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In less than two months, we will install our next Grand Master, so this is my last opportunity to "talk" to every Pennsylvania Freemason in print. I am grateful to have had your support and thankful for the dedication, teamwork, and accomplishments of the countless brethren across the state who served our great Fraternity.
Twenty-two months ago, I concluded my first message as Grand Master confidently facing the challenges of the times, saying:
"I have no doubt that together, we want to we must and we will do it the right way in the best interest of the Fraternity."
As I reflect on what has been accomplished in our Fraternity since then, it is quite obvious that the most important word in that statement was "together." It's a tribute to all of the brethren that the words and phrases that are used so frequently in our writing and speaking are "together," "teamwork," "hand-in-hand-with unanimity," and "the Family of Freemasonry."
I wish I could show my appreciation in person to each brother who added to the successes throughout the Fraternity in 1998 and 1999, but I wouldn't know where to start or which team to call upon first. The several successes reflected in the montage on the cover of this publication are just a hint of Pennsylvania Masons' recent achievements.
A herculean task was accomplished by the Committee on Temple and the Grand Lodge staff. Inside and outside, our beautiful Masonic Temple in Philadelphia -- a registered national historic site and architectural wonder of the world -- has been restored to its original grandeur and renovated and refurbished to upgrade and modernize facilities and services, carefully adapting to the magnificent decor. Corinthian Hall has a new three-manual organ, new lecterns and furniture for the stations and places, the altar restored to its beautiful walnut finish, and improved sound system and lighting. New organs were installed in all of the other lodge rooms. Improvements were made in just about every area of the Temple, including the addition of the John Wanamaker Room.
So much has been accomplished by the Committee on Masonic Homes, the Masonic Homes' staff, the Family of Freemasonry and the caring support of brethren and friends, not just at Elizabethtown, but across the state. The Masonic Homes' "Mission of Love" caring is now conveniently available from east to west --first, through the merged operations of the two Masonic Eastern Star Homes, then the purchase of Valley Care Masonic Center at Sewickley.
Meanwhile, on the Elizabethtown campus, we completed the last construction phases of the Health Care Center culminating a team effort that spanned most of the decade.
The teamwork of the Masonic Homes and the Pennsylvania Youth Foundation engineered the construction of the new Samuel C. Williamson Multimedia Center at the Masonic Conference Center on the Patton Campus in Elizabethtown. The new facility and the improved accommodations at Patton offer tremendous benefits for our youth and the entire Family of Freemasonry. The dedication was a high point in realizing the vision of Past Grand Master Sam Williamson. I am personally delighted that it was named in his honor; but, believe me, one of the most difficult assignments in the project was keeping the naming a secret from him.
Masons working together, along with the Veterans Administration, honored America's veterans of all times on Armed Forces Day. In record time, a committee led by Bill Kratzenberg designed and constructed the Freemasons Pavilion at the VA Center near Pittsburgh.
Looking from one generation to another, Pennsylvania Freemasonry welcomed a new relationship with the potential leaders of tomorrow by bringing young men of the Acacia Fraternity to the Family of Freemasonry, providing fraternal encouragement and financial aid to chapters on campuses of colleges and universities in Pennsylvania.
Teamwork in cyberspace has put Freemasonry in tune with the modern times, putting the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania on the Internet. The newly created Internet Committee developed one of the most outstanding and most active web sites on the Internet. I say "thank you" to them.
Perhaps nothing emphasizes Masons working together more dramatically than the "service to mankind" of the Grand Lodge Matching Charity Grants Program. Masons are uniting in their lodges, and lodges are joining together in their districts to serve the needs of their communities. Brethren across the Commonwealth are demonstrating the principles of Freemasonry and showing their friends and neighbors who we are, what we do, and what we believe. Again, I thank each of you for that.
I suggest a hardy round of applause for the leaders of lodges across the state who are orchestrating new enthusiasm among their members as a result of their networking and learning experiences in last year's Overture seminars and this year's Conductor series of leadership management and training seminars. The very high percentage of lodges participating in the programs and the keen involvement of lodge leaders underscores the progressive attitude for meeting the fraternity's challenges of the times.
Thanks, also, to the Masonic Education Committee's development of the innovative program just introduced. Our newest Masons will be gaining a better understanding of Pennsylvania Freemasonry. A three-part video series called "Tools of the Craft" is coming to all lodges this month. It is an effective audio-visual aid to be used with the new Handbook for Candidate Instruction for quality orientation of candidates as they travel through their degrees.
I cherish the wonderful times and fraternal experiences over these 22 months, all the result of many brethren with unique talents and dedication working together. Corinthian and Renaissance Halls were both filled to capacity when three State Police Troopers the Commissioner, a Deputy Commissioner, and a Trooper were made Masons-at-Sight.
Pennsylvania was the focal point of Masonry when this Grand Lodge hosted the Conference of Grand Masters of North America in Philadelphia. There have been memorable cornerstone-laying ceremonies, dedications, special communications, and visitations just about everywhere in the state. Our corps of ritualistic instructors are always involved and quietly do a yeoman's job, along with the district deputies, and lodge officers and committees. Their work is greatly appreciated.
The Pennsylvania Masonic Foundation for Children is a clear-cut example of teamwork. Consider the good work done through the Student Assistance Program training, Stenberg Scholarships, D.A.R.E. training, law enforcement scholarships, and grants for drug and alcohol addiction prevention education and intervention. Again I say "Thank you."
You can add to all that I've mentioned, special activities such as Charity Golf Tournaments, family picnics, reunions with Masons in Florida, and Masons' nights at baseball games. In addition, there are the 31 standing committees and boards with responsibilities that keep Freemasonry alive and well in Pennsylvania.
I was not exaggerating when I said there are countless brethren involved across the state in serving the Fraternity and serving mankind. Undoubtedly, the figure would be in the thousands.
That's why it is important to me to take this last opportunity to say in print: Thank you, one and all!"
Sincerely,
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Brethren:
