Meeting Call – April 2017

Lafayette Lodge #47 F&AM
Stated Meeting Call
For you and all Masonic guests that will be held on:
Wednesday, April 5, 2017

For the transaction of such business as will come before the lodge.
Applications to ballot: None
Applications to read: None

Dinner: 6:30 pm
Open Lodge: 7:15 pm
Program: Officer’s Forum
Close Lodge: 9:00 pm
Collation to follow

Attest:
W.Stephen Acello, Worshipful Master
W. Mark Eddleston, Secretary

Master’s Message – April 2017

Brethren,
Spring is a time of renewal of hope and so it is for me my brothers! I confess that this New England
weather is making me sort of crazy, with days in the 70s and the next a snowstorm. We’re so fortunate for Brother Switzer who plows our lodge and keeps the lot open for us. Most of us can’t really appreciate it but he comes at all hours of the night to make sure we can get to practice and to meetings….(hint hint!). And, I’d like to shout out to all of my brothers who helped put on such a
wonderful Fellow Craft degree. You all made me very proud to be part of this team. And our new Fellow Craft also remarked at what a meaningful impact it had on them.

Looking forward, in April the theme of our Seven Arts and Sciences programs is Logic. Our Director of Masonic Education, Rite Worshipful Brother Paul Kokolsky will be presenting the Officers’ Forum. This is
mandatory for all Lafayette Line Officers to attend, and even more important, our District Deputy Rite Worshipful Bob Palazzo will have his official visitation to our lodge. As it is an Officers’ Forum, officers from the other lodges in the district will be in attendance and it will be a great opportunity to connect and enjoy fellowship with our brothers in the district.

As our friend and brother Worshipful Trevor Humphrey said in his weekly message, with spring in the
air we are starting to hear a lot of talk about Golf and Cycling. If you would like to join us this year for a historic ride over the 3 bridges, consider joining the Rhode Island Cycling Team in the MS150. We currently have eight members on the team which seems to be about what we have each year, however we would like to see that number grow. Last year our team was one of the Top Contributors
in fundraising for MS, an impressive task when you consider that our team is one third the size of others. So to join or to donate please click HERE.

The Northern District Junior Wardens have announced
this year’s charity event will be a Murder Mystery, with all proceeds going to Adoption Rhode Island
(site http://www.adoptionri.org). Adoption Rhode Island is a private Non-Profit organization dedicated to finding families for children in Rhode Island state care and supporting those children and families throughout the waiting and adoption process.

The event will be held on Saturday, May 6th, 2017, at the Smithfield Elks (326 Farnum Pike), 12-5 pm.
There will be great food, including roast pork, pulled pork, bbq chicken, and more. All Brothers, family, and friends are welcomed, as this is event is open to the public. Please join us to support this great cause and share with your friends, tickets are available from Brother Barnes for $35 for a single $60 for a couple and $20 for children under 12 or on line HERE.

My brothers, life is precious. I had a stark reminder of that this week. My son was in an accident at his school, fractured his skull, and suffered a severe concussion. He was in the hospital for 3 days. It made me stop and reflect on what might have been. As I contemplate this most recent event, I am even more in awe of the beneficence of our Almighty Architect. We move through life so fast that sometimes we forget what’s important. So don’t. Take that extra moment to remind each other how much we mean to each other. Say thank you to people around you when they do something nice or unexpected. Do something nice for someone when they least expect it but most need it. Smile a lot. Those words we use in our
ritual and our lectures really have meaning in every aspect of our lives. As I say in every message, let that Masonic Light shine from each of you as a beacon to guide and brighten the lives of those around us.

Steve