Ill. G. Michael Morris, 33^o

Chapter of Knight of the Rose Croix– Center Stage in March with the Presentation of the Feast of the Paschal Lamb and the Conferral of the 18^th degree

March was busy month for the Chapter of Knights of the Rose Croix Officer line first with the presentation of the Feast of the Paschal Lamb on Sunday, March 21, followed by the conferral of the 18^th degree – Knight of the Rose Croix of H. R. D. M., on the following Saturday, March 27, 2010. I would like to extend special thanks to the cast members of the Feast and the 18^th degree – you did a terrific job conveying the message and meaning of the memorial service and degree!  Sy Kopen, 32º MSA served as Degree Director for both the Feast and the 18^th degree.   Cast members for the Feast of the Paschal Lamb included:  Thomas Goodrich, Kenneth Howe, John Faro, William Jones, Rev. Charles Roberts, Frank Habitzreuther, Joseph Oelgoetz, James Champagne, and Eric Lubberts.  Music was provided by the Hilton Baptist Choir under the direction of Betty Benoit.  I would also like to acknowledge and thank MSA recipients:  Glenn Stahl, Sy Kopen and Gary Burke for their help and assistance with the service. 

Cast members for the 18^th degree were:  Don Fox, Tom Goodrich, James Champagne, Eric Lubberts, Sy Kopen, John Lemke, Kenneth Howe, Bernard Skopinsky.  Staging, lighting, and audio-visual support were provided by Rick Howe, Jim Slocum and Mike Morris.  On behalf of our members and this year’s Ill\ Rodney R. Rittenhouse, 33^o, Class, thanks again to the cast members and Chapter officer line, and to all the people behind the scenes for your time, attention and care that you took to prepare for the degree and the Feast!  Your dedication and efforts are greatly appreciated by all!  

College of Freemasonry – April 9 & 10 – Another “Signature Event”!

The theme for the College of Freemasonry this year was, “Freemasonry: the Ancient Landmarks, the Symbolism and the Vision of our Craft.”  Bill Edwards, 32º, Chairman, together with the other members of the CFM organizing committee put together a truly outstanding program.  The event was kicked off with a special event for Scottish Rite members on Friday April 9^th – “An Evening of Jazz”, featuring Madeline Forster, a local (Eastman School of Music trained) jazz vocalist and her jazz quartet, which as a real treat!  Everyone had a wonderful time!   Our Brothers from Fairport-Flower City Lodge, No. 476, under the direction of Head Chef Tom Goodrich, provided a delicious steak dinner that evening. In total, there were approximately 72 people in attendance for the dinner and Evening of Jazz.

The main program of College of Freemasonry (CFM) followed on Saturday morning. The CFM program on Saturday was open to the all Masons, non-Masons, friends or families.  There were approximately 112 people in attendance.  The keynote speaker this year was Christopher Hodapp, author of the book Freemasons for Dummies, and Editor in Chief of the Journal of the Masonic Society.  In addition, R.'.W.'. Tom Savini, Directory of our Grand Lodge Library and Trustee R.'.W.'. Bill Thomas talked about, the Livingston library’s recent acquisition of the Processus Contra Templarious, the Trials against the Knights Templar, which them brought with them to the meeting. These parchments are a replica of the papers that were recently uncovered in the Secret Vault of the Vatican.  After lunch, R.'.W.'. Manfred Liehs discussed about the importance of preserving Masonic artifacts and our heritage, and talked about some fascinating letters and documents that he had discovered from Germany in 1933 which documented Adolf Hitler’s actions to suppress Freemasonry in Germany.  Afterwards he provided free appraisals for Masonic items that people that had brought to the meeting.

