ABOUT US

Welcome to the Official Site for the Ancient Order of Hibernians, Myles Scully, Division One of Yonkers, New York! We are the oldest and largest Irish-American Organization in the U.S., and we are dedicated to live by our organization's motto, "FRIENDSHIP, UNITY and CHRISTIAN CHARITY." The Yonkers Division was established on November 1, 1891.

DIVISION OFFICERS


Chaplain

Fr. Senan Taylor

President
Dennis O'Brien

Vice President
Robert Eggen

Recording Secretary

Chad Ghastin

Financial Secretary
Michael Flynn

Treasurer
Kevin Hartnett

Chairman Standing
Committee

Ronan O'Brien

Marshal
Andrew Hayden

Sentinel
Justin Kennedy

NEXT MEETING


Wednesday,
Oct. 9, 2020
7:00 PM

Location:
Sprain Lake Golf Course, Yonkers

CONTACT US


A.O.H. Myles Scully
Division One
P.O. Box 1020
Yonkers, NY 10703

aohyonkers@gmail.com

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Friday, October 20, 2017

Yonkers Division Awarded 1st Place by NYC Parade Committee


Yonkers Division #1 Awarded Top Marks from NYC St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee

Division #1 Yonkers in the 256th Annual NYC St. Patrick's Day Parade

     The New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee announced its Marching Units Award Winners at a meeting held on October 16th and the Myles Scully Division #1 of Yonkers was awarded “Best AOH Marching Unit” for the 2017 parade!  This is the first time in the Division’s 126 year history that it has won 1st Place in this category.

NYC Parade Director Hilary Beirne presents Marching Unit Award
to Larry McCrudden of Best AOH Marching Unit for 2017

     Division member Larry McCrudden was present to receive the award from Parade Director Hilary Bierne, who had many great things to say about the way the Yonkers Division presented itself.  “This award is a testament to the dedication of our members to looking their very best when marching up 5th Avenue each and every year”, said Division President Kevin Ellis, “Words could not properly describe the pride I feel for our members in receiving this award”.  “These men represent the AOH and the City of Yonkers on the national stage with pride, dignity and confidence.”

2017 marks the First Time Division #1 Yonkers has
won this award from the NYC Parade Committee


     Division #1 Yonkers has won marching unit awards from the NYC Parade Committee in past years, notably being named an “Honor Unit” for the 250th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade in 2011, and also being awarded 2nd Place in 2011, 2015 and 2016.


Thursday, October 19, 2017

AOH Establishes New Division in New Rochelle


Hibernians Establish New Division
in New Rochelle

Division #17 Officers seated with AOH County, State and National Officers

     Exciting things are happening in Westchester County as the Ancient Order of Hibernians established its first new Division in over 50 years this week with the installation of officers for the new Thomas Addis Emmet Division #17 of New Rochelle!

Westchester County President Brian Duffy Installs New Division #17
President James McGlashin with District Director Aidan O'Kelly Lynch

     AOH Westchester County President Brian Duffy administered the membership oath to over 28 young men in Pelham on October 16th. The Division will be named after the memory of Thomas Addis Emmet who was a member of the United Irishmen in the 1790’s and later served as Attorney General for the State of New York beginning in 1812.

Swearing in of new members of Division #17 New Rochelle

     The Ancient Order of Hibernians is focusing on growth this year with a specific emphasis on recruiting new and younger members.  This effort is spearheaded by a new committee formed by the AOH National Board and will begin with a national advertising campaign, the first in the organization’s history.  The New Rochelle Division was formed thru the hard work of its new Division President James McGlashin, who has worked for months recruiting new members from the surrounding communities.

Ancient Order of Hibernians launching membership drive with ad campaign 


     The Officers and Members of Division #1 Yonkers wish to welcome and congratulate all of our new brothers in Division #17 New Rochelle, and we look forward to working with them and wish them great success!


Tuesday, October 17, 2017

Yonkers Hibernians Support Chilly Hilly 5k Run/Walk


AOH Division #1 Supports Yonkers Scholarship Foundation 5k Run to
 Benefit Pediatric Center

AOH Members Volunteer at the Chilly Hilly 5k Run/Walk


The Ancient Order of Hibernians was proud once again to support the 6th Annual Chilly Hilly 5k Run/Walk that is sponsored by the North Yonkers Scholarship Foundation.  Division #1 has been a supporter of this event since its inception.

