The July 2009 DDGM's monthly message

My Brethren All,

June was jam-packed with all sorts of interesting and important activities.

The month began with a very successful steak fry hosted by the Brethren of Doric Lodge, followed by our District then Masters & Wardens Association meetings.  Thank you to the members of Doric Lodge once again for a great time!

Good participation by members of the Craft was witnessed at the Relay for Life event held this year at Cambrian College.  Brethren, this is a very honourable cause to support.

I congratulate Bro. Robert Aho, Bro. Sean Pretty and Bro. Scott Bowles as our newest members of the Craft in the Sudbury Manitoulin District.  What a special moment for W.Bro. Alan Bowles to be able to conduct his son’s initiation as Master of the Lodge.  Bro. Ryan Lipic took his second step this month in very fine order.

We had four Installation and Investiture of Officers ceremonies in June in our District.  Congratulations are in order to the new Worshipful Masters of National, Gore Bay, Doric and Espanola Lodge; respectively  W.Bro. Keith Jordan, W.Bro. Bill Clark, W. Bro. Al Wright and W. Bro. Brian Carter.  Enjoy your year.  Well done Installing Masters.

I was honoured to present another bursary from the Masonic Foundation this month to Miss Carmelle Waller of Cambrian College.  Carmelle is in her second year of the Registered Practical Nurse Program.  Her gratitude was obvious and enthusiastic.

The bus to Grand Lodge is scheduled but could use more passengers.  Please consider attending our Annual Communication on July 15th.  Principal Officers and Past Masters should consider attendance to this annual event a priority.

Brethren, as I stated at the District Meeting, I have nothing left to offer but my gratitude.  I have the utmost respect for the Brethren of our District.  Any time I asked for assistance – it was given without hesitation.  Thank you to the District Officers for their commitment to our District, and their support in strengthening the same.  My Advisory Committee was encouraging and instructive.  The District Secretary (Dad) so very supportive.

But what I will value most, what I will look back upon with warmest recollections, is meeting you my Brethren.  I will remember new and renewed friendships, the warm clasp of your hand and the smile on your face when we met in Lodge.

Take care…have a safe and enjoyable summer.  The Great Architect willing, we’ll see you in Lodge in September.

Fraternally,

Rob Fleming

The June 2009 DDGM's monthly message

My Brethren All,

We continued with renewal in our Craft through elections and Ceremonies of Installation and Investiture of Officers in May.

Congratulations to W. Bro. Brian N. Howe and W. Bro. Rodney V. Junkala, respectively, the new Masters of Nickel and Sudbury Lodges. Installing Masters W. Bro.’s Reijo Luoma and Alan Hill are to be congratulated, as are the new Officers in both Lodges.  I’m confident your year ahead will be successful.

I also congratulate W. Bro. Clive Stephenson and W. Bro. Doug Ashick on their successes during their year as Master.  Please enjoy a well-merited rest as I.P.M.’s of your Lodges.
 
Brother Mathew Stillwaugh and Brother David Johnson are our newest members of the Craft in Sudbury Manitoulin District, and Brother Gordon Bois our newest Fellowcraft.  Welcome, best wishes and well done.  Please exercise your visiting privileges in June, accompanied by your sponsor or mentor.

R.W. Bro. Rudy Mulack did an excellent Job organising a Masonic Information Booth on behalf of our District at the Manitoulin Trade Fair at the Little Current Recreation Centre.  I was able to attend for set-up, and a few hours before we took the display down.  Although I saw and spoke to several Brethren during the Fair, I want to particularly recognise the effort of W. Bro. Rick Belton, who, almost single-handedly, manned the booth during the fair.  Thank you W. Bro. Belton for your effort and commitment.

Our public presence will be evident at the Relay for Life fundraiser, this year being held at the Cambrian College track.  Please drop in, say hello, and make a donation at our tent.  The walk begins the evening of  Friday June 5th.

