Battle Within Bench to be dedicated at Port Jefferson

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On behalf of R:.W:. Robert Licata, DDGM:

Brethren,

Please be advised, that the Suffolk Masonic District, will be dedicating another Battle Within Foundation Bench at the Veterans Memorial Park at 116 West Broadway, Port Jefferson, NY 11777 p December 20th, 2024, at 3:00 PM. Our Grand Master, the Most Worshipful Steven Adam Rubin has confirmed his attendance. If you are able, please consider attending.

 

Learn more here -> Home | The Battle Within

December From the South

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Now that Thanksgiving is over and Christmas is ahead of us, I want to thank brother Ed Matuszak for preparing such a delicious Thanksgiving dinner. We have done investigations on two petitioners and have one more to go. So, it looks like we will have three prospective candidates going through our first- degree in February. I want to remind everybody that January 8. I am hosting a school of instruction at Smithtown Lodge pertaining to the floor work associated with the degrees. If it’s OK with the master, I’d like to have two rehearsals prior to the school of instruction so we look sharp at the school of instruction and we will look that much better when we perform the actual degree. Be safe my brothers and happy holidays!

J W Stu Smith

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December From the West

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Brethren,

As Christmas approaches, let us take time to enjoy the blessings we can share with one another. The holidays are a special time, and being together with family and the brotherhood makes it even more meaningful.

In the spirit of the season, let us remember those in need and those who are facing difficult times, both within our own families and the wider community. Charity is one of the core virtues of Masonry, and it is through acts of kindness and generosity that we truly embody the spirit of the holidays.

I look forward to seeing everyone at the next stated communication.

Fraternally,
Edward Matuszak
Senior Warden

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December From the East

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Brethren,

As the year draws to a close and the holiday season begins, I want to take a moment to reflect on all that we have accomplished together in 2024. It’s been a year of growth, learning, and brotherhood, and I am truly grateful for each of you and the dedication you bring to our Lodge.

As we approach the new year, let’s take a moment to reflect on the blessings we’ve received and the opportunities that lie ahead. I’m excited about the future of our Lodge, and I look forward to continuing to work with each of you to make 2025 another successful year of growth, service, and brotherhood.

Wishing you all a wonderful December filled with warmth, joy, and fellowship. May the holiday season bring peace and happiness to you and your families.

Fraternally,

W:. William Hanson

Worshipful Master

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From the East December-February 2024-25

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Brothers,

2024 is coming to a close in less than 30 days. Hard to believe the Masonic season is almost half over. Lots of activity within Riverhead Lodge lately and just about all of it good. We have been busy up in the Lodge room with full renovations of the Lodge. If you haven’t seen it yet, well you should come out to a meeting and have a look, it’s spectacular. With that a huge thank you goes out to all the Brothers involved in getting this done. Bro. Ezra Fife did a wonderful job on the ceiling and W:. Charlie Monte getting the lights and sound done. There are many others to thank and still more work to do. The outer room will also be done eventually as well.  We are also looking at getting a plan together for the kitchen. Mainly to have better organization and storage in the kitchen.

We’ll be conferring the Fellowcraft degree tonight, Tuesday, December 3rd on 3 Entered Apprentices, dinner will be 6-7:30 PM.

December 17th will be a Table Lodge downstairs; members may dress casually and wear those coveted “ugly Christmas sweaters” for the meeting.

Saturday, December 21st will be the Tri-Lodge Christmas/Holiday party. It’s Riverhead Lodge’s turn at bat for this party and we have secured a visit from Santa to deliver toys for the boys and girls that attend. this will be from 10-2 PM so a holiday brunch menu will be offered.

The official Visit of the District Deputy Grand Master, R:.W:. Robert Licata to Riverhead Lodge #645, will occur on Tuesday, February 18th, 2025.

I am planning on running the Master Mason degree sometime late March or early April so please keep a lookout for that announcement.

Finally, my brothers I would like to thank all the members of Riverhead and Peconic Lodge’s for all the help and work that has been done in and about the Lodge in the last few months. It is a great pleasure to work with you all.

Improvements to the suffolkmasons.com website

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Brothers,

Question: is it possible to be “new” and “improved” at the same time? 

Over the last few years, I have gotten feedback from users of the suffolkmasons.com website regarding several things. The one main theme was that it was slow and cumbersome, especially with ticket purchases for events. The hosting for the district website has been updated and migrated to a more powerful server and will more room to grow and expand. I have also trimmed down the site to the essentials and cut the fat and bloat that will sometimes impact speed. While I do not have the speed test from before the changes, that would be embarrassing, I do have the speed test from recent testing.

So, we’re getting a solid B grade on speed and there is a bit more work to do to get to an A. We are also in process of upgrading with significant improvements to Hiram’s Tickets (online ticket sales). This should be ready for use by Mid December or earlier.

