Colonel Thomas J. Cunningham Jr. Division

June Division meeting
2025-06-11 19:00 - 21:30 (America/New_York) | St. Theresa School meeting room, 21370 St. Theresa Ln., Ashburn, VA, 20147, United States

Cunningham division Monthly Meeting at St. Theresa School
2025-05-14 07:30 - 19:30 | St. Theresa School meeting room, 21370 St. Theresa Ln., Ashburn, VA, 20147, United States

Cunningham Division April's member meeting on April 9th @ 7:30 pm
2025-04-09 19:30 | St. Theresa School meeting room, 21370 St. Theresa Ln., Ashburn, VA, 20147, United States
All members are definitely invited. We expect a new member of two to be sworn in this evening. Come hear the results following “St. Patrick’s Month” Division activities. Slainte’

Virginia Right for Life March - April 2nd - Recap
2025-04-07 08:00 - 17:00
Virginia March For Life tees up constitutional amendment ahead of this year’s elections

By CHARLOTTE RENE WOODS Virginia Mercury

Apr 2, 2025

A crowd gathers outside of the state capitol for Virginia’s March For Life on April 2.
Virginia Mercury/Charlotte Rene Woods

About 2,000 people gathered outside of the Capitol on Wednesday for the 7th annual Virginia March For Life, one of the largest anti-abortion demonstrations in the state. Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears was a keynote speaker, where she energized the crowd near the beginning of the event before they paced around the state Capitol in downtown Richmond carrying signs, banners and bullhorns.

“We stand for life and how can it ever be wrong to stand for life?” Earle-Sears asked.

Abortion opponents and abortion rights groups have painted each other as “extreme” or “radical,” framing both Earle-Sears and Family Foundation president Victoria Cobb criticized.

“Are we really ‘radical’ for showing up here today to march on behalf of voiceless Virginians?” Cobb posited.

Cobb also referenced an ongoing process to enshrine abortion protections into Virginia’s constitution. The measure, which passed the legislature this year (and is not subject to gubernatorial approval) must pass again next year before appearing on statewide ballots for voters to approve or reject.

She added that the constitutional amendment was “barbaric” and reiterated that Republicans had offered an amendment to the amendment that outlines procedures for instances when an infant is born as the result of a “botched abortion.”

Democrats, who control both the House and Senate chambers, rejected the proposal, since infanticide is already prohibited by state code and federal law. In Virginia state code, “partial birth infanticide” means “any deliberate act that is intended to kill a human infant who has been born alive but has not been completely extracted or expelled from its mother.” It also “shall not under any circumstances be construed to include” abortion procedures.

Republicans had also offered an amendment to include parental consent requirements for minors, which Democrats also rejected since it is also already law. While Democrats have stressed that current law nor the amendment would allow abortion up to the “moment of birth,” many Republicans and President Donald Trump have made such claims. As Democrats have coalesced around the amendment, Republicans have embraced a variety of limits or near-total bans in recent years.

After some religious leaders led the crowd in prayer and gave speeches at Wednesday’s march, Northern Virginia resident Shawnte Mallory shared her journey as a political advocate and mother of six.

When she became pregnant with her third child, her then-boyfriend abandoned her and she became homeless. She was able to stay at a shelter, kept that pregnancy and has gone on to have other children.

“There is hope and there are resources,” she said.

Likewise, Del. Delores Oates, R-Warren, shared her own experience with an unexpected pregnancy. Oates shared the same personal anecdote during this year’s legislative session — each time relaying how proud she is of her now-adult son and how grateful she was for the support system of her mother and grandmother.

“I don’t want any woman who’s within hearing this message to miss out on incredible blessings that a child is in your life,” Oates said.

While Mallory and Oates were able to lean on others around them and get support to keep their pregnancies, abortion rights advocates say not all pregnant people experience those opportunities. Those who favor abortion also point out that the procedure can be sought for various reasons or be medically necessary. Voters nationwide have backed abortion rights in Republican- and Democrat-leaning states, while a 2024 Pew Research poll found 63% of Americans support abortion in all or most cases.

