Our Charities:
Through the efforts of LAOH members across the country, over $90,000 was raised for the three national charities over the last two years. At the Irish night banquet, checks were presented to the Sisters of the Holy Family, Coluban Sisters and the Columban Fathers.
Our members support the selected national charities as well as local, state, national and international charities. Divisions are free to choose what charities they will support. They are asked to support the three national charities as well.
JOIN (Joint Organization for Inner City Needs)
Mary continues to collect items for JOIN. Current needs include deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrushes, and shampoo. JOIN can also use plastic grocery bags and plastic containers with lids (1 pound size or larger--for example, margarine tubs) for Holy Family Soup Kitchen. JOIN no longer distributes clothes and food, but it works with St. Vincent de Paul Society, which is located in the same building. Mary can take such items to St. Vincent de Paul. Thank you for your continued support of this charity.
The Columban Fathers
http://st.columban.org/
The Missionary Society of Saint Columban is one of two pemenant national charities of the LAOH. Named for Saint Columban, the Irish monk and missionary, the order continues his calling--to proclaim the Gospel. Columban took Christ's message to continental Europe during the "dark ages" after Rome's fall--to France, Germany, Switzerland, and Italy. Today the Columban Fathers take the good news of Christ to the Phillippines, Korea, Burma, Japan, Peru, Fiji, Chili, Taiwan, Pakistan, Brazil, Belize, and Jamaica. The order also serves communities in the United States and supports and trains both lay and ordained missionaries for service here and abroad.
A traditional bit of advice from Saint Columban to a young man is quoted on the Columban Fathers' web site ("Pray With Us"). It offers men and women (young and not so young) words for thoughtful reflection.
Mirror of Perfection: Advice of St. Columban To A Young Man
Be diligent in humility and gentle in authority, simple in faith, wise in the ways of virtue; keen for your neighbor’s weal, unmindful of your own. Be pure in friendship, wary of deceit, austere amid luxury, moderate in austerity, temper monotony with variety, be constant amid change, cheerful in your sorrows, restrained in your joys. Be at variance, if needs be, but unvarying in truth, severe amid pleasures, genial amid hardships, brave in suffering, hesitant in conflict. Be slow to anger, quick to learn, slow also to speak as St. James teaches but quick likewise to listen.
Be steady in progress, slow to punish, prudent in word, prompt in action, amiable with the just, stern with the shameless, gentle with the weak, firm with the downcast. Be ever sober, ever chaste, modest always, enduring to the point of zeal; never covetous, ever generous, if not with wealth at least in spirit. Be timely in your fasts, instant in your vigils; discreet in life’s crises, serene amid mourning. Be bold in the cause of truth, timid in controversy; submissive to the virtuous, unyielding with the wicked, meek in generosity, tireless in charity, just in all things. Be reverent to the worthy, merciful to the poor, mindful of favors, forgetful of injuries, love obscurity, spurn riches, be master of your will, harbor no hidden thoughts. Be obedient to your elders, a companion to the young, the equal of your comrades, emulate the perfect, envy not your betters, grieve not when you are outdistanced, despise not those who lag behind, heed those who urge you on. Be not fainthearted when weary, but joyful through tears for every fervor and hope. Be anxious always for the crown that may be lost as you hasten onward.
*Translation by Fr. E. J. McCarthy
The Columban Sisters
http://www.columbansisters.org/
The Columban Sisters became the second permanent national charity of the LAOH in 2006. The Sisters were formed in 1924. One of their first missions was to China. They currently have missionaries in: Chile, China, England, Hong Kong, Ireland, Korea, Myanmar, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Scotland and the US. While in Myanmar, the sisters work with women and children who are caought up in the horrors of human trafficking. As Sr. O'cleary said: "Not everyone can go and be a missionary in another country. Through your financial support and prayers, we are your representatives who bring the Gospel to others." From their web site: "We are a congregation of missionary religious women whose commitment to God leads us to cross boundaries of cultur, language and belief to proclaim the Good News of Jesus in today's world."
Danielle House
http://www.daniellehouse.org/
The Danielle House was chosen as a temporary charity for the next two years. This is located in BinghamtonNew York . It provides temporary shelter and emotional support to families of suddenly ill and seriously ill patients in Binghamton area. It was founded in 2002 by the parents of Danielle Stento. Danielle was college student in 1989. She was a pedestrian struck by a drunk driver. When her parents went to be with her, a friend of their daughter gave them a place to stay and provided much needed support to them. Her parents opened Danielle House as a place of repsite for families. A small fee is asked of families using the facility, but no one is denied the opportunity to stay in the home like atmosphere.
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