From the desk of the D.D.G.M.

February 2012

Greetings Brethren of Toronto East District;

It’s February, marking among other dates, the observance of Groundhog Day. This reminds me of the 1993 Bill Murray film of the same name.  In this story, we follow the misadventures of an obnoxious Pittsburgh weatherman, who really treated people with a certain disdain, and is assigned to cover the Groundhog Day festivities in the small town of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania.  During his trip, he meets the girl of his dreams and sets out trying to win her heart, but his personality being what it is, it turns out to be a disaster by the end of the day.  But something happens during the story and every day when he wakes up, it is Groundhog Day all over again.  Our protagonist wakes up again and again and each attempt to win her love ends in disaster. For him, every day is a do over and slowly but surely, he begins to learn his lesson.  His personality begins to improve.  He starts to change as he begins to treat people pleasantly and he starts to respect this girl for whom he has fallen. Eventually all of his hard work pays off, as at the end of the story he wins the heart of the girl and the respect of all those around him.  I relate the story to you because it really can be applied to us as Masons. We come to Masonry rough around the edges, not unlike the character in the film; in many cases unaware of how we treat those around us, or our full potential and us as members of our communities.  Masonry gives us the tools to find ourselves. As we pass though to the higher degrees, acquiring better understanding through repeated efforts and daily advancement, we gain knowledge and confidence to pursue the principles of Masonry and apply them to our lives and in our communities.  Many of us hardly notice ourselves doing this, but we slowly and surely change our own personalities, gaining confidence, treating people with civility and respect and conducting ourselves with pride in who we are and who we can be. These are some of the great benefits that we derive from Masonry. As the tools of the first-degree teach us, labour is the lot of man.  But if we work hard and persevere, we to will earn the respect of our families, neighbors and the community.

This month we will have five Official Visits:

Alpha-Tuscan Lodge on Thursday, February 2nd,
Canada Lodge on Tuesday, February 7th,
The Imperial East Gate Lodge on Wednesday, February 8th,
Birch Cliff Lodge on Friday, February 10th, and
Universe Lodge on Tuesday, February the 14th. 

I ask you to adjust your calendars and attend as many of these Official Visits to support your Brethren, as you are able. As mentioned before, if you support them they will support you. This is the Masonic way.

On Saturday, February 4th, I invite all of you and your families to join me at the Claremont Winter Festival Parade. This is a wonderful event where we can dress in full Masonic, Royal Arch or Shriners regalia and participate in this annual event. R.W. Bro. Lou Lombardi and Bro.Wayne Lord have worked very hard to coordinate this event. Brougham Union Lodge will once again have a float, so those who do not wish to walk can ride along.  Let's have a great turnout and show the community that Masonry is alive and well. We gather at the Claremont Masonic Temple starting at 9:00 a.m., participate in the parade at 11:00 a.m. and return to the Temple for refreshments.

I have sent out a notice to the Lodge Secretaries for distribution among the membership, reminding you to mark your calendar for the Provincial Masonic Blood donor Week. February 20th - 25th, 2012. V.W. Bro. Douglas A. Gray, who wears many hats, happens to be the Regional Chairman for the 5 Toronto Districts, G. L. Blood Donors Committee. He is more than willing to assist you at one of your clinic locations. If you are able, please donate!

On Sunday, January 15th , our District Charity Chairman, W. Bro Malcolm Parish accompanied myself and a good number of T.E.D. Masons to the Installation Ceremony at Toronto Assembly #2  of International Order of the Rainbow for Girls. We took the opportunity on behalf of the entire District, to present the Worthy Advisor, Miss Rebecca Corby, a cheque for one half of the funds raised for our Youth Groups during our Leafs Ticket Raffle.  It was wonderful afternoons watching these young people conduct their Installation Ceremony.  Those who were not able to attend will want to come out in June for the next Installation ceremony and see these young people at work. 

Arrangements have also been made for our District to visit the Horace Mundy Chapter, Order of DeMolay on Sunday, March 25, 2012, from 2 to 4 p.m. for their “Masonry Connects With DeMolay” Event at the Doric Pickering Masonic Temple.  We plan to present the balance of the funds raised at that time.

The Masonic Youth of today, may very well become the Masons of tomorrow and on Thursday, January 19th, I was in attendance at Doric Lodge to see the Initiation of Bro. Andrew McDonald, Past Provincial Master Councillor of DeMolay Ontario. The degree team was made up of DeMolay alumni and Advisors.  These keen young men who come into the Craft from the DeMolay today will certainly be the leaders of the Craft in years to come. 

In the coming months, W. Bro. David Neave and W. Bro. Bill Willis will be talking about the District Awards and promoting the 1st Annual Black & White Gala, scheduled for Saturday, June 2nd, 2012 at the Ajax Convention Centre. I hope you will support what we believe to be a very important event for Toronto East District.

To keep up to date on the events within our District, please remember to read the Trestle Board and make note of the dates, or visit our District web site managed by Bro. Michael K. Morris, www.torontoeastdistrict.com and check the calendar.

May the G.A.O.T.U. watch over you and yours and may we all strive to live up to our obligations.

Fraternally

R.W. Bro. Keith Jones
District Deputy Grand Master
Toronto East District