“While a vocal minority rallies today at the Virginia March For Life, most Virginians support the right to make personal health care decisions without political interference,” Planned Parenthood Advocates of Virginia director Jamie Lockhart told The Mercury Wednesday.

Although abortion isn’t a wholly partisan issue, Virginia’s own constitutional amendment has so far advanced on party lines, setting the matter up as a key issue in this year’s elections for Virginia’s House of Delegates.

“Our chance to stop the truly radical, unsafe, unlimited abortion amendment is to install a pro-life majority in the Virginia House of Delegates this year,” Cobb said.

With all 100 seats in the chamber up for election this year, Virginia’s governor, lieutenant governor and attorney general seats will also be on the ballot. Earle-Sears will face former delegate Dave LaRock and former senator Amanda Chase in a Republican primary for the governorship this summer before one of them goes against Democrat Abigail Spanberger in the fall. Reproductive health is expected to feature prominently in some of this year’s elections.

While not formally speakers at the Virginia March For Life, both LaRock and Chase were there and mingled with attendees. When they were members of the state legislature, both previously carried anti-abortion bills.

Democratic Party of Virginia spokesperson Maggie Amjad said Earle-Sears’ track record on reproductive health had earned her the March For Life keynote speech slot by “supporting a dangerous agenda that would strip Virginia women of their right to make decisions about their own bodies.”

DPVA has routinely lambasted Earle-Sears in recent months since she cast a tie-breaking vote in an attempt to shut down a right-to-contraception bill earlier this year. Democrats in the Senate had politically postured to force her vote on the matter before utilizing chamber rules to redo their vote and advance the bill.

The bill’s patrons say it’s especially important, amid the potential overturning of U.S. Supreme Court cases that protect contraception access and the shifting national landscape around reproductive health at large. Following the overturn of cases that had protected abortion access, most notably the 2022 strike down of Roe v. Wade, Justice Clarence Thomas expressed interest in revisiting contraception cases. The bill, by Sen. Ghazala Hashmi, D-Chesterfield and Del. Cia Price, D-Newport News, would offer state-level protection should federal ones fall.

As states around the nation have explored restrictions on contraception, abortion and in vitro fertilization, Virginia’s pending constitutional amendment would address all three issues if voters are able to approve it next year.

Facebook
Twitter
Email
Print
Copy article link
Save

April Officers Meeting Wednesday, April 2nd @ 7pm at McCarthy's Pub
2025-04-02 19:00 - 21:00 | McCarthy’s Pub – Lansdowne, 19421 Sassafras Ridge Terrace, Leesburg, VA, 20176, United States

Virginia March for Life - Richmond, VA 10am
2025-04-02 10:00 - 13:00 | Greater Richmond Convention Center, North 3rd St., Richmond, VA
Please plan to attend the Pro Life March on Wednesday, April 2nd at 10 am in Richmond. Come and support the unborn – There is legislation on the Virginia calendar this year which condones late term abortion among other issues. Now is the time to show your support for Pro Life!