R.'.W.'.Tom Jackson, Past Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania and Book Review editor for the Northern Light magazine, was also on hand for the presentation of the Valley of Rochester’s Thomas Jackson Masonic Education Award. The Thomas Jackson Award recognizes individuals who have taken the message of Freemasonry and transformed it into an educational inspiration at a state, regional or national level.  I am pleased to announce that year’s recipients of the Thomas Jackson Award are:  Ill.'. Richard H. Curtis, 33°, in recognition of 35 years of service as Editor of The Northern Light publication of the Supreme Council, Northern Masonic Jurisdiction and his intense support of Freemasonry through dedication and leadership; and R.'.W.'. Richard C. Friedman, 32°, in recognition of service and dedication to preserving the rituals of Freemasonry as Chairman of the Custodians of the Work and his dedication to the development of Masons through leadership programs. CONGRATULATIONS BROTHERS CURTIS AND FRIEDMAN!  You are highly deserving of prestigious honor and distinction.  Thank you for all that you do for Freemasonry and for the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite. 

Without a doubt, the presentations and remarks by all of the speakers – Brothers Hodapp, Savini, Thomas, and Jackson – were inspirational and thought-provoking!  They “hit the ball out of the park!”  It is hard to imagine a more successful meeting. 

As a special note, we would like to extend our sincere thanks and gratitude the following Masonic bodies and individuals for their generous financial contributions to this year’s College of Freemasonry:  Cyrene – Monroe, Commandery No. 12, Hiram Chapter, No. 62 Royal Arch Masons, Genesee York Rite College, No. 25, Lalla Rookh Grotto,  Damascus Shriners A.A.O.N.M.S., New York Council of Deliberation, A.A.S.R, Northern Masonic Jurisdiction, Wayne District Master and Wardens Association, George Nasra, 32 ^o , and the Valley of Rochester, A.A.S.R. 

This year’s CFM planning committee also deserves a particular note of thanks for their dedication, care and planning for this truly special event.  Member of the CFM planning committee were:  Bill Edwards, Chairman, Brian Bills, Joseph Bourcy, Kenneth Howe, Phillip Hurwirtz, William C. Jones, Robert Kimmel, William Lindsay, Evar Miller, G. Michael Morris, Patrick J. Mulrooney, George Nasra, Michael Nohle, Donald Tubman, Jack VanElzakker, Stephen R. Whittaker, John Zabel, and special thanks to the Valley of Rochester Blue Cap Club for their assistance with the event.  And to Chairman Edwards, THANK YOU for an absolutely outstanding job in your role as chairman!

UPCOMING EVENTS

WALK So They May Read! – We need your support! – Saturday, May 8

Mark your Calendar, Lace Up Your Sneakers, and join the fun!  This year the annual “WALK To Help Children with Dyslexia” and Family Picnic are scheduled for Saturday morning, May 8, 2010.  Check-in:  9:30 AM, WALK: 10:30 AM at Perinton Park in Fairport, NY.

The WALK and Family Picnic are being held to raise funds to support the tutoring program at the Frank and Bette Paul 32° Masonic Learning Center for Children (aka the Rochester Learning Center) and to raise awareness in our community of the problems children with dyslexia encounter.  With greater awareness, more children can be diagnosed and treated.  Our goal at this year’s WALK is to raise $10,000 for the Rochester Learning Center, and with your help and support, WE CAN DO IT!  Come join the fun and fellowship!

The “Four Chaplains” Degree – Battleship USS New Jersey in Camden, NJ – May 15

A special presentation of the 23^rd degree, aka the “Four Chaplains” degree, is scheduled to take place on the battleship USS New Jersey on Saturday, May 15, 2010 – ARMED FORCES DAY – IN HONOR OF ALL OUR VETERANS!   This is an once-in-a-lifetime event taking place on the Battleship USS New Jersey located at the Camden Seaport!  The degree team from the New Jersey Scottish Rite Council of Deliberation will perform the Four Chaplains Degree from the decks of the Battleship! 

The Valley of Rochester is planning to charter a large bus to and from the event.  If you would like to attend, the price will be $100 per person, which includes bus transportation, event fee, lunch and a special guided tour of the ship, BB-62!  The degree is scheduled to begin at 10 AM on Saturday morning, May 15.  We will be leaving from the Valley of Rochester office parking lot, 3300 Monroe Avenue, at 3:00 AM and plan to arrive in Camden, NJ at approximately 9:00 AM.  We are planning to be back in Rochester sometime between 10 and 11 PM that evening.  The capacity of the bus is 50, so if you would like to attend this historic event, be sure to get your reservation into the Valley office early!  (Phone: 264-1160; e-mail: secretary@ValleyofRochester.org)

