February 10, 2024

2024 Father Edward J Flanagan Human Dignity Award Nominee Bios & Ballot (fillable)

To: AOH National Officers, and State Presidents

From: Sean Pender, AOH National Vice President/ Fr EJ Flanagan Human Dignity Award Chair

Re: Father Edward J Flanagan Human Dignity Award Selection

In accordance with Article XXVIII of the National Constitution of the Ancient Order of Hibernians in America, nominations were requested for the Father Edward J Flanagan Human Dignity Award for 2024. My office received four nominations from AOH qualified nominators.

The names submitted are certainly worthy candidates for the inaugural award which will be presented at the National Convention in Orlando on August 9, 2024. This award will be conferred to an individual or group outstanding in the defense of the unborn or in advocating for those who suffer from injustice, poverty, homelessness, abandonment, or other forms of societal neglect.

Please review the bios of each candidate and then mark your ballot accordingly ranking three candidates as outlined on the ballot and send them to Sean Pender, via e-mail,

paddyspeed@yahoo.com by March 4, 2024, or via US Mail postmarked by March 4, 2024 to

Sean Pender 13 Scullin Drive. Yardville, NJ 08620-2951

Yours in Friendship, Unity and Christian Charity,

Sean Pender

Alphonsus Cullinan

Bishop of Waterford & Lismore

Alphonsus Cullinan, Bishop of Waterford & Lismore, demonstrates an enduring commitment to “acknowledging the sanctity of Human Life from conception to natural death.” From his is unwavering commitment to the unborn to his outreach to those who suffer from poverty, homelessness, abandonment, or any form of societal neglect, Bishop Phonsie serves the people of Ireland and the world.

At his installation in 2015, Phonsie said he “loves being a priest and now a Bishop. I cannot say I am a good one, but I am hugely proud of my Church, The Catholic Church – founded by the Lord Jesus himself.” He reminds us that the weak, the poor, and the sick were never respected until Christianity changed everything. The Church’s role is to follow Christ therefore we must preach and live a life of goodness and mercy.

He fought against Ireland’s abortion bill just as the AOH did, using his public position to challenge those who supported it. After legalization, he expanded his work assisting women with crisis pregnancies who felt forced to consider abortion on economic basis. Bishop Phonsie established “Little Nellie’s Baby Bank,” which provides material support for expectant mothers and babies in need, which has recently expanded through its success.

Bishop Phonsie was also moved to create “Christ on the Street” to address those suffering from injustice, poverty, homelessness, and abandonment. He invited several men and women to become volunteer missionaries who befriend the homeless and lonely. After training, the missionaries (identified with blue parkas and a smile) set out in pairs to walk the streets, stopping to chat with those who are often unnoticed and passed. His program has created a ray of the tenderness of the Merciful and Loving Heart of Jesus, letting these people in need know “I see you, and I am listening to you. You are important to me.” As trust grows, this relationship is often a turning point for some in their lives, restoring their sense of self- worth, which can lead to the decision to change their present situation to a better and more dignified way of life. The missionaries then encourage and accompany them to existing health and housing services.

Phonsie’s work with our youth brought him to the 2016 Hibernian convention to speak about the Dead Theologian Society, a youth ministry program dedicated to enriching the faith of young Catholics through the lost art of storytelling. His commitment to youth has helped build a community of young people whose faith will lead them to a life supporting human rights, the rock that Jesus Crist built our Catholic Church.

Moved by the witness of a parish priest who responded to a local tragedy by ministering to the community, Bishop Phonsie dedicated a Year for Vocations to the Diocesan Priesthood, with “Take the Risk for Christ” as its theme. As chair of the Bishops’ Council for vocations, Bishop Phonsie has launched a new drive for vocations, Phonsie saw “the essential work of the priest in gathering a community.”

John V Hughes

John V. Hughes, son of immigrants from County Donegal, is President of Passaic County Board and Division 16 AOH, based in Clifton, New Jersey. John has over seventy years of distinguished humanitarian service to church, country, and community. He is a Life Member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, having joined at the age of eighteen.

John is the NJAOH Pro-Life Chair and a Pro-Life member of the St. Philip’s Knights of Columbus. John, his father, and his sons have proudly defended their Irish heritage and faith as Fourth Degree Knights, and as Hibernians.

John’s life motto, “Service is its own reward,” was passed from his parents and mentor, the Rev. A.T. O’Brien, OP. The most important calling in his life is the Pro-Life Defense of the Unborn, Veterans and Childrens causes. As a pro-bono adoption consultant, he has facilitated over forty adoptions, and in other cases has convinced mothers to keep, rather than abort their children. Women who regretted their abortions and sought counsel from John were advised to seek reconciliation through the Rachel Program. As Project Children Coordinators for over 40 years, he and Joan, his wife of 53 years, have labored for peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland.

John is the NJAOH Chair for the “National Day of Remembrance for the Aborted” and is the organizer and project manager for the “Monument Stone for the Aborted” to be consecrated in April 2024, at St. Philip Church, Clifton, NJ.

