MW Jeffrey M. Williamson Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Free & Accepted Masons in the State of New York from the Grand East MW Jeffrey M
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SUMMER 2016 MW Jeffrey M. WilliaMson Grand Master of the Grand lodGe of free & accepted Masons in the state of neW york From the Grand east MW Jeffrey M. WilliaMson, Grand Master y Brothers, there are simply no words to express the The genius of Freemasonry lies in its ability to transform indescribable emotions and feelings to be elected and itself through succeeding generations. While never straying Minstalled as the 105th Grand Master of the Grand Lodge Free from its core beliefs, it regenerates itself anew, making and Accepted Masons of the State of New York. It is without itself meaningful and relevant to the present generation. As a doubt, one of the highest pinnacles of my life and I am truly stakeholders of this Institution, we must all be held to the grateful to the brethren of this Grand Jurisdiction for giving me highest standard in providing excellence within the Masonic the unique opportunity to serve our Brotherhood. I promise experience and I am deeply committed to achieving the goals that with the help of the Great Architect of the Universe, I will and objectives that have been placed before us. perform this duty in a spirit of fairness, openness, inclusiveness Although Grand Lodge has many outstanding and and brotherly love. worthwhile charities, Carla and I choose Wiley Hall to be As New York Freemasons it is important to understand our official charity for this term. Wiley Hall is located in the that we are all stewards of this great Fraternity. We are an beautiful Masonic Care Community in Utica, New York and interdependent society and what each of us does in our is the very manifestation and embodiment of our Masonic respective Lodges affects us all. From Massena to Jamestown, Obligation. There you will find a loving environment that from Long Island to Niagara Falls we all share a mandatory takes care of our Brothers and Sisters. All proceeds from the obligation to practice and promote our “Way of Life” and Grand Master’s lapel pins and “Way of Life” wrist bands will impart our time-tested teachings to our newest votaries. Over benefit Wiley Hall. Please consider a generous donation that the course of history our beloved Fraternity has faced some will enable us to lift up the spirits of our residents and add serious challenges and we have always risen up to overcome value to their stay. adversity. My Brothers, the time has come to address our issues Freemasons are builders and the Craftsmen are most and work to improve all facets of our organization. energized when work is properly laid out on the Trestleboard My motto for this term is a “Way of Life.” A Freemason by the Master Builder. Over the next few years we are counting practices courtesy and civility in society, honesty and fairness on you for your support and resolve to make these designs come in business, kindness in the home, pity and concern for to fruition. The world desperately needs what Freemasonry the unfortunate, resistance toward evil, help for the weak, has to offer. Our very existence on this planet would be more forgiveness for the penitent, love for one another, and above pleasant and uplifting if the world would simply embrace our all reverence and love for God. Freemasonry is many things, “Way of Life” and the resulting actions, which emanate as a but most of all, it is a “Way of Life.” force for good from our gentle Fraternity. The overarching symbol for our Grand Lodge Masonic May God bless our men and women in the Armed Forces. Trestleboard is the North Star. What is the significance of May God bless America. And may God’s richest blessings be the North Star? The North Star doesn’t change locations. It is yours. steady and reassuring, something you can always count on. It is the only fixed point in the night sky and is a sure reference for setting one’s course. On the new Grand Master’s lapel pin the letter “G” is emblazoned in the center of the star to remind us of the Great Architect of the Universe. New York Masons have begun the process of rejecting mediocrity and complacency within our Lodges. Instead, we choose to set a new course: To rejuvenate and upgrade our Vision Statement: “Where a united and highly motivated Lodges; address our continuing membership challenges; to Brotherhood, working together to achieve quality and change, evolve and reshape our jurisdiction; while at all times excellence in the Masonic experience, will be recognized as a keeping our eyes fixed upon the steady and reassuring values premier and world class institution.” of our kind and gentle Craft. 2 THE EMPIRE STATE MASON MAGAZINE “Way of Life” SUMMER 2016 TABLE OF CONTENTS Volume 65 / number 2 / sUMMer 2016 IN THIS ISSUE featured HigHligHts: elected Grand line . 