Sad News and other information

Dear Brethren and Friends: It is my sad duty to report the passing of Mrs. Sharon Malantonio, wife of our Valley Brother, Carlo Malantonio, Jr.

The Funeral arrangements are: Viewing at Moore & Snear Funeral Home, 300 Fayette Street, Conshohocken, PA, Sunday, October 2, 2011, from 5 to 8 PM.

A Memorial Service will be held at LuLu Shrine, 5140 Butler Pike, Plymouth Meeting, PA on Monday, October 3, 2011 at 11:00 AM.

Interment is private.

May the Grand Architect Bless our Brother and his Family during this most difficult time.

Our Fall Reunion continues on Friday evening, October 21, 2011, with the Fall Special Convocation of DeJoinville Council, Princes of Jerusalem and the Special Assembly of Kilwinning Chapter of Rose Croix.

The 15th Degree, Knight of the East and the 18th Degree, Knight of Rose Croix will be presented to the members of our Fall Class, the "Ill. Thomas K. Sturgeon, 33, R.W. Grand Master Class."

We have 23 Candidates in the Class and they appear to be very excited and interested in this new step in their Masonic career. Be sure to welcome and congratulate them at our next gathering.

The buffet dinner experiment at our September 16th dinner went very well. We will be doing it again in October.

The Menu for the October dinner is: Caesar Salad, Manhattan Clam Chowder, Buffet Dinner Selections (including a fish entree) and a Roast Pork Carving Station. The cost per person before the Wednesday, October 19th deadline is $15. The cost per person after the deadline is $25.

Reservations can be made by calling 215-563-1814 or by email at phila.aasr@juno.com or on the Valley's Facebook group page, Valley of Philadelphia, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, by clicking the "I'm Attending" button on the Fall Special Convocation and Special Assembly event page.

With so many ways to let us know you're coming you can't miss the deadline unless you don't do it!

Don't forget the fund raiser for the Children's Dyslexia Center, "A Toast to Reading" on Friday, October 28, 2011. For information please visit, A Toast To Reading.

Also regarding the Center, Barnes and Noble is having a "Dyslexia Awareness Day" on Saturday, November 5, 2011. If you purchase something at a Barnes and Noble store use Voucher ID# 10531267 and our Center will receive up to 20% of your purchase price! You can also shop at http://www.barnesandnoble.com/ Tell your friends about this great opportunity to do some holiday shopping and support a great cause! Please note that this fund raiser is for the PHILADELPHIA Center only. What's paid here, stays here to benefit OUR Center!

Also, there is another way for you to support our Center and another Masonic program - On Saturday, November 5, 2011, after you've done your book shopping at Barnes and Noble, stop by the Tacony Masonic Temple, 4400 Magee Avenue. The Masonic Blood Donor Club is having a Blood Drive from 10 AM to 4 PM to benefit our Center. Yes, that's right, to BENEFIT our Center! For every pint of blood donated, a $10 donation will be made to the PHILADELPHIA Children's Dyslexia Center. This is a great opportunity to help our Center, our Blood Club, our Community, and yourself, if you are not currently a member of the Blood Club.

Anyone can donate at the Blood Drive, you do not have to be a Mason or even a Blood Club member. If you are already a member and know of a Brother who isn't, you can donate in his name and get him into the Club, plus a $10 donation is made to the Dyslexia Center, how fantastic is that?

Before you donate blood, or buy books, don't forget our Fall Special Rendezvous on Friday evening , November 4, 2011. Our Class Honoree, Ill. Thomas K. Sturgeon, 33, Right Worshipful Grand Master and Active Member of the Supreme Council will be in attendance. Also making his very FIRST visit to the Valley of Philadelphia, as Deputy for Pennsylvania, will be our Brother and Friend, Ill. Russell W. Baker, 33. Bro. Russ was elevated to Deputy at the Supreme Council Sessions this past August in Chicago. Come on out and greet both of our Illustrious Brethren.

That evening the 27th Degree, Knight of Jerusalem, the 31st Degree, Knight Aspirant and the 32nd Degree, Sublime Prince of the Royal Secret will be presented. It has been quite some time since the 27th Degree has been presented in the Valley of Philadelphia, so yes, this is an official, SCOTTISH RITE PASSPORT ALERT! Be sure to have yours with you.

Don't forget our Family Life event, "Christmas in Hershey" Checks are already coming in for this event, it should be a great one! To those that have purchased tickets, we do not have the tickets on hand yet, but have been assured by Hershey Park that they will be sent to us shortly. As soon as I have them in the office, I will get them out to you.

And lastly, our Valley will celebrate the season on Friday, December 16, 2011 at the Radisson Hotel Philadelphia Northeast, 2400 Old Lincoln Highway at US Route 1 in Trevose, PA.

