'This page has been approved by the United Grand Lodge of England’

[jan_2004.htm] [feb_2004.htm] [march_2004.htm] [april_2004.htm] [may_2004.htm] [june_2004.htm] [july_2004.htm] [Aug 2004.htm] [sept_2004.htm] [oct_2004.htm] [nov_2004.htm] [dec_2004.htm]

NEW YEAR MESSAGE

The old year has departed and we have rung in the new – 2004 – which has arrived we are told with Saturn in rather proximate juxtaposition to the Earth. Apart from the interest of astronomers, we understand that of astrologers, and their myriad followers, in and out of the closet, have been aroused.

What does the new year bring ? Definitely there is a sense of confidence in the Country, and approaching prosperity is consciously bruited about, and what is known as consumer confidence appears to be manifest, particularly in the shopping malls and the stock markets.

For us, masonically speaking, will this spirit of enterprise and exultation translate into acts of charity and divert some of our attention to the needs of those out of the charmed circle, as it were? There are social stresses to be dealt with, the aged and infirm to be cared for, the poor to be addressed in terms of their most basic needs – concerns that a burgeoning economy, and its beneficiaries, can and should ameliorate.

I would therefore focus the attention of our Brethren on the pressing needs for our fraternity to increase their contributions to our Charities, particularly to the Cornwallis Home Project and to the District Grand Charity as a start to this New Year. We hope you have responded positively to the appeals of our Steward of Masonic Charities, Wor.Bro.D.P. Marshall.

We wish all our Brethren and their families, a Very Happy, Healthy and Charitable New Year, and hope that the Planets, such as they are, will be favourable to the achievement of their various resolutions in the year ahead.