Dear Brothers,
April Showers can’t wash away the memories we all made for our March meeting with our very own brother, District Deputy Grand Master for the Metropolitan District, R.W:. Stephan H. Saraidarian and his GMC, W:. Jason J. Rainone. I hope you all enjoyed the presentation from our Junior Grand Warden, R.W. Eric E. Grist as much as I did!
Here is a quick recap since my last message:
Our District Festive Board was held at Grand lodge. This was a new and fun event that I hope has a life beyond this year. We gathered and shared a meal, a few great toasts, and some nice bottles provided by the lodges. The officers will attend the last two DDGM visits for the Metro at St. Johns 1P and Overseas lodge as well as the MWGM visit to his mother Lodge, St Johns 1N.
Coming up:
Our next Stated Communication will be on April 28, 2025, dinner at 6 pm with the meeting to follow at 7 pm. This month we will welcome the Pawtucket Assembly #3 Rainbow Girls. I look forward to hosting them, I know they can’t wait to see all of you!
I want to also inform you that we will be postponing our Prom event, which had been scheduled for April 26th, 2025 @ 7 pm. Details for the new date will be out next month.
Our Potluck for this month (Which would normally be held on the Easter Sunday) is canceled this month. Enjoy your time with Family and Friends!
Please mark your calendars for the Grand Lodge Annual, May 19, 2025.
Something to think about:
A Lifetime of Friendship and Fraternity
For many men, college (and certainly in the past, high school) is a time of discovery, growth, and transformation. It’s a period when lifelong friendships are forged, and the memories created during this time can last a lifetime. For some, this journey may lead them to become Masonic brothers, where the bonds of friendship are strengthened and deepened through shared values and a sense of brotherly love. In my experience, it’s not uncommon for college friends to discover Masonry together, often through a shared interest in community service, personal growth, or philanthropy, (and for some an interest in cigar bars). As they navigate the Masonic journey together, their friendship is tested and refined, becoming a bond that is unbreakable and truly lifelong.
When college friends become Masonic brothers, their friendship is elevated to a new level of depth and meaning. These friends’ expiration dates” live past our weddings, children’s births and so many other life changing events. The shared experiences of lodge meetings, community service, and Masonic rituals create a sense of camaraderie and shared purpose that is hard to find elsewhere. These shared experiences do not have a shelf life like so many of the other interests and milestones seem to. As they progress through the Masonic degrees, they are challenged to grow and develop as individuals, and their friendship is strengthened through the support and encouragement they offer one another. Through the ups and downs of life, Masonic brothers remain a constant source of comfort and strength, providing a lifelong bond that transcends time and circumstance. Whether they remain close throughout their lives or drift apart, the memories and experiences of their Masonic journey remain a testament to the power of their friendship and the unbreakable bond of brotherhood.
College friends can have a lasting impact on one’s life and provide a strong support system, but many fade away with the ever growing spiral of commitments adult life seems to bring. The picture above is one of the “Legendary Dollar Bet” my college buddies used for countless dares. This Dollar has compelled more acts of “creativity” than can possibly be recounted. It was passed from friend to friend as bets were made, won, and lost, with the prevailing party carrying it forward to be used at their discretion for the next big bet. In so many stories I am sure throughout time, but for me personally, throughout the movies “Stand by me” and “The Sandlot” we are reminded of our youngest and dearest, and I believe for some the purest, of friends. The guys we built boats with, using junkyard fences and tires, the guys we created tree forts with and talked about who we would grow up to be with, and the guys we learned all we needed to know about life, cars and how to meet girls (some on rooftops at college) from.
One of my oldest friends has carried a symbol of our youthful selves, “The Dollar”, in his wallet for just about 25 years. I love him for that. I neglect to call him and so many others as much as I should to express my love for their friendship and to just hear about their day and what’s going on in their lives the way we did before we “Grew Up” and let life get in the way. Just as we never knew when the last time was (until it was gone) that we would leave each other from playing until the streetlights came on for the last time, we will never know, until it is too late, to pick up our phone and say hello to one of our dearest friends. The time we spend with our friends is fleeting and precious. Take a moment and reach out to one of the brothers who crossed your mind recently. Say hello. Joke about anything. And let your heart grow with brotherly love. Take advantage of an opportunity we have that so many men outside the craft miss out on.
Yours in the Craft,
Brian K. White, WM