LAOH News

Events

Here is a list of our upcoming events:

April Bar Bingo will be held on Friday, April 10, 2026


April Trivia Night will be held on Saturday, April 18, 2026

May Bar Bingo will be held on Friday, May 8, 2026


May Trivia Night will be held on Saturday, May 16, 2026

June Bar Bingo will be held on Friday, June 12, 2026


June Trivia Night will be held on Saturday, June 20, 2026

July Bar Bingo will be held on Friday, July 10, 2026


July Trivia Night will be held on Saturday, July 18, 2026

August Bar Bingo will be held on Friday, August 14, 2026


August Trivia Night will be held on Saturday, August 22, 2026

September Bar Bingo will be held on Friday, September 11, 2026


September Trivia Night will be held on Saturday, September 19, 2026

October Bar Bingo will be held on Friday, October 9, 2026


October Trivia Night will be held on Saturday, October 17, 2026

November Bar Bingo will be held on Friday, November 13, 2026

Annual Turkey Shoot will be held on Friday, November 20 at 7 PM.  You don’t need to be an expert marksman to win, and you’re virtually guaranteed to have fun if you attend, so really, you can’t lose!  Come kickoff the Holiday Season with us, at what is one of our most popular annual events.  

“Thanksgiving Eve” celebration will, oddly enough, take place the day before Thanksgiving, on Wednesday, November 25 at 7 PM.  Thanksgiving chefs and non-chefs alike are welcome to get together at the A.O.H. before celebrating Thanksgiving.  

November Trivia Night will be held on Saturday, November 28, 2026

December Bar Bingo will be held on Friday, December 11, 2026

Kid’s Christmas Party will be held on Saturday, December 12 at Noon. 

December will not have a Trivia NightAnnual Christmas Sing Along featuring Tim & John will be held on Saturday, December 19 at 7 PM.

Irish New Year will be held on Tuesday, December 31.  2027 arrives in Ireland 5 hours earlier than it does in Pittsburgh.  We will be opening early to celebrate the Irish New Year. 

LAOH Division #23

Monthly Membership Meeting –Agenda
Friday, February 13, 2026, 7:00pm

Opening Prayers/Special Intentions:  
Prayers
 – Please pray for the DeFranco family, as Mrs. Jay DeFranco has passed away. May she
rest in peace. 
 – Please also pray for the following friends and family members who have passed away
Richard Cervi passed away on 2/11, Audra Walker and Denise Hamilton.
 – Please pray for our Sister Bunny Balzer.
 – For Jamie’s DePastino’s ex-husband who is suffering from a knee injury.
 – For Donna Ricca’s son-in-law.

Praises

Our sister Mary Pat Lavery is doing really well.She got a good report from her Doctor last month and has started Physical Therapy this month!

Pledge of Allegiance:
Roll Call:

● Present: President (Regina Byrnes), Vice President (Colleen DeFilippo), Treasurer (Kara
Purnell), Recording Secretary (Carmella Law), Financial Secretary (Fran Pischke),
Historian (Patty Chavez), Catholic Action (Jamie DePastino), Mistress at Arms (Germaine
D’Amico),  Missions and Charities (Sue Bryan)
● Excused: Sentinel (Lois Callwood),

Motion for Last Month’s Meeting Minutes:

Carmella sent out the January meeting minutes. A motion to accept the minutes without
reading them was made by Jamie DePastino, seconded by Tricia DeYoung.

Installation of New Members:

I’m excited to announce that we have several new members joining this month:

 Holly Victor
 Brogan Victor
 Liz Shovlin-Grinko
 Dawn Smith
 Molly Kuczinski
 Sr. Sue Fazzini
 Mary Hasson

Guest Speaker:
Sr. Sue Fazini- a friend of Eileen D’Amico who is here to help spread the word on her
Charity: Hello Baby. Sister spoke about her vocation and the various charities she helps support.
She also gave us a listing of charities that we can support, and Jamie will investigate for Catholic
Action to sponsor.

Correspondence:

● Email 1/6/26 – Dennis Maher sent parade day form. I filled out the form and returned. I
requested 2 passes for vehicles.