This year’s proceeds were to benefit the Elizabeth Seton Pediatric Center, a nonprofit pediatric specialty nursing facility for medically fragile children with complex and diverse clinical disabilities.

Hibernians handing out water at the Chilly Hilly 5k Run/Walk

Division members volunteered at a water station along the route, and many members also participated in the run itself, which appears to be growing in popularity each and every year.


The Ancient Order of Hibernians is a Proud Sponsor this Year

Thanks to all of our members who volunteered and helped make this year’s event a great success! 





Monday, October 16, 2017

American Irish Association of Westchester Dinner Dance 2017


Yonkers AOH Chaplain and LAOH Division President Honored at American Irish Association Dinner

Fr. Matthew Janeczko (center) with Members of Division #1 Yonkers


The American Irish Association of Westchester held it Annual Dinner Dance at the Fairways at Dunwoodie this past weekend and several Hibernians were included in the evening honorees list.

Fr. Matthew Janeczko, OFM is the new Pastor of Sacred Heart Church in Yonkers and was honored for his work with the local Irish Community since being assigned to Sacred Heart several years ago.  Fr. Matt is the Chaplain for the AOH Myles Scully Division #1 and the LAOH Our Lady of Knock Division #19 of Yonkers.

Fr, Matt Janeczko with AIA President Bob Stauf

Allison Burke was honored for her work in the community as the President of the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians Division #19 of Yonkers.  Allison has been instrumental in creating renewed interest with the LAOH and is credited with the tremendous growth in membership the Division has seen over the past several years.

Allison Burke (center) with Executive Board of the AIA of Westchester

The American Irish Association also honored Fr. William Cleary, who is the new Dean of Seminarians at St. Joseph’s Seminary in Yonkers and Ralph Puma, who is the Chairman of the McLean Ave. Merchant’s Association.

Congratulations to all of the honorees!  Division #1 is a proud supporter of the American Irish Association of Westchester and we congratulate its leaders for a wonderful and successful event!


Thursday, October 12, 2017

Yonkers AOH Supports Barnabas Fundraising Campaign


Yonkers Division Supports Barnabas High School Fundraising Campaign



Division President Kevin Ellis, Barnabas Trustee Bernadette Sciarabba,
Division Treasurer Mike Morley and Principal Theresa Napoli


     Members of Division #1 visited St. Barnabas High School this week to help support the schools fundraising campaign in partnership with Youth INC’s Celebration Program.

     Youth INC is an organization that works with New York City youth-serving non-profits to help them develop fundraising capabilities, make influential connections, and receive grants that drive sustainability and accelerate growth.  The Celebration Program is a year long fundraising training program that provides organizations and non-profits with the knowledge, skills, and tools to engage new supporters, raise more funds, and deliver more opportunities to youth.  St. Barnabas was the only Catholic School that was chosen to participate in the program this year.  

Youth INC Selected St. Barnabas as
a Partner School for 2017

     School Principal, Theresa Napoli, stated that funds would be used to invest in new technology for the school such as the Chrome books for students program.

The AOH of Yonkers Supports Local Catholic Schools with
Funds Raised at its Annual Charity Golf Outing


     Division #1 was proud to present a $1,000 pledge of support to help St. Barnabas reach their goal of $125,000.

     To learn more about how you can help St. Barnabas is achieving their goal this year, please visit their website at:







Tuesday, October 10, 2017

Historian's Report for October 2017

Historian’s Report

A RIVALRY THAT BECAME A FRIENDSHIP
By Mike McCormack, NY State Historian

Monsignor Hugh O’Flaherty

  On October 30, 1963, Cahirciveen, County Kerry saw the largest outpouring of grief since the loss their favorite son, the great Daniel O’Connell in 1847. This time it was for another one of their own – Monsignor Hugh O’Flaherty. Although he was born in Kiskeam, County Cork and grew up in Killarney, Msgr. Hugh retired to Cahirciveen three years before his death and was honored as one of their own. He was also honored with many decorations, including Commander of the British Empire and the US Medal of Freedom for Hugh O’Flaherty was a very special man who was mourned throughout the world, including in a front page tribute in the New York Times.