We kick-off June with the traditional “steak-out” at Doric Lodge, followed by the District, then Master’s & Warden’s Association meetings.  Our Brethren in Little Current always provide an excellent meal and fellowship.  Please attend if you are able.

Installation and Investiture ceremonies are scheduled for National, Gore Bay, Doric and Espanola Lodges, in that order this month.  Please support these Lodges with your attendance.  As I indicated last month, all Lodge Officers should employ this opportunity to meet their counterparts in the District, and to “show the flag” for their own Lodge, and our newest Brethren must be encouraged to attend, and become familiar with this important ceremony.

I’m looking forward to two initiations and a second degree this month and I’d like to meet YOU in Lodge.

Fraternally,

Rob Fleming
DDGM
Sudbury Manitoulin District

The May 2009 DDGM's monthly message

My Brethren All,

As we embrace spring, and the revitalization that it carries, so too we hail renewal in our Craft.

April saw two Lodges hold elections, and Algonquin Lodge No. 536 installed Bro. Allan Bowles in the chair of King Solomon.  Congratulations to W. Bro. Bowles, the new Officers of Algonquin Lodge, and R.W. Bro. Alan Burns as Installing Master.

In May there will be elections in three of our District Lodges, while Nickel Lodge No. 427 and Sudbury Lodge No. 658 will hold Installation and Investiture ceremonies.  Please support these Lodges with your attendance at the ceremonies.  All Lodge Officers should employ this opportunity to meet their counterparts in the District, and to “show the flag” for their own Lodge, and our newest Brethren must be encouraged to attend, and become familiar with this important ceremony.

And with renewal, there is gratitude for work well done, as Worshipful Masters become Past Masters and ease into a hard-earned rest.

My work as your representative to Grand Lodge is also nearing completion; although there is still quite a bit of work remaining for your District Deputy Grand Master, with report deadlines looming in the not-to-distant future.

May sees my concluding Official Visit, as Friendship Lodge No. 691 conducts an Initiation.  It is bittersweet for me and at the same time a respite.

I was privileged to present in mid-April, a $1000 bursary provided by the Masonic Foundation of Ontario to Lori Primrose, a third year Cambrian College student.  Lori was extremely appreciative to receive the financial assistance.

My Lady and I travelled to Kirkland Lake and thoroughly enjoyed Temiskaming District’s reception in honour of our Grand Master on Friday April 24th, then were served breakfast the following morning at Doric Lodge.  R.W. Bro. Arvind Aggarwal is to be congratulated on the very excellent way the weekend was organised and executed.

Thirty six Brethren attend our District Divine Service at Calvin Presbyterian Church on April 26th.   Thank you to all who attended.  Brothers Bob Bryson and Keith Godin greeted at the door, R.W. Bro. Bill Napier and our District Chaplain, W. Bro. Ken Alexander, read the Scripture, the SUMANDIMAS Choir under the direction of Mrs. Marjorie Steinke provided three pieces for the service.  My personal thanks to these Brethren for their preparation and work at the service.

Thank you to the members of Calvin Presbyterian Church for allowing us to worship with them.

R.W. Bro. Rudy Mulack has organised a Masonic Information Booth on behalf of our District at the Manitoulin Trade Fair.  The Fair runs from 5 p.m. Friday May 1st through to 4 p.m. Sunday May 3rd at the Little Current Recreation Centre.  Why not take a drive out and enjoy the Fair?  Thank you Right Worshipful Sir!

There are two Initiations and one Second Degree scheduled this month.  I encourage every Lodge to escort their neophyte Masons, as appropriate, to these meetings.

And I anticipate and take pleasure in the prospect of meeting YOU in Lodge.