  • Remember if you want to apply for the Ambassador to Ireland program (ages 17-25),
    the deadline is March, 17, 2026. See Regina or Maddie and they can send you the link
    to apply.
    ● Kathleen has Button Party pins for Sale. $35 – Details below
    ● Echoes of Erin Newsletter and email – See attached
    ● National Board sent email – Revolutionary Women – See attached
    ● Note all attachments will be sent electronically only with the minutes

Officer Presentations: 
PRESIDENT:

● Reports were completed and turned in. If you would like to see a copy of anything that
was turned in, please request one from Regina. All below reports were completed and
sent.


Membership Report , Financial Report Jr.,Financial Report
Historian Report Catholic, Action Report, No M & C report due


● Together with the VFW we are going to have an All Class St. Kieran Reunion in June.
Regina is on the committee and will be reaching out to Shot of Soul as our headliner.
We are looking to have bands throughout the day (if it’s not too expensive). Block of the
street between the VFW and the AOH and get a food truck. We are going to come up
with a price and a game plan to get the word out to alumni.
● Timmy said they will meet with us board to board. I will get an agenda together and
send it to the board. If you have anything you would like added to the list, please
forward to Regina.
●Parade attire: It was decided by a show of hands, we would wear the same attire in the St Patrick’s Day Parade as in years past: Aaron Sweater with sash. (black turtleneck or shirt underneath), Black pants and Black shoes.  If you need a sash, please contact Regina.  Paul Cook will be taking the banner down to the Parade area where we meet.  We do not know which section we are in yet but we will try to get that information to you closer to parade day.

● Next month’s meeting is the day before St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Would you all want to
move the meeting to either the previous Sunday or the following Sunday?
● Congratulations to Pat Byrne Sr. and his family. Yesterday it was announced at the
Parade fundraiser that he will be the Grand Marshall of this year’s parade !!
● Last but certainly not least I want to give a big shout out to our sister, Molly
McKenna. Through sweat and tears she is proud to announce she will be officially
starting a member at large division at Saint Mary’s College this spring of 2026 under the
name “Friends of the LAOH”. I will forward a copy of her email with the meeting
minutes for you all to read.  I am beyond proud of Molly and offered to help with any
startup cost they would but there are none.  They are not going to maintain a bank
account. Let’s discuss a trip!! Molly’s mom stated Molly was stuck in traffic and not able
to attend the meeting. She will be working with an Irish History Professor as an advisor
and feels confident that the Friends of the LAOH will be successful and will function as a
role-model for other university and college campuses to use when implementing Friends
of the LAOH

VICE PRESIDENT:

Junior Update: 
 * The 8 Juniors that were present at the St. Brigid Mass. They did a great job and received
high praise from all who attended.

TREASURER:

  • Would Saturday May 16th work for cash bash?  It was decided to continue the Cashbash
  • Knights of Columbus ASAP program- Motion to donate $100 Kara Purnell made the motion and Sue Byran seconded.
  • Should I go ahead with the custom ink order form? (Copies of design on tables) The members present felt the designs were good to order from and a google form will be sent to members with designs and pricing to place online orders.

RECORDING SECRETARY:

  • Carmella contacted Mary’s Place because she had donations from Our Lady of Knock Mass. Jen Phillips of Mary’s Place stated they would like Diaper Genie refills.  She also stated that their web site listed donation requests.  These requests were in the form of donating stock, United Way or writing a check.  Carmella made a motion to donate $200.00, Jamie DePastino seconded it.
  • Gaelic Arts Society was featuring a Genealogy Seminar on Sunday, February 15th at Carlow University at 2:00pm at the Palumbo Center.

FINANCIAL SECRETARY:
104 Active member
6 Members we carry
4 members not paid for 2025
29 members paid for 2026

We are having Lois reach out to the people who have not paid in 2025 to see if they still want to
be members.

IRISH HISTORIAN: Patty Chavez gave another entertaining presentation – Luck, Legends, and Lore: Irish Superstitions and What They Tell Us About Our Culture, please see attachment.

