My Worthy Brothers,
“Oh, what a night!” Those lyrics from a famous song inspired me to realize that you’ll never forget your first meeting from the vantage point of the Master’s chair at St Johns Lodge No. 1 Providence. Not surprisingly, in the aftermath of that night, that’s exactly how I feel. I have many to thank for that.
My personal thanks go out to all the members and guests who took the time to dine with us and engage with the work of the evening, more especially those Brothers who participated in the festivities that we witnessed.
Transformation was the theme of the night, just ask Br. Chris Baker, W:.Br. Bryan Cooper, Br. John Gauthier, Br. Joe Giorno, Br. Octavio Gomez and Br. Joseph Puleo. To say that they ‘wore’ the evidence is an understatement. Oh yes, we have the pictures to prove it. Video too, just ask and you shall receive.
As a personal and Lodge goal for my time in the East, I’m committed to supporting our Masonic Youth Groups. To that end, the SJ1P-sponsored Warwick Assembly of Rainbow Girls, under the guidance of their Mother Advisor, Ms. Andrea Tovar Barrigan (Draya as she’s known in IORG circles and on my phone) performed their ‘Fun’ degree, which, as we all saw and a select few experienced, is as it reads: a very fun degree! The Rainbow girls enthusiastically performed their ceremony spoofing their ritualistic degree as a fun opportunity to make Masons into Rainbow girls, just like them! Indeed!
Curiously, I did solicit some thoughts from our newly created ‘Rainbows’ about their take away from their experience. For sure it’s too lengthy to publish in its entirety.
Suffice to say they unanimously expressed sentiments alluding to the mutual interactions relative to ritual and being conducted around the Lodge by the girls in a Masonic context. All while having some lighthearted fun!
And, oh yeah, all of that and ‘Octavia’ skipping with joy, all the while trying to catch up to ‘Rapunzel.’ That quest was an epic fail. I was also amused to learn that at least one new ‘Rainbow’ had nary a single dollar to pony up for their dues card. Tsk tsk tsk.
In September, having our dinner precede the Lodge opening seemed to work as well as hoped. Possibly even better as I witnessed Brothers and guests dining, leisurely conversing, and for me, the best part was no long line waiting to be served. Your feedback on this new SJ1P concept is welcomed.
With that said, this is an opportune time to mention that at October 15th’s stated communication, dinner will begin @ 5:30 PM due to the work of the evening, which will be SJ1P’s Entered Apprentice (EA) degree on all candidates eligible to receive it. Lodge will open @ 6:30 PM, conduct our business and the EA degree will commence in due time.
As per usual, dinner reservations are required and can be made by calling 401-861-1757 or by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. no later than the Friday preceding the stated meeting. For October, that date is Friday the 10th.
Also……please note that on October 11th, the preceding Saturday, Lodge will open @ 9:00 AM and will present the SJ1P Officer Line with their first major initiative of 2025-26, conferring the EA degree on all candidates eligible to receive it.
As was mentioned at September’s communication, your participation is critical! One of the duties and obligations mandated by our Grand Lodge is to make Masons. Please consider spending a portion of your Saturday morning with us, we won’t disappoint. The candidates will appreciate it. (For added incentive, we won’t be doing the history and lectures, those will be presented on Wednesday the 15th so we’ll have you out of Lodge and on your way by noon. 👍)
Lastly, Masonic Charity, one of our favorite activities. My interaction with the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the Jimmy Fund (DFJF) has yielded an official and personalized web-based giving page (secure HTTPS protocol) for the purpose of receiving donations. I have reviewed and tested it, requested slight edits, and the release and publishing of the link to it is imminent.
Remember, theirs is a worthy cause, the origins of which date back to Sidney Farber in 1948. To date, between my own donations and that of SJ1P’s 50/50 picnic raffle, $360.00 has been raised. My hope is to attain $5-$10K. Ambitious, yes, so please help me with that. I have DFJF representatives tentatively committed to present real time at SJ1P in November. Stay tuned. Dig deep. Please and thank you.
As a friendly reminder, Commercials are now required to be provided, in writing, in advance, to the WM no later than the day preceding the monthly stated communication. Collectively, they will be consolidated into one document and available for all in attendance at the Tiler’s station. For recurring month to month messages simply notify the WM in the corresponding month to republish the original verbiage and/or to provide any necessary edit(s). Recurring messages, c/o Scottish Rite, could also be displayed on their digital signage board which I will coordinate for you. Messaging can be emailed to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. directly.
As always, your objective and constructive feedback is always welcomed.
Yours in the Craft,
W∴Robert James Larrabee
Master, St. Johns No. 1 Providence
