Grand Secretary’s Message

Mansour Hatefi, PGM Grand Secretary

As we look forward to the year ahead and reflect back on the year past and take stock, we can not help but feel good about the course of events in this Grand Jurisdiction. To say that this has been a banner year is certainly no exaggeration. But rather than dwelling on the significant achievements of our Brethren so far, let us focus on the phenomena that has brought all this about. It must be said with confidence that the guideline set early on by our Grand Master, “to empower the Constituent Lodges

and the membership, as the real builders of the Craft,”

has proved, as expected, enormously effective. It has been inspiring and has paved the way for continued improvement, meaningful growth and further elevation of the Fraternity in our community.

Abiding faith in our eternal purpose and destiny, has given rise to renewed hope and expectation about the future of our fraternity, and has given us all a growing sense of pride in the Craft: our heritage, and our achievements; pride about who we are; pride in our values, and pride for being part of this unique Jurisdiction.

All this, together with the unexpected, but most welcome publicity concerning our institution around the world, has been a source of inspiration for those entrusted with serving the Brethren and providing them assistance in their labors. Faithful, consistent and unselfish service, with assiduity and humility, is fast becoming the norm, and titles and awards are considered, more than ever, a call for strengthened commitment and obligation to make a difference for good in the world

In return, our Brethren have responded positively and with a can do attitude; striving to work harder and better both within and without the Lodge; they are looking at their labors as a means of constant growth; they are taking charge of their own affairs, communicating their ideas and ideals freely, and getting involved in mapping out the future course of this Grand Lodge.

Strong belief in the power of participation has increased attendance at the Grand Lodge Communications, and discussions at such gatherings are livelier and more constructive than has been the case in recent years. The voting members of the Grand Lodge, when asked to elect their leaders, select those who will serve our Grand Lodge with dignity and distinction; and when considering changes or additions to the Grand Lodge Code, look well to their ballots and vote for the good of the Craft.

It is generally recognized that these Communications are of vital importance to our fraternity and afford us the opportunity, not only to renew old relationships and foster new ones, but most importantly to avail ourselves of the proper forum to discuss and shape the future of Freemasonry in this Jurisdiction, and perhaps, influence Masonic thoughts and trends elsewhere.

Approaching the end of the first page of a new chapter in our Masonic history and at the threshold of a new and promising Masonic era, the realization by our Brethren of their duties and responsibilities, their sense of the influence they exert on their fellow men in the world, are the tests on which we base the estimation of our present position, and the appraisal of the ideals towards which we press on. We are ready. Let us welcome the future!

Focus on where you want to go instead of where you have been

—John Marks Templeton