Meetings
1st Thursday (Stated)
3rd Thursday (Called)
***Dinner at 6:30 pm***
***Meeting starts at 7:30 pm***
Jacket and Tie (summer dressing ended)
4093 NW 4th Ave.
Boca Raton, FL 33431
(561) 501-0545
Mailing Address
Boca Delray Lodge 171
PO BOX 811113
Boca Raton FL 33481-1113
PLEASE INFORM THE SECRETARY OF ANY
EMAIL, PHONE OR ADDRESS CHANGES.
Lodge Secretary
R∴W∴ Michael P. Sinatra - (561) 613-8094
bdl171.secretary@gmail.com (NEW EMAIL)
Index:
Lodge Officers
Worshipful Master: | Nick Richard | (561) 699-5583 | |
Senior Warden: | Eric Figuera | (917) 544-8879 | |
Junior Warden: | Derik Brasher | (832) 835-4900 | |
Secretary: | R∴W∴ Michael P. Sinatra | (561) 613-8094 | |
Treasurer: | W∴ Anthony Denton | (561) 322-8492 | |
Chaplain: | W∴ Howard Zimmerman | (561) 512-5143 | |
Marshal: | Paul Goldstein | (561) 271-6138 | |
Senior Deacon: | Jesse Mercado | (954) 422-3999 | |
Junior Deacon: | Giuseppe Garufi | (954) 682-2584 | |
Senior Steward: | Garfield Heron | (954) 871-6341 | |
Junior Steward: | Marcos Liberato | ||
Tyler: | Mark Angstrom | (561) 822-7498 |
Most Worshipful Grand Master
M∴W∴G∴M∴ Donald W. Cowart
District Deputy Grand Master
R∴W∴ Ramon M. Voils - (561) 797-5133
District Instructor
R∴H∴ Roy D. Strohacker - (561) 329-2261
Lodge Secretary
R∴W∴ Michael P. Sinatra - (561) 613-8094
bdl171.secretary@gmail.com (NEW EMAIL)
Lodge Committees
Finance: Chairman: S.W. Eric Figueroa
Members: R∴W∴ Rex Bradford, W∴ Anthony Denton, Brother Shelly Pittleman
Property / Rental: Chairman: S.W. Eric Figueroa
Members: W∴ Alexandre Ferrari, W∴ Anthony Denton
Public Relations / Social Media Communications: Chairman: W∴ Alexandre Ferrari
Members: W∴ Rafael Nioac de Salles, Brother Hugo Mendez, W∴ Howard Zimmerman
Board of Relief: Chairman: W∴M∴ Nick Richard
Members: W∴ Anthony Denton, S.W. Eric Figueroa, R∴W∴ Mike Sinatra
Charity: Chairman: S.W. Eric Figureroa
Members: J.D. Giuseppe Garufi, J.W. Derik Brasher,
Visitor Examination: Chairman: S.D. Jesse Mercado
Members: Chaplain W∴ Howard Zimmerman, J.D. Giuseppe Garufi
Vigilance: Chairman: S.W. Eric Figueroa
Members: R∴W∴ Rex Bradford, W∴ Alexandre Ferrari
Petitions / Investigations: Chairman: W∴ Mark Angstrom
Members: S.D. Jesse Mercado
Degree Ritual and Education: Chairman: Brother Benjamin Cohen
Members: S.W. Eric Figueroa, Mentor: W∴ Mark Angstrom
Funeral Committee: Chairman: R∴W∴ Rex Bradford
Members: S.W. Eric Figueroa, W∴ Mark Angstrom, W∴ Rafael Nioac de Salles
Parking/Portico/Library: Chairman: W∴Nick Richard
Members: W∴ Anthony Denton, R∴W∴ Mike Sinatra
Endowment Fund: Appointed Members
1 Year (2025): W∴Mark Angstrom, W∴ Anthony Denton (chairman)
2 Years (2025 - 2026): R∴ W∴ Rex Bradford, R∴H∴ Salvatore Musumeci
3 Years (2025 - 2028): W∴ Alexandre Ferrari, J.D. Giuseppe Garufi
Outreach Committee: Chairman: W∴ Howard Zimmerman
Members: Hugo Mendez, Sam Goldstein, Paul Goldstein, and Marcos Liberato
From the East
Brethren,
I'd like to congratulate our FC candidates on their stellar performance with their proficiency. A big thank you to their Catechism instructor, Ben Cohen for doing such a great job with the class.
