AOH Division 2

Dinner Dance

2012-02-06T21:09:00.001-05:00

The Division held its annual dinner dance on Feb 4th at the Lakeside Manor. The honorees were Mike Ryan as Hibernian of the Year and Kevin Guerin as Irishman of the year. Additional awards were given to Frank Jordan - Humanitarian Award, Bob Garvey - Christian Charity Award, Bob McNair - Quite Man Award, John Foy - Patrick Torphy Award, and Owen Dwyer - Lifetime Achievement Award.

The night was shared with our local LAOH Division. The LAOH recognized Kathy Borchert - Lady Hibernian of the Year, Tish Daly - LAOH Service Award, and Kathleen Wahler - Catherine Dean Spirit Award.

2012 Dinner Dance Ad Journal

2012-01-29T17:59:00.000-05:00

The Ad Journal for the 2012 Annual Dinner Dance has been completed and can be read below. Please support our sponsors for this event.AOH Division 2 Monmouth County 2012 Dinner Dance Ad Journal

2012 Polar Plunge A Tremendous Success

2012-01-08T21:00:00.000-05:00

The Division's 6th Annual Polar Bear Plunge was held on Sunday, January 8th, 2012.

The event started in 2007 with a handful of plungers supporting just two Catholic Schools to raise $16,000. The event has grown year by year and is currently one of the biggest Catholic School events in the state. This year the event had over 500 plungers supporting 24 Catholic Schools and raising over $104,000 with additional funds yet to be tallied.

The continued growth and success of this event is the result of the teamwork of AOH Monmouth County Division 2, support from the schools, support from the community, and a herculean effort by Jim Shaw. Jim starts working on the event in July and is the driving force behind the event.

This year's event was hosted by Merri Maker's Water's edge in Sea Bright. This venue provided top notch facilities, excellent food, and support that really took the plunge experience to a new level. The facilities had multiple rooms with beautiful ocean views, a wonderful beach, a patio area, cabanas, and a tiki bar on the beach to make the experience a great for spectators and plungers alike.

As the event grows, so does support from the community, the media, and sponsors. The town of Sea Bright, the Sea Bright Police, Fire, and First Aid departments have provided us tremendous support from day one and they continue to provide the support that the event needs to grow. The Rat Radio 95.9, their DJ Gotts, and their promotions crew have done a great job of getting the word out to support the event. Individual and corporate sponsors are the backing behind that directly drives the growth of the event.

Polar Plunge This Sunday

2012-01-04T10:42:00.000-05:00

Our Annual Polar Bear Plunge is this this Sunday. Sign-up forms and full event details are available on the Polar Bear Plunge's Website at http://aohplunge.blogspot.com

For our members, the Plunge is looking for people to help out for Pre-registration (Fri night at our hall), Beach Clean Up (Sat 11AM), and for Plunge Day (Sunday). If you are able to help out any of these days please contact Jim Shaw at aohpolarplunge@yahoo.com

Dinner Dance & Ad Journal

2011-12-24T11:00:00.002-05:00

Our Annual Dinner Dance is just over one month away. The event will be held on Saturday, Feb 4th at 7PM at the Lakeside Manor in Hazlet. This event lets us recognize members who work hard at making the Division a success. This year's honorees are:

Mike Ryan - Hibernian of the Year
Kevin Guerin - Irishman of the year.

Each year we produce an Ad Journal for the dance. Revenue from this journal is critical to cover costs from the dance and to bring some money into the Division. We ask that everybody try to sell just one ad.

Attached is a cover letter that explains the journal to potential advertisers and the sign up form that includes all of the ad formats and prices.

Keep Christ In Christmas

2011-12-05T23:53:00.001-05:00

Our Division in cooperation with the Bayshore Kinghts of Columbus Council has again posted billboards reminding travelers to keep Christ in Christmas. This billboard is located on Route 36 in Port Monmouth, next to Crown Tire. There is another one on Route 35 in Middletown near Harmony Road and Add-Pools.

Statue Blessing

2011-11-21T21:54:00.001-05:00

The new Blessed Mother statue in front of the hall was blessed and dedicated during a short ceremony following the LAOH Memorial Mass. The new statue provides inspiration to those who pass by and also marks the newly named Bayshore Catholic Center as a place where two Catholic organizations work to support the community.

