From the East, West and South

Brethren: 

By the time you read this you will have enjoyed  or are anticipating enjoying a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday weekend with family and friends and have taken time to reflect on and show appreciation for the benefits, gifts and responsibilities that the Supreme Architect of the Universe has chosen to bestow on each of us. At the same time, as we enter the holiday season, the needs and concerns of those in sickness and distress and the less fortunate should be in the forefront of our thoughts. 

The December 3, 2009 communication will feature the annual visit of the District Deputy Grand Master for the 6th Manhattan District, RW Alonza Lloyd, Sr., who will convey the Grand Master’s message for this Masonic year.

After the business part of the meeting, the lodge will be lowered to the First Degree for the program, part of which will be a presentation on Masonic Charities by Brotherhood Fund Lodge Chairman and Junior Deacon Daniel Valles.  He and brothers of the lodge will speak on the different charities supported by the Masonic Brotherhood Fund.  Our newly initiated Entered Apprentices are invited to attend the program.

Our November communication featured our second Entered Apprentice degree of the year with five more candidates initiated.  Past Master W:. Julio Duran was in the East for the degree and once again the degree team performed excellently, even surpassing their exemplification of the Entered Apprentice in October.  Again, Senior Deacon Henry Colon and his ritualists are to be congratulated.  We once again had very good attendance on the part of Shakespeare Lodge brethren and guests as we welcomed new brothers to the Fraternity. 

Looking forward, December 17th will be the Lodge Holiday Party, to be held in a collation room on the 19th Floor.  All lodge brethren and their families are invited.  There will be refreshments, food and entertainment and crafts activities for the kids.

The meeting of January 7th will be given over to the Fellowcraft Degree.  The degree will be exemplified by a team of Past Masters of Shakespeare Lodge and should be quite an event. 

Finally, January will be capped off by the annual Fellowship Night with Allied Lodge and Boyer Lodge, MWPH Masons.  This will be a special Festive Board, in traditional Masonic form.  Part of the ceremonies will feature a tribute to RW Dan Semel, who played a major role, both in the formation of Allied Lodge and in the foundation of the amity that now exists between the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons State of New York, and the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of New York.  In addition we will honor RW Semel for his 50 years of service to New York Masonry. 

The Fellowship Night festive board will be held at Dallas BBQ, 8th Avenue and 23rd Street, at 7pm. The cost is $55.00 per person.  Please contact SW Lin Carey (careyl@stjohns.edu) to reserve your place for what will be a memorable event.  Entered Apprentices and Fellowcrafts are absolutely welcome.

W:. Gil Ferrer
Master, Shakespeare Lodge #750