Master's Messages for
Worship Brother Robert J Quinn III
Jan'05 - Dec'05

January '05

"Masonic Light"

My Brothers.

I'm excited and dismayed at the same time."Worshipful Master" Who'd A thunk it?... With YOUR HELP, And YOUR HELP only will I and YOUR Lodge Officers be able to achieve the Goals WE as a Lodge will need to Achieve in 2005.

There are only 17 meetings this year, And it would warm my old heart to see the Side Lines FULL. Please make every effort to attend the meetings."GET INVOLVED".

Masonry means so much more then just being able to show off your Rings, Pins, Emblems, Licence Plates or even carrying a dues card. These for the most part are just outward signs and show that you belong to the world's Oldest and Most Beautiful Fraternal Brotherhood. Just think for a moment, how many times have WE sat in lodge and listened to the Opening and Closing Ritual?

Preparing for the East I have been reading the Opening and Closing over and over. Then one day I stopped and realized that (Like most of US) I really haven't been Listening when I should have been Listening or Truly Heard what was said, but reading it and saying it. The Masonic Light was so Bright it hit me like a bolt of lighting.

In the Closing we read. Forget not the Duties so forcibly recommended in the Lodge.

Be, Diligent, Prudent, Temperate, Discreet. Remember that at this Alter you have promised to befriend and relieve Every Brother who shall need your assistance. Remember that you have promised to remind an erring brother of his failings, to aid in his Reformation, to Vindicate his Character when Traduced, and to suggest, In his behalf, the Most Charitable Judgment.

"WOW" I know I've been Lacking in my duties. How about you Brethren? Have you been Lacking in your duties?

I know that as of that moment I would be on my toes to the way I treat another Brother Mason. I know I will try harder to Call on another Brother when he is sick and Help a Brother when he is in need. Without thought of reward, and To forgive a Brother when forgiveness is needed. Conducting one's self in such an unselfish manner is hard. But the Rewards within are so much more.

Trying to live this way not only shows people your Outward Signs, But a man who has Lived up to the Duties Laid Down By Freemasonry.

January '05 February '05 March '05 April '05 May '05 June '05 September '05 October '05
November '05 December '05

February '05

Brethren,

First let me say that I am deeply honored having been elected Worshipful Master of Lakewood Lodge #174. A special thanks goes to the Installing Officers, the 2005 Officers and all the members of the other Lodges in the 20th Masonic District for the excellent manner in which they assisted in and made the installation the success it was.

I will say once more that every Brother of this lodge needs to "GET INVOLVED." If you feel the reason you don't come out to the meetings is because you don't know the ritual work, please don't let that stop you. You can learn a lot just by sitting on the side lines and discussing it with well informed Brethren. Or, if the reason you don't come out is because you don't like the way things are done, then "GET INVOLVED" and make your voice heard.

Remember Brethren, your 2005 dues are now due. We have several Brothers who have not paid their 2004 dues.

We need you to pay your dues. Suspensions will be handed out to those who are seriously in arrears. Don't hesitate to contact the Lodge Secretary to find out where you stand with your dues. Thank you in advance for your expected help in this matter.

January '05 February '05 March '05 April '05 May '05 June '05 September '05 October '05
November '05 December '05

March '05

Brethren,

As the Grand Master's one day class approaches, I am very excited by the fact that we have 22 candidates for the class. The men that have petitioned our lodge come to us with great enthusiasm, and what I like to call like minded. That is that they all want to join for the right reasons and have a belief in the good of society. I have been on several investigating committees and the reports of others have been glowing. In an effort to make these men feel welcome in OUR lodge, I would hope that everyone will come out to Grand Lodge on March 19th. Once again I implore all the Brethren of Lakewood Lodge to get out to lodge more frequently, And to GET INVOLVED...

January '05 February '05 March '05 April '05 May '05 June '05 September '05 October '05
November '05 December '05

April '05


Brethren, Join me in welcoming our newly made Brothers.

A big thank you to all of the Brethren who took time out of their busy schedules to attend and mentor the new Brothers at the Grand Master’s One Day Class. Although the class is over, our work is not done. I need all of you to step up and help in mentoring these Brothers with the completion of their journey. They all need to see each of the three degrees, and take their Master Mason's Exam.