Annual Memorial Mass

2011-11-21T21:45:00.001-05:00

The LAOH Annual Memorial Mass was held on November 19th. The mass remembers those who died during the Great Hunger and also those lost on 9/11. The Mass was celebrated in Gaelic by the LAOH State Chaplain and Monmouth 2 Chaplain, Fr Dan Cahill. The mass was combined with a food drive that collected a pickup truck full of food that was donated to Project Paul. Following the Mass there was a march the short distance to our Great Hunger Memorial.

Monmouth 2 Hosts Major Degree

2011-11-15T22:40:00.000-05:00

Members of the AOH National Board come out to observe the Major Degree in Monmouth County that initiated brothers from five Divisions in three different counties into full Hibernianism

On November 12th a group of 52 Hibernians from around New Jersey took their Major Degree in Monmouth County. The Degree was run by the Monmouth County board and was hosted at the Bayshore Catholic Center by Monmouth 2. This large group of candidates came from Monmouth 2, Monmouth 16, Monmouth 32, Middlesex 1, and Ocean 2 to take part in this important experience in Hibernianism.

The ceremonies were conducted by the Cu-Chulainn Warriors Degree Team from Staten Island, New York. This team did an excellent job of conveying the teaching and experience of the AOH Major Degree to the candidates. The ceremonies were observed by Pat Shannon the AOH National Chair of Rituals & Degrees. Following the degree Chairman Shannon expressed his praise for the job done by the degree team and gave his congratulations to the candidates. He reminded all present that in addition to taking the Major Degree it is also important for AOH brothers to participate in Degrees as spectators. Observing not only provides support for those taking the degree, it provides members with a different perspective to take in more of the experience.

Also in attendance to observe the Degree were Brendan Moore, AOH National Vice President, and Frank Kearney, National Secretary of AOH Charity.

President’s Letter Fall 2011

2011-10-13T21:20:00.000-04:00

Our 13th annual Irish Festival at the Jersey Shore was a huge success with the one of the larger crowds to come through the gates. The change in entertainment was received with enthusiasm and rounds of compliments from our guests. I would like to thank all 60 volunteers of the AOH, LAOH and families for all of their hard work.

I am proud to announce the formation of our junior AOH Division at CBA High School; the ONLY junior division in the state. Congratulations to our young Brothers Rody Ward and John Devin for all of their work in making this possible. We welcome CBA to our Irish Catholic Brotherhood.

On October 15, 2011 Division 2 will be hosting our first NJ AOH State Board meeting. This is an opportunity for our Brothers who have not had the privilege to do attend a State Board meeting to do so. The meeting begins at 1:00pm at our hall. All are invited. Lunch will be served so an RSVP is requested to fenian1881@aol.com by October 14, 2011.

The Monmouth County Board will be hosting a Major Degree on November 12, 2011 at our hall. The Major Degree is the first step to becoming a true Hibernian and learning the reason for our motto of Friendship, Unity and Christian Charity. Any Brother that has not taken his Major Degree should make a strong effort to do so on this date. Registration will begin at 11am. The cost is $30 for candidates and $25 for observers who would like to come and show their support. Beer, soda and late lunch will be provided with music by The Birmingham 6. For more information and reservations please email Gerry Ward at duke1378@verizon.net.

Our annual food drive and turkey donations to benefit Project Paul will be held on Saturday, November 19, 2011, 10:30am prior to the Remembrance Mass at 11:00am. The Remembrance Mass is in memory of our ancestors that died in the Great Hunger and the nine Hibernians that died on 9/11. The food drive and mass will be held at St Ann Church, Carr Ave Keansburg with a luncheon to follow at our hall. More information on the cost of the luncheon to come at the October 19th meeting.

Yours in Friendship, Unity and Christian Charity,Jack Sullivan

Our Building Is Now The Bayshore Catholic Center

2011-07-12T21:18:00.001-04:00

The Bayshore Council Knights of Columbus and our Division have come together to give the building that we share a new name. The name Bayshore Catholic Center has been chosen to represent the building. This name clearly expresses the shared missions of the two Catholic organizations to promote Catholic values and actions within the community. A new sign has been recently erected that displays the new name for the building as well as both organizations that call the building home.

