Grand Lodge Quarterly Communication – March 14, 2018

A day before the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts’ March Quarterly Communication, a powerful blizzard hit the region hard. Despite the fact many began the day literally shoveling themselves out of their homes, there was a very good turnout of Brothers from throughout the jurisdiction for the meeting.

M.W. Paul F. Gleason, Grand Master, entered Ionic Hall in the Boston Masonic Building promptly at 1:30 P.M. to a standing ovation from the assembled crowd (check out the photos from the day here).

Before opening Grand Lodge, members of the Masonic Secretary’s Association presented the colors. They were represented by:

Wor. James C. Baxter, Good Samaritan Lodge, Reading
Wor. William E. Cheetham, Saint James Lodge, Attleboro
R.W. William R. Currier, North Reading Lodge, North Reading

Following the Pledge of Allegiance and National Anthem, the Grand Master opened the meeting in ample form. After the introduction of his distinguished guests, Past Grand Masters, First Responders, and Audio and Sound crew, the Grand Master called on M.W. Albert T. Ames, Grand Secretary, for the report on the recognition of proxies. R.W. Robert V. Jolly, Jr. presented the report of the Committee on Charters and By-Laws, and R.W. Archibald H. Campbell made the report of the Committee on Records.

Brother Gleason then had the pleasure of introducing R.W.  Kamel Oussayef (Converse Lodge, Melrose) as the Grand Representative of the Grand Lodge of Quebec near the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts.

The Deputy Grand Master, R.W. Scott T. Jareo then delivered the necrology, which regrettably included the names of five Massachusetts Freemasons who entered the Celestial Lodge above since the previous Quarterly Communication in December.

At the direction of the Grand Master, the Grand Marshal presented R.W. Donald M. Moran and R.W. Mason W. Russell (both of Budleigh Lodge, Beverly) to the East. Brother Gleason recited the highlights of both Brothers extensive Masonic resumes. He noted each had a sizable omission – the Joseph Warren Medal for Distinguished Service.  The Grand Master took it upon himself to rectify the situation by presenting both with some well deserved recognition.

20 Lodges were then announced as recipients for the Grand Master’s Award:

Amity-Mosaic Lodge, Danvers
Charity Lodge, Cambridge
Daniel Webster Lodge, Marshfield
Frank W. Thompson Lodge, Bedford
King David Lodge, Taunton
Marine Lodge, Falmouth
Meridian Lodge, Natick
Middlesex Lodge, Framingham
Milton Lodge, Braintree
Mount Holyoke Lodge, South Hadley Falls
Mount Moriah Lodge, Westfield
Mystic Valley Lodge, Arlington
Norumbega Fraternity Lodge, Newtonville
Orient Lodge, Norwood
Saint John’s Lodge, Newburyport
Saint Matthew’s Lodge, Andover
United Brethren Lodge, Marlborough
William Sutton Lodge, Saugus
William Parkman Lodge, Winchester

Several donations were presented to the Grand Master, summarized below:

Following the presentations to the Grand Master, he delivered his Quarterly address to all attending Massachusetts Freemasons. After finishing his remarks, the Grand Master closed the meeting in Ample Form.