For the 1st meeting this month, we have our very own Brother Sam Berger doing our Masonic Education presentation. Our second meeting will be our District Deputy, R:.W:. Ramon Voils’ official visit. It will be a fun evening and I encourage all of you to attend.
Just a reminder, Sunday, March 2nd we have our quarterly street clean up. We are meeting at the lodge at 8am or Sugar Sand Park at 8:30am. On Saturday, March 15th, we plan on having a table at the Boca Bash, in Spanish River Park, which benefits Americans with Disabilities in Palm Beach County. Both of these events are great ways that we can get out in our local community and give back. I hope to see any who can attend there.
If you want to participate in the upcoming Grand Communication, please let our secretary know so he can inform the Grand Lodge.
Boca Delray Lodge is using Cash App to receive payments.
Please take a minute to review our Lodge Google.
Check our linktree with the important links about our lodge and Freemasonry.
Please see me if you want to add or make any suggestions.
Fraternally,
Nick Richard
Worshipful Master
Boca-Delray Lodge No. 171
F. & A.M.
Note:
Important links:
Lodge information: https://linktr.ee/bdlodge171
Charities: charities we support
Review our Lodge: https://g.page/r/CdaxednxPKNcEBM/review. Your positive reviews and ratings will greatly enhance our online visibility and ultimately contribute to the growth of our membership.
From the West
Brethren,
Now that Boca-Delray Lodge No 171 is the new home of the Palm Beach York Rite here is some information regarding one of the Royal Arch Mason Degrees. I hope you find it
interesting.
The History of the Mark Master Mason Degree
With respect to the history of the degree, while there is evidence that a form of Mark Degree was in existence in Scotland as early as 1599, according to the earliest known English records Mark Masonry was introduced in a speculative body at Portsmouth on the 1st of September 1769, when Thomas Dunkerly conferred the Mark Degree on brethren of the Royal Arch Chapter of Friendship No. 257.
The Mark Degree was subsequently worked in many Lodges and even under the authority of the Old Grand Lodge of York, but the effect of the union in 1813 between the Ancients and Moderns was the specific recognition of the three Craft degrees including the Holy Royal Arch, thus completely excluding the Mark Degree. This led for many years to the active discouragement of the Mark Degree, nevertheless many Lodges continued to work the Degree and several leading Mark Masons formed their own Grand Mark Lodge in England in June 1856. By 1860 a Concordat establishing a common ceremonial was entered into by the English Grand Mark Lodge and the Grand Chapter of Scotland and slowly the Mark Degree grew in popularity to make it, together with the Royal Arch, one of the most successful, supported Degrees in Freemasonry.
The position of Mark Masonry within the broader Masonic Fraternity differs by jurisdiction. In English Freemasonry, Mark Masonry continues to operate as a separate concordant Masonic body under its own Grand Lodge. In the United States and Canada, the Mark Degree is taken in Royal Arch Chapter, while in Scotland the Mark Degree can be received in two ways, either within a Royal Arch Chapter or separately in a Craft Lodge. Thus, with the exception of English Freemasonry the Mark Degree forms a pre-requisite to receiving the Royal Arch Degree.
Fraternally,
SW Eric Figueroa
Boca Delray Lodge No.171
F&AM
From the South
Greetings from the South, Brethren!
We have the opportunity to work together for the benefit of our community on two occasions in March.
On Sunday, March 2nd, we can spend about an hour on "street clean-up" in Boca Raton. We will meet at the Lodge at 8 AM.
On Saturday, March 15th, we plan on having a table at the Boca Bash, in Spanish River Park, which benefits Americans with Disabilities in Palm Beach County. The time-frame is 10 AM - 3 PM but it is not necessary to be present for the entire event. Please dress in Masonic identifiable attire. We would greatly appreciate help with set-up on Friday.
Fraternally,
J.W. Derik Brasher
Boca-Delray No. 171
F.&A.M.
From the Secretary
Fraternal Greetings Brethren.
Please do your best to attend lodge on March 20 th , it will be our District Deputy, R:.W:. Ramon Voils’ official visit. We are hoping for a nice turnout and a show of respect.
Dues notices were mailed out the second week of October 2024, if you have not remitted your dues please do so. We depend on your dues to perform needed lodge repairs, pay bills and to assist those in need. As a matter of fact, our electrical panels are in need of replacement and permits are being applied for at present. The new panels will also have several slots for additional breakers which will come in handy for when we have the library built.
