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Grand Lodge Summer

Grand Masters Address May 2024

Brethren all,
The summer was a wonderful time of rest and refreshment for Beth and me as well as Brandt and Mary. The latter, with their two young children Otto and Della did what most families do during the hot months of July and August, spend a lot of time outdoors - and near or on the water! Your Grand Master was also “seaside” to begin the month of July by participating in Bristol’s Fourth of July Parade. It was the first time that I had ever attended that parade - never mind march in it! Lady Beth and I were invited to participate in the festivities by this year’s Marshals, our very own Deputy Grand Master R∴W∴Rick Baccus and his lovely wife Patti. The day was memorable and it was an honor to have about a dozen brothers march with
me on the parade route through Bristol. We also had an opportunity to see many brothers on the parade sidelines as well as witnessing the Shriner’s and their usual entourage of clowns and cars. The weather was parade perfect and was an experience that I will never forget.

Our Youth is Our Present
Over the past couple of years, a small informal competition has arisen between the Grand Lodge of New Hampshire and our own Grand Lodge over which Grand Jurisdiction can have more Freemasons attend their respective Rainbow Assemblies. Recognizing that the Freemasons of the Granite State far outnumber those in the Ocean State, we had in years past explained that the reason they had more Masons at their assembly was because they had more Masons. Well, I am pleased to say that we no longer have to say that! This year well over 60 of our Brother Masons attended the Rainbow Assembly to make it the most attended Assembly by Freemasons in the history of our Jurisdiction – and assured us a well earned victory over the Grand Lodge of New Hampshire, who this year were unable to amass such a representation at their Assembly. I must say that I took pleasure in communicating this fact to M∴W∴ Hotchkiss! You my brothers, showed your tremendous support for the Rainbow Girls and our Masonic youth in general, by your dedication and commitment. Your presence – more than anything – meant so much to the girls and for this I want to thank you. A special thanks also goes out to Deb Therrien for all the work she does for our Rainbow Girls in Rhode Island. You have heard me say on more than one occasion that our youth is not our future, but our present. To all who support and work with our Masonic youth, I say “job well done!”

Extra Jurisdictional Visitations
Over the summer months, your Grand Master represented our Grand Jurisdiction at the Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of Canada in the Province of Ontario. I was accompanied by Lady Beth and the R∴W∴ Grand Secretary Ronald P. Reed and his lovely bride Joann. Rhode Island had not been invited to the Grand Lodge Annual of Ontario since pre-Covid and it was an honor to do so. The Grand Master, M∴W∴Thomas Hogeboom was most gracious and their hospitality was second to none. It was also truly impressive to see 650 Masons gathered in a large hall for their Annual Banquet. I guess when your Grand Lodge has 49 Districts, you might see a lot of Masons get together at the Annual Meeting!

Your Grand Council also attended the Northeast Conference of Grand Masters in Roanoke, Virginia this summer. The Northeast Conference is a sub-group of the Conference of Grand Masters of North America and represents 20 Grand Lodges made up of Grand Lodges of the Northeast part of the United States spanning from North Carolina to Illinois to Maine. It was gratifying to hear all the success stories in these multiple jurisdictions as well as having the opportunity to learn from one another about how to tackle issues as they arise. It is interesting to note that most jurisdictions are on the same paths to success, are struggling through the same issues and have the same outlook and vision for Freemasonry, setting up paths to make our Grand Lodges stronger. It was a short weekend packed with a lot of information that will I hope, benefit us for years to come.

There is No Place Like Home
Perhaps the highlight of our summer took place on a gorgeous Sunday, the 11th of August. In this regard, a special word of thanks is owed to Right Worshipful Junior Grand Warden Eric Grist and his W∴GMoC John Kent for the planning, execution and success of this year’s Annual Picnic. The day was filled with fun and camaraderie and the presence of so many of our families. That pleased me in no small amount. The food was fantastic, the ice cream divine (thank you M∴W∴ Chip), the weather was perfect, the games were entertaining and your generosity led to a substantial donation to the Grand Master’s charity. Lady Beth and I were also honored to have been invited to several lodge events over the summer – too numerous to mention here for fear I may unintentionally omit one. Although there were a few conflicts preventing our attendance at all of them, nevertheless we were pleased to attend the Overseas Annual Picnic which coincided with the Grand Commandery Picnic. Occasions for rest and refreshment are wonderful opportunities to spend time with each other in less formal settings and enjoy the company of family and friends.

