Father Coyle Memorial Mass, St. John Vianney Retired Priests Residence Featured in National Hibernian Digest

http://www.hiberniandigest.com/2010/10/03/birmingham-division-celebrates-patron%e2%80%99s-feast-day-mass/

Division Featured in Nationally Broadcast Father Coyle Documentary on RTE (Irish National Television)

Irish producer and film maker Pat Shine recently created a documentary on the murder of Father Coyle and the miscarriage of justice that followed. The Father James E. Coyle Division is featured in the documentary, which was broadcast nationally in Ireland on March 21 on RTE. From the RTE website http://www.rte.ie/tv/wouldyoubelieve/acrossinalabama.html:

"Well-known Irish singer, Brendan Shine discovers the shocking truth about the murder of his great-uncle, Fr. James Coyle, in Alabama in 1921.

From the outset, Brendan knows from family lore that his great-uncle was killed by a member of the Ku Klux Klan. During the course of making this programme, he uncovers a story which caused a major scandal in the US at that time. One expert described the trial as 'the OJ of hte early 20th century.' The trial of Methodist Minister Rev. Edwin Stephenson, who confessed to the police immediately after the killing, became of show of force by the Ku Klux Klan. How did a court acquit Stephenson, who turned himself into the police, and allow him to walk out of the courtroom a free man, and a local hero? Brendan also discovers that a future Supreme Court Judge played a pivotal role in the trial.

Brendan will discover that Fr. Coyle is considered a martyr for his faith among Catholics in Birmingham, and that there are calls to have him beatified, and eventually to have him canonised a saint.

This programme combines interviews, archive footage, photographic material, and re-enactments of the key moments. Brendan's journey to discover the story will be the vehicle through which the audience will become fully engaged. Filming took place in Ireland and in the US.

A Cross in Alabama is produced and directed by Pat Shine. Pat is Brendan's cousin and hails originally from Waterford. He now resides in Bray, Co. Wicklow."

See the following links for further press about the documentary:

http://www.independent.ie/national-news/singer-throws-light-on-ku-klux-klan-murder-2105737.html

http://blog.al.com/birmingham-news-stories/2010/01/father_coyle_relatives_visit_b.html

http://www.cinews.ie/article.php?artid=6999

St. Patrick's Day Celebration 2010 - $8,500 Raised for Pediatric Brain Cancer Research

Thank you to everyone who attended the 2nd Annual St. Patrick's Day Celebration or pledged support for the Noah's Light Foundation. Special thank you to Jasper Coal, the Ian Sturrock Memorial Pipe Band, and the Nashville Irish Step Dancers.

The Division, spearheaded by Marc Ayers, raised over $8,500 for Noah's Light Foundation, a pediatric brain cancer research non-profit organization. Marc's young nephew Noah is currently battling brain cancer and the donations will be used to directly fund pediatric brain cancer research at the hospital (Shands) where Noah is currently being treated.

The parade and weather were fantastic, and the party itself was great craic. See you next year!

Second Annual St. Patrick's Day Celebration - March 20, 2010

Pure Irish. No plastic beads or green beer allowed.

The Father James E. Coyle Division of the Ancient Order of Hibernians will host its Second Annual St. Patrick's Day Celebration in Birmingham on March 20, 2010 at Matthew's Bar and Grill (2208 Morris Avenue in downtown Birmingham).

The celebration will begin at 2:00pm, following the Birmingham St. Patrick's Day Parade and go until the wee hours.

The afternoon festivities will include the Ian Sturrock Memorial Pipe Band, Irish step dancers, and an authentic traditional Irish music session. Children are welcome during the day.

The evening will feature music by Jasper Coal, Alabama's finest Irish rebel and pub band.

The cover charge will be $10; children under 13 free. Food will be available for separate purchase from the bar and grill. Guinness and other beers will be available on tap, as will Jameson and other libations.

We will be donating proceeds to The Ark, a pediatric cancer research foundation established by the family of Marc Ayers (a Hibernian), whose young nephew Noah has brain cancer. Marc, Hibernians Nathan Tucker of Jasper Coal and Riley Barnacastle, and others will be having their heads shaved at the celebration as a fundraiser in honor of Noah.

Mark your calendars now for Birmingham's only authentic St. Patrick's Day celebration - no plastic beads or green beer allowed.

Monthly Meetings for 2010

The 2010 meetings will continue to be on the 3rd Tuesday of every month, St. Paul's Cathedral, 6.30 Mass, 7.00 meeting, pints at Matthew's afterwards. I will send out reminders before each meeting and also let you know if the Mass will not occur. Here are the dates if you want to put them on your calendars ahead of time:

February 3 (moved from January 19)
February 16
March 16
April 20
May 18
June 15
July 20
August 17
September 21
October 19
November 16
December 21