Compass Lodge #9 Initiates Two Entered Apprentices

On Monday March 17^th, after a hearty meal of corned beef and cabbage, WM Mike Santillo and the officers of Compass Lodge initiated two Entered Apprentices. Brothers Dave Lawlor & Noah Cutler were welcomed to the craft with 50 brothers in attendance. RWB F Matthew Heinrich Jr, and all past and present Grand Lodge Officers were received. The officers of Compass Lodge conducted a well-performed degree.

Minutes for Stated Communication

Monday, February 3rd, 2025.

Stated Communication

Lodge was opened in due form at 7 pm on the Master Mason Degree. 

The following officers were present:

The Junior Deacon presented the colors west of the altar and the Worshipful Master led the Pledge of Allegiance.

• There was a total of 28 Brothers in attendance

• 10 Past Masters were recognized, Past Masters in attendance were:

• 1980 - VRWB Rev. Joseph R. Krusienski -PG Chaplain

• 2006 - RWB Jason R. Rieger -PDD at Large 2007-2012

• 2009 - RWB Gregory K. Whitehouse- PDD 2013-2014

• 2015 - RWB Kostas Antoniou-DD 2023

• 2016 - WB Christopher J. Reilly- AGM 2023-2024

• 2017 - WB Joseph A. Kurcaba

• 2019 - WB Christian Godbout

• 2020 - WB Christian Schunmann

• 2021 - RWB Francis (Nick) Barnes-DD-2024-2025

• 2024 - WB Daniel Piper

Program for the Stated Communication

• Rusty Mason Instructional  

• Entered Apprentice Discussion

  • What the EA Degree Means to the Brothers

FROM THE SECRETARY’S DESK

Minutes

• Minutes from the previous meeting were spread 

Financial

• Reserved for those Brothers in attendance

• $0.00 Bills for Grand Lodge (Candidate Fees) were passed to the Treasurer

• Donations were N/A

Masonic Temple Corp

• The downstairs is complete with the bar, cabinets, and wash sink, go check out Fraternity Hall

Membership

• RWB Gregory K. Whitehouse, Br. Kishore Kapoor, and Br. Joe Medina investigated Br. Shawn Patrick Quinn for Affiliation and found their investigation Favorable.

• Br. Shawn Patrick Quinn Jr. was voted on by the Lodge and Accepted for Affiliation, he signed the Compass Lodge #9 Constitutions and Bylaws and received a copy of the ByLaws. 

• Br. William R Brackett passed away. He was born on August 11th, 1926, Raised on February 26th, 1962, and Passed to the Great Beyond on January 22nd, 2025. 

• Br. William Brackett received a Masonic Ceremony at his Wake at Wallingford Funeral Home as requested by his family on Friday, January 31st, 2025

• The Entered Apprentice was moved to accommodate another potential candidate to Monday, March 17th, 2025

• There will be ( 2) Candidates for the Entered Apprentice Degree on March 17th, 2025, Mr. Nicholas Sherwood and Mr. David Lawlor 

• No Brs. Reprimanded, Suspended, Expelled or NPD

Old Business

• The Compass Axe Throwing Event was a complete success, a total of 16 brothers and friends attended

New Business

• WM reminded Brothers to Sign up for SLACK for more immediate Communication

• WM said that there would be a new Blue Compass polo shirt with the embroidered logo available for purchase, via the Square, once Links for the Square are set up. They are going for $ 25 w/o Name embroidered, and $30 w/ Name Embroidered. Sizes available are M, L, XL, and 2XL

(Those prices do not change with difference in size) No word on Bigger sizes.

• The lodge needs White Aprons appropriate for visitors

• JW Br Ron Hansen Spoke about the Fourth Thursday Fellowship at Delta Arsenal, it is $50/person and there are spots only for 30! No permit to carry is required as all instruction will be provided, no pregaming as you will be asked to leave and there will be time after back at Fraternity Hall for all to enjoy.