Some other highlights we’d mention:

  • Weekly automated announcements email (this are just the latest and greatest of posts and events coming up)
  • Quarterly District Communication email (too many complaints about the number of emails)
  • Email Archive (missed an announcement? need to see it again? now you can in the Archive)
  • Education Page (here you can sign up for District Courses like the RTE or MDC)
  • The Suffolk District Traveling gavel has its own page! Check the location and travel brothers!
  • Complete listing of Suffolk District Lodges with brief history and meeting times, etc.
  • And of course, the Events page. Check out what is happening around the District, who’s doing what and when. This calendar and the calendar on the District BAND are synchronized to keep all events in the District as widely seen as possible.
  • When arriving at the suffolkmasons.com home page, be sure and scroll down for additional information like a brief list of upcoming events, a link to the Craftsmen Online Podcast and more.

Of course we are still looking for content, so if you have a story or information you would like to share, send it to us and we’ll publish it for all to see. The point of all this is communication Brothers and a website is still one of the best ways to efficiently and effectively get the info out to all. A website requires no username or password to find information or get what you need. There is the calendar of events, informational posts, pages to find who to contact and how to contact a brother in the district. Albeit some of the info is behind a secure wall so you would have to register and be approved to access personal info like emails and phone numbers.

We would invite all brothers to have a look and see what is available, suggest improvements with feedback, comments and create content. If we share what we know with each other, we all get better and that is the point Brothers. We hope this page in combination with the Suffolk District BAND serves the District well and keeps all “in the know”. We are a relatively small but diverse group of gentlemen, and we are always there for each other.

P.S. Don’t forget to subscribe to get this awesome information sent to your email inbox. See the sign up to your right on this page -> 

Old Town Lodge captures the district traveling gavel

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On Thursday, November 21st, 2024, Old Town Lodge # 908 successfully captured the Suffolk District Traveling Gavel. The R:.W:. Robert Licata, DDGM and R:.W:. William McCauley, Suffolk District Advisor presented the gavel to the WM of Old Town Lodge at Potunk Lodge #1071. 

Old Town Lodge meets on the 1st and 3rd Mondays of each month. Old Town Lodge #908’s next meeting that the gavel will be up for grabs will be Monday, December 16th ,2024.

Want to know more about the traveling gavel, well it has its own page. Just click here -> Suffolk District Traveling Gavel

 

Travel well Brothers!

Updated DDGM visit list for 2025

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Brothers,

As we approach the new year and continue with the official visits of the DDGM to Lodges in the Suffolk Masonic District, we encourage you to support the DDGM and the District in attending the official visits. You can check the dates and any updated information on Official visits of the DDGM on the Suffolk District Band Calendar and right here on the Suffolk Masonic District Website -> EVENTS

The updated Official visits of the DDGM for 2025:

Connetquot Lodge #838 – January 13th, 2025

Amityville Lodge #977 – February 4th, 2025

Smithtown Lodge #1127 – February 12th, 2025

Riverhead Lodge #645 – February 18th, 2025

Dongan Patent Lodge #1134 – March 13th, 2025

Peconic Lodge #349 – March 19th, 2025

Babylon Lodge #793 – April 9th, 2025

Another The Battle Within Foundation Bench dedicated

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The Suffolk Masonic District and Suffolk Post 23 MWV dedicate a bench for the Battle Within Foundation at the West Sayville Golf Course and Lt. Michale Murphy Navy Seal Museum.

The bench was placed and dedicated by the Suffolk District teams, led by R:.W:. Robert Licata, DDGM of the Suffolk Masonic District and members of Suffolk Post 23, MWV.

The LT Michael P. Murphy Navy SEAL Museum tells the story, sacrifices, and legacies of the Special Operators of Naval Special Warfare Command from the frogman and Underwater Demolition teams of WWII and Korea to the birth of the SEALs in Vietnam, the War on Terror, Operation Redwings, and an exhibition hall dedicated solely to the SEAL Training program.

The Battle Within Foundation:
In the past 40+ years, since the end of the Vietnam War, we have lost more American heroes due to suicide than all foreign wars and conflicts in that time period combined. Despite the very best efforts of family, friends, the VA, and scores of highly dedicated veteran-based organizations, approximately 20 veterans each day are lost to us due to complications from wounds and injuries we cannot see.

That’s 7200 brave men and women a year who volunteered, stood on the yellow footprints and swore an oath to God to protect and defend our country. They proved this commitment, many seeing and experiencing the unimaginable in our name. Unfortunately, they made it through one war, only to come home to fight another.

 

The Battle Within Foundation has been at the forefront of Veteran PTSD research and assistance to troubled veterans.
Supporting veterans in crisis, educating the public, and honoring our heroes for their service, regardless of where they died.

November 2024: From the Secretary’s Desk

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Brethren,

As our calendar year comes to a close, the administrative work of 2025 is starting to ramp up.  As I prepare to send out dues notices amongst other activities, please reach out to update addresses, preferred email addresses, or phone numbers.

In addition, as it has been several years since we reviewed our bylaws, please consider reviewing the most recent copy and put forth any changes that you think would benefit the Lodge.  In conjunction with the Worshipful Master, officers and trustees, amendments as needed should be implemented in the next calendar year.

Finally Brethren, as of the time of this writing, the Lodge has 82 Master Masons.  This is down nearly 20% in a very short time.  While I do not think we should be trying to build a line at the West Gate haphazardly, we all likely know good men in our social or civic circles that would only benefit from our beloved Craft.  Keep this in mind as we move forward.

 

Fraternal Regards,

W:. Scott K. Parry

Secretary – Smithtown Lodge No. 1127

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