In like manner, I was also very honored to be present at the Annual National Sojourner’s Meeting. Again, any opportunity we have to thank and honor those who have served our country in the Armed Forces is not to be missed. In addition, a special word of thanks goes out to Right Worshipful Richard Lynch for coordinating the late August event commemorating the 200th Anniversary of the Marquis De Lafayette’s return visit to the United States. Grand Lodge hosted the Rhode Island event and we had the honor of working with an organization known as the American Friends of Lafayette and meeting three of the actual descendents of the Marquis. Lady Beth and some of the other Grand Ladies also got to experience some 19th century line dancing. The next day, your Grand Master represented Rhode Island as the American Friends of Lafayette also participated in a series of commemoratory events put on by the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. There is no doubt that this outstanding patriot and Freemason holds a special place in the heart of our fraternity. It perhaps is one of the reasons that one of our blue lodges in named in his honor and memory.

Charting the Course
A few years ago, the Grand Lodge sent out a survey to all the brothers of our Grand Jurisdiction to give everyone an opportunity to share their experience of the Craft. It was gratifying to witness that the overall experience of the fraternity documented on the surveys was a positive one - and you, my brothers - openly shared what you thought was most meaningful about Freemasonry and what you felt the Craft could benefit from. It became evident from the majority of the responses that the ongoing education and training of leaders in our Grand Jurisdiction was a primary need. As you know, this and other items communicated by the survey served as the foundation to provide the direction of the Five-Year Plan which is easily accessed at the end of the Grand Master’s Protocol. Taking our lead from you, guided by the collective wisdom you shared and the consensus of the Craft, last month we re-inaugurated the Masonic Leadership Training Series. This necessary training authored by several successful leaders of our Grand Jurisdiction is intended to be a resource for all incoming Worshipful Masters, Wardens, Deacons and anyone else who feels called to serve their lodge as an officer and who are called by their brothers to a leadership position. I want to take this opportunity to thank the members of the Leadership Committee, the Director of Masonic Education and the Forum Director, for all their efforts in making this a great success. You will be hearing more about this in the days and weeks and months and years to come!

Words to Consider
My brothers, it is no secret that we live in very interesting times. Every day we are bombarded with headlines, taglines and other blatant and subliminal messages intended to influence us and how we think and feel and what we should believe. It is no wonder that the phenomenon of the “influencer” is growing in popularity. Many in our midst strive to become individuals who are capable of influencing others, often times for purposes that many would consider to be suspect. Many say that in our present day and age, this is the way of the world and a tide that is nearly impossible to stem. Maybe. Nevertheless, I consider it an honor and a privilege to be part of a Fraternity that promulgates very simple and profoundly wise teachings that we profess and hopefully emulate. Several months ago, a local and influential public official attended one of our lodge gatherings and professed his opinion that Freemasonry is what young men in our community so desperately need to form their consciences, improve their lives and keep them out of trouble. The core of our ancient wisdom shares a truth that has survived wars and conflicts, famine, disease, desolation and all sorts of trials and tribulations. It is this: the individual is not at the center. The Community is greater than any one person or office. In other words, our thoughts and actions when considered within the context of how they may affect others really does change our perspective and helps us to see the wisdom of multiple points-of-view and opinions to help us out of the downward spiraling prison of self-centeredness.

Therefore, might your Grand Master encourage you to consider the following: instead of reacting or responding to a perspective that is not your own, try silence and circumspection instead. Believe it or not, that will make your words – when eventually spoken – more informed and far more potent because you will be speaking from a place of having considered all sides of an issue equally, based on unbiased reflection. This is wisdom in action. As I have said before, having your arm around your brother speaks louder than any words you may ever say to him. As Freemasons, we must always remember that own personal views, thoughts and opinions will be scrutinized in the public forum and may reflect how others see us, form their opinions about our Fraternity and consider our Craft’s overall character. Therefore, wherever we may be – in person, online or anywhere else – let’s remember we stand for something that is good and honorable and imbued with such principles as temperance, prudence, truth and brotherly love.

Andre H. Faria, Jr.
Grand Master