Abortion Amendment Information
Basic information about the Extreme Abortion Amendment to the Virginia Constitution
Overview
Because we failed to turn out the pro-life vote in November of 2023, when every seat in the Virginia General Assembly was on the ballot, we currently have an extreme and pro-abortion majority in both the House of Delegates and the Senate. Unsurprisingly there is all manner of ugly legislation moving through
this session. We are counting on Governor Youngkin’s veto to maintain sanity.
Sadly, this pro-abortion majority is also seizing the moment to advance the extreme abortion amendment knowing it cannot be vetoed by the governor. Here is the process to amend the Virginia Constitution: A resolution must pass both chambers by a simple majority in consecutive sessions with a general election in between. If it passes twice, it then goes to the people as a ballot initiative. If a majority of voters approve the resolution the constitution is amended.
So, the extreme abortion amendment has passed for the first time already this session. Every seat in the House of Delegates is on the ballot in November 2025. If the pro-abortion majority is voted back in, then the amendment will surely pass in early 2026. This then sends it to the people as a ballot initiative in November of 2026. We have seen over a dozen state constitutions fall to ballot initiatives since Dobbs. Abortion proponents are well-funded and therefore easily able to flood the media with fear, lies, and confusion.
However, there is hope. We must and we can stop this amendment. The brakes on this train are in our hands. Pro-lifers must be educated and engaged on this issue, and we MUST vote to ensure a pro-life majority is returned to the Virginia House of Delegates this fall. Lives depend on it.
Ten Reasons to Oppose the Extreme Abortion Amendment:
 It doesn’t follow the science: An unborn child (zygote/fetus/embryo) is not “Tissue” but a living human being with a right to life. Even Roe recognized a state interest in protecting the unborn life later in pregnancy. The child figures not at all in this amendment.
 Parental consent laws will be eliminated. The amendment says “every individual” not every adult so it means minors can act without the “burden” of parental involvement.
 Allows for late-term abortion on demand even weakening Virginia’s current regulation of third trimester abortions.
 The General Assembly shall be unable to pass health and safety standards for the health and well-being of women.
 The General Assembly shall be unable to ensure by statute that abortions must be performed by physicians.
 There are no protections for conscience rights or religious liberty objections. Will medical providers be coerced into acting against their deeply held beliefs?
 This amendment will force taxpayers to fund abortion.
 The vague, undefined language of “reproductive freedom” will include whatever a court says it does, foreseeably including abortion, contraception, sterilization and so-called “sex-change” operations—even for minors.
 Enactment of this amendment places women and girls at risk, turns Virginia into the abortion capital of the South and potentially shields even sex-traffickers.
 This amendment is too extreme and not in step with the values of a majority of Virginians. For more information contact Amy McInerny at amy.mcinerny@arlingtondiocese.org

Posted on March 12, 2025

Our Lady of Hope School's 20th Anniversary Gala
2025-03-22 18:30 - 21:30 | Trump National, 20391 Lowes Island Blvd., Sterling, VA, 20165, United States
On behalf of the Our Lady of Hope Auction Committee, we invite you to step into a night of elegance as we celebrate Our Lady of Hope School’s 20th Anniversary Gala on Saturday, March 22nd at 6:30pm.

This year, we honor Our Lady of Hope herself with a theme inspired by her apparition in Pontmain, France, where she appeared to children wearing a deep blue gown adorned with brilliant gold stars.
The evening will feature fine dining, entertainment, and opportunities to give back to our school community. All proceeds from the gala directly support the school and its students.
Join us Beneath the Stars to celebrate, connect, and continue illuminating the path for future generations, guided by faith and the protection of Our Lady.

Please share this invitation with the Hibernians as we would be honored to have them attend as well. The attached invitation can be shared with your group. If unable to attend, you or any members of your ministry are welcome to attend virtually in support of our wonderful school. All the details can be found using the QR code on the invitation or by following the link: Beneath the Stars.

Thank you!
Bridget Boggs
OLOH PTO President

St. Patrick party at St. Veronica Parish
2025-03-22 17:00 - 21:00
The Cunningham Division will be participating in this event by providing Irish Coffee and Cake in support of the KofC St. Patrick party. This venue provides us an opportunity to not only sell raffle tickets but to solicit new members for the AOH.

St. Patrick's kick off at Finnegan's Pub
2025-03-17 10:00 - 19:00 | Finnegan’s Pub – Ashburn
Come out and support your Division as we kick off the St. Patrick’s “trip for 2 to Irland” ticket sales at Finnegan’s Pub as well as at the Ashburn Pub. Your efforts helps with our annual initiative in supporting Catholic Education as well as our Veterans. An hour or 2 of your time is all we ask! Slainte’

Cunningham Division Corporate Communion and Brunch
2025-03-16 08:30 - 12:30 | St. Theresa Church & Finnegan’s Pub
Please plan to join your fellow Hibernian Brothers and their families at the Cunningham Corporate Communion at St. Theresa Church @ 8:45 am Mass on Sunday, March 16th. Wear your GREEN proudly! A Brunch will take place immediately following the Mass at Finnegan’s Pub in Ashburn. Mark your calendars now to participate. Slainte’

