Join us for an afternoon of Bavarian cheer, local flavour, and community celebration at the historic Westboro Masonic Hall.
Enjoy craft beer, traditional eats, live music, Lodge Room tours, and a silent auction—plus exclusive perks through our Prost Pass program in partnership with Westboro businesses.
Brethren,
I hope you all survived the heat and had an enjoyable summer with many good memories. I spent the summer traveling around Southern Ontario and the United States as my 16-year-old had his first foray into travel baseball. While the travel was intense, I truly appreciated the opportunity to spend time with my son as he gains his independence. It is amazing how time flies.
I also want to say that it was a pleasure to see so many members and prospects at the Bytown BBQ, and other social events over the summer—a huge thank you to Bro. Walden
for hosting, to the sun for shedding its rays upon us, and to everyone who brought a dish.
Thank you as well to the Brethren who attended Grand Lodge in July, and those who made it out to the Ottawa District 2 meeting in August. Our DDGM appreciated our support at both events.
I also want to show my appreciation for the Officers who made it out to the first annual Bytown Officers Retreat. While we have a busy year ahead of us, I know this team will make it successful.
We indeed have a packed schedule, with a number of degrees to confer and no less than four activities in September alone. Further to our CGP and Regular Meeting where we will be opening and closing in all three degrees, and balloting for two applications for affiliation, we also have our annual visit to attend the Golden Rule Lodge Third Degree at the top of Owl’s Head Mountain on September 27, and Grand Lodge Appreciation Night on September 29. We will also try to fit in a Finance Committee meeting.
I am looking forward to the year ahead and the inclusion of masonic education at as many meetings as possible, so please sign up on the spreadsheet. Simply find a topic that interests you and put together no more
than 5 minutes. Speak to one of our Past Masters if you need help finding a resource. This is a great opportunity to hone your public speaking skills and explore our system of morality, veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols.
“A pessimist sees the difficulty in every
opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity
in every difficulty.”
– Bro. Winston Churchill
W. Bro. Jon Orazietti
Worshipful Master, Bytown Lodge
Brethren,
I would like to take this opportunity to thank those responsible for my installation in May. To the Past Masters’s of Bytown, particularly V.W. Bro. George Ingraham and W Bro. Brodie Fraser, thank you for organizing the Ceremony of Installation—it was a night I will never forget!
To R.W. Bro. Richard Loomes, thank you for agreeing to be my Installing Master. While you didn’t know it during your time as DDGM in 2016, you played a key role in my masonic journey, and I might not have made it here otherwise. I am truly honoured that you agreed to be a part of this milestone in my life. Please let this be a lesson to all that you never know the impact you will have on the lives of others, so take every moment to act with uprightness and kindness.
To W. Bro. Peter Ruttan, thank you for your mentorship and leadership over the past year. As always, you are a hard act to follow, but I am very glad to have you by my side for the upcoming year. Thank you as well for agreeing to “move back a chair” for the initiation we have planned for June 5th.
To my mother, my son, and my beautiful wife, as well as to Holly Hawkins and Tamara MacDonald, thank you for cooking, serving, and cleaning up after my installation meal. I was honoured to have you as part of my installation night as well—you allowed us to make the most of the night. A big thanks to V.W. Bro. Scott Macdonald for the dessert, and to my wonderful sister-in-law for the masonic ashlar cake. Everyone agreed that, while we strive for the perfect side, the rough side is sometimes tastier.
Lastly, and certainly not least, thank you to the many brethren who participated in the Board of Installed Masters and/or the investment of the officers of Bytown Lodge, as well as to the visiting brethren from around the district.
To the brethren who have accepted officer positions within lodge—a very special thank you to you. While we will be learning together, I am excited to face the upcoming year with such a great group.
Finally, to all the brethren of Bytown Lodge, thank you for your faith in me as your Worshipful Master. I will strongly uphold my duties while maintaining our “Friendly” reputation.
As Henry Ford said, “If everyone is moving forward together, then success takes care of itself.”
Sincerely & Fraternally,
W. Bro. Jon Orazietti
Worshipful Master, Bytown Lodge
