Official Visit to Sidney Albert Luke

The night started off with a very tasty meal of Tossed Salad, Broccoli Chicken with rice and a wonderfully sinful cake for dessert.  I had to be very strict with my diet or I would have asked for seconds or possibly even thirds.  The Lodge began at 7:30, the current Grand Lodge Officers were admitted shortly after that and finally i was brought in under the wands about 7:45.  Thank you to W Bro John Ruffo and Bro Godwyn Tchegnon for escorting me to the Altar and then to the East.  Thanks also go to VW Bro Ron Kellison for presenting me to the Master and through him to the Lodge and finally to W Bro Jeff Christie for leading the Brethren in Grand honours.  The work of the evening was to pass Brother Alexander Mang to the second degree.  His work was letter perfect and he delivered it without a hitch.  The night was relaxed and the Brethren at ease.  I gave an address focusing on Remembrance Day and Masonry's responsibility to the mankind to strive for world peace.

                                                 The Brethren who attended last night

                                  Grand Lodge officers with the newest Fellow Craft Bro Mang
                                                WM W Bro Burt Panke and Bro Alexander Mang





                                                                Up-Coming Events
November 15, 2015- District divine Service - Trinity Presbyterian 1817 Richardson Side Road.  Please check the district Website for directions to the service.  Go to 'Events', Divine Service' and click on 'map'
November 17, 2015 - First Fraternal Visit to Lodge of Fidelity
November 19, 2015- Official Visit to Mississippi Lodge

The Builders No. 177 150 year Rededication

Congratulations to W Bro Leonard Davis, Worshipful Master and to the members of of The Builders 177 on their 150th year celebration.  The day began with the re dedication ceremony held Saturday December 7, 2015 at Walkley Road.
In attendance was our Grand master MW Bro John C Green, PGM, MW Bro Don Mumby, the DGM RW Bro Paul Todd, the DDGM of Ottawa 2, RW Bro Richard Loomes and his traveling companions
DDGM of Fronenac District RW Bro Wayne Anderson, DDGM of Eastern District, RW Bro Daniel Wert and myself.  The GSW, Bob Ledingham was present as were members of the Board; RW Bro Barry Burchill, RW Bro John Forster, RW Bro Iain Wates, and RW Bro Jamie Ireland.  While the men were in lodge, the ladies went on a Chocolate Tour through the Byward Market.
Later that evening we met at the Centurian Banquet Hall for a fabulous supper and evening of fraternity and family.  The program was well organized and kept on track through the efforts of RW Bro John Saunders.
 I was fortunate enough to be sitting at a table that allowed for me  to meet a new face, The Builders Chaplain, W Bro Roger Pepper and his wife.  W Bro Pepper continues a long line of past Masters of The Builders starting with his Grandfather, William Hooper, who sat in the east in the year 1900, his father, Alfred Pepper in 1940, his uncle, Lorne hooper in 1965 and finally Roger in 2011.
The food was very good, the service exceptional and efficient.  The speeches were entertaining and at times very funny.  All in all it was a great day and Kathy and I thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. 

                   The Three Musketeers; RW Bros Angus Gillis, Dan Wert and Wayne Anderson

                                                                  Pre-dinner chat

                                                                               Our table

                                              The Grand master giving the Piper's Toast

                                                              Up-coming events
 
Nov. 11, 2015 - Perley Rideau Remembrance Day Service
Nov. 11, 2015 - OFFICIAL VISIT to Sydney Albert Luke Lodge
Nov 22, 2015- OFFICIAL VISIT to Mississippi Lodge

I hope to see you all soon.