John has received numerous Humanitarian Awards:

-       Irishman of the Year (3x)

-       NJAOH Passaic Division 16, Hibernian of the Year

-       NJAOH Corporal Michael P. Curtin Life Saving Award

-       NJ Record Newspaper -Volunteer of the Week

-       New Jersey Education Association-Dr. Martin Luther King Human & Civil Rights Award,

-       Irish Echo Newspaper - Irish Community Champion

-       Bergen County Council of Irish Associations - Sister Trinity Humanitarian Award,

-       Passaic County Irish Association - Humanitarian Award

-       New Jersey Governor’s Jefferson Award for service to the Armed Services

-       Knights of Columbus - Knight of the Year

-       Several Sources Women’s Shelters Service Award

-       The Chapel of the Four Chaplains - Legion of Honor Humanitarian Award

-       Catholic Charities - Catholic Veteran Service Award

-       Project Children Humanitarian Award

-       St. Philip Prep School Board - Distinguished & Exemplary Service Award.

-       Numerous Commendations/proclamations from Congressional, State, County, and local governments.

Larry Squires

We are proud to nominate Larry Squires for the Father Edward J. Flanagan 2024 Hunan Dignity Award. A 51-year member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians in America, Larry has dedicated his life to volunteer work community, and youth programs. There is no one more dedicated to our motto, Friendship, Unity, and Christian Charity! He is an inspiration to all Hibernians.

Larry worked as manager at Dagostino Electronic Services and retired in September of 2023. A dedicated family man, is married to Katherine, has three (3) children and one (1) grandchild.

Larry is a staple in the Pittsburgh community. He works for the defense of the unborn:

·      Participates in a 40Days for Life prayer group in front of the Pittsburgh Planned Parenthood.

·      Promotes 40 days for Life and encourages others to participate.

·      Makes annual trips to Washington D.C. for “Right to Life March” every January.

·      Schedules keynote speakers for annual AOH March for Life Breakfast in Washington D.C.

·      Annual trip to Pennsylvania State Capital for “Pro Life March” in the fall.

·      Publisher of A.O.H. National Right to Life Newsletter.

Larry is an inspiration, and well-loved by everyone who knows him. I will close with a brief list of his projects and their impact in the community, so that his actions can speak for themselves:

Red Door Charity: Collects and distributes warm clothing to needy individuals. Greater Pittsburgh Area Food Bank Volunteer: Feeding the food insecure.

Appalachia Work Camp, Home building in Eastern Kentucky: Shelter for the homeless.

(Works with volunteers ten days a year to improve, remodel and construct new housing. Participates in year-round fundraising to generate $200,000 budget for the camp)

Other Volunteering:

·      Promotes and attends Annual Allegheny County Hibernian Men’s Retreat at St.

Paul of the Cross Retreat Center, Pittsburgh, Pa.

·      Arranges for Bishop Zubik, AOH Chaplains, and other clergy to celebrate Mass for State, and National Conventions and President’s Dinners occurring in Pittsburgh.

·      Boy Scout Troop 15 Chartered Organization Representative for 17 years.

·      Past volunteer at Auberle Home for at risk youth. Worked with faith development for school age boys who were abandoned, arrested, or removed from parent’s custody.

·      Regularly visited VA hospital to serve veterans entertainment and distribute gift packs on major holidays.

·      Volunteer at St. Thomas the Apostle, Munhall, Pa. to include Parish Council, St. Vincent DePaul Society Catholic Men’s Fellowship and Daily Mass Reader/Sacristan.

·      Past member of Pittsburgh Catholic Men’s Fellowship. Part of the formation committee that traveled to area parishes to help establish new Catholic Men’s Fellowship Groups.

AOH Chairs:

·      National AOH Pro-Life Chair.

·      Pennsylvania and Allegheny Co. AOH Catholic Action Chair.

·      Member of Tri Abhainn Major Degree Team.

Terrence Murray and Joseph Carney

In 2011 Terrence (Terry) Murray and Joseph (Joe) Carney of the Thomas Kelly Division of the AOH started an initiative called “The Big Red Barrel” project through the Livingston County Catholic Charities. The purpose of this project was to collect unused medications to provide a safe place to dispose of prescription drugs and to keep them away from people with substance abuse problems and children. Drug addiction affects everyone in some way and every family knows someone with problems. In addition to the personal safety the program provides, safe disposal of these medications helps to preserve the environment by keeping them from polluting the ground water and soil.

Distributing Barrels Across Michigan:

They started collecting scrap metal to build barrels and now have seventy-nine barrels throughout the state of Michigan. The program has been adopted by the Michigan State Police as well as many local Police and Sheriff Departments across Michigan. Since the program was launched in 2011, more than 100,000 pounds of prescription pills have been collected as of December 2023. All medications collected are safely disposed of in an environmentally safe way by law enforcement in the State of Michigan.

Nominee Bios:

Joe Carney’s father was a Collins supporter and had to leave Ireland after a particular incident, he was from Gurteen, County Sligo. He came to the United States through Canada. Joe is the youngest of six children. He has always been active in his community. He was president of the Dad's Club at St Patrick’s Church while his children attended school at the school. Also, serviced one term on the Brighton Area School Board. As a Veteran, he has always lobbied, through his political connections for Veteran’s issues and issues that affect the least among us. Joe has also volunteered at Catholic Charities for many years.

Terry Murray was raised in Rhode, County Offaly, Ireland. He immigrated to the United States from Ireland in 1986. In 2005 he founded the AOH THOMAS KELLY DIVISION of Brighton, Michigan. The division has raised more than $60,000 for St Joseph Hospice in Livingston County over a 5-year period, as well as several fundraisers for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation. Terry is also active with the Brighton VFW and has served on the honor guard since 2004 and has been active with the Livingston County Charities since 2007.