My Dear Brothers,
I don’t know about you, but I am hoping Fall is here to stay and that we’re not dealing with another “Fake Fall” situation in the DC area! This season is certainly my favorite time of year, but I am also excited that this means the holiday season is just around the corner. It is hard to believe my time as Master is quickly winding down, too. I am very much looking forward to next year. We learned during our October Wardens’ Night that our Senior Warden has a fantastic trestleboard lined up with many opportunities for family fun and fellowship for our Lodge community. The future is ever brighter for St. John’s Lodge No. 11 thanks to hardworking and highly motivated Brothers like our Senior Warden.
It was wonderful to have a number of Brothers join us in October, including our Grand Marshal, Worshipful Brother Leibfreid, Brethren from Freedom Military Lodge No. 1775 and South Carolina. Visiting Brothers always remind me that we, too, need to get out there and visit other lodges. Let’s be Travelling Men, Brothers! Certainly, that’s my plan for next year.
So, as my time in the East is coming to a close, I’ve scheduled a relaxed end-of-year group dinner on November 14th at 7pm at Daniel O'Connell's Irish Restaurant & Bar in Alexandria. Please let me know if you’re interested by November 1st – the party maximum is 14, and several Brothers have already responded. You might recall the namesake here from several of my presentations, but O’Connell was “The Liberator,” who fought for freedom and equality in Ireland. Raised in 1797, he served as Worshipful Master of Lodge No. 189 in Dublin and was a charter member of lodges in Tralee and Limerick. From my perspective dining here is most fitting.
Brothers, also consider registering for the Friendship Lodge on November 7th. This is a truly great opportunity to connect with our Brethren from across our own Grand Lodge as well as the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of DC. The Universal Brotherhood Celebration’s cast will be supporting the event, as well. See the Grand Lodge Digest for more details. Keep an eye out, too, for a new date for the Grand Lodge’s third and final Masonic Education Workshop focused on the Master Mason degree. These workshops have been a true testament to the many labors of Worshipful Brother D’Amore and team.
November will be busy at St. John’s Lodge No. 11 with our officer elections and a Past Master’s Degree. Keep bringing in those canned food items to help the Capital Area Food Bank and support L’Haïtienne Lodge No. 925. As you know, we’ve now collected 150 lbs. in support of this worthy effort! Any spare blankets, towels, and bedding to help Brandywine Valley SPCA are appreciated, too. And do think about the DC Masonic Foundation, as part of your charitable giving (https://dcmasonicfoundation.org/).
Well, Brothers, we’ll see you in November for our Stated Communication. Take care and be well ‘til then.
Sincerely and Fraternally,
Bro. David J.C. de Hosson
Worshipful Master