Worshipful Master Damien A. Ross
The Worshipful Master's Acceptance Speech
September 14, 2011
To the Worshipful District Deputy Grand Master, Worshipful District Lecturer, Senior Warden, Junior Warden, Past Masters, Grand Lodge Officers, past and present, Brothers of Light of Elmwood Lodge #45 and all visiting brothers,
Good Evening,
This evening, I stand before you tonight as humbly as I know how. Giving thanks first and foremost to Almighty God for making this evening possible, and to the Brothers for electing me Worshipful Master of the greatest lodge in this district or any other district.
My Brothers, before embarking on this journey or any important undertaking, let us call on the Grand Architect of the Universe, for without him, nothing is possible but through him all things are possible.
Let us pray:
Heavenly Father, once again we come before the throne of grace, we thank you for allowing us to enter into these sacred and consecrated walls to begin this journey.
Father, we just want to thank you and give you praise for this path you have set before us, a path that just 79 upright, worthy men have traveled before me. Father, grant us the wisdom, strength and ability to accomplish the tasks before us, which we pray will be acceptable in your sight. Heal our hearts from the pain, the suffering, and agony of actions of bygone years, but bless us with the vision to see your great works among us, and give us the faith to believe in a prosperous future.
Father, guide us as only you know how. Lord we ask that you embrace this lodge and lift it up with your friendship, and love. Please help us to become better masons by spreading the teachings of this great fraternity. Lord when all the work is done, we pray that our work has been pleasing to you and that you find us worthy to enter the Celestial Lodge above were everyday is Sunday and the Sabbath shall have no end!! All these prayers we ask in Jesus name. Amen,
So mote it be.
I would like to recognize a few people and give thanks for without you this journey would not have been complete. To Past Masters Ronald Solomon (Temple #22) and Leon Hayes I would like to thank you for signing my petition into this lodge.
To my Senior Deacon Jeffrey V. Austin and Junior Deacon Emmett G. Gallashaw Jr. Thank you for giving me a foundation in this fraternity that can not be matched. I hope that you are enjoying this moment and that I have made you proud.
To the PM Leon A. Hayes class 2001-2002 also known as “Tried-N-True”, I want to thank you all for really being my brothers and being there when I needed you. If it were not for your support I would have never made it through my initiation.
To Past Master Michael B. Roepel thank you for appointing me to your line and being there for me every step of the way. People may say a lot of things about you but one thing you taught me was to bring it to the lodge and never just have it at home!!
To Brothers Kyle Brown, Junior Deacon Herman Hall, Brother Virgil Chuck Butts, and brother Clarence Davis and my partner S.W. Tony F. Early Jr. also known as “The Four Horseman”, you brothers have made me proud and you made being the Senior Deacon the best job a brother could have in this lodge. Remember we are Horseman for Life and until death do us part!! I love you and I thank you.
To the Pillars we have to lead this lodge and we have to prepare brothers on this line to become good Worshipful Masters by modeling and educating them on what a good Master should be. To my line I have your back just do your job and let’s trust one and another. The key to a successful lodge will start with us. Communication and Cohesion are the keys to getting this lodge back to prominence. To the Past Masters your wisdom, support, and encouragement are more than welcome on all levels. In order for us to move forward to were we want to be, we need to know were we are coming from.
Finally brothers there is a sense of urgency. The time is now. We have to take the gloves off and face these issues which have plagued our lodge. Brothers a positive attitude, faith, and working relentlessly until we have exceeded our goals is required. It will take a collective effort from every brother if we are going to be successful. Just remember brothers that masonically the blue book tells us that time, patience, and perseverance is what accomplishes all things and let us also not forget that the universal peace and tranquility never suffered interruption while the temple was being completed!! LETS STICK TOGETHER!!
May God Bless us and prosperous us and may all our good intentions be crowned with success.
Fraternally Submitted,
Damien A. Ross Sr.
