Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Massachusetts

The Herald

November 2005

Dear Companion:

This is my last Herald as Grand High Priest! The last three years seem as if they started only yesterday. We have so many great Capitular Masons in our Jurisdiction and their help and dedication have made my three years a pleasure! I am satisfied that this Jurisdiction has made great strides in membership. Chapters have candidates in their pipelines and the Chapter officers have strived to perform their ritual or have district Degree teams perform the work.

I thank Mt. Horeb Royal Arch Chapter for their support, and especially R\E\ Max Ludwig, Jr. who started my three year term by being the chairman of the wonderful reception for me held in Lowell, MA. He also kept me aware of York Rite events and gave me fatherly advice on many occasions. R\E\Ludwig has been my friend for many years. I will never forget his friendship.

I have made known that the Jurisdiction of Massachusetts is alive and healthy throughout these United States. I have been favored to attend Annual and special meetings of 21 Sister Jurisdictions in our Country and 4 Provinces in Canada.

Our Grand Royal Arch Chapter Annual Convocation will be held Tuesday, Dec 13, 2005, in the Grand Lodge Building, Boston, MA. Our Grand Chapter Degree Team will confer all the Degrees of our order. I will authorize Special Business Meetings to allow the voting on new candidates prior to December 9, 2005.

Oct. 22, 2005 I attended the Annual Assembly of the Grand Commandery of Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Sir Knight John Haraden Day, Jr. was installed as the Right Eminent Grand Commander. I have known Sir Kt. Day for many years and I congratulate him and know he will put forth his best effort for our Grand Commandery.

Oct. 23, 2005 I had the privilege to be at the Affirmation Day service organized by the 4^th and 9^th Capitular Districts. The service was conducted by E. and Rev. Matthew J. Wissell at his Church, the West Boylston United Methodist Church. The attendance was high, the meal was wonderful, and the service was moving. Rev. Wissell’s sermon was tied together with Masonry and our Capitular degrees. Here is an excerpt from his Sermon:

“I like the story about the guy who was watching a couple of men at work in a local park. One guy would dig a hole and the other guy would fill it back up with dirt. This went on for an hour. The guy who was watching all of this, finally, couldn’t take it any more. He went over and asked the workers why one of them was digging holes while the other one was filling them back up. One of the workers spoke up. “Well, you see, it’s like this. The guy who plants the trees is on vacation.”

Too often that has been the parable for the Masonic organizations. Too many people forget about the future. They don’t see what they are doing or not doing as connected to the ongoing continual work of the Craft. They don’t consider those who will be following. Chapter was not something we created, it is a gift from God, and it is not our choice to destroy it. People of vision don’t just think about themselves, they think about the future, and they leave a legacy.

I am challenging us to respond to God. Biblical characters responded in lots of different ways. So will we. Moses said he was, “slow of speech,” Jeremiah said he was “too young.” Amos said, “I am no prophet.” Mary, the mother of Jesus, said “How can this be?” Peter said he was, “too sinful.” The centurion said he was “not worthy.” The Apostle Paul said, “I know that nothing good lives in me.” Today, it is our turn. God calls. God doesn’t ask if we’re suitable or even if we think we can do the job. God only asks if we are available. How will you respond?”

On Oct. 30^th I attended the Affirmation Sunday service organized by District 2 at the Calvary Episcopal Church in Danvers. The breakfast was outstanding, the attendance was good and the service was inspiring.

Nov. 10 - Your Grand High Priest will be in attendance at the Regular Convocation of Neponset Valley Royal Arch Chapter in Norwood, MA. He will be received at 8:00 P.M.

Nov. 20 - Your Grand High Priest Will be in attendance at the Annual Fall Charity Concert in Middleboro, MA. Tickets and ad forms are available through your District Deputy Grand High Priest or on the Grand Chapter web site. Please consider an ad for the ad book for yourself or your Chapter in support of our Grand Chapter charities.

Dec. 6 - Your Grand High Priest will be making his final Visitation to Mt. Horeb Royal Arch Chapter.

Dec. 7, 8 - Your Grand High Priest will be in attendance at the Annual Convocation of the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Pennsylvania.

Dec. 12, 13 - The Annual Convocation of the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Massachusetts will be held in the Grand Lodge building in Boston, MA. The hotel is the Radisson on Stuart St. in Boston. The schedule, room, and reservation forms are in the hands of your Chapter Secretary and available on the Grand Chapter web site.

Until the next time I am in your company, I remain,

Yours fraternally,

M\E\ Charles A. O’Wril, Jr.

Grand High Priest, 2002-2005