Brethren,

The year 2003 is here! Where did 2002 go? It went so fast; yet I feel a lot has been accomplished. I hope each of you ended last year and began this one by enjoying a glorious and happy holiday season.

Grand Lodge activity in 2002 wound down with our December Quarterly Communication, which went well. It pleased me to receive many compliments, especially from our guests from other Jurisdictions.

My theme for 2003 remains the same: "H.O.P.E. ­ Helping Others Pursue Excellence." I feel it's an important message and I have seen its impact at work through the year. But, Brethren, there's one area of concern where we need to really put that emphasis to work. Our Blue Lodges still face the problem of getting qualified members to fill the Stations and Places. There still are Lodges that have no alternative but to merge because too few Members are accepting the opportunity to serve with their Brethren ­ let alone stepping forward as leaders. I "H.O.P.E." we can overcome this quickly. We must!

As the New Year started, Grand Lodge established two new, golden opportunities for philanthropy that I'm sure will be near and dear to the hearts of Pennsylvania Masons. "The Gold Book Society" and "The Philanthropic Society" have been created to give all of us the opportunity today to assure that permanent funds for the preservation of the Masonic Temple in Philadelphia will be available for posterity. The Gold Book Society and the Philanthropic Society give us ways to provide for important restorations and vital preservations at our Masonic Temple. We must see that this building is well maintained and fully preserved for those who come after us. In this issue of The Pennsylvania Freemason, you will find inserted an easy-to-read, brief brochure explaining the purposes and benefits of the two Societies. Just slip it out of the magazine, read it, and take action to join one or both of the Societies. Please do it now.

Thinking of The Pennsylvania Freemason, with this issue we begin our 50th volume, which means we are in the year that will culminate in its golden anniversary. We're proud of our publication and I want to give a special thanks to the Freemason Committee and the Editor for the job they are doing for Pennsylvania Freemasonry.

During 2002, I traveled north, south, east and west throughout Pennsylvania, visited many of our Lodges, talked to many of you, and thoroughly enjoyed our fellowship together. Isn't it great that we can live in a country where this happens? Fellowship is so important today, certainly as important as it was decades ago -- maybe more so. It has been basic to our Fraternity since "day one."

Brethren, we must appreciate and preserve our proud heritage, uphold the dignity of Freemasonry with renewed enthusiasm, cherish the traditions that made us great, and ­ above all ­ take on the responsibility and stewardship for our Fraternity throughout this great Jurisdiction. By doing that, we can ... we will ... we must pass along a sound Fraternity to the future generations of worthy Brethren.

With everyone's continued support in 2003 and beyond, our H.O.P.E. will be strong. We will excel.

May you have smooth sailing in all you do. And, God Bless America!

Sincerely and Fraternally,

Marvin A. Cunningham, Sr.,
R.W. Grand Master