I expect Grand Lodge to ask me soon for a list of Brethren who plan on attending Grand Lodge. You can start emailing me now if you plan on attending and if you are binging your wife or significant other with you. Kindly assure that you 2025 dues have been paid and that you bring your membership card to Grand Lodge. For first timers attending GL, it would be wise to bring either a suit or a sport jacket and tie along with casual attire. Those attending the Grand Master’s Ball should wear a Tux.
The famous actor Gene Hackman passed away recently. Famous for his role as Detective
Jimmy “Popeye Doyle” in the movie The French Connection. Who can ever forget his
intimidation antic when he interrogates suspects and bombards them with questions and then throws in rapidly asking “Do you pick your feet in Poughkeepsie”. Tactics used to confuse the suspect and possibly force him to unwillingly disclose information. Hackman, at the age of 16-years old, forged his birthdate and joined the Marine Corp – Semper Fi.
Brethren, please remember to communicate with the secretary of the lodge on dues concerns, changes of address – phone number or email address, all business and administrative matters. Kindly refrain from calling or discussing this with the Worshipful Master or Treasurer, they do not possess records or have access to the Grand Lodge membership profiles, it only ends upgiving them more work in redirecting your inquiry and you loosing time in receiving an answer. The Treasures can be contacted if by chance you needed info on our budget, reports on our investments, expenses and income. But in all truthfulness this could be discussed in lodge and always give the Worshipful Master and Treasurer a heads up prior to the meeting with what you would like to speak on and if he approves. Never ever blind side these Brothers, or for that
matter anyone.
F&S
R:.W:. Mike Sinatra
Secretary
Chaplain's Corner
THE SILENT SUMMONS
A member of a certain Lodge who previously attended meetings regularly, stopped going. After a few months, the Worshipful Master decided to visit him. It was a chilly evening, and the Worshipful Master found his brother at home alone, sitting before a blazing fire. Guessing the reason for the Worshipful Master's visit, the brother welcomed him, led him to a comfortable chair near the fireplace and waited. The Worshipful Master made himself comfortable, but said nothing.
In the grave silence, he contemplated the dance of the flames around the burning logs. After several minutes, the Worshipful Master took the fire tongs, carefully picked up a brightly burning ember and placed it to one side of the hearth, all alone. Then he sat back in his chair, still silent.
His host watched all of this in quiet contemplation. As the one, lone ember's flame flickered and diminished, there was a momentary glow, and its fire was no more. Soon, it was cold and dead.
Not a word had been spoken since the initial greeting. The Worshipful Master glanced at his watch and chose this time to leave. He slowly stood up, picked up the cold, dead ember, and placed it back in the middle of the fire. Immediately, it began to glow once more, with all the light and warmth of the burning coals around it.
As the Worshipful Master reached the door to leave, his host said, with a tear running down his cheek, "Thank you so much for your fiery summons, my brother. I'll be back in our Lodge next meeting."
-- Author Unknown
May the GAOTU continue to watch over all those in need. SMIB
Fraternally,
W∴ Howard Zimmerman
District 25 Lodges
2nd & 4th Thursdays
2701 Quantum Blvd, Boynton Beach, 6:30/7:30 pm
2nd & 4th Mondays
421 Jennings Ave., Greenacres 6:30/7:30 pm
1st & 3rd Tuesdays
9463 Roan LN., Palm Beach Gardens 6:30/7:30 pm
1st & 3rd Wednesdays
421 Jennings Ave., Greenacres 6:30/7:30 pm
2nd & 4th Mondays
1896 Palm Beach Lakes Blvd, West Palm Beach 6:30/7:30 pm
2nd & 4th Mondays
600 S. Loxahatchee Dr., Jupiter 6:30/7:30 pm
2nd & 4th Tuesdays
845 Bradley St., West Palm Beach 6:30/7:30 pm
1st & 3rd Thursdays
845 Bradley St., West Palm Beach 6:30/7:30 pm
Masonic Advancements
Petitions Received:
Brothers:
Entered Apprentices Awaiting Proficiency Examination:
Brothers: Homer Chiang
Awaiting Fellow Craft Degree:
Brothers:
Fellow Craft Awaiting Proficiency Examination:
Brothers: Daniel Garces, Alex Duran, Franckerson Myrtil, Rob Kahane, Kobe Kirschner, Michael Alessandri
Awaiting Master Mason Degree:
Brothers:
Master Mason Awaiting Proficiency Examination:
Brothers: Marcos Liberato, Hugo Mendez
Bible/Apron/WK Tools:
Awaiting
Dual: Brothers:
Plural: Brothers:
Reinstatement: Brothers:
E.A. Transfer: Brothers:
F.C. Transfer: Brothers:
M.M. Transfers: Brothers:
Petitions: Candidate
Upcoming Events and News
Birthdays of the Month
January:
Pieter | Pieter | Van Gunst |
John | Eric | Mitchell |
Gerard | Joseph | Kleehammer |
Joseph | Abraham | Obeid |
William | Perez Jr | |
David | M | Haycock |
Stephen | Robert | Gladstone |
Martin | Louis | Rudnick |
Alexander | Kairney | |
Mark | Bautista | Dela Rosa |
Samuel | Luther | Henry |
Barry | Dean | Baker |
Kerry | Rhea | LaGrone |
Samuel | Robert | Goldstein |
Masonic Home
Benefits for Boca Delray Lodge Members
We’re excited to offer your Working Advantage Discount Program, your one-stop shop for exclusive and convenient savings on the products, services, and experiences you know and love. It’s cost-free and easy to enroll. Just visit www.workingadvantage.com/ and use the company code BOCADELRAYLODGEFUN to begin receiving discounts on:
Enjoy!
