Calendar
April 2025
Apr 07 Executive Committee Meeting Live in Person 7:00 p.m.
Apr 12 Saturday “Feast of the Paschal Lamb” 2:30 p.m. Ceremony
Following Ceremony Light Buffet in the dining room
Apr 14 163rd Annual Reunion
6:00 p.m. Social / 6:30 p.m. Dinner / 7:30 p.m. Program
Apr 28 Trustees 6:15 p.m. / Executive Committee Meeting in Person 7:00 p.m.
May 2025
May 07 Wednesday “Rite on the Road” - 4° “Builder” 7:30 p.m.
Location To be announced
May 12 Guard’s Club Dinner & Annual Meeting 6:15 / Central City Bodies Annual Meeting & Election of Officers 7:30 p.m.
May 19 Public Installation of Officers
6:00 p.m. Social / 6:30 p.m. Dinner / 7:30 p.m. Installation
Consistory
Our 5 Degree festival is now behind us. A hearty welcome to the newest Scottish Riters in our Valley. I hope that your experience in Scottish Rite Masonry is as rewarding as mine has been. I would also like to express my sincere appreciation to all the Princes who have assisted in presenting the live degrees we have included in our degree schedule this year. In addition to the cast members who have worked to memorize and present their parts, there is also an unseen cast including casting and degree directors, stage hands, props and lighting assistants which all combine to result in what, hopefully, turns out to be a moving degree presentation. I am pleased that we have all come together and for the first time since COVID we have done the new 32 nd Degree, Sublime Prince of the Royal Secret, LIVE and entirely with Valley of Syracuse members. There is a place for video degrees, but in my opinion nothing compares to the impact of a live presentation.
Looking ahead, there are two important Valley events scheduled this month. The Feast of the Pascal Lamb is scheduled for Sunday afternoon, April 11th beginning at 2:30 PM. The Feast is a moving memorial service for all the Valley members who have passed away over the last year. Much like a degree, cast members work hard to learn their parts and present their work in a dramatic and moving manner. Following the Ceremony there will be a light buffet in the dining room. Next up is our 163rd Annual Reunion scheduled for Monday, April 12th. It will begin with a social time at 6:00 PM to allow time for everyone to renew old acquaintances as well as to greet our new members. Social time will be followed by Dinner at 6:30 PM and the Consistory meeting at 7:30 PM.
Princes, we are still in the running for the Valley of Excellence, but as I write this article we are still a little light on reaching our new member goal. The Valley of Excellence program awards a substantial number of points for reaching our goal of 14 new Scottish Rite members, so it is important that we continue to keep our eyes and ears open for prospective members. If you have enjoyed your experience in Scottish Rite Masonry, why not encourage a Masonic acquaintance to share this enjoyable experience with you. The last currently scheduled opportunity to initiate additional members will be at a Rite on the Road event scheduled for Wednesday, May 7th , 7:00 PM at Masonic Memorial Temple. We will plan on doing two video degrees that night...the 4th degree for any new candidates and the second degree that evening will be a “Princes Choice”. That is, those Sovereign Princes who attend that evening will select from available video degrees and choose which degree will be shown in addition to the 4th . If you have a degree which has been difficult to find this could be an opportunity to get that last elusive degree needed to fill out your passport.
Our Brother-to-Brother contact is now under way. I encourage those making the calls to get them completed as quickly as you can. This is an important fulfillment of our obligation as Scottish Riters to care for our members. This statement of a caring attitude for our members is not just a trite phrase. It is a personal contact that is the real world evidence that our caring attitude is an obligation that we, individually, take to heart. I know that it can be uncomfortable to “cold call” someone you have never had any previous contact with. This, however, is not a cold call. Keep in mind that you are calling a Brother. It may be a Brother you have not spoken to before, but he is a Brother none-the-less. If you give it half a chance you will find these calls to be a rewarding experience.
Fraternally,
Ill. William H. Toth II, 33° MSA
Commander in Chief
Chapter
No News Received…
Joseph W. Flanagan, 32°
Most Wise Master.
