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More than 400 brethren attended the Quarterly Communication of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania held March 25 in Irem Temple, Wilkes-Barre. Robert L. Dluge, Jr., R.W. Grand Master, outlined goals and directions for the programs of Grand Lodge for 2000 and 2001, emphasizing "the old and the new" by combining activities that "... are a little bit different" with the existing successful programs.

Already introduced is the Pennsylvania Academy of Freemasonry, which addresses three tracks of learning: ritual, leadership and Masonic history, heritage, and philosophy. Thomas W. Jackson, R.W. Past Grand Secretary, drew a standing ovation after he defined the objectives of the Academy. In summary, Bro. Jackson told the brethren:

"For Freemasonry to gain its rightful place in North American society, it will require a commitment to an education of our membership about what the Craft truly means. With a membership who knows Freemasonry, we can restore the respect of a quality organization.

"To understand (the objectives), we must see what the Craft continues to mean outside of North America. To become and to remain a member elsewhere (in the world) requires a much higher financial cost as well as a much higher commitment to learning what our philosophy truly means. What Freemasonry is in much of the world today is more reminiscent of what it probably meant to our brethren here in the 1700s, 1800s, and early 1900s.

"The intent of our R.W. Grand Master's Academy of Freemasonry is to work to restore the significance of the Craft by regaining quality through education of the membership. With this program, it is hoped that a rejuvenation of societal respect will bring us again to the forefront and place the Craft in a leadership role."

While greeting guests and dignitaries, Grand Master Dluge introduced Vincent T. Sweeney, Jr., Acacia Lodge No. 579, Taylor, popular weatherman for WBRE-TV and an active Mason in the area, and presented him with a Grand Master's Medallion. In conjunction with the Communication, nearly 300 attended the Grand Master's banquet at the Masonic Temple in Scranton, which was followed by a concert, open to the public, by the Hampton String Quartet in the theater of the Scranton Cultural Center at the Masonic Temple.

(Quarterly Communication Photos by Kenneth R. Brooks)