said she was “… born at sunrise, her cottage glowed with flames.” Perhaps this is why she was
named Brigid, after Brid, the Druid goddess of fire and wisdom. From an early age Brigid was filled
with love and compassion toward all of Gods’ creatures. At her fathers’ house Brigid was in charge of
taking care of the animals and the dairy supplies. She would give away food to the poor and hungry.
Her father became angry with her but there was always more than enough food for his household.
When St. Patrick came to preach Christianity in Ireland he did not judge the old Irish and in return
the old Irish came to respect him and his teachings. They learned about God and were baptized
Christians. Some say Brigid went to hear St. Patrick speak as a young child and became a follower of
Christ. When Brigid was old enough her father wanted her to be married but she wanted to become a
nun. She prayed to God to make her ugly to all men and God answered her prayers. Brigid helped
spread Christianity throughout Ireland. Thousands of women were inspired by her and became nuns.
During her lifetime, all Irish people loved and respected Brigid for her wisdom and compassion. The
name “the Mary of the Gael” was bestowed upon St. Brigid by the Gaels. Some writings suggest that
the old Irish (the Gaels) lacked a devotion to the Blessed Mother. The Gaels or the old Irish had such
a great love and respect for the Blessed Mother that they would not name a female Mary, just as they
would not name a male Jesus. The name of Mary could only be used for someone who was devoted to
the Blessed Mother. ”The Irishwoman who was nearest to her, truest to her and most like her” could
 Volume 1, Issue 1, Division 5, Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians, Orange County, NY March 2009
Page 4

only receive the Holy name of Mary. St. Brigid was and is still regarded as a representative of the
Glories and Virtues of the Blessed Mother.

Triduum Prayer to Saint Brigid

O Glorious Saint Brigid, Mary of the Gael and Mother of the Irish race
Obtain for us from Almighty God a plentitude of graces
So that we may walk faithfully in the paths of Christian perfection
During life and thus secure a Holy and Happy Death with Life Everlasting through Christ Our Lord
Amen

Article submitted by Patty Ryan, Irish Historian

New Members Welcome

If you know of a woman who meets the criteria for membership, and is interested in
joining, please contact Gail Edmonds at gailedmonds@frontiernet.net. Worthy
candidates must be practicing Roman Catholics; and fit one of the following criteria:
• Irish by birth or descent; or
• The wife of a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians; or
• The mother of a Junior Hibernian; or
• Is the adopted child of a Hibernian

Upcoming Division 5 Events

~ March 27 – LAOH, Division 5 Meeting, 7 pm
~ April 18—Division 5 LAOH Celebration of Installation Party—
Div. 1 AOH Hall, 8-11 pm
~ April 19—Degree Day, Blauvelt, NY
~ April 24—LAOH Div. 5 Meeting, 7 pm
~ May 16 — Rummage Sale (raindate—May 17)
~ June 21—Hudson Valley Renegades Game

Ongoing Events at Division I, AOH

Every Sunday, Traditional Irish Seisiun, 1-5 pm

Every Monday, Irish Set/Ceili Dance Lessons, 7 pm