The GLSO has invited any Master Mason to attend this once-a-year course, normally only given to the Masters-elect of the Suffolk District. Please note no walk-ins will be allowed, you MUST RSVP with the GLSO to attend.
You can RSVP on the event page here -> The Masters Chair Course – Suffolk Masonic District (suffolkmasons.com)
Or by emailing the GLSO at glso@suffolkmasons.com
By: W:. William Mountzouros – Smithtown Lodge 1127
Congratulations to Smithtown lodge’s newest EA!
By: W:. Joe Lombardo (on BAND)
Congratulations to Julianna Lester, daughter of W:. Brian and Becky Lester of Star of the East Lodge. She came in 6th in the State in the Frank Totton Essay Contest presented by the Grand Masonic Lodge of the State of New York. Thank you Bro. Kevin Bartels for presenting her award and to RW:. Ed Bartels, Kathy Bartels, RW:. Robert Licata and RW:. Jeff Santorello for being in attendance.
The R:.W:. Richard Friedman, the Grand Lecturer of the Grand Lodge of the State of New York, visited the Suffolk Masonic District this past Saturday, March 26th, 2022.
The Convention was held at Riverhead Lodge and hosted by Peconic Lodge No. 349.
The convention kicked off at 2 PM led by our DDGM, R:.W:. Jeff Santorello. The Grand Lecturer made some opening comments and we launched directly into the first part of the 1st degree.
The Convention was very well attended and it seemed that the Brothers in attendance learned quite a bit from the Grand Lecturer’s instruction during the exemplification of the 1st degree.
All participants in the exemplification did a fantastic job. Prior to the close of the GL Convention, the Grand Lecturer distributed some overdue Potts Awards for 2 lodges from past GL Conventions. Afterward, attendance was taken and Riverhead Lodge won the attendance award with 14 members in attendance.
The Convention closed and the Grand Lecturer and the DDGM thanked all for their attendance and filling the Lodge room with Brothers eager to learn and/or improve their ritual.
Following the GL Convention the District MAGLA competition was held. This year 3 Brothers who had not yet attained the rank of WM and 2 that had competed in 2 categories.
The ritual was excellent by all but a winner had to be chosen by the judges to represent Suffolk District at the Metro regional MAGLA and hopefully are the jurisdictional Ritual excellence competition.
The winners of this years District MAGLA:
W:. Joseph Lombardo – Star of the East Lodge No. 843 in the W:. and above category
Bro. Michael Stegmeier – Connetquot Lodge No. 838 in the not W:. category
We wish them both best of luck and we know they will represent the District well in the Metro regionals at Grand Lodge.
After the competition all enjoyed a delicious meal arranged by Peconic Lodge no. 349. All seemed to enjoy the day and the festivities after.
Finally a hearty thank you should be extended to the District AGLs:
V:.W:. Bill De Benedetto
V:.W:. Bruce A.T. Siska
V:.W:. Gill Kruse
They worked long and hard on assuring all gained in Masonic knowledge and enjoyed the GL Convention.
The Lodge of Antiquity No.11 has been running a fundraiser called “Rockin’ Seniors” for the last 2 years.
They have donated 100 Rocking Chairs to Seniors that needed them. If you know a Senior who would benefit or would like a rocking chair, contact the GLSO, R:.W:. Robert Licata. His email is GLSO@suffolkmasons.com
2021 and 2022 have been very unique years for all and especially Freemasonry. The pandemic had us staying home and trying to organize online video meetings and such just to keep in touch with our brothers. This also gave rise to brainstorming on how we could improve some aspects of the way we do things.
To many Brothers, nothing is more grating a sound to the ears than hearing the phrase “because that is how we always did it”. Now there is always or should always be a consideration for the past. But let’s face it, not everything that worked 20 or more years ago works today.
We often hear that everything moves slowly in Freemasonry. Well, that may be true but the last 2 or so years have seen a paradigm shift in this thinking. Over the last 2 years WMs, District, and GL officers had to “think quickly” and come up with solutions to problems that were neither anticipated nor considered frankly. This led to changes that for the most part were good for the Fraternity or maybe the jury is still out on some.
One change has focused on communications and how lodges, at least in our district, have “solved” or at least attempted to solve. How to keep all who wish “in the loop” when it comes to events and what other lodges are doing. Although it may seem that each lodge is an island unto itself, we cannot allow this to happen. Working in isolated silos works against all our interests. What works for a lodge to help them with members, finances, etc. should not be kept secret and should be shared.
The LIPMA (Long Island Past Masters Assoc.) has been attempting to help facilitate that sharing and collaboration we should be seeing. One way they are doing that is to try and have a consolidated outlet of news and information to distribute to all members of the Suffolk District or others. Some have embraced this and others have not yet. Having a consolidated events calendar is the first focus.
