Many of you are already aware of the tragic death of Bro. Anthony Cola, son of our Assistant Grand Lecturer, V:.W:. John Cola, and a member of our DeMolay Chapter. Anthony was killed in an ATV accident on Wednesday. For those of us who had the privilege of knowing him through DeMolay, Anthony will be remembered as a promising ritualist and one of the most polite and well spoken young men we have had the pleasure to work with. His smile was addictive, even for some of us curmudgeons, and he was always ready to lend a hand without being asked. On behalf of our Grand Lodge, District and Chapter, I extend our deepest condolences to John, Gheri, and Danny. The viewing will be held tomorrow, Saturday August 17th, at Brooks-DiDonato Funeral Home at
481 Gidney Ave in Newburgh from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. The DeMolay Funeral Service will be held at 6:30 p.m. followed by a Catholic Service at 7:30 p.m. A map is available for viewing by clicking here. We ask that you continue to keep Anthony and his family in your thoughts and prayers.
We also regret to inform you of the passing of Wor. Charles Barker, the immediate Past Master of Cornerstone Lodge. A busy attorney and active volunteer fireman late into his years, Charlie waited awhile to enter the Line and progress through the Chairs, but he had a desire that overcame his infirmities and enjoyed a successful year in the East. He will be missed and we ask that you keep him and his family in your prayers also. A Masonic Funeral Service will be held for him this evening at Smith Seaman and Quackenbush Funeral Home in Monroe at 7:30 p.m.
I would like to thank all of the Brothers who came out to attend the Master Mason Degree at Jerusalem Temple Lodge last Saturday. Eight Brothers in total were raised from Jerusalem Temple, Hudson River, Warwick, Cornerstone, Port Jervis, and Hoffman Lodges. I am also pleased to announce that six Masters from our District were in attendance. It's awesome to see such overwhelming support and community displayed.
That's it for now, with regrets, I will see many of you this weekend.
DISTRICT NEWS
Masters and Wardens Meeting
The Masters and Wardens will meet at Jerusalem Temple Lodge on Monday
September 10th at 7:30 p.m. It is important that all of our Masters and Wardens attend. Please remember that these meetings and
this newsletter are the primary coordination and communication venues
in this District and each Lodge is responsible for the information
disseminated therein . If your Lodge is not represented, the officers
are still responsible for obtaining the information from other Lodges
in attendance. Thus attendance is expected of Masters and Wardens
but everyone is welcome to attend and we hope to see other elected
and appointed officers there!
Masonic Family Day at West Point Tickets are still available for Masonic Family Day at West Point, which will be held on Saturday September 29th on the grounds of the U.S. Military Academy. The highlight of the day is, of course, will be watching the Army's Black Knight football team beat on the visitors from Temple University, but there's so much more! OUR day will begin with a continental breakfast under our huge tent with tables and chairs for everyone overlooking the scenic Hudson River. Then it's off to the Grand Lodge wreath laying ceremony and the parade of cadets on the Plain before we return to the tend for lunch. As always, you are encouraged to bring a tailgate lunch or you can purchase tickets ($8 in advance) for the chicken barbecue prepared by our own Bro. Tom Jones before heading up to the game. Tickets for the complete day with the game are $31 each. For those who do not wish to attend the game but want to enjoy all of the other activities, including breakfast and the children's activities, site passes are available for $10 each. Additionally, parking is VERY limited and parking passes are required. These are $5 each and carpooling is requested as we have a very limited number of passes available. To purchase tickets, or for more information, please contact RW Hank Stoveland..
Orange-Rockland Central Chapter, Order of DeMolay DeMolay is a Masonic youth program for boys ages 12-21, which teaches leadership within a fun, moral framework in line with our own principles and tenets. The local Chapter, which meets at Wallkill Lodge in Walden, is in desperate need of advisors, Brothers willing to give up a few hours a month to mentor and work with these inspiring young men. There’s no commitment required to obtain information, give us a call and see what it’s all about. For more information, please contact R:.W:. Hank Stoveland.
UPCOMING CHILD ID PROGRAMS
Child ID System
The District Child ID System is available to Lodges who have two Brothers
trained in its use. These Brothers may sign out the system by contacting
Wor. Robert Morlang, Jr.. Please allow
a month in advance to reserve the system and allow the District Committee
to order the necessary supplies for your program. Please remember
that all unused materials must be returned with the system, there
is to be no stockpiling of supplies for future programs.
ORDMA NEWS
2007-2008 Calendars ORDMA is collecting dates for next year's District Pocket Calendar, which will be available in early Fall 2007. These handy pocket calendars contain all of our District's Lodge and Concordant Bodies meetings, important events, Lodge and District officers, and directions to our Lodges. The calendars cost $5 each and the proceeds go to support our District's community service and charitable efforts, including our new District child ID system. To submit events for inclusion in the calendar, please contact any of ORDMA's officers.
* Denotes a dinner will precede or
follow the meeting or event. Please check with the contact for
details.
2007-2008 DDGM Visits
Athelstane Lodge No. 839
Tuesday October 16th, 2007
Cornerstone Lodge No. 711
Wednesday December 12th, 2007
Goshen Lodge No. 365
Monday September 17th
Hoffman Lodge No. 412
Tuesday November 20th, 2007
Hudson River Lodge No. 309
Wednesday November 14th, 2007
Jerusalem Temple Lodge No. 721
Saturday January 12th, 2009
Naurashank Lodge No. 589
Friday October 12th, 2007
Port Jervis Lodge No. 328
Friday September 14th
Stony Point-Wawayanda Lodge No. 313
Wednesday September 19th, 2007
Wallkill Lodge No. 627
Wednesday December 19th, 2007
Warwick Lodge No. 544
Tuesday October 23rd, 2007
West Point Lodge No. 877
Thursday October 4th, 2007
SCHOOL OF INSTRUCTION
The Orange-Rockland District School of Instruction is on a hiatus for the summer. We will re-open in August to review the Opening and Closing, and should you wish to hold other rehearsals for your new officers over the summer, your AGLs will be glad to attend provided you give them sufficient notice. The School will recommence in September, rotating on a different evening each month throughout the District at the invitation of individual Lodges. More details will be provided as the time draws closer, Have a great summer! If you have any questions, please contact the DDGM.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
Make the Most of Mentoring by Julie Watson
Most of us have access to Albert Pike's famous book, Morals & Dogma. Here is an interesting quote from
Chapter VI on the Degree of Intimate Secretary:
"Above all, remember that Masonry is the realm of peace, and that among
Masons there must be no dissension, but only that noble emulation, which can
best work and best agree. Wherever there is strife and hatred among the
Brethren, there is no Masonry; for Masonry is peace and brotherly love and
concord."
The above was written in the formulating years of American Masonry, yet applies to us
all today. Let not dissension or intolerance cause breakup of our noble Craft.
We are all Brothers in God's eye, regardless of our religion, creed, race, backgrounds, or social circles.
Copyright 2006-2007 Orange-Rockland District,
GLNY F&AM. All rights reserved.
