Cavalier attitude to Brexit advances cause of united Ireland

Posted by Jim on May 16, 2018

“The subtitle of the article from the Irish News is replete with historical irony: ‘Ireland is rarely off [British PM] Theresa May’s agenda.’ Indeed, at first glance, it sounds bizarre and outlandish because poor Ireland was never on a British Prime Minister’s agenda (except for Tony Blair, God bless him). So, what has magically transfixed PM May’s mind? The ‘magic’ of Brexit.

With apologies to Yeats’ two poems:

‘ The falcon cannot hear the falconer; Things fall apart; the center cannot hold…

And, ‘All changed, changed utterly.’ “

Cavalier attitude to Brexit advances cause of united Ireland
Ireland is rarely off Theresa May’s agenda.

REWIND two years and nationalism was flagging. A relatively stable Stormont, where Sinn Féin was comfortable in government with the DUP, had taken the edge off politics in The North and contributed to a degree of apathy among those who traditionally aspired to a united Ireland.

But the June 2016 EU referendum had seismic implications and nowhere more so than on this side of the Irish Sea.

The potential upheaval in north-south and east-west relations caused by the UK’s decision to sever ties with Brussels signalled nationalism’s reawakening.

The failure to map out a clear solution to The Border has only served to fuel disillusionment with the British government, and not just among trenchant republicans – wavering Nationalists and so-called moderate Unionists also began to doubt if their best interests were being served by London.

Since the Good Friday Agreement 20 years ago, Britain had tended to regard its nearest neighbour’s affairs as peripheral but Brexit now means that Ireland – north and south – is now rarely off Theresa May’s agenda.

The confidence and supply deal with the DUP has also brought The North’s normally discrete [separate/distinct] affairs into the heart of Whitehall[the British government/adminstration].

Only last week reports emerged of a row in the Cabinet over prosecutions of British army veterans for Troubles offences, while the prime minister’s exchange about a border poll with Jacob Rees-Mogg grabbed the headlines yesterday.

The Brexiteers are typically gung ho in the face of criticism about the consequences of leaving the EU but privately they must surely reflect on the unintended consequences of their actions.

It’s easy to argue that a cavalier attitude to Brexit is advancing the cause of a united Ireland far more than the IRA’s 25-year campaign of violence ever did

O’Malley Irish Dance Academy

Posted by Jim on

O’Malley Irish Dance Academy

Brooklyn & Breezy Point, NY;  Est 1994

Maureen O’Malley-Byrnes, T.C.R.G., / Director

Registered with the Irish Dance Teacher’s Association of North America and An Coimisiun in Ireland       

H: (718) 375-6433;  email:omalleyirishdanceacademy@gmail.com  Website:  www.omalleyirishdance.com

Date of Event:  June 23rd 2018   Location:  Xaverian High School

Our school will be hosting its 24th Anniversary Fund-raiser Dance. Each year, we hold this event whose sole purpose is to raise funds to pay for the following needs in our school:

• To raise money to alleviate the cost of the children’s dance costumes.
• To raise money to award 2 IRISH DANCE scholarships for a full year.
• To raise money to award a college scholarship for our seniors.
• To raise the money to send a team to represent our school at the Eastern Regional Irish Dance Championships held in Philadelphia and the National Championships.
• To raise the money to sponsor a youth basketball team at Resurrection Parish.
• To raise the money to be a sponsor for Good Shepherd’s Sports Program, PS 114, St. Rose of Lima, St. Thomas More, PS 207 and PS 222 school fundraisers
• To raise the money to allow our dancers to help support other groups during their fund-raisers during the year.  We like to be able to support them as they do us.
•  Maureen O’MalleyBrooklyn, N.Y. 11234JournalAdsforDance@gmail.comColor:  We look forward to seeing you soon.  Maureen O’Malley-Byrnes
•                                                                                                 Regards,
• Thank you, in advance, for your support and for helping us to meet our goals.  Thank you on behalf of all of our dancers. If you would like to join us for our event, tickets are on sale now and going fast.  The cost is $35 per ticket and includes a stage show at 5 pm and a “celebration” dance & party after from 7:30 – 12:00am and Underground Sounds DJ’s!
• $100 for a full page and $50 for a half page
• We have tried to keep the cost as low as possible  to ensure that it is affordable to all:
• and send the digital copy of your ad to:
• 1721 East 32nd Street
• We will have a Journal for the dance.  An ad in our journal is a great way to advertise, or to wish your friends well.  If you would like to place an ad in our journal, please forward a check or money order payable to O’Malley Irish Dance Academy  to the following address no later than June 3rd.

Archdiocese of New York

Posted by Jim on May 15, 2018

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

I am writing to ask for your support in a critical matter.

As you may know, Fidelis Care, a non-profit health insurer that has served the poor and needy of New York, began operating in 1993 as the Catholic Health Services Plan of Brooklyn and Queens. In 1997, the eight bishops of the Catholic dioceses of New York, led by John Cardinal O’Connor, expanded Fidelis Care across the state to improve the health and wellness of underserved New Yorkers. It has become a model for managed care in the United States.

In recent years, however, it has become clear that the Church could better address the health and health-related needs of the underserved by exiting the increasing technology-driven insurance business and refocusing our efforts.

This is why, in September 2017, we announced that Centene Corporation, a national leader in providing managed care insurance plans, had agreed to buy the assets of Fidelis Care, so that the Church could continue to meet the health care needs of New Yorkers throughout the State in new and innovative ways.

Through consultation with philanthropy experts, it became clear that the best path forward was to establish a foundation to continue our mission of caring for New Yorkers in need and addressing social determinants of health outcomes. Therefore, the Catholic bishops have approved the creation of the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation, to undertake this critical new way of serving people of all faiths with their health and health-related needs.

The transaction has been approved by the New York Department of Health and the New York Department of Financial Services. A review by the New York Office of the Attorney General marks the final phase of approval. Once approved, the Foundation can begin initial grantmaking activity to communities and organizations throughout New York State, issuing grants totaling up to $150M annually.

I kindly ask that you click on this link to send an e-mail to the New York Office of the Attorney General asking them to approve this foundation:

https://www.votervoice.net/NYSCATHOLIC/campaigns/59123/respond

Letters are due May 23rd and then will be compiled and added to the public record.

Your prayers, support and action on this matter are critical to achieving the long-term vision for the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation and making New York a healthier, more equitable place for all.

Thank you.

Faithfully in Christ,

Timothy Michael Cardinal Dolan

Archbishop of New York

Official Communication from the UFA

Posted by Jim on

May 15th

Official Communication from the UFA

Posted by Jim on

May 14th