Empty Chair Ceremony

What a nice night to be back at my Mother Lodge.  At the request of RW Bro John Moor, I adjusted my itinerary and took a part in the Ceremony of the Empty Chair, that has become synonymous with St Andrew`s and the good Rev Moor.
Lodge opened at 7:30 and among the visitors was a healthy group of Doric members paying a fraternal visit.   The business of the evening was short and sweet as we had a number of our Widows, wives, family and friends upstairs waiting to be allowed in. Including my wife Kathy, my son James and his girlfriend Laura.
The business included a combined ballot for two candidates; 1 for initiation and the other for affiliation (incidentally I sponsored both candidates).  Congratulations to W Bro Bob Conrad on becoming the newest member of St Andrew`s and congratulations to Mr David Riendeau on his up-coming initiation.
The Empty Chair Ceremony began shortly before 8:30 and proved to be a moving, emotional program and was thoroughly enjoyed by the 50 plus attendees.  RW Bro John Forster out did himself with his rendition of `All the Familiar Places`
A big thank you to our piper for the evening,  Bro Jordon McConnell.
Once the program had come to an end everyone went upstairs to a festive board of sandwich, pickle and roasted pepper trays and homemade pumpkin pie.
Once I got home I realized that we never took any pictures.
Nice job again john!

                                                          Up-Coming Events
Nov.   7, 2015 - The Builders 150 year re-dedication.
Nov. 11, 2015 - Perley Rideau Remembrance Day Service
Nov. 5, 2015 - OFFICIAL VISIT to Sydney Albert Luke Lodge
Nov 22, 2015- OFFICIAL VISIT to Mississippi Lodge

OFFICIAL VISIT to Prince of Wales Lodge

I had a great time with the Brethren of Prince of Wales last night!  Even with the Blue Jays playing what was their last game, we had a great turnout
The evening began with an early Festive Board and was a very tasty meal of salad and cabbage rolls and the most incredibly decorated cake that you have ever seen.  Mike Pembroke, the Jr Warden really outdid himself on this one. 
The dessert was a cake decorated as a tribute to myself as well as to the Widows Sons.  As a founder of the Widows Sons in Ottawa, nothing could have made me happier.
The work of the evening was an emulation of a Masonic Service which was very well done and enjoyed by all present.  The presentation was followed by a presentation by W Bros Poulin and Merrezzi on wills and estate planning.  This was very informative and generated much discussion.
 My address tonight was on Ritual which you will find by going to the District webpage and clicking on the link to my addresses.
All in all a very good evening and I enjoyed it very much.  Thank you to the brethren of Prince of Wales for putting on such a good program.

                                        The Brethren at Prince of Wales official Visit

                                                  Current Grand Lodge Officers

                                                                The WM and Myself
                                                              My Official Visit dessert!

                                                                 Up-coming Events
Nov. 5, 2015 - Fraternal Visit to Mississippi
Nov. 11, 2015 - Perley Rideau Remembrance Day Service
Nov. 5, 2015 - OFFICIAL VISIT to Sydney Albert Luke Lodge
Nov 22, 2015- OFFICIAL VISIT to Mississippi Lodge

Looking forward to seeing you all there.

OFFICIAL VISIT to Carleton Lodge

What a fantastic night with the Brethren from Carp and beyond!  We had visitors from as far away as Newfoundland as well as 2 of my Traveling Companion; RW Bro Wayne Anderson, DDGM from Frontenac District and RW Bro Richard Loomes, DDGM from Ottawa District 2.
The evening began with an early Festive Board of Baked Ham, Scalloped potatoes, veggies, salad, buns and pumpkin pie and chocolate cake to die for (made by the Master's wife).  At the conclusion of the meal, W Bro Farmer presented a piece to the Brethren on the Bronze Soldier that was a part of the 'living cenotaph' an inter-active approach to remembrance.
I was escorted to the East by Bro Prosperine and Bro Boivant, presented by VW Bro Wib Paul and Bro Beck led the Brethren in Grand honours.
The Work of the evening was to have 2 brethren Prove up in the third degree, to hold a Lodge of Discussion on 'How do we make our visitors feel more welcome in our lodges, and to present a MM certificate to a worthy Brother.
The discussion was lively and many of the Brethren participated.  Interestingly enough, good ritual and engagement came up repeatedly over the course of the discussion.
Congratulations to the Worshipful Master for planning this program, his team for pulling it off and especially to W Bro Brian Adam's for his role as moderator.
As usual i had the last word and i decided to talk about what it means to call someone their 'Brother'.