As you all know our 11th Annual Charity Ball will be on April 16th. I strongly suggest that all of the Brethren of Lakewood Lodge GET INVOLVED in the preparations. As time is running out and I’m sure you all would like to see the charities do well. We need a head count on seating, and ads for the Ad Journal.

Please keep all our sick and distressed Brethren in our prayers. Let's also pray that our young men and women in the armed forces be safe and come home soon.

January '05 February '05 March '05 April '05 May '05 June '05 September '05 October '05
November '05 December '05

May '05


Join me in Welcoming our newly made Masons, Who took part in the GM's one day class on Saturday, April 16 Th. Thank You RW, Mike Tucker PGSB, for your much needed help.

The Charity Ball was also held on that Saturday. I guess all had a good time, I haven't heard any complaints yet. Thank You, To all who came out to make the Ball a success. And I want to Thank all the Officers and Brethren who gave of themselves, You know who you are. We all owe our Secretary WB, Sal Ferdico PM, a Big Thank You. If not for WB, Sal The Charity Ball would not have been the success it was. These Brothers are just a few examples of Masons showing the unselfish side of Masonry.

Then came the Annual Communication in Atlantic City, April 19,20,21. It was so nice to see that some of the Brethren from our Lodge could come down. The 20th hospitality room was very hospitable. And the Communication was Enlightening.

We have a lot coming up in May. So GET INVOLVED and I hope to see you all at the events coming up.

Lets all keep our sick and distressed Brethren in our prayers.

January '05 February '05 March '05 April '05 May '05 June '05 September '05 October '05
November '05 December '05

June '05

My Brother,

Have you stretched out your hand to help a failing or sick Brother?

Are you thankful for what you have?

Each of us will answer these questions in different ways and we will all come to the conclusion that we have all fallen short of what we could have achieved.

Masonry is a progressive, philosophical science; a grand experiment in freethinking and enlightenment that has repeatedly withstood the test of time. We are all part of that experiment and our actions today will set the path for future generations to come.

Within Freemasonry we are provided with invaluable tools to help us build "That house not made with hands eternal in the Heavens". If we neglect to take care of those tools or use them improperly they will deteriorate before we realize it.

My Brother, spend some time today to reflect upon the lessons you have learned within Freemasonry. Clean and repair those tools you have been neglecting. Spring cleaning should also be done to the heart, mind and conscience. Not just the garage.

Once again I implore ALL of you to "GET INVOLVED" in YOUR Lodge.

January '05 February '05 March '05 April '05 May '05 June '05 September '05 October '05
November '05 December '05

September '05

My Brother

Time truly does fly when your having fun! "Sorry Brothers" your summer is over, and it's time to Come out of Darkness and Come into the Light. Your senior officers were kept busy during the summer putting on our annual picnic and attending rehearsals on regular meeting nights. The picnic was a huge success. More than 80 people came and brought their children and grandchildren. It was especially nice to see so many of our new Brothers with their families, taking the opportunity to get to know their new Brothers. And if you didn't already know it. It was the hottest day of the year 107. An ATTA BOY goes to our Bro. SW Dave Wilson, Bro. JW Morris Sussman and Bro. SS Frank Rutkowski. The year for this administration is more then half over. I am eagerly looking forward to the second half, as I was in the beginning. We all have a busy couple of months ahead of us, with the GLI in October and an EA Degree to do in November. Once again, I want to stress the importance of all officers to be present at all Stated Communications. While we have been able to complete our work without those who have not been present, it just makes it easier on everyone involved and the experience that much better for everyone when you are ALL there.

All of you are very special to the Lodge and I would like to see more brethren in attendance. Remember this is YOUR Lodge, GET INVOLVED.

Please keep all of our sick and distressed Brethren and their families in your prayers. Also keep our service Men and Women in your prayers, that they may stay out of harms way.
January '05 February '05 March '05 April '05 May '05 June '05 September '05 October '05
November '05 December '05

October '05

Brethren, All year long I have been pleading with all of you and trying to get the point across that all of you need to GET INVOLVED. Apparently the plea has fallen on deaf ears. With only two months left in my year as Master of this Lodge, it sickens me to see how many of you just don't bother to make even the smallest effort to try to get to the Lodge for regular meetings.

