Saturday, March 2, 2024

2024 Lodge Current Events

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Saint John’s Lodge No.1


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“From ancient times no master or fellow could be absent from his lodge,
Especially when warned to appear at it, without incurring a severe censure
Unless it appeared to the master and wardens that pure necessity hindered him.”
-Ancient charge

Our next Regular Meeting of Saint John’s Lodge No.1 will be held on Wednesday, March 13th, 2024 at 7:30 P.M. at Freemason’s Hall, Masonic Park. 

 By the request of the Worshipful Master, Worshipful Brother Noel Grandy.


RWB. Mark G. Bradbury OMS, Secretary
e-mail address: saintjohnslodgeno1@gmail.com


BUSINESS
To open the Lodge
To have approved the minutes of the past meeting
To read current correspondence
To receive current accounts
To receive and/or ballot on any applications
To deal with Business Arising and General Business
To deal with special business

CALENDAR OF EVENTS


February 6th, 8th, 13th, 2024, 5:00PM -  Lodge Practice Dates, times and locations for upcoming Degree Work.

March 5th, 7th, 12th, 2024 - Lodge 2nd Degree Practices, Freemasons Hall, Mount Pearl, NL, 5PM to 7PM.

March 13th, 2024, Wednesday, 7:30PM - The Brethren of Saint John's Lodge No.1 Regular Lodge Meeting, Freemasons Hall, Mount Pearl, NL.

March 26th, 2024, 7:00PM, Saint John's Lodge No.1, Zoom/Social Committee Meeting - Meeting Invite to be circulated to the Brethren

March 30th, 2024, Saturday, 9:00AM to 11:00AM.  Easter Egg Hunt, Freemasons Hall, Mount Pearl.

April 4th, 2024, Thursday - Saint John's Lodge No.1, Table Lodge Event, Freemasons Hall - Details Pending.

April 10th, 2024, 7:00PM, The Brethren of Saint John's Lodge No.1, Regular Lodge Meeting.

April 19th, 2024.  Paint Night with Emma Dooley - Details Pending.



Brethren are reminded that as per our Lodge's Bylaws, Annual Membership Fee/Dues continue at $175.00 for the 2023/2024 ensuing Lodge year, and are payable for each year, in advance, on November 1.  All Lodge Officers must have their Membership Fee/Dues current, prior to accepting their Lodge Appointments or Office.

If you are uncertain about your Membership Dues Status, please contact the Lodge's Secretary, Very Worshipful Brother Mark G. Bradbury, Lodge Secretary: 
<saintjohnslodgeno1@gmail.com>

Brethren may pay by e-transfer by contacting the Assistant Secretary or by forwarding their cheque, made payable to, "Saint John's Lodge No. 1" to the attention of the Lodge's Assistant Secretary, whose contact information can be found on your Notice Paper.

All Lodge Officers are reminded of the Grand Lodge requirement that their annual Membership dues for the forthcoming year are to be paid prior to Installation/Investiture as a Lodge Officer.

SPECIAL BUSINESS 
The special business of the evening will be the ceremony of passing for Bros. Jason Flynn, Darroch (Doc) Butler, Jaime Soto Neira and Devin Keats.

We will be having a pot luck supper before the meeting beginning at 6:30 PM. The bar will be open at 6 PM. Partners are of course invited.  You are asked to advise our Lodge Secretary of your meal contribution for this potluck meal, with the Secretary, prior to March 11th, 2024, in advance of the meeting, at saintjohnslodgeno1@gmail.com

PILLAR PROGRAM PRESENTATION

Brothers David James Meaney and Jason Craig Higgins will be presented with their Pillar Program Certificate and Pin in recognition of their completion of the Program and their contributions to our Lodge in Particular.

EASTER EGG HUNT – MARCH 30TH AT FREEMASONS HALL

This year we will be hosting our Lodge's Third Annual Easter Egg Hunt at Freemasons Hall from 9 AM to 11 AM on Saturday March 30th. There will be some set up required and brethren helping out are asked to be there at 8 AM. We will be having balloon animals and face painting with an appearance from the Easter Bunny at 10 AM.

OFFICIAL VISITATION

Lodge St. Andrew No. 1139, SC, will be official during our Lodge's March 13th, 2024,  Regular Meeting, at 7:30PM.

Our Lodge's regularly scheduled official visitation will be with the Brethren of Lodge Westmoorland, No. 24, Wednesday, March 27th, 2024. on Monday, February 26th, at 7:30PM, at Freemasons Hall.

MINUTES

The Minutes of the Rescheduled Regular Lodge Meeting, held Feb 16th, 2024, were circulated to the Brethren for their perusal. Please advise the Secretary of any errors or omissions prior to the meeting to be held March 13th, 2024, at which time the minutes will be put to the Membership for approval.

Annual Masonic Charity Golf Tournament and BBQ

The Annual Masonic Golf Tournament is Scheduled for, Saturday, June 15, 2024, to be held at the Willows Golf Course in Holyrood. Funds are raised to support School Lunch and Breakfast Programs in all parts of Newfoundland and Labrador, marking the 27th anniversary of this event

We have now contributed in excess of $200,000.00 to Charitable Causes over the life of our tournament.

Corporate Sponsorship is encouraged.  All Brethren are welcome - register as a single player, or as a group ($80.00 per person fee includes a $50.00 tax receipt). There is a trophy for the Team with the lowest score, and we challenge all Lodges to enter a team. We also encourage you to invite non-masons to participate.  Contact our Lodge Secretary for further details.