Cunningham Division Business meeting
2025-03-12 19:30 - 21:30 | St. Theresa School meeting room, 21370 St. Theresa Ln., Ashburn, VA, 20147, United States

47th Annual Gaelic Mass in Honor of St. Patrick
2025-03-10 19:00 - 21:00 | St. Agnes Church, 1910 N Randolph St., Arlington, Virginia, 22207, United States

St. Patrick's Parade in Manassas
2025-03-08 11:00 - 13:00
Details to follow shortly. Please mark your calendar now!

Cunningham Division Officer's meeting - 3/5/2025
2025-03-05 19:00 - 21:30 | McCarthy’s Pub – Lansdowne, 19421 Sassafras Ridge Terrace, Leesburg, VA, 20176, United States
Brothers,

This initial paragraph is a repeat of my last email blast in early February. Here are my comments and the schedule of events. March should be our month to be out front leading Irish Heritage celebrations, our AOH commitment to our ancestors finest virtues and the relevance to all that has been a legacy in the successes of America.

There are two parades that are in March in honor of St. Patrick.

March 1st, is the Alexandria parade. Attached is the info I received from our Brother Bob Fay. The great news is that Gerard has delivered our NEW Cunningham banner and we will be marching behind the State Board. We have to line up between 11:00am and 11:45am. See the marshalling point on the attachment. For some of us to ensure parking, we are going early and meeting up at Murphy’s Pub.
March 8th in Manassas – The Cunningham Division is marching with the Fr. Kelly Division in the Historic District. We still don’t have the parade details, but when they are published, I will send them out..

More info will follow and be on our website aohloudoun.org as well as another email from me.
Ticket sales on and around St Patrick’s day. We are on track for Finnigans and Ashton Pub. during the weekend right before the 17th. We will have 3000 tickets to sell.
We are without a signature event (like Ballyshaners) to sell our raffle tickets, so we are seeking alternatives in both the near term as well as later in the early fall. Thanks to Mike Hippchen we are almost certain to be able to set up a tent and sell tickets at the Highland Games out in West Virginia, We are also making calls to wineries and distilleries to be able to present our sales during the summer.
Any other thoughts or ideas would be appreciated.

Finally, Jay has graciously allowed the Officer’s to meet at his basement on March 5 (so attend an ashes ceremony earlier, please). If you can’t make a regular meeting which will occur on March 12th at St. Theresa School, you are welcome to participate on the 5th.

I am always open for questions or comments, if you have any, please contact me.

Slainte,

Dennis
571 236-7980

St. Patrick's Parade in Alexandria
2025-03-01 11:00 - 13:00 | Alexandria , VA
Details for the Parade to follow shortly. Mark your calendars now!

Cunningham Division February monthly meeting
2025-02-12 19:30 - 21:30 | St. Theresa School meeting room, 21370 St. Theresa Ln., Ashburn, VA, 20147, United States
All Brothers are encouraged to come out and enjoy some fraternity. 2025 Charity Budget will be discussed as well as St. Patrick events. We expect to have a degree that night for new members.

Division Officers meeting - McCarthy's Pub
2025-02-05 19:00 - 21:00 | McCarthy’s Pub – Lansdowne, 19421 Sassafras Ridge Terrace, Leesburg, VA, 20176, United States

