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Have you ever watched vision become reality? It seems to me that's what is happening among the Freemasons of Pennsylvania.
Sixteen months ago on Dec. 27, 1997 I said:
"It is my vision that, with a common resolve, the Masons in our lodges across the Commonwealth will demonstrate, personally and actively, the vitality of Freemasonry among the brethren in their lodges, throughout the fraternity, with their families, and in their communities."
I'm sure that you will observe the reality of it as you read through your issue of The Pennsylvania Freemason. You will see the vitality of Masons who are earnestly involved ...
... in their lodges. The high level of participation in the OVERTURE Program -- only a few percentage points away from the maximum amplifies the dedication and determination of lodge leadership across the Commonwealth. Responsible brethren are tackling today's tough problems of fraternal management, creating and grasping solutions, and motivating the brethren in their lodges. OVERTURE is making good leaders better leaders, enabling them to make good men better men as our Fraternity grows toward the twenty-first century. At the same time, the programs and materials upgraded, revised, and expanded by the Masonic Education Committee fit hand-in-glove in building for tomorrow.
... throughout the fraternity. The dynamics of facing today's problems head-on and working in unanimity for the benefit of all came through loud and clear when the leaders of Grand Lodge and the leaders of virtually all of the appendant bodies of Freemasonry came together to consider not just mutual survival, but mutual progress. Adding to the excitement is the reality that those leaders want to keep on with the unified "Partners For Progress" approach toward the vision for the twenty-first century.
...with their families and in their communities. I always have believed and I have said so often that as a Brotherhood of Service to Mankind, "The community is the place we have to be." Across Pennsylvania, Masons and their families are serving others unselfishly. With the pending acquisition of the Valley Care Center near Pittsburgh, the caring services of the Masonic Homes now become available to the brethren and their loved ones at four locations across the state.
There's no equal to the extent and the ways that Pennsylvania "Masons Care" about youth. We all know of the scholarships, leadership, and character-building programs of the Pennsylvania Youth Foundation. But, it seems like just about every day The Pennsylvania Masonic Foundation for Children steps forward to offer more and more help and opportunities for at-risk youth. You've read so much about the programs with D.A.R.E.; how we enable the training of educators for the Student Assistance Program, just to mention two. In this issue of The Pennsylvania Freemason, don't miss the article about the upcoming Aug. 7 Unity Banquet. All Pennsylvania Masons this Grand Lodge and that of the Prince Hall Affiliation will be joining hands with the Pennsylvania State Police and the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board to create, produce, and present an outstanding, new drug and alcohol awareness program at the high school level.
The Grand Lodge Matching Charity Grants Program not only has made it possible for many lodges to become involved significantly in their communities, but it also has energized many brethren to become involved personally in community projects. You will find some of those activities reported in this issue, but there are literally hundreds more out there serving at the grassroots level.
For instance, who could have imagined that the public service program of Isaac Hiester Lodge No. 660 in Reading would be the talk of the Grand Masters of North America at their meeting a half a world away in Honolulu. The community program those brethren undertook to benefit the youngsters at Jacksonwald Elementary School in nearby Exeter Twp. stands as an excellent model that other lodges might want to pursue. Their story is a great one, but it's only one of hundreds, large and small, serving mankind across the Commonwealth.
I commend the dedicated Pennsylvania Masons who are transforming vision into reality by demonstrating personally and actively, the vitality of Freemasonry.
Sincerely and fraternally,
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Brethren:
