Masters Message November 2021
Greetings Brothers,
One of the greatest privileges in all of Freemasonry is the opportunity to lead the lodge in the work of making new Masons. I could not be prouder of the hard work and dedication that the lodge officers put in to ensure that the Entered Apprentice degree was a memorable initiation into the Craft for our eight candidates. Please join me in warmly welcoming Brothers Darnell Brown, Saied Dib, Octavio Gomez, Michael Mott, Mike Ritz, Wilson Soto, Fred Trapassi, and Evan Trapassi to the Craft and to Saint John's Lodge #1P. When you see these new brothers, please be sure to introduce yourself, offer your hand, and bring them into the friendship and brotherly love that distinguishes our lodge.
Thank you to all those brothers who came out to support the officers and candidates at our Regular and Special Communications. A very special thank you also to Brother Bobby Frank of Jenks Lodge, whose theater expertise brought (literal) light to the degree.
Our program for November is a presentation by Marc J. Dunkelman. Mr. Dunkelman is a Fellow for International and
Public Affairs at the Watson Institute at Brown University, and the author of the book The Vanishing Neighbor: The Transformation of American Community. In his presentation, Mr. Dunkelman will discuss how many of the issues facing the US today can be traced to dramatic changes in the way American communities are organized, and especially to the loss of opportunities for neighbors from different walks of life to meet, get to know, and learn to trust each other. In particular, he credits civic organizations such as ours with playing an important “middle” role in bringing American communities together, with the decline of these organizations being linked to the current climate of polarization and distrust in our country. This is a presentation you won’t want to miss.
This program is semi-public and I encourage you to bring your spouses and partners, who are also invited to join us for dinner at 6:30 and collation following the meeting. Please be sure to include your guest when you RSVP for dinner.
And while we’re on the subject...
It is essential that you be sure to make your reservation for dinner by phone or email no later than the Sunday before each month’s Regular Communication. The caterer needs a three-day lead time to order and prepare enough food for the meeting. Brother Senior Steward sends the final numbers to me on Monday morning, and I immediately turn the numbers around to the caterer. Late reservations – or showing up without a reservation at all – means that we may be in a situation where we do not have enough food for everyone who wants to eat. If your name is not on the final reservation list, please be prepared to be asked to wait until all RSVPs have been honored, after which you will be served on a first-come basis. The Stewards will be strictly enforcing this rule, and your assistance is greatly appreciated.
Stay safe and well, brethren. I look forward to seeing you on November 17!
W:. Joshua A. Irizarry
Worshipful Master