4 - 8 appointed Grand line. 9 Distinguished achievement award. 16 st John’s Day schedule . 18 Committee on youth - Totton essay . 19 Grand Master Journal . 24 Grand Master’s Ball. 25 Grand Master’s family Day at West Point . 37 Grand Master’s Day at Camp Turk . 47 Grand Master’s Cruise . 48 Photo Credit: Frank Gaskill Frank Credit: Photo Grand Master and his Lady, fficers and Ommittees Jeffrey and Carla Williamson O c : Grand east . 2 Grand secretary (Be it Known) . 10 - 15 Masonic Care Community. 20 Webmaster . 22 Masonic Brotherhood fund . 27 awards Committee . 28 Grand Chaplain’s Corner . 29 international order of the rainbow for Girls . 30 TRUSTEES OF THE MASONIC HALL AND ASYLUM FUND new york DeMolay . 31 Publisher Masonic Medical research laboratory . 32 The Empire State Mason Grand lodge educational assistance Program (eaP). 34 is an Official Publication of the Trustees of the Masonic Grand Historian. 35 Hall and Asylum Fund. acacia Village . 36 Edited by the Grand Lodge of years of service. 38-44 Free and Accepted Masons of the State of New York for the Dates to remember and submission Guidelines. 45 members of the Masonic Fraternity Grand lecturer . 46 and their families. CONSULTANTS PosTMasTer: Jeffrey M. WilliaMson CHarles CaTaPano PeTer a. fliHan iii Please send address changes to: Grand Master – editor in Chief Deputy Grand Master Grand Treasurer The empire state Mason Circulation Department JOAN C. BoWer riCHarD s. Morley PaUl M. rosen 71 West 23rd street assistant editor senior Grand Warden Grand secretary ny, ny 10010-4149 Periodicals Class Publication no. 56874 niCHolas J. PaoliCelli LORAINE DiBley 1-(800) 362-7664 Junior Grand Warden Graphic Designer Website at www.nymasons.org subscription $6.00 Domestic, $15.00 foreign per year. subscription free to all members of constituent lodges of the Grand lodge f. & a.M. state of new york. Copyright ©2016 by the Trustees of the Masonic Hall and asylum fund. all rights reserved. reproduction by recognized Masonic organizations is permitted with credit. all others must obtain written permission. Published quarterly in spring, summer, fall, and Winter months by the Trustees of the Masonic Hall and asylum fund, 71 West 23rd street, ny, ny 10010-4149. THe eMPire sTaTe Mason (issn 0013-6794 Published at 71 West 23rd street, ny, ny 10010-4149). Periodicals postage paid at new york, ny and additional mailing offices. elected Grand line 2016 – 2018 Grand master mW Jeffrey m. Williamson W Jeffrey M. Williamson of Akron, New York is the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted MMasons in the State of New York. Brother Williamson is proud to be a thirty-eight- year member of Western Star Lodge No. 1185 in Lackawanna, NY. He served as Master of Buffalo Lodge in 1984 and 1985 and District Deputy Grand Master of the Second Erie District in 1998-2000. He also served or chaired several District and Grand Lodge Committees and enjoys Honorary Memberships in several sister Lodges, as well. Active in the entire York Rite, Brother Williamson OPC, KYGCH, has presided in all the major bodies, serving as Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter RAM, State of New York in 2010-11 and Northeast Deputy General Grand High Priest, General Grand Chapter RAM International 2013-2015. In the Scottish Rite he is a Past Sovereign Prince of the Valley of Buffalo and a 33rd Degree Scottish Rite Mason. He and his wife Carla have been married for forty-three years. They have two married sons and two granddaughters. Brother Williamson is also a past Clerk of Session and a member of Alden Presbyterian Church. Professionally, Brother Williamson recently retired from Ferguson Electric in Buffalo. New York. He completed almost twenty-five years of service as a Project Manager and Licensed Master Electrician. In the little spare time he has, Jeff enjoys spending time in the great outdoors, which includes fly-fishing and traveling. He was also active in breeding, training and competing with AKC hunting Beagles and finished four field champions, including one International Field Champion. Brother Williamson is very excited for the opportunity to lead the brethren of the Grand Lodge of the State of New York. He welcomes the opportunity to make a difference in our Craft. Photo Credit: Frank Gaskill Frank Credit: Photo 4 THE EMPIRE STATE MASON MAGAZINE “Way of Life” SUMMER 2016 elected Grand line 2016 – 2018 deputy Grand master rW charles catapano W Charles Catapano was Raised in Wantagh Lodge 1112 (now Wantagh Morton 63), 1st Nassau District in RApril 1985. Since then he has held many positions within the Lodge and District, including Master in 1993, Treasurer from 1993-2014, District Deputy Grand Master in 2008- 2010 and Assistant Grand Lecturer from 2012-2014.