Through Sullivan's
Eye
Movement in Irish-America to Beatify Red Hugh O'Donnell
by
J C Sullivan, Ohio, USA
In 1977 an unusual meeting took place in the rectory of St. Catherine's Church, Valley City, North Dakota. Seven individuals came together for a cause - the formation of a Guild to honor one of Ireland's 17th century patriots. "The purpose of the Guild is to promote Red Hugh O'Donnell's cause for beatification and to gather and share knowledge about his life and heroic sanctity," said Shirley Starke. "The 17th century Irish-Catholic patriot was truly exceptional in his utter devotion to God and the Church," she said. "His faith and hope in God, even when faced with great obstacles, and in his love, led him to show a degree of mercy toward even his enemies, something that was unheard of in his day."
Ms. Starke is the force behind this goal. She is a St. Catherine parishioner and, along with Father Gerald McCarthy, Sister Therese Celine and others in Irish-America, are leading the attempt to consolidate world-wide public support for the beatification. To help accomplish this goal she has written a short biography to educate other Roman Catholics: Red Hugh: The Story of Hugh Roe O'Donnell, which is available by writing her at Route 2, Box 230, Valley City, ND 58072.
Ms. Starke has been successful in gaining the attention of some powerful Irish-American supporters. In St. Paul, Minnesota late this summer, the oldest and largest Irish-Catholic fraternity in the world, the Ancient Order of Hibernians in America, gathered for their 88th biennial National Convention. On behalf of the Aodh Ruadh O'Domhnaill Guild, a resolution was introduced calling for the support of their powerful and prestigious organization. A most encouraging result was the referral of the resolution to the Chaplain's Committee of the National Board, where the merits of the cause will be jointly researched and discussed. The outcome of their study will, in all probability, be presented at the next meeting of their National Board or at their 1998 biennial National Convention in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The current AOH National Chaplain is the Reverend John V. Ahern of Liverpool, NY. His Deputy National Chaplains are the Reverends James Champion, Blackstone, MA and Michael Healy, San Francisco, CA.
Formal support of the Guild's effort has also been asked
of the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians in America,
through their newly-elected National President, Mary
Paglione, Bordentown, New Jersey. The LAOH National and
Deputy National Chaplains are both Clevelanders, the Most
Reverend James A. Quinn and the Reverend J. Brendan McNulty.
Readers interested in supporting this cause are encouraged
to write the Guild c/o Shirley Starke.
One-Time Rights to Mayo AliveCopyright © 1996 J C Sullivan, 9240 Milford Dr, Northfield, OH 44067
Sullivan is an internationally-published Irish-American writer residing in Northeastern Ohio. He is an American correspondent for the Mayo News. jcs1@alltel.net
The Nallys of Rockstown in County Mayo, Ireland