Fraternally,

Rob Fleming
DDGM

The April 2009 DDGM's monthly message

My Brethren All,

“The generosity of the brethren of your district and their acute awareness to the GMs charity project was overwhelming, to say the least. The three exciting stops in your district were I am sure very enlightening to our entourage in making it a memorable tour for them as well as for Mary and me. I hope our message on practicing responsibility and commitment to our craft and how this makes a difference in a lodge was well received by our past masters.”

Those comments are from the Grand Master following his very successful visit to our District.

My personal thanks go to everyone who attended and supported the District Reception for our Grand Master and his entourage.  Many travelled considerable distances to be with us and we are grateful for their safe return home.

On behalf of the District, I thank the Masters and Wardens Association for exceptional work for a task well executed;  W. Bro. Paavo Liukko, Committee Chairman, R.W. Bro. Allan Burns, V.W. Bro. Al Sweetman, and V.W. Bro. Keith Jordan, Chairman, Masters & Wardens Association. Thank you for such a successful evening. 

I also thank the SUMANDIMAS Choir under the direction of Mrs. Marjorie Steinke, and featuring Bro. Jeff Wiseman.  Your excellent presentation of several challenging songs for the enjoyment and entertainment of our guest was appreciated by everyone…Well done!

W. Bro. Ross King worked very hard to persuade the local media to cover the event and was successful in getting the Northern Life and Espanola’s Mid-North Monitor to interview our Grand Master.  My special thanks to Northern Life and the Mid-North Monitor for their support and to W. Bro. King for his work on the District’s behalf.  Brethren, these two newspapers demonstrate true care and interest for the communities they serve.

On Saturday, March 28, 2009 a Grand Lodge Brother to Brother Workshop was held at the Belrock Masonic Centre.  The efforts of W. Bro. Sam Khoury, District Chairman to promote the Brother to Brother workshop and to secure V.W. Bro. Ian Waites, B2B Team Leader of our Grand Lodge, Lodge Resources committee are certainly appreciated and I thank him. The brethren in attendance learned Grand Lodge programs such as this one are excellent forums to exchange ideas, provide key information to lodges for planning and executing your programs and helping to ensure a successful year.  It is incumbent upon each Worshipful Master and lodge officer to make every effort to attend these training sessions to assist in the improvement of your lodge programs.

A special thank you must be included to the Java Guild for providing a delicious hot lunch and to R.W. Bro. Ed Rennie and V.W. Bro. Robert Storie for their preparation.

April has an interesting distribution of Masonic activities that should provide something appealing to everyone.  Five degrees are slated, elections, an installation, a memorial night and the month culminates with our District Divine Service on Sunday April 26th held at Calvin Presbyterian Church in New Sudbury.

Take care brethren; I look forward to meeting you at those events and sitting with you in Lodge.
Fraternally
Rob Fleming

The March 2009 DDGM's monthly message

My Brethren All,
I’d like you to think about the distinguishing characteristic of a Mason’s heart….I mean Charity, and its cousin Benevolence.

One needs to only open the paper or watch the news to understand the current state of the world’s economics.  Plant closures and lay-offs spin off to support sectors and affect whole cities and communities.

What can you do about it?

Remember that peculiar moment when you were accepted into our gentle Craft, then do what you can to help.

Help also means letting Brethren know if you or another Brother are in distress.  We have Brethren ready to enable the assistance that is available both at the District and Provincial level.  We are fortunate to have W. Bro. Willis Campbell as the District Chairman of Benevolence, and our very own R.W. Bro. J. David Bell, Chairman of the Grand Lodge Benevolence Committee.  We can’t help if we don’t know.

The month of March is an especially exciting month in the Masonic Calendar:

• Our Grand Master, M.W. Bro. Alan J. Petrisor and his lovely wife will be in our District for a reception in his honour on Friday March 20th
• I will be visiting my own Lodge, Nickel Lodge No. 427 on March 4th, for my Official Visit
• W. Bro. Sam Khoury will be conducting a District Brother-to-Brother seminar on Saturday March 28th.  Java Guild will be providing refreshment.
• I count 9 degrees scheduled in the month.  Outstanding!