                                                   Working Tools of Carleton Lodge

                                    W Bro Blake Farmer giving a talk on the Bronze Soldier

                                                        The Brethren who came out

                                                      Current Grand Lodge Officers

                The Three DD's; RW Bro Loomes, RW Bro Gillis and RW Bro Anderson

                                        RW Bro Angus Gillis and WM W Bro Peter Pregel

                                                                  Up-Coming Events

Oct. 23, 2015 - OFFICIAL VISIT to Prince of Wales Lodge
Nov. 5, 2015 - Fraternal Visit to Mississippi Lodge
Nov 11, 2015 - Remembrance Day Service - Perley Rideau health Care Centre
Nov. 11, 2015 - OFFICIAL VISIT - Sydney Albert Luke
Nov. 22,2015 - OFFICIAL VISIT - Mississippi Lodge

SUPER SATURDAY at Prince of Wales

What a marathon!  We initiated 5 new members into the Craft this morning at Walkley Road.  Lodge opened at 08:15 and by 13:00 we had 5 Entered apprentices!  It was a great morning and it was interesting to see how the team worked better and better with each candidate.  i was very pleased to see that the candidates thoroughly enjoyed the day and the atmosphere was jovial and relaxed.
As I had slept in and did not get there to partake in the light breakfast, the stomach growls started up around 11:30 but as I am in no danger of fading away, I hung in there and managed to get a croissant when the lodge was called off for a break at 12:30.  Congratulations to the Master and the members of Prince of Wales for taking on such a huge endeavor.  Today gave me  the inspiration I needed to write my address for the Prince of Wales Official Visit on Friday.
On a sad note, I received a call from my wife informing me that a favorite Uncle and my friend, Ron Ethier, passed away this morning.  I had to leave the proceedings when the candidates were resuming their personal comforts.  I mention this only because I must be in Pembroke on Tuesday for the service for Ron and will not be able to make the Lodge of Fidelity meeting as previously posted.

                                             The brethren who braved Super Saturday

                               The WM and the 5 newest members of Prince of wales Lodge


                                                            Up-coming events
Oct 22, 2015 -  Official Visit to Carleton Lodge- Lodge of Discussion
Oct 23, 2015 -  Official Visit to Prince of Wales Lodge - Emulation of a Memorial Service

OFFICIAL VISIT to Doric Lodge

I had an entertaining and enlightening evening with the Brethren at Doric Lodge last night.   The night began with an early festive board of pulled pork with veggies and dip.   I was brought in under the wands by Bros Merpaw and Ghias-Begloo, presented by W Bro Adam Thompson and grand honours were led by Bro Litvingenko.
The work of the evening was to hold 2 ballots; one an initiation and the other an affiliation for W Bro Chris Statham and to hold a lodge of discussion with the topic being 'Should we Solicit?'.  The ballot was successful for both men.  The lodge of discussion was opened shortly after 8:00 and went on for almost an hour.   The one thing that most of the Brethren are unclear on, is what constitutes 'improper' solicitation.  Inducements or promises of some type of compensation are blatant examples of improper solicitation but there are many that are not so obvious.  It is encouraged by the Grand Master for us to be proud of who we are and what we do and proud to be Masons.  The Custodian and the Grand Secretary agree that it's not improper to bring up masonry with an acquaintance or a colleague and expand on what it is and what it does but leave it at that for that person to think about it and come to a decision of his own free will and accord.
The topic of my paper this evening was the Mellenial Mason and how do we attract these men to our doors.
All in all, the evening was a great success.  Congratulations to the Brethren of Doric Lodge.

                                                                Doric Lodge # 58

                                                     Working Tools of Doric Lodge

                                                The brethren present at the Official Visit

                                     Current Grand Lodge Officers and Masters of the Year

                              W Bro Chris Statham, VW Bro Larry Harvey and WM Jeordie Yeo

                              The newest member of Doric, Chris Statham, the WM and myself

                                         VW Bro Joe McGeough and RW Bro Al Wright

                                      RW Bro Barry Burchill and RW Bro Gary Gossling

RW Bro Angus Gillis and WM Adam Reid

                                                                Up-coming Event
Oct 17, 2015 - Super Saturday - Prince of Wales initiation of 5 candidates 8:30-1:30
Oct  20, 2015 - Lodge of Fidelity to witness a degree
Oct 22, 2015 -  Official Visit to Carleton Lodge- Lodge of Discussion
Oct 23, 2015 -  Official Visit to Prince of Wales Lodge - Emulation of a Memorial Service

Hope to see you there