Harmony in Diversity
Posted by WM Sherwin Enriquez | Filed under Worshipful Master
To all the dignitaries in the East, to the members of our Sister Lodge, Island-Luz-Minerva # 5, to the brethren of Frank Reed Horton Memorial Lodge # 379, where I am both a Charter and a Dual member, to the member-lodges of Masonic District NCR –A, to the Scottish Rite Masons of Manila Bodies, to the Nobles of Bamboo Shrine Club, to the Sir Knights and Companions of Luzon York Rite, members of the Lafayette Square and Compass Club (APO-Travelers), members of other appendant bodies, to all the dignitaries and brethren on the floor, APO brothers and sister, my family, friends, colleagues, guests, ladies and gentlemen good evening!
On behalf of St. John’s- Corregidor Lodge # 3, I would like to thank you all for gracing this momentous occasion, the 104th Public Installation Ceremonies, of the elected and appointed officers of our Lodge for the ensuing Masonic Year 2011.
I also offer my profound gratitude to VW Rizal Antonio D. Meru PDGL, VW Arnel M. Ofendo-Reyes PDDGM and Bro. Zidney G. Zamora, for their willingness to be our Installing Team in today’s Installation Ceremonies, Brod. Ruel S. Rivera for delivering the tribute to the flag and to Brod. Arnel C. Chua for covering tonight’s affair. It was a job very well done. Brethren and Guests, how about a round of warm applause for all of them!
Tonight’s installation marks the start of an honorable and equally challenging tasks for us particularly to the newly installed officers, not excluding the other members of our beloved Mother Lodge, St. John’s-Corregidor Lodge # 3.
Soon we shall be facing the very same challenges our brothers trekked long before us took, but triumphantly overcame adding honor and glory to our Lodge. Such honor and mysticism in our present century continue, however, to attract good men to become members of our Fraternity, and in due time, not doubting, to lead the Lodge to greater glory based on the ancient and accepted principles She has inculcated in us. But then, how soon and when is that time?
My dear brethren, the time is now. With the wisdom of the Great Architect of the Universe, guidance from our elders and worthy brothers, we shall triumph and bring Her further to greater heights. We will continue what our forefathers had started, yet introduce and inject the youthful idealism and tireless enthusiasm within us, which I believe will aid our fraternal organization to advance and move on forward with dispatch from generation to generation.
Harmony in Diversity
In this light, “Harmony in Diversity” will be our Lodge Theme for this ensuing Masonic Year. Harmony, being our strength and support, will mantle upon all our brethren from the past, present and future generations to come.
We shall use Diversity in our favor. Our individual skills, talents and ideas, old and new, will be utilized to come up with several meaningful yet cheerful activities for our Mother Lodge, and our society in general.
To put it lightly, some may want, like the Elders, to have Max’s Fried Chicken, while some may, the Young Ones, desire Mang Inasal’s Chicken. But the point is, together with its mouth watering side dishes, we will all be having chicken.
We shall do this one step at a time, like a child first learning how to walk. We will go back to the basics – answer the same questions we were all asked when we joined the craft, our purpose why we joined the fraternity. Which was answered by improving ourselves in Masonry, that will eventually reflect positive values in the basic unit of our society, our families, and produce constructive standards and ethics to our country, as a fully participating citizen.
In our several projected programs, concerted efforts and worthwhile activities, between brothers and friends, let there be no tally sheet on the exchange of good deeds and kindness. Instead, let there remain simple and good memories within us, and get the assurances of more good things to come to our beloved Lodge. We will not allow past trials and pains dampen our spirit. Let us allow countless blessings and happy memories inspire us to move on to accomplish our duties and responsibilities as Men and as Masons.
Let us give a boost, if not maintain, the wonders initiated and delivered by our Past Masters in bringing our Lodge back to its gleaming brilliance. I am sure you will agree, my Brethren, that what we see and enjoy now are merely remnants or shadows of an even greater or glorious one. We must work with zealousness and be convinced that we are on our way back to where we rightfully belong.
I pray that, may the strong circle of friendship and service that bind our Brotherhood grow even stronger. May the tried and proven tenets of Freemasonry remain in us shining and linger forever. And may the standard of our Craft eternally stay high and pure within us.
Similarly, my dear Brethren, I ask you to stand by me as your Worshipful Master, and to support my thrust programs. On our Masonic theme, let us collectively contemplate and stimulate ourselves, and by its dictate strive to regulate our conduct for the greater glory of our revered Lodge.
Maraming salamat at mabuhay tayong lahat!
Sherwin SJ. Enriquez
Worshiful Master MY 2011-2012
St. John’s-Corregidor Lodge No. 3