Take care Brethren.  I look forward to sitting with you in Lodge and meeting you at our social events

Fraternally,

Rob Fleming
DDGM
Sudbury Manitoulin District

The February 2009 DDGM's monthly message

My Brethren All,

The astronomical reason why it is useful to give fewer days to February than the other months is because this is the time of the year when the earth is closest to the sun: Each year the earth is closest to the sun right around January 3rd.  As a result, in February the earth’s speed in its orbit around the sun is faster than most other months, so it covers the same distance in a shorter period of time.  This is reflected in the sun’s apparent motion through the constellations: The sun appears to move faster through the constellations in February than in most other months, so it makes sense to give fewer days to this month.

Closer to the sun means closer to light.  So I believe it is extremely appropriate that our District Friend-to-Friend Night is being held in February on Monday the 16th commencing at 6:30 with dinner.  This is an opportunity for your friends who are not Masons to come a little closer to the light.  Please make every effort to attend with a friend.  My thanks go out to W. Bro. Alan Hill and the Brethren of Sudbury Lodge No. 658 for organizing and hosting this event.

I count a possible total of 6 degrees being conferred at our District Lodges this month…more light being revealed!  Brethren, it is very important that we support those Brethren, and the Lodges conferring the degrees.  Please measure the length of your cable tow regarding your attendance.

Clarifying light is cast, as two of our Lodges conduct a Step-Up Night in February.

The light of new responsibilities will be shed for the Master-Elect and Officers of Friendship Lodge No. 691 this month during the Installation of the Master Elect and the Investiture of Officers on Valentine’s Day…followed by a dinner and dance with the light of our lives, our Ladies.  My experience is that this is a very well organized and enjoyable evening.

And finally, Espanola Lodge No. 527 will be hosting their Annual Funspiel on the 21st.  It’s a time to step lightly, make light of yourself and your curling, and enjoy the light and warmth of friends and brothers.  What a wonderful tradition Espanola Lodge has established!

Take care my Brethren.  I look forward to sitting with you in Lodge and meeting you at our social events

…and I don’t say that lightly!

Fraternally,

Rob Fleming

DDGM

Sudbury Manitoulin District

The January 2009 DDGM's monthly message

My Brethren All,

A new year brings with it the anticipation of change and resolutions to change.
For me the new year always seems to be another chance for a fresh start, to get things better organized, to improve my effort.  I seldom look back in retrospect; rather I look forward to new opportunities and new challenges.
But, perhaps, a look back is appropriate; in order to appreciate what has been occurred over the year and to better focus our activities in the upcoming year.
I appreciate the reception I have received from each and every one of you.
I appreciate the opportunity to participate in everything from the reception of our newest initiate to the presentation of 25, 50 and 60 year pins to our Masonic Veterans.
I appreciate the smiling faces, warm handshakes and kind words expressed by you when we meet at Lodge or in public.
I appreciate the wise council from my Advisory Committee and others whom I have approached for advice.
And I look forward to the changes that will occur in the next six months, as new Masters and Officers take on the mantle of leadership in their respective Lodges, Immediate Past Masters get to wind down a little for a well deserved break, and the District Team provides continued assistance to our Lodges in general and to me in particular.
Installation Ceremonies commence in January, we have a District Friend to Friend Night lining up early in the year, work is progressing behind the scenes to introduce DeMolay to the District, and our Grand Master will be visiting our District in March.
I’m looking forward to seeing you at these events, and to sitting with you in Lodge.
Happy New Year!
Rob Fleming

DDGM Sudbury Manitoulin District

The December 2008 DDGM's monthly message

My Brethren All,

I want to once again thank W. Bro.’s Clive Stephenson, Roy Eaton, and Bob Dutton, Bro. Bob Bryson, and all the Brethren for their support, work and participation in our Veteran Appreciation Night.  Well done!  There are already indications that it will be continued next year.

