Wardens and Brethren,
As our January regular communication approaches, I have the pleasure of wishing you all a very Happy New Year even as my Masonic year comes to a close. But although we are almost done with the labors, there is yet one more thing to do. In our January meeting, we will be raising Brother Patrick Mahoney-Balestrucci to the sublime degree of Master Mason. As the Brothers and I have been working diligently to squeeze in what practices we can during the holidays and our own time, I have had ample opportunity to reflect on the manifold meanings of our greatest ritual. I think I can speak for all the present officers when I say that this is a labor of love and sacrifice, much like that of our lost Grand Master. As Solomon's temple bound Israel to God in both a physical and spiritual way, so too, I think, does our recapitulation of the story of its construction bind us all closer together as Brothers, and to the Great Creator in the Heavens. I eagerly look forward to your attendance and participation in this degree! Fraternally, Joseph Giancaspro Master, Franklin Lodge #20
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Wardens and Brethren,
December is scarcely on us and already the winter is in full swing. The holidays are upon us and we ourselves have occasion to celebrate this Regular Communication. In addition to the work of the evening, we will receive the report of the investigation committee for Mr. Cameron Dickson, and vote on whether to begin his masonic journey. But, in keeping with the joyous times, our main pleasure will be the honoring of Br. John Grossomandes and his seventy years of Freemasonry. It is not a feat often matched, nor is it one always paired with as much service to Franklin Lodge as his own journey, so please join myself and the officers of the Lodge in paying respects and reflecting on a life well spent! Fraternally, Joseph Giancaspro Master, Franklin Lodge #20 Much as the fall weather has come on us
fast, so too has October passed and November approaches. We shall be seeking to accomplish two main events this coming November meeting. One, we shall enjoy a visitation from a Brother from the Collegivm, Dr. Josh Irizarry, who will engage us with a program on his much acclaimed topic: "Was Confucius a Mason?" This is sure to be an invigorating presentation, to say nothing of the discussions that could follow. In addition, we have received requests for Masonic Relief from our Brethren in the Carolina's and the other affected Southeastern States, in the wake of the hurricanes. It is our intention to raise funds through the meal and a raffle to make a donation. We would appreciate any donations to the raffle, as well as any other contributions in kind, to this cause of charity. I think it would be quite fitting for those organizations to have Masonic charity as a reason to give thanks this coming Thanksgiving! I look forward to all of you attending! Fraternally, Joseph Giancaspro Master, Franklin Lodge #20 Wardens & Brethren,
October has come to us, and a busy month it is looking to be. Sunday the 7th is the Columbus Day Parade, and Franklin Lodge will be marching again! Please join me and the other officers as we bring Light to our Fraternity. October the 10th is our regular communication, wherein we will be passing brothers to the Degree of Fellowcraft. The officers have done an outstanding job roaring back from Summer’s relaxation to the significant work that this degree entails. 20 October is the Grand Lodge Open House in Providence. DDGM Gil has specifically asked that we make the trip up if we can to support. 21 October is the Special Ladies Luncheon – for which there is yet time to RSVP if you haven’t! The 27th is a Halloween Party being put on by the Rainbow Girls, for any of us Brethren with young kids. Like I said, a busy month indeed! I look forward to sharing in all these good labors with you all! Fraternally, Joseph Giancaspro Master, Franklin Lodge #20 Wardens &Brethren,
It is my pleasure to welcome you back to regular business after a very hot and humid summer. Getting back into the swing of things is always a chore, but like riding horses and bikes, we'll get back into it quite well once we take that first step. We have a bevy of candidates moving through the degrees for this fall, and new candidates waiting in the wings. This September meeting we will hear the results of the Investigation Committee set up for Sean Ryan and vote on whether to confer the degrees of Freemasonry upon him. Another candidate's application is to be read, and a discussion on the Budget Framework Worshipful Ray Geer generously worked up as a starting point will be had, along with a discussion and vote on the setting of dues and assessments, in accordance with our By-Laws. Finally, Worshipful Geer will be speaking on the National Camping Traveler's to round out the season, and the evening. I look forward to seeing you all soon! Fraternally, Joseph Giancaspro Master, Franklin Lodge #20 Wardens & Brethren,
Already we come into June after a number of busy months. For the business of the evening on the 12th of June, we have planned an EA degree for two candidates for which we have long been preparing. We also will be preparing for going dark in the summer months. While we will not be meeting regularly during July and August, it is intended to try for a social meeting to keep up with each other. Our brother lodges are also quite busy in June, and with the new DDGM RW Gill Fontes coming to the district, there is a plan for the Grand Lodge Picnic on 12 August, and a visitation to Hope Lodge on the 13th of June (with both the DDGM and MWGM planned in attendance). Your schedules permitting, I encourage you all to join in the visiting suite. Fraternally, Joseph Giancaspro Master, Franklin Lodge #20 Wardens &Brethren,