Worshipful Master
Light of Elmwood Lodge #45
To the Worshipful District Deputy Grand Master, Worshipful District Lecturer, Senior Warden, Junior Warden, Past Masters, Grand Lodge Officers, past and present, Brothers of Light of Elmwood Lodge #45 and all visiting brothers,
Good Evening,
This evening, I stand before you tonight as humbly as I know how. Giving thanks first and foremost to Almighty God for making this evening possible, and to the Brothers for electing me Worshipful Master of the greatest lodge in this district or any other district.
My Brothers, before embarking on this journey or any important undertaking, let us call on the Grand Architect of the Universe, for without him, nothing is possible but through him all things are possible.
Let us pray:
Heavenly Father, once again we come before the throne of grace, we thank you for allowing us to enter into these sacred and consecrated walls to begin this journey.
Father, we just want to thank you and give you praise for this path you have set before us, a path that just 79 upright, worthy men have traveled before me. Father, grant us the wisdom, strength and ability to accomplish the tasks before us, which we pray will be acceptable in your sight. Heal our hearts from the pain, the suffering, and agony of actions of bygone years, but bless us with the vision to see your great works among us, and give us the faith to believe in a prosperous future.
Father, guide us as only you know how. Lord we ask that you embrace this lodge and lift it up with your friendship, and love. Please help us to become better masons by spreading the teachings of this great fraternity. Lord when all the work is done, we pray that our work has been pleasing to you and that you find us worthy to enter the Celestial Lodge above were everyday is Sunday and the Sabbath shall have no end!! All these prayers we ask in Jesus name. Amen,
So mote it be.
I would like to recognize a few people and give thanks for without you this journey would not have been complete. To Past Masters Ronald Solomon (Temple #22) and Leon Hayes I would like to thank you for signing my petition into this lodge.
To my Senior Deacon Jeffrey V. Austin and Junior Deacon Emmett G. Gallashaw Jr. Thank you for giving me a foundation in this fraternity that can not be matched. I hope that you are enjoying this moment and that I have made you proud.
To the PM Leon A. Hayes class 2001-2002 also known as “Tried-N-True”, I want to thank you all for really being my brothers and being there when I needed you. If it were not for your support I would have never made it through my initiation.
To Past Master Michael B. Roepel thank you for appointing me to your line and being there for me every step of the way. People may say a lot of things about you but one thing you taught me was to bring it to the lodge and never just have it at home!!
To Brothers Kyle Brown, Junior Deacon Herman Hall, Brother Virgil Chuck Butts, and brother Clarence Davis and my partner S.W. Tony F. Early Jr. also known as “The Four Horseman”, you brothers have made me proud and you made being the Senior Deacon the best job a brother could have in this lodge. Remember we are Horseman for Life and until death do us part!! I love you and I thank you.
To the Pillars we have to lead this lodge and we have to prepare brothers on this line to become good Worshipful Masters by modeling and educating them on what a good Master should be. To my line I have your back just do your job and let’s trust one and another. The key to a successful lodge will start with us. Communication and Cohesion are the keys to getting this lodge back to prominence. To the Past Masters your wisdom, support, and encouragement are more than welcome on all levels. In order for us to move forward to were we want to be, we need to know were we are coming from.
Finally brothers there is a sense of urgency. The time is now. We have to take the gloves off and face these issues which have plagued our lodge. Brothers a positive attitude, faith, and working relentlessly until we have exceeded our goals is required. It will take a collective effort from every brother if we are going to be successful. Just remember brothers that masonically the blue book tells us that time, patience, and perseverance is what accomplishes all things and let us also not forget that the universal peace and tranquility never suffered interruption while the temple was being completed!! LETS STICK TOGETHER!!
May God Bless us and prosperous us and may all our good intentions be crowned with success.
Fraternally Submitted,
Damien A. Ross Sr.
Worshipful Master
Light of Elmwood Lodge #45
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