CATHOLIC ACTION:

  • Are we planning an activity for Mary’s Place this spring? Carmella will handle coordination with them. The Recording Secretary provided an update indicating that this has already been resolved.
  • St Pio updates – Rosary society, Confraternity of Christian Mothers, Reading Group (CS Lewis)

MISSIONS AND CHARITIES:

Donation Request:

A mass card will be sent to Bunny.

  • Diane Byrnes requested that we sponsor Echoes of Erin again. The payment will come from our Operations Fund.   
  • Kathleen Diulus mentioned the annual Parade Committee donation.  Nancy Mason made a motion to donate $500.00.  Mary Ellen Reiser seconded the motion.

Events – March

03/05/26 – Annual AOH Div 23 Memorial mass.

03/06/26 – Button Party, Cost $35/ $40 @ door @ the Priory 5:00 – 7:30 pm

03/08/26 – Communion Breakfast

03/14/26 – St. Patrick’s Parade

Good & Welfare of the Order:

Dues ($30) are being accepted for the 2026 year.  You can pay in person at the monthly
meeting to Nan Pischke or mail in your check to Nan Pischke at 1822 Jancey Street, Pittsburgh,
PA 15206.  You can also send Pay Pal to Kara but please remember to note that it is for annual
membership dues.

Closing Prayers:

NEXT MEMBERSHIP MEETING will be Sunday, March 22, 2026 at 1:00 pm

Division Web Site – https://laohdiv23.org/  
County Web Site – HOME | Laohalleghenycounty (laohpgh)
State Web Site – HOME | Pa Laoh
National Web Site – Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians, Inc. | (ladiesaoh.com) (Un!ty24)

Monthly Membership Meeting – Minutes
Friday, January 9, 2026, 7:00pm

Opening Prayers/Special Intentions:  

Prayers

  • Our Sister MaryPat Lavery is doing great. Her cancer screenings are coming back good. We will need to wait and see about the condition of her back.
  • Germaine D’Amico recovered very well from her heart surgery and wants to thank everyone for all their prayers.
  • Judy Byrnes – She had back surgery in December and is recovering from surgery
  • The Knapp Family. Pat Knapp passed away last week and her son Andy Knapp was in a manufacturing accident this week.  
  • Please pray for Timmy Flynn
  • Donna would like to thank us for all the prayers for her sister Denise, she is doing well.
  • Please pray for a 25-year-old who was recently diagnosed with colon cancer.
  • Adrienne would like us to pray for her cousin who has a severe flu strain.
  • Nan mentioned a relative she would like us to pray for.

Praise God: Gina read the Miracle of Friendship Prayer
Pledge of Allegiance:
Roll Call:

  • Present: President (Regina Byrnes), Vice President (Colleen DeFilippo), Treasurer (Kara
    Purnell), Recording Secretary (Carmella Law), Financial Secretary (Fran Pischke),
    Historian (Patty Chavez), Catholic Action (Jamie DePastino), Mistress at Arms (Germaine
    D’Amico)
  • Excused: Missions and Charities (Sue Bryan) Sentinel (Lois Callwood)

Motion for Last Month’s Meeting Minutes:
We don’t have any meeting minutes from last month.  We only met for our Holiday party.
Installation of New Members:
No new members this month.
Correspondence: 

  • Mail: Before Christmas we received a Christmas Card and Letter from Diane Byrnes
    thanking us for being sponsors of Echoes of Erin.  This is on the table here if you would
    like to read it.  I will send as an attachment to minutes.
  • Email: On 12/28 Diane Byrnes sent Dateline Irish Flyer – See attached for Irish events
    coming in the remainder of January.
  • Email: On 1/1/26 I was sent a list of PA officers for PA Divisions. See attached
  • Email: On 1/4/26 Diane Byrnes sent Echoes of Erin Broadcasting Flyer.  See attached.
     This is packed full of Irish events around the city.
  • Email:  On 12/20/25 Received an email from Colleen DeFilippo that the County Board
    meeting has changed to 1/17/26.  See below under events for details.
  • Email: On 12/3/25 Colleen DeFilippo sent Directions to Providence Hall for the upcoming
    County Board meeting – see attached. (See me after meeting if you want me to email
    them to you)
  • Email:  On 12/14/25 – Received an email from Terry Welsh introducing herself as being
    appointed Freedom for All Ireland Officer for PA.  See attached.
  • Email:  On 1/6/26 – Received an email from Ellen Haywiser- Allegheny County Catholic
    Action Chair with the LAOH Hibernian of the Year Nomination Form.  See attached. Does
    anyone want to nominate a sister? Deadline is January 17 th
  • Email 1/6/26 – Dennis Maher sent parade day form.  I will fill this out and return.
  • Email 1/6/26 – Carole Cooney-Syzdek, PA Secretary forwarded the 2026 constitution
    proposed changes.  Will send Electronically.  If you would like to challenge or have any
    questions regarding the changes, they must be submitted by deadline March 15th.
     Note all attachments will be electronic only