6th Annual Exceptional Single Malt/Dinner
2025-02-01 18:00 - 21:30 | Mike Egan’s Pub, 12519 Woodcock Ln, Herndon, VA, 20171, United States
Colonel Thomas J. Cunningham Jr. Division
Ancient Order of Hibernians
Cordially invites you to the Sixth Annual Irish Single Malt Whiskey Taste Testing and Dinner to be held at Mike Egan’s Pub in Herndon, VA on Saturday, February 1st, 2025, at 6:30 pm. (The Feast of St. Brigid). This will be a “first come- first serve” event…….only 30 guests can be accommodated for this special evening! The exceptional offerings (one shot per guest) for the evening will be:
4 “very hard to find but truly delicious” Irish Whiskies will be served as part of your dining experience.
An exceptional dinner will be prepared and provided by Auld Shebeen Pub in Fairfax City. The Auld Shebeen is Fairfax City’s only authentic Irish Pub and restaurant. Their menu, brought to by owner Mick Boyle, combines traditional Irish recipes and American cuisines. The Auld Shebeen is honored to be recognized as the BEST IRISH PUB in 2015, 2017, 2018, 2020, and 2021 Northern Virginia Magazine.
Irish Whiskey Taste Testing w/dinner & complementary beverages/appetizers along with music and wonderful Irish comradery – $250
Proceeds from this very special event will go to the Archdiocese of the Military Service (AMS) to support the Military Chaplains who serve the spiritual needs of our Service Men and Women in Harm’s Way.
Reservations required. This will be a “first come- first serve” situation. Please contact me regarding payment and your ticket for this special event.
Payment made payable to: Colonel Thomas J. Cunningham Jr. Division as well as through Paypal.
Address: Jay McCarthy, Past VA State President & Past Cunningham Division President, 19421 Sassafras Ridge Terr, Leesburg, VA 20176; vigor2@aol.com; 703-477-5934. Slainte’

Virginia Pro-Life Day - Richmond, VA January 29th, 2025
2025-01-29 08:00 - 14:00 | Greater Richmond Convention Center, North 3rd St., Richmond, VA
Ancient Order of
HIBERNIANS
Irish · Catholic · American
Pro Life Report & Catholic Action Report
Submitted to the Virginia State Board
Jay McCarthy, VA Pro Life & Catholic Action Chairman and PSP
January 14, 2025

Wednesday, JANUARY 29, 2025
VA PRO-LIFE DAY
Join us for our fourth annual Virginia Pro-Life Day on January 29, 2025 in Richmond! Meet with your legislators to advocate for pro-life causes.
Program for Jan 29, 2025 Pro-Life Advocacy Day

8:00 am – Doors Open (GRCC)
8:30 am – 9:00 am – Opening Programming (GRCC)
10:00 am – 11:00 am – Visits to legislators (GAB)
Noon – Choice of activity: Groups visiting galleries (GAB) or Mass at St. Peter’s Parish
After adjournment of floor sessions (around 2:00pm) – Visits to legislators for late arriving participants (GAB)

GRCC = Greater Richmond Convention Center
GAB = General Assembly Building

ADVOCATE FOR LIFE
Your personal presence is vital. It powerfully supports pro-life members of the General Assembly or encourages those who have voted against pro-life bills in the past to reconsider their views. We want our legislators to see we are engaged and expect to see them pass life-affirming legislation.

We will gather in the morning at the Richmond Convention Center to organize our advocacy teams, receive guidance for meeting with members, and gain inspiration from pro-life leaders. After organizing into district groups, we will then walk over to our legislators’ offices to meet with our senators and members of the House of Delegates. We want to let them know, as their constituents, that we hope to see them pass legislation to uphold and defend the dignity of every human life.
Talking points, legislative updates and tips for effective advocacy will be provided by the organizers to make your constituent meetings easy and successful. Please join us!

Brothers, action speaks louder than words….your presence in supporting Life is needed.

2025 National March for Life
2025-01-24 09:00 - 14:00 | The National Mall, Washington, D.C.
Good morning Brothers. I wish to share with you a monthly Pro-Life newsletter that is published by the AOH. You are welcome to share with our Council Brothers since Pro-Life is a top priority for both the AOH and KoC. We need proactiveness through prayer, petitions, letter writing and certainly participation in Pro-Life marches and gatherings. There is SOMETHING every Brother can do going forward – we need to protect the life of the unborn! If we do not do it – who will?
Slainte’
Jay McCarthy
KoC FDD, PGK, PFN
VA AOH PSP
703 477-5934

