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District Traveling Gavel makes the rounds and a tour of duty

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The Gavel in operative and speculative Freemasonry has a similar meaning and varies in its use. The Masonic gavel is an emblem of authority used by the Master of the lodge to show his executive power over the assemblage by punctuating its actions.

In this capacity, order is maintained and a structured outcome to the proceedings is achieved.  The common gavel is also one of the working tools of the Entered Apprentice.

Operative Gavel

In the operative stonemason era, the common gavel was a tool used to hew (break) the rough edges from the stones (ashlars) so that they would fit perfectly into place.

English Masonic Gavel

Speculative Gavel

In speculative Freemasonry, the Masonic Gavel is used to symbolically divest the heart and consciousness of all the vices and superfluities (excesses) of life in order to ready ourselves as if we were living stones, open to be shaped into a spiritual being that is pleasing to our Creator.

Not An Auctioneer’s or Judge’s Gavel

The lightweight, rounded-end gavels, such as the one below, commonly used by auctioneers and presiding judges, are inappropriate for use in a Masonic lodge.

 

Auctioneers Gavel

A Masonic gavel should not be confused with the Setting Maul, which is one of the working tools of the Fellowcraft.  The setting maul is a heavy wooden hammer with which the operative mason set (knocked) the polished stones into proper alignment.

Traveling Gavel

Many jurisdictions and/or districts have a Traveling gavel program to promote visitation and a bit of friendly competition. The rules are somewhat similar from place to place. In general, the visiting Lodge, who wish to take the gavel, need to have a certain number of brothers and come to a stated communication of the possessing lodge and notify the Master that they are there for the gavel in advance of the meeting. etc., etc.

The Suffolk District Traveling Gavel has its rules as well. The last changes to the rules were to ‘simplify’ them a bit. In years past it was a requirement that most if not all the elected and appointed officers are present at the meeting to take possession. This could be sometimes difficult for a lodge to do in more recent times. The ‘rules’ are changed now and then and last time by the Masters, Wardens & Deacons Association. If you are unfamiliar with the current rules you should head on over to the Traveling Gavel Page right here > Suffolk District Traveling Gavel

On this page you can also learn some addition history and check-out the leaderboard. Each ‘season’ begins in September and Runs through April and recognition of the most possessions at the District Dinner.

If you are planning on attending the Suffolk District Dinner, make sure you have your tickets as they will not be selling any at the door. You can get those here > 2025 Suffolk District Dinner

As of this writing Potunk Lodge #1071 has possession of the Suffolk District Traveling Gavel and the District Dinner is quickly approaching. As it tradition it’s a lot more fun if the gavel has pictures of its travel. Below are the travels of the Suffolk District Traveling Gavel currently.

Brothers have fun and DO travel and attend meetings of other lodges as your cable tow allows.





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

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.

From the Suffolk District DDGM Sept 2024

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Dear Brethren,

I hope this communication finds you well and eager to get back into the Quarries.  Your Suffolk Masonic District Team is very excited to get our term started and thanks to The M:.W:. Steven Adam Rubin, Grand Master of Masons in the State of New York we have some excellent programs for us to get out to our District.

To accomplish this, he has established seven pillars, to serve as the guide during our labors: Our Three Precious Jewels, Grand Lodge Leadership, Masonic Education, Membership Value, Masonic Lodge and Building Governance, Masonic Communication and Social Responsibility and New York Masonic History. The district team is focused on our responsibilities and stands ready to assist our lodges in any way needed. Much more information will be distributed as the year progresses.

 

Below, our District Deputy Grand Masters visits are listed for this year. I encourage you to attend as many visits as your cable toe will allow.

  • Star of the East, October 10th
  • Wamponamon Lodge, October 17th
  • Alcyone Lodge October 22nd
  • The Lodge of Antiquity, November 14th
  • Potunk Lodge, November 21st
  • Old Town Lodge, December 9th
  • Jephtha Lodge, December 9th
  • Suffolk 60, December 19th.

 

Being appointed as the District Deputy Grand Master for the Suffolk Masonic District is very humbling and the Responsibility and Obligation that comes with this appointment is something I will work very hard to accomplish.

 

May the Great Architect of the Universe bless this craft and all our brothers.

 

Fraternally,

R:.W:. Robert J. Licata

DDGM Suffolk District

From the Commander of Suffolk Post 23, MWV

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It seems that with the COVID situation some basic elements of “what do I need to do for….” scenarios has gotten lost in the shuffle. I have been asked by more then one WBro. what they need to do to request the Suffolk Post 23 to come to a ‘event’, like a DDGM visit and present he colors?