Officer Presentations: 
PRESIDENT:

  • The board will meet to go over business for the first half of the year and to fill out all the
    reports.  
    o Membership Report & Tax Bill Form (Per Capita) Nan and Regina to complete.
    o Financial Report for Division 23 – Forwarded to Kara
  • Financial Report for the Jr.’s – Forwarded to Colleen
  • Have a call into Timmy requesting a meeting between the boards. Some of the items we
    are going to bring up are:
    o Kitchen Floor, any suggestion on installer
    o Painting outside with mural
    o Plants around the yard
    o Covered area for smokers – Canopy
    o Any other items do you think we should bring up?
    o Molly McKenna gave a very informative summary of a discussion she had with
    former LAOH National President Marilyn Madigan at South Bend, IN. It
    encompassed enlisting college aged women into the LAOH. Because many
    college campuses do not have LAOH Divisions in a city near them, the thought is
    to have a National LAOH for college aged students. Notre Dame would be the
    first campus to try this type of endeavor.
  • The St Patrick’s Day Parade Packet was received and will be filled out this week.

VICE PRESIDENT:
It was announced that due to the overwhelming number of responsibilities, Colleen would like
to step down as LAOH Division #23 Vice President. There was some discussion about the role of
a Juniors’ coordinator, but Colleen felt this was not permissible and the role of Vice President
be sought by someone else. Colleen will continue in her role until January 2027 Elections.

TREASURER:
Charity Beginning Balance = $ 3,307.93                Operating Fund Beginning Balance = $4,733.65

Charity Ending Balance = $ 1,721.87                Operating Fund Ending Balance = $4,848

RECORDING SECRETARY:
 No Update
FINANCIAL SECRETARY:
104 Active member
6 Members we carry
4 members not paid for 2025
20 members paid for 2026

IRISH HISTORIAN:–

Patty presented an essay on the Irish Contributions in the American Revolution. This
was the topic for the Irish History Writing Contest and Patty thought it would be a good
theme for our members. Her document is attached.

CATHOLIC ACTION:
- Gave Sally all the cards to deliver to the VA.  Sally, do you have any update?
- Do we want to do something for Mary’s Place this spring, Carmella will coordinate withMary’s Place
- St Pio updates – Rosary society, Confraternity of Christian Mothers, Reading Group (CS
Lewis)

MISSIONS AND CHARITIES:
 No Update.

Junior Update: 
 Nan mentioned that the Juniors were very helpful during the AOH/LAOH Christmas
Party. She received many compliments on how helpful they were.

Donation Request:
Elieen Quinlan mentioned a Sister that she would like to assist with a donation. She will bring
information to the next meeting.

Events / Donation Request:
March
Saturday, 03/14/26 – St. Patrick’s Parade
Sunday, 3/15/26 Oscar Party – preparations have just begun

Good & Welfare of the Order: 
Dues ($30) are being accepted for the 2026 year.  You can pay in person at the monthly
meeting to Nan Pischke or mail in your check to Nan Pischke at 1822 Jancey Street, Pittsburgh,
PA 15206.  You can also send Pay Pal to Kara but please remember to note that it is for annual
membership dues.

LAOH Division 23 ~ 25th Anniversary Celebration

history-of-the-laoh-by-lizzie-mckenna-1Download