Young Hugh had a vocation for the priesthood and as a seminarian he was posted to Rome in 1922, the year that Mussolini came to power. He earned a degree in Theology and was ordained in 1925. Continuing his studies, he earned doctorates in Divinity, Canon Law and Philosophy. He became a skilled diplomat and served the Vatican at posts in Egypt, Haiti, San Domingo and Czechoslovakia before being called back to Rome to serve the Holy Office at the Vatican.

Father O’Flaherty was an excellent golfer, having learned at the Killarney Golf Club where his father was employed. While in Rome, he played regularly with Mussolini’s son-in-law and other social luminaries. In 1934, he was elevated to Monsignor and enjoyed a high standing in the social life of Rome which he made use of  after 1937 when Italy joined Germany and Japan as part of the Axis.  The new Monsignor was from an Irish nationalist background and in his youth witnessed atrocities by Black and Tans during which a number of his friends were killed.  When WWII began in 1939, he refused to take sides believing that the Brits were as bad as the Nazis; however, that soon changed.  When the Americans invaded at Salerno on Sept 3, 1943, Italy left the Axis and an armistice was declared on Sept 8 between Italy and the Allies. When Germany learned that the Italians signed an armistice, they took over critical defensive positions in Italy and on Sept 10 they occupied Rome.

The Nazis began to crack down on prominent Jews and aristocratic anti-fascists.  Having socialized with these people before the war, the Monsignor hid them in farms, monasteries, convents and his own residence.  O’Flaherty’s views changed after he saw the violence perpetrated by the Nazis.  He visited Allied prisoners held in harsh conditions in Italian jails and began to offer shelter to Allied servicemen who turned up at the Vatican looking for sanctuary. He expanded his operations to help escaped allied prisoners-of-war and shot-down pilots.  He gradually recruited a group to assist him and set up a network of safe houses.  Allied military who evaded capture made their way to the Vatican or to the Irish Embassy to the Holy See – the only English-speaking embassy open in Rome during the war.  The great Irish singer, Delia Murphy, was the wife of the Irish Ambassador at the time and she was one of Msgr. O'Flaherty’s aides.

By the war’s end the Monsignor and his group had helped more than 6,500 allies escape the Nazis and he was referred to as ‘The Scarlet Pimpernel of the Vatican’.  He became a master of disguises to avoid capture from the Germans when he had to go beyond the 'White Line’ on his rescue missions.  The line was painted on the streets outside the Vatican on the instructions of Herbert Kappler, the head of the Gestapo, to mark the point where the Vatican’s authority ended and Nazi rule began.  Kappler had learned of O’Flaherty’s operation and reminded O’Flaherty that if he was caught beyond that line he would be executed!  In March 1944, after the Italian Resistance killed 33 German soldiers in a bomb attack Hitler demanded revenge so Kappler drew up plans to kill 10 Italians for each German soldier killed.  His men killed 335 people in the Ardeatine Caves outside Rome.  It was the worst atrocity on Italian soil during the War.  This was the man who tried several times to kidnap and kill O’Flaherty; he even put a bounty of 30,000 Lire on his head.  Meanwhile, O’Flaherty continued to outwit Kappler with fake credentials and documents printed in the Vatican; through his secret communication network and by disguising himself to evade capture by the Gestapo.

At the War Crimes trial after the war, Kappler was sentenced to life imprisonment with no parole for the Ardeatine Caves massacre.  In a surprising move, Italy’s most hated prisoner wrote to his old rival inviting Msgr O’Flaherty to visit him in prison; the Kerry cleric immediately went to meet with his former foe.  Their meetings became regular affairs during which they discussed religion and literature.  The Monsignor joked, “Here I am with this man who a price on my head and now we are sort of pals.”  The feeling was mutual as Kappler described O’Flaherty as “a fatherly friend”. After his sentence Kappler, who was Protestant, called on the Monsignor and the two men prayed together after which Msgr O’Flaherty received Kappler into the Faith.  In what was probably Monsignor O’Flaherty’s greatest victory, Italy’s most notorious Nazi was welcomed into the Catholic Church by the very man he had tried so hard to kill.