There is a very simple answer to this. ASK.

All a Lodge Secretary or Master need do is make a request. Typically the request should be sent to the Commander (=Master) or the Post Adjutant (=Secretary).

There are several ways to do this. You can go to the Post website -> Post 23 Website or send and email to the Commander or Adjutant. The name and email or phone can be located on the Post website above or look at the DDGM tresleboard with the name and contact info of a lot of Brothers in the Suffolk District, the Suffolk Post 23 Commander would be among these as well.

Finally a phone call or even a text would be acceptable. In years past, and I am traditionalist to some degree, it would only be acceptable to write a letter to the Post Commander. I personally, will accept a letter, and email, a phone call, smoke signals, etc. All I ask is that you request the Post.

In most instances like DDGM visits, the Post schedules to be at all DDGM visits as it’s a courtesy to the DDGM more then the Lodge and we know know how much a WM has to accomplish leading up to an event like this. So rather than add to the burden we will just assume you will make the request. But it is nice to be asked.

Should you need to make such a request, please see my profile in 10 different places, here on suffolkmasons.com, BAND, mwvp23.org just to name a few.

P.S. for all veterans who are Master Masons, please check out the website above and consider joining the Post here in Suffolk. Dues are very low and we are one of the most active Posts in the Jurisdiction.

As a plug to recruitment – fill out a petition here – > Join Suffolk Post 23 Click the “Join Now” button!

Fraternally,

V:.W:. Bill Arnold

Commander

Suffolk Post 23, MWV

The Suffolk District Team 2021-2023

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As all things go the last 20 or so months past, times were different. Grand Lodge elections and installations took place this past weekend in Utica, Masonic Care Campus.

The M:.W:. Richard J. Kessler was installed as the Grand Master of Masons in the State of New York and

R:.W:. Steven A. Rubin elected and installed as the Deputy Grand Master of Masons in the State of New York.

First it’s with much appreciation and pride that we say thank you to M:.W:. William Sardone, Past Grand Master of Masons. All other Grand Lodge officers, elected and appointed who stayed at their post through most difficult times.

 

The Suffolk Masonic District Team for the ensuing 2 years.

R:.W:. Jeffery G. Santorello, District Deputy Grand Master of the Suffolk District, representing the M:.W:. Richard J. Kessler, Grand Master of Masons in the State of New York.

 

The R:.W:. Robert J. Licata, Grand Sward Bearer, of the State of New York, Grand Lodge Staff officer for the Suffolk Masonic District.

V:.W:. William De Benedetto, Assistant Grand Lecturer, Suffolk Masonic District

V:.W:. Bruce A. T. Siska, Assistant Grand Lecturer, Suffolk Masonic District

V:.W:. Gilbert C. Kruse, Assistant Grand Lecturer, Suffolk Masonic District

The next two years have a very bright outlook indeed. All of the above officers are “worthy and well qualified” and above all have a deep love of the Craft and their Brothers.

Please wish them all the best in their coming endeavors and give them all the support that the Suffolk District always has.

A big thank you to the immediate Past DDGM R:.W:. Kevin G. McCauley

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Brothers it’s been an interesting and troubling last 2 years to say the least. Accepting the position of DDGM is no light decision and I am certain that had R:.W:. Kevin McCauley known what was to come during his tenure, he would have still taken the position without hesitation.

As we all know the District and Grand Lodge asked all current Grand Lodge and District Officers to remain at their posts until a Grand Lodge session could be convened safely to allow the election, appointment and investiture of all the officers be completed safely and properly.

All the Officers of the Suffolk Masonic District said yes to stay without any hesitation. R:.W:. McCauley lead the Suffolk District through unprecedented times, at least in our lifetimes. I am also equally sure he will be both glad and sad when he is finally succeeded by (at the time of this post release) R:.W:. Jeff Santorello, the incoming DDGM for the Suffolk Masonic District.

I would think we as a District owe R:.W:. McCauley a big round of applause and our deepest appreciation for his leadership and perseverance throughout the last 3 years. So please join in sending R:.W:. Kevin McCauley our thanks and appreciation on a job well done and for his fortitude during these times.

We all wish R:.W:. McCauley the best in all future endeavors and in life. Please leave your congrats and well wishes in the comments below.