It is my pleasure to address you via this medium as we commence another year of Masonic activity and embark upon our sesquicentennial celebrations. I hope this will be a year of enjoyment and fulfillment for all.

Most Districts have identified specific projects and I am amazed and pleased with the diversity of them. The Masons of this jurisdiction will be raising money for local hospitals, for research into afflictions such as Parkinson’s disease, Tourrets Syndrome, Prostate Cancer, Hearing loss, diseases of the nervous system and a wide variety of other worthwhile causes. I hope these activities will put them into the forefront of their respective communities and show that Freemasonry is alive and that its members do care.

This year Grand Lodge has put out a special 18 month calendar and to date it has proven to be popular. As many of you are aware, the monies raised from Calendar sales are used to fund many of our Grand Lodge programs including the publishing of the Ontario Mason. In recent years we have been faced with a serious problem in that donations have declined while expenses have increased incrementally. Thus, we have reached the point where cut backs must, of necessity, be implemented. Accordingly, I am sorry to report that we have sufficient funds to publish but one edition of the Ontario Mason this year. Whether or not we continue with this magazine depends in large measure upon the response we receive from you.

We look forward to holding three Especial Communications of Grand Lodge this year – one in Kingston in October, 2004, another in Simcoe in February, 2005 and the final one in Thunder Bay during April, 2005. This is an attempt to bring Grand Lodge to those who cannot make the usual annual communication. They promise to be a fun time for everyone. Each will follow the same format in that there will be an abbreviated version of the annual communication, a luncheon meeting hosted by the Grand Master for all Worshipful Masters from the area and a dramatic presentation entitled, “Then and Now” for Masons and their families/friends. The day will be capped off with a District reception during the evening. I urge you to attend the one nearest your area as nothing would please me more than to be able to
meet you.

Our annual communication in July will be held on Friday July 21 and Saturday July 22. We have changed the days so that as many of you as possible may attend. This session will wind up with a gala performance in Roy Thomson Hall in Toronto and will feature that renowned tenor, John McDermott. Please check the Grand Lodge web site for further details;

 http://grandlodge.on.ca/150thAnniversary/FestivalAffair.htm

I trust this will be an exciting year for each Mason and that each of you will do your utmost to let your light shine before men that they may see your good works.

Happy 150th Anniversary.

Donald H. Mumby
Grand Master

MOVING If you are moving, please advise your Lodge Secretary of your new address. Please include us when sending out Canada Post Change of Address Cards. Ontario Mason Magazine (Change of Address) 363 King Street West Hamilton, Ontario, L8P 1B4 Fax: 905-528-6979 Email: office@grandlodge.on.ca