DUES
Brethren are reminded that dues for the 2023/2024 year in the amount of $175.00 are past due and were payable prior to October 31, 2022.  Incoming Officers are reminded that dues were to be paid on or before being installed into your Office.

OUTREACH ACTIVITIES

The Senior Warden wishes to thank those Brethren who helped out with the preparation of a meal for residents of Ronald McDonald House this past month. Once again Brethren, our Lodge is making a concerted effort to put back into the Community.

For outreach this month the plan is to make a contribution to Iris Kirby House in the format of kits containing necessities for adults and kids who have been forced to leave home on short notice. They would contain things such as toiletries, pajamas, stuffed toys, books etc. We hope to solicit the help of our L0adies in creating and preparing the kits. We are also considering a monetary contribution.

In addition we are working on supporting "Heads without Beds" for a planned Friday March 22nd delivery in aid of the Furniture Bank.

Outreach to Shut-Ins - The Lodge continues to reach out to Brethren who are unable to attend lodge. Any brother wishing a visit is asked to contact our Senior Warden, Bro. Kevin Ryan, whose contact information can be found on the back of your Notice Paper.

The March monthly Zoom meeting, is scheduled for the fourth Wednesday of each month at 7:00 PM. These digital interactions are seen as a great way of staying in touch between meetings. They are also a great opportunity for Brethren who are shut-in or unable to attend regular Lodge meetings to engage and reconnect. Brethren we encourage you to take advantage of this great opportunity for camaraderie.  Contact our Lodge Secretary to secure your invite to these evenings of digital Fraternity.

MASONIC EDUCATION

The November 2023 edition of Emessay notes is distributed to Lodge email recipients. This month's edition contains an interesting article aimed at ways to grow our Fraternity.

Famous Quotation - "Better to build a bridge than a wall.” - Elton John


LODGE RITUAL BOOKS

The Lodge has a supply of ritual books. These are available to interested Brethren at a cost of $25. Please advise the Secretary if you are interested in purchasing one.

These books are essential to any Brother who wish to follow and/or participate in Lodge
Ceremonies.

LODGE OF THE YEAR

Brethren are encouraged to review the Lodge of the Year Application Form published by our Grand Lodge. It a useful document in bringing focus to the more important activities of a Masonic Lodge. A copy is available at the Members Portal of the Grand Lodge website.

EMERITUS MEMBERSHIP

Brethren who due to chronic medical or physical infirmity are unable to attend Lodge are now entitled to apply for Emeritus Membership which will exempt them from paying dues. For Brethren receiving Notice Paper by email, please see the attached cover letter from the Grand Secretary and the applicable application form. These documents are available on the Grand Lodge website for other members. Please feel free to inform me of any brethren who you feel meet the criteria for Emeritus Membership.

OTHER IMPORTANT MASONIC WEBSITES

GRAND MASTER’S CHARITY

Some Brethren may not be aware that the Grand Master has a personal page setup on JDRF’s site where donations can be made with credit card and tallied to the GM’s Charity. Go to the Grand Lodge Website.  The Grand Master’s Charity is listed under Community Outreach.  Here’s the link: http://www.glnl.ca/the-grand-masters-charity/.  Click on “Make a Donation” or read Kai’s story …
When you get to the JDRF page, to make a donation online, select “DONATE TO ME.”

BECOME A BLOOD DONOR

Brethren are reminded to donate blood if they able to do so.  Join the Masonic Corporate Blood Donor Group.  It is a valued gift for those in need. Partners and friends are also invited.

FRATERNAL TIDINGS

The GLNL posts updated newsletters (Fraternal Tidings) on its web site at: http://www.glnl.ca/content.php?cid=59&nav=222

AVALON DISTRICT MASONIC SCHOLARSHIPS FOR CHILDREN

Brethren are advised that there are up to 6 scholarships available to the children or grandchildren of Masons. The annual deadline for applications is Oct 31 and applications must be signed by the Secretary and Master of the Lodge. This information is provided for the information of the Brethren in a hope that all eligible children will make application for these scholarships. Should you require any additional information or require forms please contact our Lodge's Secretary. There is further eligibility information on our Grand Lodge's website.

The Secretary would like to remind all Brethren that the deadline for receipt of applications for the following 2019 Scholarships is October 31.  Further information and the applications can be obtained by contacting the Patrick Tasker Masonic Educational Fund, Email:  patricktaskereducation@gmail.com or by telephone at phone: (709) 214 - 0770

         J. Gordon Barnes Masonic Scholarship
         The Patrick Tasker Masonic Educational Fund


AUTOMATED EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATOR (AED)

An AED is mounted in a storage cabinet outside the west gate to the Blue Room.  While some Brethren are familiar with its use we would like as many Brethren as possible to be aware that the unit is in place and it is quite easy to use as it will direct the user using voice prompts once it is turned on.  Please review the following two links which contain the information on how to use the unit.
It is a voluntary program that's purpose is to assist Brethren (especially newly made masons) understand what masonry is, via involvement. The program is presented to newly made Masons in open lodge upon completing their third degree.  The expected duration is two years and upon completion a Certificate and Pillar Program lapel pin will be presented to the Brother in open lodge.  See our Lodge's home page for more detail on this worthwhile addition to your personal Masonic Contribution.

For more information and to be redirected to our Lodge's Home Page please click on the below link.