We have survived the winter, and come into spring with a docket that ever full. April was a successful trial for all Brothers involved with back to back meetings where we voted on a candidate and provided a courtesy degree to new brothers from Mt. Vernon. Our own candidate was unable to get away from his avocations (If only it was a 32-inch gage!) but we also have received new applications and will be voting on further candidates. The courtesy degree acted as a prime rehearsal, and we’ll be exceedingly ready for when we combine our multiple candidates together for the degree in June. Our Junior Deacon, Brother Corey Maclean will be presenting on a subject of his own Masonic research, and we will be hosting the DDGM for his visitation. Although we will be going dark for regular meetings during the coming summer, in order to meet the demands of the degree schedule (with a minimal amount of cramming), there will be some periodic practices during those months. Senior Warden Brett Marggraff has on his radar a summer BBQ at some point as well, so please – don’t go too dark! I look forward to seeing you on the evening of May the 8th! Fraternally, Joseph Giancaspro Master, Franklin Lodge #20 Wardens and Brethren,
The year continues and finally Winter recedes! We spring back into action with a full month in April. Delayed by the snow, the previously arranged presentation on the influence and interplay of Freemasonry and the Boy Scouts will be presented on the Second Tuesday (our regular communication). We have reached out to several of the local troops to invite them to the presentation, and it is well hoped that in addition to edifying ourselves we may bring Light to a new generation of Masons. Be sure to congratulate Brother Cavanaugh on a job well done! In addition to the presentation of the evening, we will be receiving the report of the investigation committee and will be voting on a potential new brother in the Craft. And the DDGM will be joining us as well for the conferring of a 50 Year Veteran medal to Brother Harley Burdick! We have a special communication set up for the week following (17APR) to initiate a candidate into the degrees of Freemasonry as well as to perform a courtesy degree on prospective new brothers of Mt. Vernon Lodge. It has been a distinct pleasure to see our line of officers deliver their portions of the degree with skill and gusto during practice, and I look forward to seeing the final execution. The officers and I look forward to seeing you all for both of these eventful nights! Fraternally, Joseph Giancaspro Master, Franklin Lodge #20 Wardens and Brethren,
The year proceeds! We come into March looking forward to a number of business items. Our Senior Deacon, Brother Timothy Cavanaugh, has arranged presentation on the influence and interplay of Freemasonry and the Boy Scouts. We have reached out to several of the local troops to invite them to the presentation, and it is well hoped that in addition to edifying ourselves we may bring Light to a new generation of Masons. Be sure to congratulate Brother Cavanaugh on a job well done! In addition to the presentation of the evening, we will be receiving the report of the investigation committee and will be voting on a potential new brother in the Craft. The work to build the tools for the years to come continues onwards, as evident by the fantastic initiative shown by our Brethren. Further work is yet to come, and also to come are the realized plans for our ‘social meetings’. SW Brett Margraff circulated a roster at our last meeting polling for interest for such events. If you could not make the February meeting and are interested in helping or partaking, please let us know so we can work to make these things a reality! I look forward to seeing you at the Southern District Winter Warmer on the 10th, and again at Lodge on the 13th of March! Fraternally, Joseph Giancaspro Master, Franklin Lodge #20 W&B,
This is the first time I have the honor of speaking to you from the office of WM, and I think it well exemplifies the challenge of the chair: to find the balance between long and short, motivating and directive, supportive and critical, or to act, meet, and part in the manner we so often charge ourselves. To cut the Gordian Knot, I will call your attention to the planned business of the evening, and of the year. The theme of my year is to be one of Foundations – setting the stage and readying the tools for progress under the guidance of those to come after me. In our February communication, I shall be presenting a detailed review of the year ahead: the goals, the requirements to meet the same, the taskings to be required of the officers, and the assistance to be requested of the brethren at large. A time for dialogue is also desired. In the months to follow, we will take on candidates for Freemasonry, meet our Grand Lodge obligations, and continuously refer to the year’s designs to pursue our labors. The work shall be, Lord willing, good and fulfilling to us all. It will not be all labors without refreshment, however. There will be times of fellowship throughout the year, where we may be excused to convert the means of refreshment to alittle excess. In closing: Brethren, I humbly request that you make efforts to attend the February stated communication, to participate in the business of the evening. Fraternally, Joseph Giancaspro, Master, Franklin Lodge #20 |
AuthorMonthly Message from Master of Franklin Lodge #20 Archives
February 2023
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