Council
I have said many times that we as Masons were way ahead of Dan Brown when it comes to Historical Fiction. One of my biggest a-ha moments was when I read the following quote from Albert G. Mackey, M.D. in the "Cryptic Masonry - Manual for the Council" - "Like every other myth and allegory of Masonry, the historical relation it may be true or it may be false; it may be founded on fact or the invention of imagination; the lesson is still there, and the symbolism teaches it exclusive of the history."
Much of our ritual as Masons, throughout various Masonic bodies, is loosely based upon stories from the Bible or other historical accounts. For the overwhelming majority of us we can only rely on what we read in books. We do not have first hand knowledge of the events, nor even the geographical regions that are referenced in a particular degree. We are not, by any means, considered primary sources.
Recently I had the privilege of presenting the Middle Chamber Lecture in a Lodge other than my own. The new Brother for whom the MCL was given, is a native of an Eastern European country and a recent immigrant of Afghanistan. In the lecture there is a recounting of a biblical story about Jeptha, a judge of Israel. In that same story there is reference to the various tribes present in the region and how their differences can be used to determine friend from foe. The Brother's overwhelming reaction was unlike any other I had experienced and was a clear indication that he did in fact have first hand knowledge of that which I spoke!
Regardless of the Masonic body, regardless of the degree we all should strive to achieve a greater depth of knowledge regarding the allegory to more fully appreciate and understand the lesson and symbolism that is there!
Respectfully submitted,
Michael A. Miller, 32°
Sovereign Prince
Lodge
Greetings again Brothers! I write to you this early March day with grass showing for the first time in a bit, the 11th degree coming up on the 10th of March, and our major all day degree day coming up later in the month. Many exciting things to think about and be a part of for sure. I know by the time this reaches you these things will be over, but I want to thank all who helped take part in the 11th degree. It was a goal of our Commander in Chief to do this in person and I am honored to have worked with you to make that goal a reality.
This coming month we have the Paschal Lamb feast on April 12th , our reunion meeting on the 14th and then we should be well into spring!
It is my hope that everyone had a wonderful St. Patrick’s Day, and if you celebrate Easter, may it be all you want it to be, and you enjoy your family while they are here to enjoy.
Be well Brothers…
Sincerely & Fraternally,
Eric Driscoll, 32°
Thrice Potent Master
Hospitaler
Brothers and families in need of prayer are Joel Scarson - Wife, Heather CHEMO Treatments ongoing cancer, Ill Lawance Egnaczyk was in the hospital with Kidney Stones RW Edward Sinay Jr mother-in- Law passed away, Ill Garry Visconti mother Thelma was in the hospital but now in rehab and we need to keep Ill Sandy Samson in our prayers.
We need to keep our Brothers and Sisters in the hurricane areas in our prayers. If you want to make donations you can donate to the Hospitaler Fund marking it for the Hurricane relief. If you want to make a donation to any Brother in need you can do so through the Hospitaler Fund and
noting the person for it to go to.
Please keep the valley informed of anyone in distress so we know. The office staff is great at getting out cards.
Ill. Garry Visconti, 33° MSA
[email protected]
(315) 529-1936
Welcome to My World
Notes from the Children’s Dyslexia Center CNY
April is National Volunteers Month and the theme for 2025 is spreading love, kindness, and hope to every corner of the world. When I unlock the doors at the center, I can’t help but to think of those that have volunteered their time and efforts to build the Central New York Children’s Dyslexia Center and have made it what it is today.
Last month we held our 11 th annual GALA, and the number of people that volunteered their time, donated raffle baskets and gift cards, helped with the planning and the setup, donated as major sponsors, and attended the GALA is amazing! The Acme Mystery Theatre put on a great show, and we had over fifty baskets for the raffle. Thank you to all that participated. We are truly grateful.
Just a reminder that we are currently tutoring nineteen children and have twenty-one children on the waitlist. We need tutors! If you or someone you know that holds a bachelors degree is interested in becoming a certified tutor, please contact the center for more information (315-736-0574).
Marianne Jones, Director
Email: [email protected]
Mail- Children’s Dyslexia Center- CNY
PO Box 638
Oriskany, NY 13424
Annual Feast of the Paschal Lamb Observance
Central City Chapter of Rose Croix, A.A.S.R. will present the Annual Feast of the Paschal Lamb Memorial service Saturday April 12, 2025 at the Masonic Memorial Center, 648 Centerville Place, North Syracuse, NY
This annual ceremony honors the Sublime Prince members of Central City Bodies, AASR, Valley of Syracuse who have passed away in the last twelve months. The memorial service is a public event open to be observed by its members and guests who may wish to attend.
