Grand Master

To all of my Brethren, families and friends, This weekend we celebrate Mother’s Day and as one of my first messages to you as your new Grand Master, I think it is so important that we pause in our daily routine to say a very special THANK YOU and pay homage and remember all of those we cherish and love as Mothers … be they our own Mothers or the Mothers of others whom we love and admire.
We are all a product of our environment and our upbringing. Therefore, all that we are today, everything we have accomplished in life thus far, and everything we strive to achieve, we can and should thank our Mothers. It was our Mothers from whom we learned the meaning of love as demonstrated by their loving care and devotion and the lessons we learned from them as children.

On Sunday, March 9, 2008 more than 700 Masons, family members and guests attended the Sixty-Third Annual Masonic Dedication Service and Breakfast of the Metropolitan Region at Leonard's of Great Neck. Highlight of the event was the presentation of the prestigious DeWitt Clinton Award by the Grand Lodge of the State of New York to the Daughter's of the American Revolution (DAR)

Grand Master MW Neal I Bidnick (right) is shown presenting the award to Mrs. Gretta Beck Archer, New York State Regent of the Daughters of the American Revolution with RW Edward Gilbert, Deputy Grand Master.

Spring 2008

My Brethren, family and friends,

In a few short days, many of us will pause in our daily labors to celebrate Easter. Passover will be observed in a few weeks. The calendar also marks the start of Spring. Less than two weeks ago, we changed our clocks, and welcomed a few more hours of sunlight to the normal course of our days. All around us are signs of optimism, growth and light. This time of year provides us with plenty of reasons to maintain our spirit of optimism.

It can be tempting to give in to the cynicism we see and hear all around us. We hear troubling news from overseas; we worry about the economy, and its effects on our families and the people around us. We may have reason to feel that the efforts we put in to trying to make the world a better place are not having any effect. But if we maintain our optimism…if we hold true to the principles of our Craft, and remember that each brick we place, each step we take, each heart we comfort, each penny we give, all matter. All of our efforts matter and in some way contribute to bringing some light into the lives of people around us. So, as we pause to give thanks to our Creator for all of the wonders and joy of life itself, and as we celebrate Easter and Passover, in that spirit, let us promise ourselves that we will keep optimism foremost in our hearts and in our minds.

Kidney donations are always from a close relative, right? Wrong! There is a movement to donate kidneys to total strangers. This is a win-win, because it can form "donor chains" that lead right back to someone close to you, to whom you wanted to give a kidney but could not due to tissue incompatibility.

Brother Clint Marshall and his wife Cynthia are leaders in this movement. Clint donated a kidney to his biological brother years ago. More recently, Cynthia donated her kidney to a stranger, starting a donor chain. In early March, the two of them donated $5,000 to kick off a fund-raising campaign for the National Kidney Registry, which was formed to facilitate donations to strangers and donor chains.

The Grand Master of Masons in the State of New York will preside over a re-dedication of the Monument at the New Windsor Cantonment on the 225th commemoration of the speech by General and Masonic Brother George Washington to be held at 3:00pm, Saturday March 15, 2008.

Grand Master Neal I. Bidnick and his Grand Line and brother Masons will lay a wreath at the base of the monument. The plaque on the monument reads,:

This tablet is inserted by the Masonic Fraternity of Newburgh in memorial of ----- Washington ----- and his Masonic compeers under whose direction and plans the Temple was constructed and in which communications for the Fraternity were held --- 1783.

My Brethren, Family and friends,

As we begin this holiday season, it is appropriate that we pause to reflect on the year that will soon be ending and look forward with great anticipation to a New Year.

During this holiday season we celebrate the gift of light. Some of us celebrate a gift of faith, which kept light alive far longer than ever could have been expected. Some of us celebrate a gift of love that brought light into a world grown cold and dark. Whatever our faiths, we should take time this season to bring the gift of light to those around us.

Our gifts of light might come in the form of giving blood to those who need it. We might spread light by giving money or presents to a worthy charity, so that others who have little might remember that they are cared for. We might give light by sharing our celebrations with those who are alone, or with those who have a family member serving far away. We might give light by simply smiling more often, saying “thank you” a few more times, or saying “I love you” to our families and those we love.

So much has happened in the year since last Thanksgiving. Many of the events of this past year have given Joyce, Brian and myself reason to pause in our Labors to say 'Thank You' to the Great Architect of the Universe for all of the many blessings we have enjoyed. As we all stop to rest, reflect and take comfort in our families and friends, let’s also take a moment to look at the world around us.

I ask you to think about those less fortunate than us. There are many around us who have experienced recent sorrows in their families; those that may need a helping hand; who need to hear a kind word, or just a phone call to hear someone say, 'Hi, how are you?' Each of us can make a difference in the lives of these people, by offering aid and assistance, or just by reminding friends that they are not alone.

My Brothers, family and friends:

As we approach Veterans Day, on November 11th, I would like each of you to pause in your daily routines and spend a few moments in remembrance of those who have given their lives so we can enjoy the freedoms that we do. The ability to meet and exchange ideas, engage in the Fellowship of our Craft and not be afraid has been won for us and continues to be protected by those who are members of our Armed Forces. They need to know that we are here and thinking about them and appreciate what they have done and are doing on our behalf. We acknowledge their dedication to our country and appreciate all the sacrifices they have made and continue to make.

Download the Grand Master's Address from St. John's Day.