Nobles, Ladies, Families, & Friends:

I would like to start this off by thanking and congratulating Illustrious Sir. Ron Bigger and Lady Rita on a very successful year and wish them well with all their future plans. I would also like to thank the love of my life, Lady Suzanne and my pride and joy, my son Joseph for all their love and support because, without our significant others and our families we wouldn’t be able to do the things we do to help our Shrine kids. I also want to congratulate our elected Divan Chief Rabban Noble Jim Mirusso, Assistant Rabban Noble Jay Godios, High Priest & Prophet Noble Ted Clark, Oriental Guide Noble Justin Brown, Treasurer Ill. David Freund, and Treasurer Ill. Joe Hoerner.

This year is going to be about doing “more in ’24” and what I mean by that is more fun, more fellowship, more family, and more growth with an emphasis on fun. There are quite a few events planned for this year and I am hoping most of them will be family friendly. The Potentate’s reception in July will be casual and we will have activities and food for the kids, so please bring them.

To our newer Nobles and your families, if you are looking for a way to get involved, please consider coming and helping out in the Oasis. Our Lenten fish fries are fast approaching. They start on February 14, 2024 and will continue every Friday through Lent. We could always use help in the kitchen and in the dining room there is always plenty to do. Also consider coming and helping at our chicken or rib BBQs. The fellowship is second to none. Same goes for one of the many raffles that we have going on throughout the year, the first being the meat raffle on Saturday February 24. Please reach out to anyone of the Divan or the office if you are interested in helping. If you are looking for a way for your kids to get involved in our greater Masonic family, please consider enrolling your sons ages 12-21 in a DeMolay chapter. There are 5 currently in WNY: Olean, Fredonia, West Seneca, Amherst, and Lockport; or for your daughters ages 10-21 there is Triangle and there are 2 of those chapters in WNY: 1 in Amherst, the other in Akron. Both are fantastic. DeMolay offers the Squires program for boys ages 9-12 and Triangle has Rosebuds for ages 5-9.

In conclusion I would like to thank the Nobility, the Divan, and all our Shrine Ladies and families for all their support and encouragement over the last few years. It has been greatly appreciated. A special thank you to the Lockport Shrine Club for all their support, especially to Joe Daniels, Peter Stein, and Richard Lugo who started me on my Shrine adventure.

Fraternally,
Mike P. Ferraro