The Memorial Service is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Saturday April 24, 2025. A light lunch buffet is served following the ceremony.
Please contact the Valley office if you plan to attend. 315-452-7976 or secretary@syr-
aasr.org.
Blue Envelope Appeal
Thank you to all who have supported the “Blue Envelope Appeal” with your donation. Your continued support of the “Blue Envelope Appeal” project at Supreme Council benefits the students receiving education financial assistance from Supreme Council and the New York Council of Deliberation. We are making positive progress towards meeting the annual goal for members of the Valley supporting this project. Remember your “Blue Envelope Appeal” response. Thank you!
EVENT NOTICES ARE NOW E-MAILED
Effective January 1, 2025 several changes and realignment of duties were made in the operations of the Central City Bodies, AASR Valley of Syracuse Secretary’s office.
The number of persons working in the office was reduced from three to two. Mrs. Sharon Fox retired and no longer works in the office. Mrs. Sharon Swan is now the Administrative Assistant in the office. Ill∴ James D. Swan, Jr., 33º continues as the Valley Secretary.
The scheduled office hours have not changed; Monday thru Thursday 9:00 a.m. to 12 Noon and 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Anyone planning to visit the office is recommended to call prior to coming to the office.
The use of the USPS Snail Mail mailing permit used for years to distribute mail, meeting, and event notices was discontinued due to excessive costs increases. With this change most event and meeting notices will now be distributed to our membership and other persons on our events mailing lists by electronic mail; e- mailed to your e-mail address we have in our office information.
Anyone wishing to change their personal e-mail address or to be added to said list is invited to send a message from the e-mail address you are using or call the office. (315) 452-7976.
Please take note that you are receiving these messages from a new e-mail address: [email protected]. Long range plan is to discontinue use of [email protected] for Valley Secretary communications.
Fraternally,
Ill∴ James D. Swan, Jr. 33°
Valley Secretary
April 2025
Apr 07 Executive Committee Meeting Live in Person 7:00 p.m.
Apr 12 Saturday “Feast of the Paschal Lamb” 2:30 p.m. Ceremony
Following Ceremony Light Buffet in the dining room
Apr 14 163rd Annual Reunion
6:00 p.m. Social / 6:30 p.m. Dinner / 7:30 p.m. Program
Apr 28 Trustees 6:15 p.m. / Executive Committee Meeting in Person 7:00 p.m.
May 2025
May 07 Wednesday “Rite on the Road” - 4° “Builder” 7:30 p.m.
Location To be announced
May 12 Guard’s Club Dinner & Annual Meeting 6:15 / Central City Bodies Annual Meeting & Election of Officers 7:30 p.m.
May 19 Public Installation of Officers
6:00 p.m. Social / 6:30 p.m. Dinner / 7:30 p.m. Installation
Consistory
Our 5 Degree festival is now behind us. A hearty welcome to the newest Scottish Riters in our Valley. I hope that your experience in Scottish Rite Masonry is as rewarding as mine has been. I would also like to express my sincere appreciation to all the Princes who have assisted in presenting the live degrees we have included in our degree schedule this year. In addition to the cast members who have worked to memorize and present their parts, there is also an unseen cast including casting and degree directors, stage hands, props and lighting assistants which all combine to result in what, hopefully, turns out to be a moving degree presentation. I am pleased that we have all come together and for the first time since COVID we have done the new 32 nd Degree, Sublime Prince of the Royal Secret, LIVE and entirely with Valley of Syracuse members. There is a place for video degrees, but in my opinion nothing compares to the impact of a live presentation.
Looking ahead, there are two important Valley events scheduled this month. The Feast of the Pascal Lamb is scheduled for Sunday afternoon, April 11th beginning at 2:30 PM. The Feast is a moving memorial service for all the Valley members who have passed away over the last year. Much like a degree, cast members work hard to learn their parts and present their work in a dramatic and moving manner. Following the Ceremony there will be a light buffet in the dining room. Next up is our 163rd Annual Reunion scheduled for Monday, April 12th. It will begin with a social time at 6:00 PM to allow time for everyone to renew old acquaintances as well as to greet our new members. Social time will be followed by Dinner at 6:30 PM and the Consistory meeting at 7:30 PM.
