Shawn Swayda of Braselton, Georgia won the trip to Ireland with ticket number 151.
The Cruise went to Gerry Couture of Columbia, SC. Gerry had ticket number 106.
Bluffton’s Lynne McCaffrey won the $500 third prize with ticket number 294.
For everybody else, thank you for supporting the State AOH’s raffle and better luck next year!
For those of you who may never have had the chance to meet him, Fr. West was the first pastor of St. Gregory the Great parish. In this video, he shares his journey to the priesthood and discusses the topic of evangelization.
The Division honored Monsignor Ronald Cellini, our chaplain, presenting him with a shillelagh and citation which reads:
Monsignor Cellini, on the occasion of your 40th Anniversary of your ordination to the priesthood, your brother Hibernians of the Bishop Patrick Lynch Division present you with this “Irish Walking Stick”. This walking stick has both a functional and symbolic purpose.
Originally, the walking stick was used as a weapon of defense. It was a badge of honor for those who carried it. Irish boys were exposed to the tradition of the bata, and when they came of age, to carry a stick was viewed as the passage into manhood. In this walking stick you truly have an authentic “Shillelagh”.
When you look upon this stick in your chapel, office or room, understand that it represents our support of you. Whether it be from behind or in front, or to the left or right of you, we stand ready to provide you any support you may require.
In “Friendship, Unity and True Christian Charity”, your Brothers of the Bishop Patrick Lynch Division of the Ancient Order of Hibernians.
The 2019 Irish Open was held at the Okatie Creek Golf Course at Sun City on September 21. This year’s event honored our brother, John Tofaute, who went to his eternal reward earlier in the year. John was an invaluable contributor to the Bishop Patrick Lynch Division and loved by all who knew him.
The largest field in the tournament history was blessed with warm temperatures and sunny skies. Be sure to save the date of next year’s event, which will be held once again at Okatie Creek Golf Course on Saturday, October 17, 2020 with lots of fun surprises!
John C. Tofaute passed away peacefully on July 14, 2019, at the age of 73, in Sun City, Hilton Head, South Carolina. John was the beloved husband of Kathie Petras Tofaute and father to Becky (Bob) Johnson and Beth Ann (Bill) Kenny, and proud grandfather of J.R. (Bryanna), Zach, Katie, and Sean. John will be missed by his Tofaute family – including surviving sister-in-law Priscilla and the many nieces and nephews who meant so much to him – and his Petras family, especially his sisters–in-law Carol and Janet and their families. Friends (not starting to name any individual – there isn’t enough space) were an important part of John’s life, too, and he’ll miss each and every one. A Memorial Mass will be held at St. Gregory the Great Catholic Church, Bluffton, SC, (www.sgg.cc) on Thursday, July 18th at 10:30 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to St. Gregory the Great.
Brothers,
John was a great friend to all of us and will be deeply missed. Members of the Bishop Patrick Lynch Division should wear their green jackets to John’s memorial service and sit together as a group.
May he rest in peace.
