Greetings Brothers,

The weather is finally heating up, and so are the events within our district. First, I am pleased to announce the presentation of our District Deputies and their Associate Grand Marshals. District 8A will host the Presentation of RWB Jason Fletcher and WB Frank Saviano on June 8th at 1:00 p.m. at Somerset St. James Lodge in Preston, CT.

District 8B will host the Presentation of RWB Glenn “Stud” Studwell and WB Axel Mahlke on June 21st at 1:00 p.m. at the Bay View Temple in Niantic, CT. Please come out and show your support for our newly appointed RWBs.

Union Lodge No. 31 will be celebrating its 230th anniversary on Thursday, May 22nd. Brainard Lodge has purchased 10 tickets, which will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. Please contact RWB Dick Miller to claim a ticket. Dinner will be served buffet-style at 6:30 p.m., with a social gathering beginning at 6:00 p.m. Tickets will also be available at the door for $15 and the event is open to Masons and their guests.

I have received permission from the Grand Master to host an 8th District Master Mason event. Brainard Lodge and participating lodges will conduct the first half of the Master Mason Degree at their respective lodges prior to June 9th. Brainard Lodge will conduct its Master Mason Degree on May 27th. The second half will be presented district-wide on June 10th at the Bay View Temple, performed in full costume by members of the 8th District. Brainard Lodge will host the event during a regular Stated Communication, with dinner beginning at 6:30 p.m. and the second half starting at 7:30 p.m. The Grand Master has placed the date on his calendar and may be in attendance. Please be sure to show your support.

The officers of Brainard Lodge No. 102 are performing some of the finest degree work in the district. If you have been away from lodge for a while, please consider visiting to support our young officers in action. Their efforts have not gone unnoticed, and I have received many compliments from visitors regarding their impressive execution of duties.

Although Brainard Lodge does not traditionally hold a Stated Communication on the 4th Tuesday in June, we will be conducting a Hawaiian Shirt Fellow Craft Degree on June 24th. This will be a Special Communication, and Hawaiian shirts are mandatory! Summer casual dress is acceptable alongside the Hawaiian shirt. Please come and enjoy a festive atmosphere as we support our youngest Entered Apprentices.

Stay tuned for upcoming fellowship events while Brainard goes to refreshment during July and August!

Thank you,
RWB Craig Pedro
Worshipful Master, 2025

Events Calendar

May 2025

June 2025

*Wednesday, June 4th — District Master Mason Degree Rehearsal (2nd Half)
Time TBD

*Sunday, June 8th — District Deputy 8A Presentation at Somerset-St. James Lodge in Preston, CT
1:00 PM

*Tuesday, June 10th — District Master Mason Degree (2nd Half)
Dinner: 6:30 PM | Degree: 7:30 PM

*Saturday, June 21st — District Deputy 8B Presentation at Bay View Temple Niantic, CT
1:00 PM

*Tuesday, June 24th — Fellowcraft Degree (Hawaiian Shirts)
Dinner: 6:30 PM | Degree: 7:30 PM

This is a reminder that we will be conferring the Entered Apprentice Degree on multiple candidates next Tuesday, March 25 at Brainard Lodge #102.

Dinner will be served at 6:30 p.m., with the degree to follow at 7:30 p.m.

We’ll be serving Shepherd’s Pie for dinner.

All brethren are encouraged to attend and support our newest candidates as they begin their Masonic journey.

Please RSVP with our Secretary, RW Brother Richard Miller, at brainard102sec@icloud.com.

We look forward to seeing you there.

Greetings Brothers,

On January 14th, I had the honor and privilege of being installed as Master of Brainard Lodge 102. The Installing Master was Brainard’s own RWB James Moran, Grand Junior Deacon of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of the State of Connecticut, accompanied by my son, WB Andrew Pedro II, District Grand Lecturer, and WB Seth Beebe, my predecessor from the East. I am grateful to the Installing Team for allowing me to experience being installed by such good friends and family.

It has been 11 years since I last sat in the Oriental Chair, and, surprisingly, it felt as though it was only yesterday. The current line of officers is one of extremely high caliber, and I look forward to combining our experience and drive for excellence to make 2025 a year to remember.

I would like to invite any brother who has been away from the lodge to attend a meeting so we can meet in person. I would love to hear any ideas you may have to improve the lodge or aid in the retention of members. We are entering a time when the fraternity must evolve and implement the younger generation’s ideas to ensure that Freemasonry remains a relevant and cherished institution.

Our values are second to none, and although there are differences among generations, there are still plenty of good men who Masonry can make better. My only regret is that I did not discover Freemasonry at a younger age.

I earnestly remind all brothers that you are always welcome in your lodge. Please do not feel that your return, after time away, would result in embarrassment. We are all brothers, and we are your second family. A family member is always welcome home.

Our next Stated Communication is on January 28th. For the first time, I will combine technology with tradition by presenting my favorite tracing board through a PowerPoint presentation. The selected symbolism will pertain solely to the Entered Apprentice Degree. Please join us and discover why the lithograph titled “Light and Truth” is my favorite single compilation of Masonic symbolism.

Our first degree of 2025 will be conducted on February 11th, a Fellow Craft Degree. An open house dinner will be served by our amazing stewards at 6:30 PM, with the degree commencing promptly at 7:30 PM. Please feel free to bring anyone interested in the fraternity to share the meal with us.

Thank you all for your time and attention to this message, and I hope to see you on the 28th.

Fraternally yours,
RWB Craig Pedro
Worshipful Master, 2025