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The
Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians
recently presented a gift of
new vestments to Father Joseph
Simmons, Pastor of Holy Spirit
Church in Joppatowne. The vestments
were given to Father on behalf
of the membership of Harford
County, Division 1 in recognition
of his 40th anniversary to the
priesthood and in appreciation
for his loyalty and devotion
over the past 16 years as their
Chaplain. Father has always
been there for members whether
it be saying Mass or offering
priestly support. The presentation
was prior to the Division’s
Installation of Officers Mass
at Holy Spirit on January 6,
which was followed by a luncheon
at the Williamsburg Inn. Betty
Weiderhold is the new president
for the term 2002-2004.
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Father
Simmons wearing his new vestments
for the first time.
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Pictured
from left to right in the
photo of Father and the officers
are: Ladies
Ancient Order of Hibernians
- Maryland State Board President,
Carole
Franz; Harford County, Division
1 President, Betty Weiderhold;
Father
Joseph Simmons; Maryland State
Board Program Coordinator
for
Spirituality, Cyrile Sincock;
and Maryland State Board Chairman
of
Catholic Action, Kathy Lay.
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Father
Simmons with the key officers
and many of the members of
Harford County, Division 1
of the Ladies Ancient Order
of Hibernians.
Information
The
Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians
is a National Organization
organized in 1894 in Omaha,
Nebraska as the "Daughters
of Erin." The primary
purpose, at that time, was
to assist immigrant girls
in securing employment and
to give them an opportunity
to be with their own kind
and to keep them from becoming
homesick and discouraged.
TODAY, the organization has
changed in many ways but still
holds true to its motto of
"FRIENDSHIP, UNITY AND
CHRISTIAN CHARITY." They
are a Catholic Action organization
whose mission is to foster
our Irish heritage and Catholic
faith through various religious
and social events. Maryland
has ten adult Divisions and
two Junior Divisions of young
ladies between the ages of
6 and 16. Of special interest
is the fact that Baltimore
County, Division 14 celebrated
its 90th anniversary on January
6. This division has taken
an active role from the beginning
in supporting the National
Board of the Order; the Columban
Mission Society, the principle
charity of the Order; the
Annual Irish History Contest;
Project St. Patrick for the
education of priests and religious
and many local charities.
It joined with other divisions
of the AOH (Ancient Order
of Hibernians) and LAOH in
Maryland in preparation for
the 2000 National Convention
and hosted by Baltimore in
July of 2000.
On Sunday,
April 14, 2002 at the Turf
Valley Resort and Conference
Center, the Maryland State
Board will hold its 43rd Mission
Festival with all proceeds
going to the Columban Fathers
and local charities. This
year’s festival will be a
cultural event entitled "An
Irish Afternoon" featuring
Jared Denhard and string quartet
along with the Irish tenor
Michael Quinn, the LAOH Junior
Division step dancers and
other surprises. Part of the
this year’s proceeds will
be allocated towards the LAOH
pledge of $10,000 over the
next 5 years to the Restoration
of the Basilica of the Assumption
project.
The
LAOH invites Catholic women
who are Irish by birth or
descent to COME JOIN US. If
interested in membership or
for information about the
Mission Festival, please contact
Kathy at 410-453-9731 or Carole
at 410-879-8502.
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