A Chara!!  Well the November meeting is past along with the yearly elections of officers.   The only real change is that of recording secretary. Tom Neill was replaced by Brother Tom Kinealy. See the new listing of “2005 AOH Officers” in this edition.

There will be NO “from the Leprechauns joke page this month (PLEASE do NOT cheer all at once!!!).  We have too much information to give you this month. BUT, never fear (I hear the groans!!)  It will return in January.

I think I am able to speak for the entire officers table when I offer our sincerest appreciation for once again electing us to lead the division for the year 2005.ach officers works very hard to improve the division in his own area of expertise, as well as their input and ideas as to guiding the division throughout the year.   We sincerely thank you for your vote of confidence in the job that we are doing.

You’ll notice in the “Important dates” section that we are getting contact and notices of their events from the St. Clair (Illinois) AOH Division #1.  Hopefully several of their officers/members will attend our Christmas Party on December 11th

Speaking of the Christmas party, you’ll find a full page ad in this edition, ALSO I wish to publicly thank both Pat Maloney, AND Dennis Vineyard for stepping forward to oversee the organization of the Christmas party---THANK YOU, Gentlemen!

In closing, I am Proud to be able to lead such a fine group of Irish brethren.  We have soooooo many fine and loyal members, but one of the finest additions we have made several years ago, is our dear and wonderful Chaplain, Father James J. Byrnes (FROM FLORISSANT---sorry bout that, Tom!!).  I can NOT thank Father Byrnes enough for being part of our wacky group.  Father Byrnes will be reassigned sometime in 2005.  I sure hope that we do NOT lose his valuable services.  He is the real diamond in our division.

Finally, as we close out the year 2004,  May I extend to all of my officers and then in turn, may we ALL extend to each and everyone of you, my/our warmest wishes for a truly safe, wonderful Christmas, and may each of you truly experience the true and wondrous joys of the birth of the Christ Child.

Lastly, Dear God, PLEASE wrap your cloak around all of our citizens who are serving to the armed forces, whether it be in downtown St. Louis, or downtown Baghdad.

May God bless each of you, and may God continue to bless America

Slan,

Jim Otto
President

ANCIENT ORDER OF HIBERNIAN’S
ANNUAL CHRISTMAS PARTY

Saturday, December 11th at 7:00 PM

At the Czech Hall, 4960 Landsdowne Ave.

(1/2 block east of South Kingshighway)

v     ALL A.O.H. members and their families are invited

v     Each family is asked to PLEASE bring one dish

v     Installation of Division of officers for AOH Division # 1 & 2 will begin at 9:00 PM

v     Live Irish music

v     Come enjoy a wonderful evening with your Irish brethren AOH members and their families

v     Celebrate the joys of the Christmas season

IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER

December

1^st        Monthly meeting of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade and the Emerald Ball Committee  begins at 7:30 PM at the Goff-Moll American Legion Post 101 on Collier just west of Brentwood and Manchester Roads

4^th        Saturday evening: The Irish music of Siucra at the KC Hall, 402 East Highway 50, in O’Fallon, Illinois, sponsored by the St. Clair AOH Division #1. Doors open at 6:30PM and when they were here 2 years ago, it was STANDING ROOM ONLY!!!!

8^th        Wednesday evening-The December meeting of the St. Clair Division will be held at Belleville’s Irish Pub, “Castletown Geoghegan”, one block west of the town square at 104 West Main Street, beginning at 7:30 PM

11^th      Annual Christmas Party jointly hosted with Division #2 begins at 7:00 PM.  Installation of officers will be at 9:00 PM.  PLEASE each family coming bring a dish of some sort.  Drinks—adult & soda will be provided along with meat & cheese and other dishes.  This even was VERY well attended last year and everyone truly enjoyed them-selves. This is OPEN to all AOH members and THEIR FAMILIES, so make plans to attend today a truly enjoyable evening with your friends!!!

16^th      Thursday evening: The Ladies division of the St. Clair AOH Division will host a dinner/dance at the KC Hall - 592, 9420 Old Collinsville Road, Fairview Heights, Ill.  For further information, please contact Michael J. Burke, 220 Dorchester Drive, Belleville, Illinois, 62223  (618) 397-0025  OR  mburke13@apci.net  

25^th      Christmas—from ALL of the officers and our Irish brethren within Father Tim Dempsey Division #1, may we extend to all of our own division members, as well as to all of you who read this, our sincerest wishes for a safe, warm and wonderful Christmas and a most joyous New Year.

January

5^th        Monthly meeting of both the St. Patrick’s Day Parade AND the Emerald Ball Committees beginning at 7:30 PM at the Goff-Moll American Legion Post 101 on Collier just west of the intersection of Brentwood and Manchester Avenues

14^th      January meeting of AOH  Division #1-Fr. Tim Dempsey division. Meeting begins at 8:15 PM SHARP New officers will be in place and we have much work ahead of us in the year 2005, including work upon the division trailer! Brian McCarthy is scheduled to make a report on the whereabouts of our finances!!