Brethren:

My theme/goal for 2010 is to assist all lodge members in their quest to become better men – “change for the good of all” is being achieved with the help of all the past masters, officers, and newest brothers that are enjoying the well performed degree rituals thus far. If you have not been to lodge recently, please stop by, and enjoy the brotherly love, relief, and truth that we show. All that is required is your current dues card.

This trestleboard sees our country in the mists of tremendous needs. Here is a short list of some to the serious needs of our Country, as I see it: employment, health care, border and national security issues, clean energy issues, state budget issues, federal budget issues, 2 wars – one escalated and one winding down, veteran health issues, political gridlock concerns, Wall Street and Main Street issues, the education of our youth, and the re-education of our middle class to live not survive in the 21st century. As Charles Dickens in the first sentence in his novel entitled “Tale of Two Cities” wrote, ‘it was the worst of times; it was the best of times.’ What is the answer to all our nations’ woes? The solution to our nation’s needs appears to be an ongoing works in progress. The process of “chipping away” at monumental tasks is like the operative mason removing the rough stone in pursuit of the perfect ashler. Progress is a process not an event. People committing, caring, and communicating in honest, open, and willing ways historically has been the way up and out for any individual and any society in need of change. On a much smaller scale, our goal of 2010 “change for the good of all” will require each of our lodge’s members personal progress to achieve their best individual effort on a daily basis to commit, care, and honestly communicate with each other -- the Masonic way. Obedience to the tenets of the order, our honorable duty to our fellow masons, is our “chipping away.”

In closing, I remain grateful for the opportunity to serve with a great new and old guard of masons who seem to be practicing the tenets of Masonry to the best of their abilities. Thank you brothers.

Brother John Forlenza-Bailey, WM