The evening will begin with the Social Hour at 6:00 PM (there will be 2 cash bars in the room), during which the Ladies of the Valley will have their gift basket sale going to support the Children's Dyslexia Center. The Ladies are each designing a basket to offer at this event. Also a Silent Auction will be held to benefit the Center. We are currently look for donations for the Auction, if you can help, or for more information, call the Scottish Rite Office at 215-563-1814. At 7:00 PM a delicious Buffet Dinner will be served.  The cost for this event is $15 per person. More information will be available soon.

Well that will do it for this edition. I pray that the Grand Architect watches over each and everyone of you and your families.

Please remember Mrs. Sharon Malantonio in your prayers as well as Bro. Carlo and the family.

Sincerely and fraternally,

Steven A. Morrison, 33
Valley Secretary

 

A Few Things

Brethren and Friends:

This Friday, 16 September is the start of our Fall 2011 Reunion. The evening begins at 6:00 PM in the Grand Banquet Room with a Buffet Dinner. This will be the first time we are trying the buffet, hopefully it will speed up our dinner service and get everyone up to Gothic Hall so we can get started on time. The DEADLINE for dinner reservations is TOMORROW, Wednesday, 14 September, call the Scottish Rite Office 215-563-1814 or email to phila.aasr@juno to make your reservation. The cost per person is $15 before the deadline, after the deadline it's $25, so as we say in Masonry, GOVERN YOURSELF ACCORDINGLY.

The Degrees to be presented Friday night are the 4th, Master Traveler (DVD Format), the 12th, Master of Mercy, and the 14th, Grand Elect Mason.

We have 23 Candidates for the Class, which will be known as the "Ill. Thomas K. Sturgeon, 33, Right Worshipful Grand Master Class." Lets give them a hearty welcome to Scottish Rite and the Valley of Philadelphia.

While we are conferring Degrees, the Ladies will have an entertaining musical program, so bring your Lady along for a great night of friendship and fun!

I have received word that Bro. Ronald Hill is home and recovering from post surgical procedures. Bro. Ron is active with our Degree Casts. We wish him a full and speedy recovery. If you wish to send him a card or note, please contact me in the Scottish Rite Office for his information.

I have also received word that Valley Brother, William Fenton is in the hospital. Bro. Bill and his wife, Susan have been active Valley attendees in the past. If you wish to send a card or note to Bro. Bill, again, contact the Scottish Rite Office for more information.

This Saturday's bus trip to Autumn Day at the Masonic Village at Elizabethtown, has changed a bit. We didn't get the response to this trip that we had hoped for, so we've downsized from 2 buses to 1. The bus will leave from Tacony Temple, 4400 Magee Avenue, NE Philadelphia at 9:00 AM and pick up at LuLu Shrine Center, 5140 Butler Pike, Plymouth Meeting at 9:30 AM. We have a 47 seat bus with 33 seats spoken for. 14 seats remain. If you wish to go on the trip contact the Scottish Rite Office today at 215-563-1814. Don't delay!

Well, that's the few things I have for you. If you're coming Friday night, I'll see you there!

Sincere fraternal regards,

Steven A. Morrison, 33
Valley Secretary

A Day of Remembrance

Brethren and Friends:

On this most somber day when we remember and memorialize those lost on this most tragic chapter in history, I pause to reflect on not only what happened that dreadful moment in time and the war that rages on today because of it, but also on our beloved Fraternity.

Freemasonry in general and the Scottish Rite in particular reminds and teaches us that we are all children of God. We are taught to be tolerant of the beliefs of another and to be charitable to our fellow man.

The enemies of our nation and in fact of all peaceful people are also the enemies of Freemasonry. Our lessons and deeds are despised by those that would seek to peform evil upon the innocent. Charity, Relief and Truth are not a part of their doctrine. Their misguided belief that death is the penalty for those who's beliefs may differ, defy the very existence of our loving Heavenly Father.

Masonry in America supports our Armed Forces and rightfully so. Many Brethren who now wear the lambskin once wore and some still do, America's uniform. They proudly served our nation and now as Freemasons they proudly serve a Fraternity that serves for the betterment of mankind. The same can be said of Freemasons around the world. Masons are patriots and good citizens.

Masonry also supports those who believe that all men can live in a peaceful world, practicing what ever religious belief we choose to follow, and share the charity of that religion with everyone regardless of personal belief. We are a Brotherhood of Man, under the Fatherhood of God.

Terrorism and intolerance have no place in what has become a shrinking globe. We are closer today as a world people than we've ever been. The internet, social media and other technologies have taken down barriers that have prevented mankind from sharing new ideas, art, literature, music and science with one another. With this availability to other cultures, how can we not appreciate each other for the simple truth of human sameness regardless of national origin or religious belief?

To those that would want to harm that, I say, "you're missing out." You're missing out on grasping our true human mission of Brotherhood. And that is a shame.

May the Grand Architect continue to bless each of you, your families, our country, those who serve it and all who love peace throughout the world.

Sincerely and fraternally,

Steven A. Morrison, 33
Valley Secretary