DEAR SISTERS,

AT THE NJ LAOH STATE CONVENTION OF JUNE 2007, I HAD THE HONOR OF BEING ELECTED TO A SECOND TERM AS THE STATE PRESIDENT.

FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO MAY NOT KNOW , MY NAME IS JO ANNE GOODMAN, AND I AM A MEMBER OF THE ST. ELIZABETH ANN SETON DIVISION #4 IN ELIZABETH.

THIS WAS A VERY EXCITING CONVENTION FOR ALL OF US , SINCE WE CONVENED ON OUR OWN FOR THE FIRST TIME. WE ALL MET ABOARD THE CARNIVAL CRUISE SHIP “VICTORY”. WE SET SAIL FROM NEW YORK ON JUNE 21ST TO ST. JOHN NEW BRUNSWICK, CANADA, A PLACE FILLED WITH IRISH HISTORY

WE WERE PRIVILEGED TO BE ACCOMPANIED BY OUR NATIONAL LAOH PRESIDENT, DOROTHY WELDON,.PAST NATIONAL PRESIDENTS, MARY PAGLIONE AND MARY B. DOLAN, PAST MASSACHUSETTS STATE PRESIDENT, MADELEINE LAMPREY, AND PENNSYLVANIA STATE PRESIDENT, JUDY COYNE.

I WOULD LIKE TO GIVE A SPECIAL THANKYOU TO OUR STATE CHAPLAIN, FATHER CAHILL FOR ATTENDING OUR CONVENTION AND PERFORMING OUR OPENING AND CLOSING MASSES.

THE OFFICERS WERE INSTALLED BY OUR NATIONAL PRESIDENT AT OUR CLOSING MASS WITH ONE OF OUR SISTERS FROM SOMERSET, LIZ ROBERTS, PLAYING THE BAGPIPES.

WE ACCOMPLISHED ALL THAT WE STRIVED FOR AND COMPLETED A SUCCESSFUL CONVENTION. THANK YOU TO ALL DELEGATES, ALTERNATES AND SISTERS IN ATTENDANCE.

I WILL WORK TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY FOR OUR ORDER WITH THE HELP OF MY BOARD. THE OFFICERS WILL BE SENDING LETTERS OF INTRODUCTION TO THEIR DISIVION COUNTERPARTS SO YOU WILL KNOW WHO TO NOTIFY WITH ANY QUESTIONS . THE STATE BOARD IS AVAILABLE TO HELP WITH ANY PROBLEMS THAT MIGHT ARISE.

I WISH YOU ALL A HAPPY AND SAFE SUMMER.

YOURS IN FRIENDSHIP, UNITY, AND CHRISTIAN CHARITY.