One of our gentle Fraternity’s fundamental requirements, you could argue that it is a Landmark, is the belief in a Supreme Being.

December is synonymous with Christmas, and conjures up picture postcard images of snow-encased landscapes, colourful lights, warm glowing fires, Christmas Eve services and children taut with anticipation.

And while these images may be true for a great deal of us, December holds special significance for faiths other than Christianity:

December sees observances that include:

Eid ul-Adha - Islamic Feast of Sacrifice The most important feast of Islam concludes the Hajj and is a three-day festival recalling Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son in obedience to Allah

Bodhi Day  (Rohatsu) - Buddhist celebration of the time when Prince Gautama took his place under the Bodhi tree, vowing to remain there until he attained supreme enlightenment

Hanukkah - Jewish Festival of Lights It commemorates the Maccabean recapture and rededication of the Jerusalem Temple in 165-164 b.c.e. Special readings and praise songs focus on liberty and freedom. The eight candle Menorah is lighted

Zarathosht Diso - Zoroastrian anniversary of the death of Prophet Zarathushtra.

As a Christian, I extend sincere Christmas Greetings from my Family to Yours and wishes for a rewarding and successful New Year.

As a Brother I say:

The November 2008 DDGM's monthly message

My Brethren All,

November is a poignant month for me.

In my youth I was a member of the Pipes and Drums of the Copper Cliff Highlanders (#765 Cadet Corps) from age 13 through most of my early adult years and into my 30’s as an instructor.

November 11th was a working day, beginning actually on the evening of November 10th when we played a concert at the R.L. Beatty Legion Dinner.  You didn’t buy a ticket to the dinner back in those days because the First and Second War Veterans filled the place.

The 11th started bright and early with a parade through the streets of Copper Cliff to the Legion.  We led the parade with the Legionnaires following, clad in Legion blues and greys, and the Cadet Corps, resplendent in their scarlet tunics; Lee Enfield’s at the shoulder, with the white slash of the shoulder strap, belt and spats flashing in the morning light.

My memories are filled with images of proud and determined Veterans, backs stiffened, arms swinging in unison, colour party resolute in their duty.  The young and the young-at-heart, bound by a single purpose; a job that must be done

It almost always rained or snowed on that day and the wind was brisk and bitter…but that meant nothing to the men that defended our freedom in foreign lands.

The day, and the moment; the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month were paramount.

After the service in Copper Cliff we would board a school bus and, with three other buses filled to capacity with Legion members in tow, proceed to visit every Legion in the Sudbury area as well as the Polish Combatants Hall.  We would parade the bus loads into the Legion, play a 15 minute concert, then load up and do it all over again at the next Legion.  In due course we returned to Copper Cliff at about 5:00 p.m.

Eventually, over the years, the ceremony moved indoors to accommodate the dwindling numbers of aging Veterans.  We stopped parading through the streets; if Remembrance Day was during the week we would hold it in the Public School gymnasium, if on the weekend, at the Copper Cliff Legion Hall. Today Copper Cliff Legion is close to being closed and the Copper Cliff Highlanders are no more.

Now, on the 90th Anniversary of the end of the First World War, there are no First War Veterans to attend. John Babcock, who lives in Spokane, Wash., is the last surviving Canadian to have served in the 1914-18 war. The number of Second War Veterans is increasingly smaller.

We need to remember that between 1914 and 1918; more than 650,000 Canadians and Newfoundlanders joined the military to fight in the First World War, the "War to End All Wars."  More than 170,000 were injured and more than 66,000 lost their lives.

We need to remember that we lost over 43,000 in the Second World War and over 53,000 were wounded.

We need to remember that since the Second World War our men and women continue to serve, and continue to be killed or wounded.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.
We will remember them

I will remember them.  Will you remember them?

