Editor's Report

Irish Roots, Catholicism Mix Well for LAOH President

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To say the Archdiocese of New York is well represented among the top leadership of the nation’s largest Irish Catholic men’s and women’s organizations is quite an understatement. Staten Island’s Mary Hogan was elected as national president of the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians last month at the organization’s national convention in St. Louis.

She joins Rockland County’s Brendan Moore, who was re-elected national president of the Ancient Order of Hibernians at that organization’s national convention, also held in the same city in early August.

If that weren’t enough New York flavor, you can add the fact that Father Michael Martine, the pastor of Holy Rosary parish on Staten Island, was selected by Miss Hogan to serve as LAOH national chaplain.

Since I profiled Moore in this column when he was first elected in 2012, the recognition this time will go to the new president from Staten Island, who is a 15-year parishioner of St. Mary Mother of God parish there.

During our phone conversation on the evening of Aug. 29, Miss Hogan seemed enthusiastic about her new position and eager to get started. Involved with the 15,000-member organization since 1990, she was quite knowledgeable about its 120-year-old history.

She noted the LAOH’s support of the Columban Fathers as its official charity for some 80 years. In that time, the LAOH has helped the Irish missionary order, whose U.S. headquarters are in Nebraska, build some 60 to 70 churches worldwide with collections and fund-raising activities. “The Ladies have been proud of that association,” she said.

In meeting other members and sharing stories with them, Miss Hogan said she finds the organization a place where she can “take my Irish, take my Catholicism and mix them together.”

In an address to delegates at her installation dinner, she cited a bit of her own family history in pointing to the work before her. She spoke about her great-grandfather Tom Atchison who immigrated to America in the latter part of the 19th century only to return to his native land to fight for Ireland’s freedom in the Easter Rising of 1916, the 100th anniversary of which will be marked during Miss Hogan’s presidency.

Telling stories of Irish history, especially to Irish Americans who may not be well versed in them, is a regular part of LAOH meetings, which include a report from the division historian. The desire to learn about that history also helps to attract Catholic women to the organization, she said.

Another good drawing card, according to the new president, is when LAOH members participate in charitable works or displays of Irish culture or music. The organization has active divisions in 28 states, with a new one just begun in Kentucky and another planned for Iowa.

Miss Hogan, 55, grew up in a family of 13 children—eight brothers and four sisters—in the Greenpoint section of Brooklyn, where she continues as a member of LAOH’s Division 6, which is marking its 75th anniversary this year. She’s headed that division and been president of the Kings County (Brooklyn) Board as well as serving on the New York State Board and the LAOH National Board for the past 10 years.

She is one of several siblings involved in the AOH or LAOH. In fact, her sister Peggy Cornish, of Covina, Calif., will be working alongside her as the LAOH’s national “Freedom for All Ireland” chairperson.

Another issue Miss Hogan addressed at her installation dinner was the current U.S. immigration policy, especially how it affects Irish who seek to follow their forebears to these shores. “The immigrant of today was our families of yesterday,” she said. “It is our solemn duty to ensure that the Irish are always welcomed in our country, a country that we…helped to build.”