A one-stop-shop for all events happening at Lodges and concordant bodies in and around the Suffolk District. This includes obtaining tickets to paid events and fundraisers. Instead of waiting for tickets to be mailed to a member or lodge, they can go and pick them up anytime they like, 24/7/365. LIPMA even went the extra mile on this to assure that those that post events/fundraisers get their funds from the event quickly and electronically. Several have already taken advantage of this system and are either in progress or soon will be. You can check out events and purchase tickets anytime anywhere by going here and finding the upcoming events you would like to attend -> Suffolk District Events
Another change you may notice is communication on the District BAND. Brothers are signing on and sharing experiences and what’s happening at their lodges, requesting assistance, or just joshing with Brother online. The monthly newsletter is also back and hopefully, many brothers are receiving it and have a look at the goings-on around the District and the jurisdiction and beyond. The Grand Lodge of New York is also collaborating with CraftsmanOnline.com to bring excellent education to anyone who desires it. If you are not getting the District News Letter, you can sign up for that on suffolkmasons.com or go here -> Craftsmen Online – Suffolk Masonic District (suffolkmasons.com) and look for the blue mailbox with the S&Q and type in your email address.
It only took 22 years but it seems to me that Freemasonry is finally taking bold steps into the 21st century.
So here is the recap:
All of these solutions are for the brothers of the district and set up for your use. We are hoping for others to wade in and also think outside the square so to speak and find solutions that work and share these with your brothers. Everybody has ideas and we must seek that noble contention, or emulation, of who can best work and best agree.
A united front on getting information out to the District is critical. Too many times I have heard that “I didn’t hear about this” phrase. In this day in age there is no reason for that. Any member can post to the BAND and add to the calendar. Yes it’s moderated so we must remember our obligations when posting but there is no reason why brothers should be lacking information. I mean come on; we hold in our hands the aggregate sum of all human knowledge on a daily basis. if you didn’t hear about an event then chances are you didn’t want to hear about it.
If you would like more information about some of the changes or to recommend some, please get in touch. Leave a comment below reach out on BAND or send me and email, webmaster@suffolkmasons.com
Riverhead Lodge No. 495, held the 3rd degree for 4 Fellowcrafts being raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason. The degree started at 12 noon-ish and went through the day until just before 3 PM and all parts of the degree were done well and hopefully well understood by the new Master Masons.
Congratulations to Bro. Edgar Alverez, Bro. Sebastian Alverez, Bro. Ezra Fife and Bro. John Umina.
After the degree dinner was served and all enjoyed the meal, especially the sausage and peppers made by our one and only Bro. Dominick.
V:.W:. Brother Bruce Siska posted this on BAND and I always like this portrayal or story. I thought it should see a wider audience. So here it is, thank you V:W:. Siska for posting.
A member of a certain Lodge, who previously attended meetings regularly, stopped going. After a few months, the Worshipful Master decided to visit him. It was a chilly evening, and the Worshipful Master found his brother at home alone, sitting before a blazing fire.
Guessing the reason for the Worshipful Master’s visit, the brother welcomed him, led him to a comfortable chair near the fireplace, and waited. The Worshipful Master made himself comfortable but said nothing.In the grave silence, he contemplated the dance of the flames around the burning logs. After several minutes, the Worshipful Master took the fire tongs, carefully picked up a brightly burning ember, and placed it to one side of the hearth, all alone. Then he sat back in his chair, still silent.
His host watched all of this in quiet contemplation. As the one, lone ember’s flame flickered and diminished, there was a momentary glow, and its fire was no more. Soon, it was cold and dead.
Not a word had been spoken since the initial greeting. The Worshipful Master glanced at his watch and chose this time to leave. He slowly stood up, picked up the cold, dead ember, and placed it back in the middle of the fire. Immediately, it began to glow once more, with all the light and warmth of the burning coals around it.
As the Worshipful Master reached the door to leave, his host said, with a tear running down his cheek, “Thank you so much for your fiery summons, my brother. I’ll be back in our Lodge next meeting.”
— Author Unknown
The 18th C. came alive last night at Smithtown Lodge when an unexpected guest arrived.
None other than Bro. George Washington (W:. Bill Mountzouros)! He, with the able assistance of Bro. Gary Gudzik, DSA, entertained and ENLIGHTENED the Brethren.
The topic was Civility and proper comportment, in the very words of Bro. George (see slide-in photo).
Brothers,
It is with a heavy heart that I relay the news that V:.W:. Boysie Singh, Past Master of Potunk Lodge No. 1071, laid down the working tools of life and has passed upward to that house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
May the GAOTU hold him in his hands. The Secretary will send out arrangements when they are available.
Please keep his wife Terry and their three daughters in your thoughts and prayers.
