The Friendly Word
Fraternal Greetings my Brothers!
On October 4, our lodge put together an excellent Second Degree for 5 new Fellowcraft brothers. Should you have a chance to see any of these new Fellowcraft brothers, be sure to share some kind words with them. I would also like to thank those brothers who stepped in for parts of the degree for those brothers who were not able to attend.
Monday, October 18 was our Official Visit. I would like to thank the Official Family for sharing the New York Grand Lodge’s current vision. I would also like to thank R.’.W.’. Richard Torrey for allowing the Lodge to be lowered to the second degree so that our newest 5 Fellowcraft Brothers were also allowed to join the meeting.
On Monday, November 1, the Lodge had a lecture on “The Length of your Cable Tow”. This meeting also culminated with a launch of a small mini-series of publications entitled “Why I became a Mason” and will feature short descriptions of individuals from the past and present who will share some of the reasons as to why they joined this fraternity.
Additionally, on Monday, November 18 we will be performing the Third Degree for our 5 new Fellowcraft brothers. This marks a perfect opportunity for those brothers who have been desirous in returning to meetings and helping out the craft. An individual does not need to be an expert ritualist in order to help perform in the work and instruction of the lodge. These brothers are not just members of our lodge, but also members of the craft as a whole. If you find it within the length of our cable tow, please make every effort to come out and support the newest members of the craft on this evening.
Finally, on December 6 and a Special Communication on December 13, we will be hosting First Degrees for our newest of some 12 Petitioners. Please mark your calendars and come out and support this next group of duly and truly prepared men.
Our membership committee continues to work diligently to track down those few remaining Brothers who are in danger of being dropped for non-payment of dues. Those brothers who are in danger of being dropped have until December 31 in order to pay their dues before being dropped. If you are in arrears and/or in danger of being dropped, please make an effort to contact us and let us know.
Stay tuned for further updates here in The Word. Also, check us out on the web at www.SyracuseMasons.com. You can also find instant updates on what is going on in the Lodge by checking out our Facebook page which can be accessed directly off our website or by going to www.facebook.com/SyracuseMasons. There are also many interesting new pages on our companion Historical website at www.omdhs.SyracuseMasons.com. These articles can be found in the Masonic History section of the site.
W.’. Kevin L. Razawich
Master
The Friendly Word
Fraternal Greetings my Brothers!
Liverpool Syracuse Lodge would like to offer our congratulations to Lynwood Bennerson from Fayetteville-Central City Lodge for receiving his Honorary 33rd Degree from the Scottish Rite. Additionally, W.’. Robert M. Tyrell will be receiving the 33rd Degree at a White Hat dinner in October 2011 along with RW.’. Richard J. Powell of Morning Star Lodge No. 524. Congratulations to each of you as this is quite an achievement.
Our Veterans and Sojourner’s meeting was held on September 20th. We had a wonderful cook out style dinner to commemorate the end of a beautiful summer and to celebrate those brothers who have dedicated many years of membership to this fine fraternity. As we look forward to the rest of October, we held a Second Degree on October 4th for six Entered Apprentices. I encourage all of you Brothers to make an effort to support our incoming brothers as they make there way though the degrees. If you can’t attend the meeting, be sure and send a letter or note of your support along with some kind words to us so that we may read them to the new Brothers. Our Official Visit will be held on October 18th. I encourage those Brothers who can attend to be there.
This year, we have been working hand in hand with brothers both new and old. In between degrees we have been offering educational classes to go over not only what transpired during the degrees, but also to instruct them on some of the etiquette and protocols that we observe during normal meetings. If you would like to attend or participate in these classes, please let us know, as we would be happy to have you.
We are looking at quite an exciting year ahead of us, as we currently have 14 new petitioners who are getting duly and truly prepared to receive Light in Masonry by obtaining their First Degree this coming December. If any Brother would like to help by taking on a small part in the degree – please contact us and express interest. Our Brothers would be more than happy to work with you and support you as you learn some of the parts in the degree. The only requirement is an enthusiasm to want to receive more Light in Masonry and a positive attitude.
Our membership committee is working diligently to track down those Brothers who are in danger of being dropped for non-payment of dues. If you are in arrears and/or in danger of being dropped, please make an effort to contact us and let us know. Thank you to those who have kept their dues current; for those still owing, please send your check in before the new ones arrive. I look forward to seeing you all in Lodge.
Stay tuned for further updates here in The Word. Also, check us out on the web at www.SyracuseMasons.com. You can also find instant updates on what is going on in the Lodge by checking out our Facebook page which can be accessed directly off our website or by going to www.facebook.com/SyracuseMasons. There are also many interesting new pages on our companion Historical website at www.omdhs.SyracuseMasons.com. These articles can be found in the Masonic History section of the site. Two new compilations are in the works and will be appearing in shortly, one on ‘New York Freemasons in the War of 1812’ [50+ pages] and another on ‘New York Loyalist Freemasons’ [150+ pages].