Princes, we are still in the running for the Valley of Excellence, but as I write this article we are still a little light on reaching our new member goal. The Valley of Excellence program awards a substantial number of points for reaching our goal of 14 new Scottish Rite members, so it is important that we continue to keep our eyes and ears open for prospective members. If you have enjoyed your experience in Scottish Rite Masonry, why not encourage a Masonic acquaintance to share this enjoyable experience with you. The last currently scheduled opportunity to initiate additional members will be at a Rite on the Road event scheduled for Wednesday, May 7th , 7:00 PM at Masonic Memorial Temple. We will plan on doing two video degrees that night...the 4th degree for any new candidates and the second degree that evening will be a “Princes Choice”. That is, those Sovereign Princes who attend that evening will select from available video degrees and choose which degree will be shown in addition to the 4th . If you have a degree which has been difficult to find this could be an opportunity to get that last elusive degree needed to fill out your passport.
Our Brother-to-Brother contact is now under way. I encourage those making the calls to get them completed as quickly as you can. This is an important fulfillment of our obligation as Scottish Riters to care for our members. This statement of a caring attitude for our members is not just a trite phrase. It is a personal contact that is the real world evidence that our caring attitude is an obligation that we, individually, take to heart. I know that it can be uncomfortable to “cold call” someone you have never had any previous contact with. This, however, is not a cold call. Keep in mind that you are calling a Brother. It may be a Brother you have not spoken to before, but he is a Brother none-the-less. If you give it half a chance you will find these calls to be a rewarding experience.
Fraternally,
Ill. William H. Toth II, 33° MSA
Commander in Chief
Chapter
No News Received…
Joseph W. Flanagan, 32°
Most Wise Master.
Council
I have said many times that we as Masons were way ahead of Dan Brown when it comes to Historical Fiction. One of my biggest a-ha moments was when I read the following quote from Albert G. Mackey, M.D. in the "Cryptic Masonry - Manual for the Council" - "Like every other myth and allegory of Masonry, the historical relation it may be true or it may be false; it may be founded on fact or the invention of imagination; the lesson is still there, and the symbolism teaches it exclusive of the history."
Much of our ritual as Masons, throughout various Masonic bodies, is loosely based upon stories from the Bible or other historical accounts. For the overwhelming majority of us we can only rely on what we read in books. We do not have first hand knowledge of the events, nor even the geographical regions that are referenced in a particular degree. We are not, by any means, considered primary sources.
Recently I had the privilege of presenting the Middle Chamber Lecture in a Lodge other than my own. The new Brother for whom the MCL was given, is a native of an Eastern European country and a recent immigrant of Afghanistan. In the lecture there is a recounting of a biblical story about Jeptha, a judge of Israel. In that same story there is reference to the various tribes present in the region and how their differences can be used to determine friend from foe. The Brother's overwhelming reaction was unlike any other I had experienced and was a clear indication that he did in fact have first hand knowledge of that which I spoke!
Regardless of the Masonic body, regardless of the degree we all should strive to achieve a greater depth of knowledge regarding the allegory to more fully appreciate and understand the lesson and symbolism that is there!
Respectfully submitted,
Michael A. Miller, 32°
Sovereign Prince
Lodge
Greetings again Brothers! I write to you this early March day with grass showing for the first time in a bit, the 11th degree coming up on the 10th of March, and our major all day degree day coming up later in the month. Many exciting things to think about and be a part of for sure. I know by the time this reaches you these things will be over, but I want to thank all who helped take part in the 11th degree. It was a goal of our Commander in Chief to do this in person and I am honored to have worked with you to make that goal a reality.
This coming month we have the Paschal Lamb feast on April 12th , our reunion meeting on the 14th and then we should be well into spring!
It is my hope that everyone had a wonderful St. Patrick’s Day, and if you celebrate Easter, may it be all you want it to be, and you enjoy your family while they are here to enjoy.
