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Annual AOH Christmas Appeal
Helping to build One Island One Ireland
with Justice for all.
In his address to the delegates of the National AOH – LAOH convention the Deputy First Minister of the North of Ireland quoted a poem by Tom Paulin. The poem likened the experience of nationalists and republicans in the northern state as being like tapping through granite with a spoon. Martin McGuinness added that “we have always recognised that our struggle would not be easy. No grand gesture by a few would win freedom. Change comes from the small steps, and the resolute actions of the many.”
I can’t think of a better way to classify our yearly Christmas appeal, it has indeed been a series of continuous small steps and the resolute actions of our members over a very long period of time. As we look to the North of Ireland today we can see the results of our work and we can see that tapping through granite with a spoon is indeed possible.
I came back from Cincinnati revitalized and invigorated but I came back also knowing we could do more and that our job is not finished. I heeded the words in Fr. Tom’s brilliant homily at the closing mass of the convention he stated: “we must remember that the dissidents will continue to fight to prevent and derail the unification process. Therefore, it is of prime importance that we leave this convention with a new strength and purpose”. We can not give back what has taken so long to gain; we cannot be uninterested in the present of the North and risk going backward. The work that our Christmas appeal and FFAI has accomplished has helped lay the foundation for a United Ireland for all the people of the North. But that work continues. In order for a United Ireland to become a reality we must continue to support groups that are working for positive change for all communities in the North.
This year I hope we can once again count on all the divisions and boards that historically donate to the Christmas appeal. I hope that we continue to get great individual support through $10 club donations. But to set this years appeal apart from all other we need to increase the percentage of boards and divisions that donate to the appeal. With all our successes we still have less than 55% of all divisions and boards donating to the appeal. I ask that all State Presidents and National Directors make it a point this year to stress the importance of supporting the appeal to all those boards and divisions in their area of responsibility. Every division and board should make a donation regardless of size.
Our appeal supports an array of groups; the vast majority of our donations will continue to support those who sacrificed so much for Irish freedom including those ex-prisoners in the US seeking to regularize their status and organizations that work for truth and justice but we also support and help assist cross-community opportunities, and aid in reconciliation efforts. (For info on groups we support visit the FFAI page of the AOH national website)
I was gratified when recently both Martin McGuiness and Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams passed along the following messages recognizing the work of FFAI and the Christmas Appeal.
McGuiness sent the following, "I wish to thank the National Freedom for All Ireland Committees of the AOH and LAOH for the invitation to me to speak at your Convention in Cincinnati in July. I welcomed the opportunity to thank your President Seamus Boyle and all the officers and members of the AOH and LAOH who have supported the Bloody Sunday families and attended the march in Derry throughout all these years. The continued progress in the peace process still needs your attention and support and I came away from your Convention confident of that. We appreciate your important work in America for Irish Unity which has so effectively raised the issue and informed the debate on achieving it. Finally let me thank you all for your support and help for republican prisoners through all the years of conflict and for your support now for former prisoners in rebuilding their lives."
Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams sent along these words: “Congratulations to the AOH and LAOH on your recent successful Convention. A special thank you to the National Freedom for All Ireland Committee for your work for Irish Unity. I wish to particularly commend you for your continuing support for former prisoners through Coiste and other bodies and for your efforts to encourage cross community interaction and reconciliation. This important outreach is building for a future free from the sectarian divisions of the past, a future of understanding and unity for all the Irish people. Your work is truly important to us and very much appreciated”
These are words that we can all be very proud of; to realize that our efforts are recognized by those that are doing so much for the cause of Irish Freedom. It is important that Adams in his remarks above and McGuiness in his remarks at the convention recognized our efforts in cross community efforts. It is important to note that WHEN there is a united Ireland, loyalists and unionists will be part of it. They will not be herded off the streets and sent off the Island of Ireland. It is why we believe in One Island, One
Ireland with Justice for all. The Nationalists and Republican communities will not treat those that oppressed them the way they were treated; it is why we are on the RIGHT side of history
I am extremely proud of the work we have done thru the Christmas appeal; it has been a great honor to be able to visit all the groups and to learn about how our funds help them. Our recent efforts to reach out to other communities promote TRUE CHRISTIAN CHARITY and it should be noted that the symbolism of the largest Irish Catholic organization in the USA reaching out to the poorest of the poor in Protestant communities who have been ignored by many in their own community speak volumes for the generosity of the AOH and LAOH. For decades the young loyalists in East Belfast and other communities would hear from the likes of Paisley and others that the Catholics wanted to take their jobs and overrun their communities when of course that was never the case. If we can help with a small donation to help break those stereotypes and promote the social interaction between young people in the North regardless of religion or political belief then we should be very proud of helping build a true United Ireland based on trust and respect.
There are strong people in all communities who are trying to live up to the opening words of the Good Friday agreement that stated:"We … believe that the Agreement we have negotiated offers a truly historic opportunity for a new beginning. The tragedies of the past have left a deep and profoundly regrettable legacy of suffering. We must never forget those who have died or been injured and their families. But we can best honor them through a fresh start in which we firmly dedicate ourselves to the achievement of reconciliation, tolerance and mutual trust and to the protection and vindication of the human rights of all." It is uplifting that in the twelve years since these words were written that so much progress has been made. Irish President Mary McAlese recently spoke of this progress in a speech in Italy. McAlese said:
In the thirteen years since I became President of Ireland, I have been privileged to witness many changes of heart that bordered on the miraculous, none more so than the positive peace-building roles being played by former paramilitaries. They generally come from marginalized communities which suffered most during the violence and which feel a deep sense of exclusion and victimhood. Yet some of the most radical cross-community initiatives are coming from those very individuals as they work to ensure that their people feel the full benefit of peace. History books will rightly record the names of great leaders who helped promote change, but for me the most inspiring common thread is the power of ordinary people to affect change through their daily lives, through what they say and do, the people who did not leave to others the job of changing history
The efforts of our Christmas appeal help support a united Ireland, an effort Martin McGuiness called “one of the most noble causes on earth; peace in Ireland, reconciliation in Ireland and the peaceful and democratic reunification of Ireland. Who can argue with that?” At this point in time it is non militant in nature and it is a flag we can all rally to. This year will you help support the appeal by rallying around the appeal or will you just wave as it goes by?
To see Martin McGuiness complete comments at the AOH FFAI breakout meeting in Cincinnati visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ormHxhbLuo
Many thanks to Pat Jockel president of Cape May NJ Division 2 All Irish Martyrs for recording and his division for posting.
The date for this years Bloody Sunday remembrance march has been set for Sunday January 31st. This year we will be sponsoring a week long trip thru the North for the week of Bloody Sunday from Thursday January 27th thru Saturday February 5th details included in mailings to all divisions and on line. Limited availability, be a part of history and walk with the people of Derry this January.
Christmas Appeal donations and Bloody Sunday trip down payments should be sent to Sean Pender 13 Scullin Dr. Yardville NJ 08620. I can also be reached at paddyspeed@yahoo.com or by calling 609 462 7056
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