W.’. Kevin L. Razawich
Master
In Memoriam
Date of Passing: Thursday, October 28, 2010
Alexander B. Eassa Sr., 84, passed away Thursday, October 28, 2010, at Van Duyn, after a short illness. Born in Syracuse to Beshara and Alexandria Eassa on January 15, 1926, he was a graduate of Central Tech High School and attended Syracuse University. He served in the U.S. Army in WWII in the Philippines and Japan. Returning to Syracuse, he rejoined his father at the Sunnyside Market, retiring in 2001. It was the longest family-owned grocery store in Onondaga County. Al was a 60-year member of Danforth and Liverpool Syracuse Lodge. He was also active in real estate, owning Al Eassa Real Estate. He was predeceased by his parents and sister Laurice Otakie.
He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Betty Eassa, and two sons, Alexander Jr. and Thomas N., all of Syracuse; one aunt, Charlotte Peter; one brother, Nickolas B. Eassa of Denton, Texas; two sisters, Marguerite Aswad of Naples, Florida, and Frances J. Eassa of Melbourne, Florida; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
A funeral Liturgy will be Monday, November 1, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Elias Orthodox Church, 4988 Onondaga Road, Syracuse, NY 13215.
Burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery.
Calling hours will be in St. Elias Church on Sunday, Oct. 31, from 4 to 8 p.m.
Contributions in Al’s memory may be made to St. Elias Orthodox Church General Fund, 4988 Onondaga Road, Syracuse, NY 13215.
Whelan Bros. & Hulchanski Funeral Home has care of the arrangements.
The Friendly Word
Fraternal Greetings, I hope you all are enjoying a wonderful summer. I would first like to thank those of you who were able to volunteer a small portion of your time to help out with the New York Masonic Safety ID program at the State Fair. I believe that it shows a great deal of character to take a small amount of time out of each of your busy schedules in order to ensure the safety of our children in the community and around New York State. Each of you who volunteered will be receiving a personal letter expressing the Lodge’s appreciation for your participation.
September 20th will be our first meeting after coming out of darkness from the summer. We will be having an Open Meeting honoring our Veterans and Sojourners. To those who are new to the Craft, this meeting will honor those members of the Lodge who have been members for 5 years though 60 years (at five-year intervals). A Sojourner is a Brother who is temporarily taking up a residence within our area. Our membership has the distinct honor of individuals who are students at Syracuse University as well as individuals from the military. This meeting is also to honor you.
Our Second Degree will be held on October 4th. We anticipate having six Brothers take the next step in their Masonic journeys as they seek more Light in Masonry. I cordially invite each of you to take a few hours out of your evening to attend this important undertaking and show your support for our new Brothers. If you cannot attend, I would ask each of you to take a few minutes of your time and please show your appreciation to our Brothers with a kind note or letter of support. Stayed tuned; we are getting numerous queries of interest through our website.
As we move forward this year, our Lodge will be initiating a few new programs; The first of which will be called “501 on the Run.” Through this program our Lodge will be making an effort to visit Lodges from around the District as well as other areas in the region. Stay tuned for more details.
Additionally, our Lodge will be creating a Fellowship Fund that will help raise and save money for Masonic events exclusive to the members of our lodge. These events may include wine tours, regional day trips to Masonic points of interests, as well as other fellowship events designed to further cement the bonds of friendship and fellowship of our members and their families.
Stay tuned for further updates here in The Word. Also, check us out on the web at www.SyracuseMasons.com. You can also find instant updates on what is going on in the Lodge by checking out our Facebook page which can be accessed directly off our website or by going to www.facebook.com/SyracuseMasons. There are also many interesting new pages on our companion Historical website at www.omdhs.SyracuseMasons.com. These articles can be found in the Masonic History section of the site. As we near the end of the calendar year the new Dues Cards will be soon be coming. Thank you to those who have kept their dues current; for those still owing, please send your check in before the new ones arrive. I look forward to the coming year and seeing you all in Lodge.
W.’. Kevin L. Razawich
Master
The Friendly Word
I was fortunate enough to stumble upon an interesting discussion on the Internet. I believe that this topic is near and dear to all of our hearts. I urge you to ask yourself the following question:
What have you done to help your lodge recently?
A lodge is only as sound and strong as its members. If you feel that it is not been up to your standard what have you done to make it better? If every brother put in just an ashlar a month the lodge would be a cathedral.
When you first knocked on the door of Masonry, it was opened to you.
We often hear excuses and comments about obligations and commitments occurring during the meeting nights. Your involvement in the fraternity does not have to begin or end with attending the meetings. There are many tasks and programs that need ample help in organizing and volunteering. These tasks can be done on your schedule and do not require much time.
If you would like to lend a hand and help keep our wonderful fraternity moving forward in a positive direction, please feel free to contact me at KRazawich@gmail.com. I look forward to hearing your responses!
Sincerely,
W .’. Kevin Razawich