New Blessed Mother Statue

2011-07-12T21:18:00.000-04:00

The old deteriorating grotto that housed the small statue of The Blessed Mother in front of the hall has been taken down. The small devotion to The Blessed Mother has been replaced with a 6 foot tall statue that is located in the front of the building. This much larger statue is a much more prominent and fitting devotion that announces the Catholic focus of the building to the community. There is still some clean up work to be done around the front of the building. A proper blessing and dedication ceremony will be planned in the near future once the remaining work is complete.

Mother Teresa School Painting

2011-07-11T21:51:00.002-04:00

A group of members from the Division recently volunteered to help in the re-painting of classrooms for the Mother Teresa Regional Catholic School in Atlantic Highlands. The school has 3 floors and many classrooms. The school has requested help from area Catholic groups and our Division was one of those who answered the call.
We were able to get a good size group show up, rollers, brushes, and ladders in hand, to help them put a dent in their re-painting project.

President's Letter April 2011

2011-03-29T11:57:00.001-04:00

On April 9, 2011 there will be a benefit for the Vol. Patrick Torphy Pipe and Drums at our hall at 7pm with music by our own Kevin Guerin and Round the House band.  Tickets are advanced purchase for $20 and $25 at the door.  With that you can listen to great music, support our up and coming pipe band while enjoying beer, wine, soda, burgers and dogs.  For tickets email Jim Shaw at   aohpolarplunge@yahoo.com, Rob Hughes at kiltyboy62@yahoo.com.  
 
Irish Music Night - April 15, 7:30pm – 10:00pm at our hall
An evening of  Irish music featuring Matt Cranitch and Eamon O'Leary with an open seisium to follow.  Tickets are $15 advance or $20 at the door.  Tickets and more information are available at http://www.irishshore.org
 
Kids Easter Party - Saturday, April 23, 1:30pm – 4:30pm at our hall
Please join in the fun for our AOH Children’s Easter Party! Light food, snacks, crafts and activities, plus a visit from the Easter Bunny! Please provide your own baskets for the Easter Egg Hunt! This FREE family event is hosted by your AOH Children’s Social Committee for children up to the age of 12. $5 per family for non-AOH member guests. For more info contact Denise  DHannigan04@verizon.net or Jennifer Jordan8604@yahoo.com. 
 
On Friday, May 6, 2011, we will be hosting our 3rd annual fundraiser for Ocean's Harbor House. Ocean's Harbor House is a safe haven for youth, ages 10-21 that have run away, homeless or have been abused, neglected or abandoned.  This organization is committed to providing quality services that respond to the growing and changing needs of youth and families in the Jersey Shore region. They are joined in their commitment by a variety of partners and friends who provide financial support through grants and donations, those who volunteer their services and skills, and those who help fill their Wish Lists by donating food, clothing, furnishings, and office supplies.  This collaboration throughout the years has enabled Ocean's Harbor House to become a strong voice for the needs of troubled youth and families. This also allows them to provide all services free of charge and confidential.  Friday, May 6, 2011,
AOH/K of C Hall, Hwy 36, and Middletown, NJ from 7-12pm. Music by our own Sean Hennessy and 
Amadan.  Beer, wine, soda, hot dogs and burgers are included with the $25 donation per person.  Kevin Gibson will have tickets at the 4/20/11 meeting.
 
Our 5t   Annual Stickball Tournament will be held on May 7th at Mater Dei High School. The tournament is to benefit Catholic Schools.  Brackets for participation are 1st to 4th Grades, 5th to 8th Grades, High School, Friendly Adults and Competitive.  For more info see Jim Shaw or email him at jnsiv1958@gmail.com or aohpolarplunge@yahoo.com,
 
The State NJAOH 49th Convention will be taking place on Friday, May 13th thru May 14th   2011 in Belmar with accommodations being arranged at the Doolan’s in Spring Lake Heights.  Based on our membership numbers we are entitled to send 12 delegates and presently have only 5 Brothers registered to participate.  The convention itself will be held in Belmar and Spring Lake Heights Dinner Saturday night will be held at Doolan’s on Saturday night.  More info at our April 20th   meeting.   Anyone interested in attending please drop me an email as soon as possible.     
 