• The lodge is looking for Bros, to sign up for the Compass Lodge Blood Drive, we have almost filled up all 32 spots for Saturday, February 8th, 2025

  • Brothers are reminded to hydrate starting a couple of days before donating blood

  • International Organization of Rainbow Girls of Rose Assembly will be donating their talents to make snacks and sandwiches to help out at the event

  • Brothers are asked to show up at 7 AM to assist with setting up and to also stop by to show support and be present throughout the day, contact SW Br. Kyle Piper

Announcements & Correspondence

• Saturday, February 8th - Compass Red Cross Blood Drive at Pond Hill School 8 am-1 pm

• Monday, February 17 - Stated Communication

• Saturday, February 22nd Robert Burns Night at Widow's Son #66 at 6 pm

• Thursday, February 27th Delta Arsenal Shooting - refer to JW Br. Ron Hansen Jr.

• Monday, March 3rd - Ladies of the Table

  • 6 pm Open and Close, 7 pm Start

• Saturday, March 8th - Robert D. Pasquale Surf & Turf 6 PM, $50/Bro.

• Monday March 17th - Stated Communication

• Thursday, March 27th - FTF - Compass Poker Night

• Monday, April 21st FC Degree

• Friday, July 18th, 2025 Third Annual Masonic Family Day - Dodd Stadium Sea Unicorns Baseball Game $10ea. Contact Jeff Blayman at Jblayman@gmail.com or 860-334-5277

Joys and Concerns

• Compass Lodge #9 was on the cover of the CT Freemasons Magazine this month it showed the Officer’s Installation photo

• RWB Nick Barnes spoke of how his uncle passed away, and how he looked up to him. His uncle’s body was donated to UCONN Health for study and he thanks all for their support during this time.

• VRWB Joe Krusienski mentioned that RWB Jason Rieger will be going in next year's Most Excellent Grand High Priest for the Grand Chapter Of Connecticut.

• He also mentioned that RWB Greg Whitehouse is an officer in the Grand Chapter as well.

• He also mentioned that WB Christian Schunmann is an officer in the Grand Commandery, and has been honored by receiving the York Rite Cross of Honor, an invitational body because he has been a Worshipful Master, Past High Priest, Thrice Illustrious Master, and Eminent Commander of St. Elmo’s Commandery.

• VRWB Joe Krusienski also offered the Lodge to petition the York Rite

• RWB Greg Whitehouse Said that there will be an MM Degree at Cosmopolitan for Brothers who would like to watch on Wednesday, February 19th. Dinner is at 630PM, and Degree is at 730PM.

• Fraternity Hall has the new Bar installed, it has commemorative coins epoxied in it, Br Ron Hansen Jr. received a Standing Ovation to this and invited all to come down after the meeting to see. He asked that all show respect for it and bring your Brothers and friends around too.

• WB John Collinsworth from Widow's Son Lodge #66 came to let folks know that he is selling tickets to their Burns Night Supper. It is $35/Person $65/Couple. It is Saturday, February 22nd NO tickets at the door

• Br Stephen Rigiel Announced that St Baldrick’s will not be doing their Shave-A-Thon in Meriden and was looking for Compas Lodge to Sponsor an event, he will be talking with the WM on setting it up, it will be in May

• WB Christian Schunmann announced the Hamilton Council #9 Robert D. Pasquale Surf and Turf Dinner on Saturday, March 8th at 6 PM $50/Person

• WB Christian Schunmann called for a prayer to be said for the young girl, mother, and flight crew that died in a plane crash over the weekend, they were on their way back from the Shriners hospital in Pennsylvania to Mexico. The WB knocked the Lodge up and VRWB Krusieski led a Prayer in their honor.

Closing remarks were made by, R.W.B. Francis (Nick) Barnes

Lodge was closed in due form at 8:45 pm, by the Worshipful Master R.W.B 

Attest,

Secretary

WB Christopher J. Reilly

Compass Lodge #9

Ancient Free & Accepted Masons of Connecticut