JOIN US ON JANUARY 24, 2025 IN WASHINGTON, D.C.
The right to life is a human right. Our defense of that right is a joyful witness to the beauty and dignity of every human person.
The March for Life is an inspiring, peaceful, vibrant, and joy-filled rally of women, men, young people, and children from all across the country. Every year, tens of thousands of pro-lifers converge in Washington, D.C. and march on Capitol Hill on the anniversary of the Supreme Court’s 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling which legalized abortion in all 50 states. It’s the largest annual human rights demonstration in the world. But this is not just a protest… TOGETHER, WE GATHER TO CELEBRATE LIFE. We celebrate each and every life, from the moment of conception. We envision a world where every life is celebrated, valued, and protected.
Over the past 52 years, the March for Life has collectively united millions of pro-life Americans from every age, background, nationality, and faith with a common purpose: to witness the inherent dignity and worth of every single human life, especially those endangered by abortion. The March’s powerful presence in the nation’s capital every January has demonstrated the seriousness, conviction, and permanence of the movement. It has also helped educate Americans about the beauty of the lives of unborn children and their mothers so that a majority of Americans now support protections for life in the womb at least by the time a baby can feel the pain of an abortion.
In the two years since the Dobbs decision, the pro-life community has fought the advancement of relentless and radical pro-abortion legislation at both the state and federal level; faced attempts to destroy and discredit pro-life pregnancy resource centers; and even battled deadly misinformation campaigns related to state pro-life protections – all which allow medical treatment to save the life of pregnant women.
“Life: Why We March” will encourage pro-life advocates to draw renewed energy for this challenging moment in the movement by reflecting on the basic truth that inspires the pro-life cause: every human life – including the unborn and their mothers – is beautiful, has unique dignity, and worthy of protection. “Life: Why We March” invites all Americans of goodwill to recognize and unite around this truth.
Make you plans to attend now!
Breakfast starts at 9:00 AM at the Irish Channel Restaurant and Pub at 500 H St NW, Washington, DC 20001. The cost is $35.00 per person, payable at the door. Breakfast includes a buffet serving of breakfast meats, eggs, rolls, Danish, bread assortment, fruit, juices, chilled water, coffee, and tea. Cash bar available.
Paedar Toibin, TD from West Meath, Ireland, had to cancel his plans to attend the breakfast, but has promised he will be here in 2026. A guest speaker will begin at 10:00 AM.
Mass will follow the breakfast at St. Mary Mother of God Parish, directly across the street from the Irish Channel at 727 5th St NW, Washington, DC 20001. Mass begins at 11:30 AM.
After Mass, Hibernians and their guests will proceed to the Northwest corner of Seventh Street and Constitution Avenue NW to stage for the March. Step off is scheduled for 1:00 PM.24

Sweats for Vets distribution to Martinsburg VA
2025-01-18 09:00 - 12:00 | Martinsburg VA
Come out and support the distribution of Sweats along with other items to the Martinsburg VA facility. I believe this will be the 20th year for this project initiated by the Knights of Columbus and fully supported by our Cunningham Division for at least the past 15 years. Tentatively, we meet and pack up our vehicles at the VFW 1177 Hall in Leesburg around 9am; convoy to Martinsburg WVA; set up for distribution and greeting the Veterans; event wraps up around 12 pm. Participants are encouraged to join in with the opening ceremonies and to engage the veterans!
Questions? Contact Jay McCarthy (703 477-5934) or Dan Gillespie – Division Coordinator ( 571-425-3420)

Sweats for Vets wrapping for distribution
2024-12-26 09:00 - 11:30 | VFW Post 1177 – Leesburg, 401 Old Waterford Rd NW, Leesburg, VA, 20176, United States
Annual wrapping of the Sweats will take place the day after Christmas. “All hands on deck” as we prepare all of the donations for delivery in January to the Martinsburg VA as well as to other Veteran organization in the DC area.
Coffee and donuts will be provided by the Cunningham Division. Donations can be brought that morning for inclusion with this wonderful project.
Any questions? contact Jay McCarthy (vigor2@aol.com) or Dan Gillespie (571-425-3420)