I would like to thank our building chairman Brendan Dunleavy for all his hard work in getting our hall remodeled.   The hall looks great and is available for rental.  Call Gary at 732-787-9662 Members get a 50% discount on rentals.
 
Yours in Friendship, Unity and Christian Charity
Jack Sullivan

Spring Events

2011-03-21T17:34:00.000-04:00

This spring is very busy. The Division is hosting a series of events supporting our emerging Pipe Band, an area group that brings traditional Irish Music to children, and a Children's Easter Party for members and friends. Details about these events are posted on the calendar. Individual flyers for these events can be found at the following links:

Belmar Parade 2011

2011-03-07T23:11:00.000-05:00

The Division, along with Hibernians from all over the state, marched in the 2011 Belmar St. Patrick's Day Parade. The day was wet and rainy, however spirits were still high as the bulk of the rain held off until the very end of the parade. Following the parade the Division had it's annual St. Patrick's Day party. This event was the first event held in the newly renovated hall.

Dinner Dance 2011

2011-02-08T22:08:00.001-05:00

The Division's annual Dinner Dance was held on Feb 5th at the Lakeside Manor. The event honored Ed Cunning as the Hibernian of the Year and Mike Hannigan as the Irishman of the year. Awards were also presented to Pat Flannagan, Jack Early, and National Vice President Brendan Moore. The LAOH Honored Alice Griffin as the LAOH woman of the year.

Polar Bear Plunge 2011

2011-01-09T17:57:00.005-05:00

The 2011 Polar Bear Plunge was the largest one to date. A total of 19 schools and also the Bishop participated.

Video

Photos

Click on Slide Show to go to online album where you can download any of the photos in this slide show

President's Letter January 2011

2011-01-03T14:20:00.002-05:00

Dear Brother’s:
I would like to thank our Brother and Sister Hibernian’s that supported our food drive to benefit Project Paul. If for whatever reason you were not able to participate in the food drive, you can make a donation or food donation directly to Project Paul 211 Carr Avenue Keansburg NJ 07734 . Please keep in mind that they are serving more people than ever and every little bit helps. Also I like to thank our own Rob Hughes for the great job did helping the needy people living in tents in Lakewood. Rob and a caravan of AOH brothers and sisters arrive at the tent city with seven truckloads of food, clothing and toiletries.
The Polar Bear Plunge is back for its fifth year. The event will benefit The Catholic Schools Jim Shaw again is off and running with a bigger bash than last year. Please show your support to our local Catholic Schools. One way to support the cause without getting wet is to sponsor your Brother Hibernians.

Date: Sunday, January 9th 2011
In Water At: 1PM
Registration: 10:30AM-12:30PM
Pre-Registration: Fri, Jan 7, 6PM-9PM
Place: Ichabod’s Bar & Grill, Sea Bright NJ
Cost: $25 minimum donation. Participants are encouraged to obtain sponsors for the event.
Entertainment: Full Day of Fun

On January 22nd 2011 Division 32 Monmouth will be holding a Gala dinner and dance. At Doolans in Spring Lake Heights. Honoree will be Kevin Weldon Past President and Division founder. Tickets are $55 for more info contact Nick Mullaney at nick@dmullaney.com. Please remember if you sign up for this dinner we are committed to your ticket. Also please email Nick Mullaney for your dinner choice of Beef, Chicken or Fish.
Our 20th annual dance will be held February 5, 2011 at Lakeside Manor on Hwy 36 in Hazlet. Our Honoree’s will be Ed Cunning Hibernian of the Year and Mike Hannigan Irishman of the Year. Music by our own Kevin Guerin and the Round the House Band; tickets are $65 each and includes dinner and open bar all night. For ticket information please see Rob Hughes kiltyboy62@yahoo.com or, Gerry Ward, duke1378@verizon.net.

Sunday March 6th is the Belmar St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Please save the date more info at our January meeting.

Yours in Friendship, Unity and Christian Charity

Jack Sullivan
President Division 2
Monmouth County

Christmas Billboards

2010-12-22T14:58:00.007-05:00

The Division in conjunction with the KofC has posted two billboards to remind people to Keep Christ in Christmas. The billboards are along route 36 in Middletown the first is located at the intersection of Michigan Ave in Port Monmouth (next to Crown Tire) and the second is opposite 9th street in Belford.