Herbert Kappler Prison Photo circa 1945


Kappler remained in prison in Italy until he contracted cancer in 1975 and was transferred to a military hospital in Rome. In August 1977 his wife dramatically smuggled him out of the hospital into a waiting car and took him back to Germany where he died in 1978.  As for his courageous rival, in October 1963, (54 years ago this month) the village of Caherciveen, County Kerry saw the biggest funeral it had ever seen.  Representatives from the Vatican and officials from the British and Irish governments and friends from his days in Rome were among the mourners.  The 1983 film 'The Scarlet and the Black’ with Gregory Peck describes his wartime activities, but the rivalry, forged in wartime, which became a friendship created in peacetime remains one of the most fascinating stories to emerge from World War II.

Wednesday, October 4, 2017

AOH Attends Respect Life Sunday Mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral

Yonkers AOH Supports Sisters of Life on Respect Life Sunday


Division Members Brendan Murphy and Bob Eggen with The Sisters
of Life at St. Patrick's Cathedral for Respect Life Sunday


     Members of the Myles Scully Division #1 of Yonkers attended a very special Mass this past weekend as the Archdiocese of New York celebrated Respect Life Sunday on October 1st.

     The Mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City was co-sponsored by the AOH NY County Board and the Sisters of Life Order.  The Mass was celebrated by Cathedral Rector Monsignor Robert T. Ritchie.


     Division #1 was proud to present a $1,000 pledge to the Sisters of Life after the mass to help support them in the important work they do protecting the sanctity of every human life.

To learn more about the amazing work of the Sisters of Life and how you can support them, please visit their website at:



Sunday, October 1, 2017

Presidents Message - October 2017


PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Division One President Kevin Ellis



October 2017

Brothers,


     Fall is in the air and we are entering a very busy time of year for the AOH as we transition from the Irish Festivals of September to the Dinner Dance months of October and November.  We have a few things to keep in mind this month, but first a few items left over from September.

     I would first like to welcome the new members that have joined Division #1 over the past 5 weeks.  Please join me in welcoming Eamonn Goodwin, Matt Mclean, Brendan Stephenson. Paul Tuffy, and John O’Brien!  I am thrilled these men have decided to join and help us grow and expand our mission.  We have placed a specific emphasis on recruitment this year and we are off to a great start.  Please continue in your recruitment efforts as we want to see growth every single month!

     The McLean Avenue Festival was a tremendous success this year and I wish to thank all of our members who assisted us in manning our booth and helping to sell raffle tickets.  Special recognition belongs to Mike Klein who sold hundreds of tickets the day of the festival and who was a big reason we were able to raise so much.

     This month, the American Irish Association of Westchester will have their Annual Dinner Dance at Dunwoodie on October 14th and they will be honoring our Division Chaplain Fr. Matt Janeczko and Ladies AOH Division #19 President Allison Burke.  I hope to see many of our members in attendance so please contact Bob Stauf to reserve your spot.

     The NY GAA Minor Board have reserved the date of November 5th for the 9th Annual Firefighter Sean Tallon Tournament beginning at 10:45am.  Please keep this date clear as I expect members to make a good showing this day as the AOH is the principle sponsor of this event. There are other events throughout the month and we will cover these as well as inform each of you through the email chain so please watch your inboxes for these important announcements.

     Since this is election season and there are many local races taking place, I will remind the membership that the AOH is a Non-Political Organization.  We are forbidden by our national Constitution from formally endorsing any political candidate, party or platform.  The penalties for violations can be severe so please contact me directly if you have any questions or need any clarification regarding this policy.

     Also, please remember that we will be having our first round of nominations for Division Officers at our next General membership Meeting on November 1st at Clarke’s Bar & Restaurant on Saw Mill Road.  Please speak to me if you are interested in serving as an officer for the coming year.


Yours in Our Motto,


Kevin Ellis, President

Division #1, Yonkers

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