December News

Consistory

My Brothers, Veterans Day and Thanksgiving have passed and Hanukkah and Christmas are upon us. These holidays are my favorites. Not only do we take time to share with family and friends the things that are really important in life but we also have the opportunity to remember how important it is to give thanks for the men and women who fight to protect our homes, families and our freedom as well as give thanks for the blessings the Great Creator has given us. The season also serves as a reminder of the responsibility we have as men and Masons to remember those who are less fortunate than us and assist as our abilities and resources permit.
Our Chapter of Rose Croix, under the leadership of Brother Allan Ferguson Most Wise Master, has put together a wonderful Holiday Program which will take place Monday, December 13th. Social hour will begin at 6:00, dinner at 6:30 with the program to follow. Please make every effort to attend so that we may all celebrate the spirit of family and brotherhood.
Happy holidays.
Sandy


Chapter Rose Croix

Brethren, I hope you are noticing the changes taking place on this page. The officers of the four bodies in our Valley are deliberately trying to tell you that Scottish Rite Freemasonry is both changing and honoring our traditions. Yes, we will announce the upcoming activities. Yes, we will thank the Brothers who put their skills and energy into conferring degrees and performing other programs. But there is more to this Valley than what we do in the temple (which Scottish Rite Masons call a cathedral), and there is more to the Scottish Rite than our degrees. I am like many, if not most, officers in Masonry. I hold another title in the Valley of Syracuse: Hospitaler. With that said, this is one of my last columns as Most Wise Master of Central City Chapter of Rose Croix. Instead, this space can help the Valley better by sharing with our members the work of the Hospitaler.

The Hospitaler does collect money at our meetings to help Brothers in distress. The Hospitaler and his partners also can and should do more, like visit Brothers who are in nursing homes or hospitalized. We know there are Brothers who would appreciate hearing the voice of another person, particularly that of a Brother Scottish Rite Mason.

I invite you to join me in making this fraternity stronger by visiting a Brother who has been confined to his home or lives in a nursing home. You can send me a note about your visit to share in this column. If you cannot visit someone yourself, send me an E-mail about a Brother you know would like a visit. I’ll do the best I can with the resources I have. My E-mail address is ajferguson@odyssey.net. If you do not use
E-mail, call the Valley office for my phone number–they know it well. The #1 job we do as Scottish Rite Masons is care for one another as Brothers. The Hospitaler Column will do its best to nurture fraternal care within this Valley.


Council Princes of Jerusalem

Brethren, Greetings from the Council Princes of Jerusalem.

The Veteran's Day Program was exceptional this year. Brother Tom Santmyer hosted the event and, as usual, he did a “bang up” job. The two Masonic veterans and the one non-Masonic veteran that were honored exemplified the qualities found in the Armed Forces of the United States, past and present. The Commander-in-Chief of the Valley personally presented the evening's entertainment, “The Ring that went around the World”, instead of having a Guest Speaker. It was riveting and a sobering reminder of how far, and deep, the Masonic Fraternity permeates this world.

Occurring in this coming month on December 13 is the Holiday Celebration to be held at the Masonic Memorial Center in North Syracuse. I hope you have sent in your reservations. It will be a nice night out before the frenzy of shopping begins ! It is my hope that all have a safe and enjoyable Holiday Season. And, as always, keep in mind the safety and well being of our active military as we go into this Holiday Season.

Milo Peterson