Before I go any further, I must say BRAVO to the 20 to 30 brethren who do make an effort to make the meetings twice a month.

At the one day class we raised 23 new Master Masons, it makes it very difficult to keep and retain their interest in the Lodge when they see the same faces every meeting and I can understand why they feel this way, when only 10% or fewer make the effort.

In my opinion many of you think that once you were raised to the ‘Sublime Degree of Master Mason’, that all you need do is pay your dues and show up at a dance, picnic, or maybe a meeting once in a blue moon and blue moons are rare if non existent. This is the kind of thinking that has caused lodges to fall apart and or merge with other lodges.

Freemasonry isn't just another organization or club you join just so you can say that you're a Freemason. It is a Way of Life and I know sometimes not an easy one. Let's not forget that you asked to become a Freemason and I encourage, no I emplore ALL of You to read and reread the Obligations you have taken to become a Master Mason. This is something that I do when I find it necessary to remind myself why I asked to become a Mason and not just a joiner.

January '05 February '05 March '05 April '05 May '05 June '05 September '05 October '05
November '05 December '05

November '05

My Brothers, it has been said, “Unquestioned faith is no faith at all.” Do these wise words resonate within you? Have you questioned your Masonry lately? Do you ask yourself if you live up to the promises you made when you took upon yourself the obligations of your degrees? A regular habit should be developed to review what the challenges of Masonry are to you and to make a personal inventory of what you have accomplished as a Mason.

From its earliest inception Masonry is an idea meant to bind its members together and to make an everlasting mark upon their character. Today, although we know the work we do is steeped in a rich tradition of ritual and pageantry, we also know Masonry reaches far deeper than words alone can illustrate. We also know that Freemasonry's mission of making good men better reaches far beyond the personal boundaries of we the individual Brother. Masonry spans the gap between the individual efforts of a single soul and its effect upon the world as a whole. That effect, is amplified and energized by belonging to and working with a group that has the same single minded focus; that of making the world a better, a more open minded place in which to grow up, raise our children, care for our elders, retire with dignity and face our mortality with a satisfied sense of purpose.

The Lodge is where we can see that we make a difference and it is the place where we can say to ourselves, “Masonry, is a better organization because of me and I, a better man, because of it.” Because of your involvement at the Lodge level you are able to draw a connection between time spent at the Lodge and its effect on your family, friends and community.

Check your inventory. Does it include time spent with your family, living and demonstrating the values Masonry teaches? Does it include time for yourself, to contemplate the meaning of the mysteries that were emblematically represented to you beginning with your first entrance into the Lodge?

We have much to do, my Brothers; we cannot accomplish it all alone. "GET INVOLVED".

January '05 February '05 March '05 April '05 May '05 June '05 September '05 October '05
November '05 December '05

December '05

The time has come for me to write my final message to you as Worshipful Master. I will begin by saying that this year was indeed the most exhilarating and exhausting year I have ever spent in my life. To be put in a position of trust and leadership of such an extraordinary body of men is more than I could ever have hoped for.

The confidence and support the Brethren of our Lodge afforded me throughout the year, gave me the strength and courage needed to make difficult decisions. The unwavering support the Lodge Officers provided, allowed me to run our Lodge as smoothly and efficiently as possible.

Our Lodge has grown in stature this past year by reaching out to men on all points of the compass. I feel our Lodge not only looks representative of America, but the World as well. All this could not have happened had it not been for those 30 or so Brethren who make the attempt to come out to Lodge twice a month.

I pledge my support and best wishes to our incoming Worshipful Master and I hope all the brethren of Lakewood Lodge do the same. He will need all our help and support with his upcoming year.

And so my Brothers I will close here by simply saying, what I have been saying all year. "GET INVOLVED" Because if Lakewood Lodge # 174 falters and falls, All of you will be to blame for "NOT GETTING INVOLVED ."

January '05 February '05 March '05 April '05 May '05 June '05 September '05 October '05
November '05 December '05