Be well Brothers…
Sincerely & Fraternally,
Eric Driscoll, 32°
Thrice Potent Master
Hospitaler
Brothers and families in need of prayer are Joel Scarson - Wife, Heather CHEMO Treatments ongoing cancer, Ill Lawance Egnaczyk was in the hospital with Kidney Stones RW Edward Sinay Jr mother-in- Law passed away, Ill Garry Visconti mother Thelma was in the hospital but now in rehab and we need to keep Ill Sandy Samson in our prayers.
We need to keep our Brothers and Sisters in the hurricane areas in our prayers. If you want to make donations you can donate to the Hospitaler Fund marking it for the Hurricane relief. If you want to make a donation to any Brother in need you can do so through the Hospitaler Fund and
noting the person for it to go to.
Please keep the valley informed of anyone in distress so we know. The office staff is great at getting out cards.
Ill. Garry Visconti, 33° MSA
[email protected]
(315) 529-1936
Welcome to My World
Notes from the Children’s Dyslexia Center CNY
April is National Volunteers Month and the theme for 2025 is spreading love, kindness, and hope to every corner of the world. When I unlock the doors at the center, I can’t help but to think of those that have volunteered their time and efforts to build the Central New York Children’s Dyslexia Center and have made it what it is today.
Last month we held our 11 th annual GALA, and the number of people that volunteered their time, donated raffle baskets and gift cards, helped with the planning and the setup, donated as major sponsors, and attended the GALA is amazing! The Acme Mystery Theatre put on a great show, and we had over fifty baskets for the raffle. Thank you to all that participated. We are truly grateful.
Just a reminder that we are currently tutoring nineteen children and have twenty-one children on the waitlist. We need tutors! If you or someone you know that holds a bachelors degree is interested in becoming a certified tutor, please contact the center for more information (315-736-0574).
Marianne Jones, Director
Email: [email protected]
Mail- Children’s Dyslexia Center- CNY
PO Box 638
Oriskany, NY 13424
Annual Feast of the Paschal Lamb Observance
Central City Chapter of Rose Croix, A.A.S.R. will present the Annual Feast of the Paschal Lamb Memorial service Saturday April 12, 2025 at the Masonic Memorial Center, 648 Centerville Place, North Syracuse, NY
This annual ceremony honors the Sublime Prince members of Central City Bodies, AASR, Valley of Syracuse who have passed away in the last twelve months. The memorial service is a public event open to be observed by its members and guests who may wish to attend.
The Memorial Service is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Saturday April 24, 2025. A light lunch buffet is served following the ceremony.
Please contact the Valley office if you plan to attend. 315-452-7976 or secretary@syr-
aasr.org.
Blue Envelope Appeal
Thank you to all who have supported the “Blue Envelope Appeal” with your donation. Your continued support of the “Blue Envelope Appeal” project at Supreme Council benefits the students receiving education financial assistance from Supreme Council and the New York Council of Deliberation. We are making positive progress towards meeting the annual goal for members of the Valley supporting this project. Remember your “Blue Envelope Appeal” response. Thank you!
EVENT NOTICES ARE NOW E-MAILED
Effective January 1, 2025 several changes and realignment of duties were made in the operations of the Central City Bodies, AASR Valley of Syracuse Secretary’s office.
The number of persons working in the office was reduced from three to two. Mrs. Sharon Fox retired and no longer works in the office. Mrs. Sharon Swan is now the Administrative Assistant in the office. Ill∴ James D. Swan, Jr., 33º continues as the Valley Secretary.
The scheduled office hours have not changed; Monday thru Thursday 9:00 a.m. to 12 Noon and 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Anyone planning to visit the office is recommended to call prior to coming to the office.
The use of the USPS Snail Mail mailing permit used for years to distribute mail, meeting, and event notices was discontinued due to excessive costs increases. With this change most event and meeting notices will now be distributed to our membership and other persons on our events mailing lists by electronic mail; e- mailed to your e-mail address we have in our office information.
Anyone wishing to change their personal e-mail address or to be added to said list is invited to send a message from the e-mail address you are using or call the office. (315) 452-7976.
Please take note that you are receiving these messages from a new e-mail address: [email protected]. Long range plan is to discontinue use of [email protected] for Valley Secretary communications.
Fraternally,
Ill∴ James D. Swan, Jr. 33°
Valley Secretary