Election and Installation of 2010-2011 Valley of Rochester Officers – May 20

The election and installation of the 2010-2011 Valley of Rochester officer lines will take place at our Stated Communication meeting on May 20^st at the Shrine Center.  Come meet and show your support for the incoming Valley of Rochester officer lines!  Social Hour:  5:30 PM, Dinner:  6:30 PM, Program: 7:30 PM.  The menu that evening will be grilled steak, baked potato with sour cream or butter, green beans, salad with crumbly bleu-cheese dressing. The price for the dinner is $15 per person.  Dinner reservations are required.  Please call or e-mail the Valley Office by noon on Monday, May 17^th (Phone: 264-1160; e-mail: secretary@ValleyofRochester.org). 

Other Dates Remember

Camp Morris Clambake and Steak Roast – SATURDAY, JULY 10

Summer will be here before you know it!  So, mark your calendars and come join the country fun and fellowship at the Camp Morris Clambake and Steak Roast on Saturday, July 10, 2010, Springwater, NY.  A great time guaranteed for all.  We are planning to have a large tent again this year, because as those of you know who attended last year’s clambake – it has been known to rain a bit in upstate New York!  However, this year we placed our request early; and we are counting on and hoping for it to be sunny and 75 degrees!

Canandaigua Lady Dinner Cruise – August 15^th

On Sunday, August 15^th, come cruise and dine with your Brothers and their Ladies aboard the Canandaigua Lake on scenic Canandaigua Lake.  Space is limited so be sure to sign up early!

More information on the Camp Morris Clambake/Steak Roast and the Canandaigua Lady Dinner cruise will follow as we get closer to the events.

MY HOW TIME FLIES!

As my two-year term comes to an end later this month, this will be last article for the Masonic Times as Commander in Chief of the Rochester Consistory.  The Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite is a wonderful organization, and I am both honored and humbled to have had the opportunity to serve the Rite and the Valley of Rochester in this capacity. 

While we are relatively small compared to some of the other Valleys in the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction, the Valley of Rochester serves as a model of how a Valley should operate.  I would like to take this opportunity acknowledge and thank everyone who has helped to shape the programs, management and organization that have made the Valley of Rochester one of the premier Valleys in the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction. 

As I reflect on these past two years, I must say that I am extremely proud of what the Valley of Rochester’s leadership team has accomplished.  One of our management objectives has been to “Raise the Bar – the Rite Bar.”  To Raise the Bar in everything we do – membership development and retention, high-quality degree presentations, communication with our members, our family-life programs, support for our Blue Lodges, effective management of Valley operations and investments, and support for the Frank and Bette Paul 32^o Masonic Learning Center for Children.  And “Raise the Bar” we did!  In 2008-2009, we added 28 new members to our roster, and we added 33 more members this year.  In fact, during the 2009 NYS Council of Deliberation meeting last summer, the Valley of Rochester was recognized as the Valley with the highest percentage membership growth of any Valley in New York State, and we are going for it again this year! 

In addition to membership development, we also made major strides to improve the quality of our degree conferrals.  There were significant enhancements in the staging, lighting, and audio- visual experience of our degree due in large part to the passion, diligence and dedication of our 2^nd Lt. Commander, Rick Howe, 32º DSA (Thank you Rick!); and there were a number of new and dedicated cast members participating in the degrees.  We also had record attendance numbers at our signature events and family-life programs. 

As a leadership team, we worked hard to implement the new Scottish Rite “I.C.E.” principle, which states that Valleys should strive, in all of their programs, events and activities, to emphasize Inspiration, Convenience and Enjoyment for their members.  I leave it to your judgment, but I believe the I.C.E. principle is now firmly established in the Valley of Rochester leadership culture/mindset.

On behalf of the entire membership, I would like to extend a special note of thanks to all Valley of Rochester Officers for your dedication, energy and enthusiasm that you have brought to the Valley – WHAT A GREAT TEAM! 

And to each of you, I look forward to seeing you and yours at upcoming Valley of Rochester programs and family-life events.  God Bless You, and God Bless America!