Let us all remember them on Wednesday November 5th, Veteran’s Appreciation Evening at the Belrock Masonic Centre.

I’m looking forward to sitting with you in Lodge and seeing you at all of this month’s events but especially on the 5th.

Fraternally,
Rob Fleming

The October 2008 DDGM's monthly message

My Brethren All,

I was fortunate to visit eight of our nine District Lodges in September and honoured to be received as our Grand Master’s representative.  My experience has been that every Brother’s reception in our District Lodges is always warm and friendly.
The irony, of course, is that I have not sat in my Mother Lodge…and again, I thank W. Bro. Clive Stephenson and the Brethren of Nickel Lodge for their appreciation when I attended a fifty and twenty-year membership recognition and pin presentation, and the raising of a Brother to the sublime degree of a Master Mason at Espanola Lodge on the same evening as Nickel Lodge’s regular meeting.
Congratulations to Bro. Grant Moody and W. Bro. Jim Loney for achieving the membership milestone of 50 years a Mason, and W. Bro. Jim Ramsay for a quarter-century in the Craft.  I was pleased to be able to participate in each of your presentations.
I thoroughly enjoyed the District Reception, and thank each of you for giving your precious time to attend the function.  Thank you to V. W. Bro. Keith Jordan for the organisation and execution of the evening’s events.  The Ladies and Gentlemen of the Eastern Star continued the high quality we are all used to.  Good Work!
In the sports vernacular, I guess I’m into the regular season now.
I’m looking forward to the two Official Visits in October; on the 10th to Bethel Lodge No. 699 and on the 20th, Sudbury Lodge No. 658.  First and Second degrees are planned, respectively, for those evenings.  Brethren, this is an excellent opportunity to bring your Entered Apprentices and Fellowcrafts out for a visit, and a review of the degree.
Looking ahead to early November, there are two important District events that I urge all of you to support:
Sunday November 2nd, District Divine Service – The United Church in Little Current (10:00 a.m.)
Wednesday November 5th, Veteran’s Appreciation Evening – Belrock Masonic Centre (Dinner 6:00 p.m.)
Looking forward to sitting with you in Lodge.
Fraternally,

The September 2008 DDGM's monthly message.

My Brethren All,

Best wishes and good health on behalf of the Most Worshipful, the Grand Lodge of A.F. & A.M. of Canada in the Province of Ontario and our Grand Master, Most Worshipful Brother Allan J. Petrisor.

Congratulations to Right Worshipful Brother J. David Bell on his election to the Board of General Purposes and appointment as the Chairman of Benevolence.  The Brethren have reaffirmed our confidence in you.

Our new Grand Steward is Very Worshipful Brother Harold Saville.  Very Worshipful Sir, you have certainly earned your appointment through your work in the District this past Masonic Year.  Well done!

I would also like to acknowledge the appointment of R.W. Bro. Brian Koivu to the Board of the Masonic Foundation.  I know that the board will be well served by R.W. Bro. Koivu.

The 153rd Annual Communication of Grand Lodge was very well attended by the Brethren of Sudbury-Manitoulin District. Bravo on your efforts to journey thither.

Thank you for the opportunity to represent the Sudbury Manitoulin District in Grand Lodge.  The import of this Office is forefront in my mind. I promise you my best effort.

I’m looking forward to working with you and through the District Chairmen to continue the Grand Master’s theme “Masonry Making a Difference”.

There are many exciting opportunities and events in the works, including the Fiftieth Anniversary Celebration for Bethel Lodge No. 699, and the reception of our Grand Master.

The District Secretary, Worshipful Brother Milt Fleming, can be contacted at 1770 Rutherglen Crescent, P3A 2K3, by phone at (705) 566-9886 and through the e-mail address on the District Website; secretary@smmasons.com

I look forward to sitting with you in Lodge.

Fraternally,

R.W. Bro. Robert J. Fleming
DDGM Sudbury Manitoulin District