Podcast
There are twelve Masonic plays available from the Masonic Service Association
"A Rose Upon The Altar"
"The Greatest of These"
"He That Believeth"
"Greater Love Hath No Man"
"Judge Not!"
"The Hearts of the Fathers"
"To Entertain Strangers"
"A Gift in Secret"
"Treasures of Darkness"
"He Which is Accused"
"If A Man Die... "
"... And Not Forsake Them"
The Committee on Masonic Education of the Grand Lodge of lowa, which has the finest Masonic Library in America, founded in 1844, suggests as a reading course in Freemasonry the following books to be read in the sequence set forth:
1. The Builders. by Newton
2. Introduction to Freemasonry, by Haywood
3. Masonic Symbolism, by Hunt
4. The Newly Made Mason, by Haywood
5. More about Masonry, by Haywood
6. A History of Freemasonry, by Haywood and Craig
7. Symbolical Masonry, by Haywood
8. Introduction to Freemason, by Claudy
9. Short Talks on Masonry, by Newton
10. Freemasonry Before The Existence of Grand Lodges, by Vibert
11. The Old Guilds of England, by Armitage
12. The Story of the Craft, by Vibert
13. Short Readings of Masonic History, by Tatsch
14. Old Charges by British Freemasons, by Hughan
15. The Religion of Masonry, by Newton
16. Freemasonry and Roman Catholicism, by Haywood
17. Handbook for Lodge Officers, by Hunt
18. Famous Masons and Masonic Presidents, by Haywood
19. Famous Masons, by Bell
20. Benjamin Franklin As A Freemason, by Sachse
21. The Facts About George Washington as a Freemason, by Tatsch
22. Old Tiler Talks, by Claudy
23. The Great Teachings of Mason!, by Haywood
24. Freemasonry in the Thirteen Colonies, by Tatsch
25. An Introduction to Freemasonry, by Knoop and Jones
26. Symbolism of The Three Degrees, by Street
27. The Treasury of Masonic Thought, by Martin and Callaghan
28. These Men Were Masons, by Banner
29. The Lodge and the Craft, by Blackmer
30. The Scottish Mason and The Mason Word, by Knoop and Jones
31. The Genesis of Freemasonry, by Knoop and Jones
32. English-Speaking Freemasonry, by Robbins
33. The Beginnings of Freemasonry in America, by Johnson
34. The Religion of Freemasonry, by Whymper
35. Emblematic Freemasonry,-by Waite
36. Roman Catholicism and Freemasonry, by Wright
37. High-Ways and By-Ways of Freemasonry , by Lawrence
38. Sidelights on Freemasonry, by Lawrence
39. The Masonic Problem, by Gibson
40. The Evolution of Freemasonry?, by Darrah
41. Symbolism of Freemosonry, by Mackey
42. The Concise History of Freemasonry, by Gould
43. Speculative Masonry, by McBridge
44. Masonic Jurisprudence, by Lawrence
45. The Law and Custom of Freemasonry, by Edwards
46. Lectures on Masonic Jurisprudence, by Pound
47. Jurisprudence of Freemasonry , by Mackey
48. Lectures on the Philosophy of Freemasonry, by Pound
49. Masonry in the Formation of Our Government, by Roth
50. Negro Masonry in the U.S., by Voorhis
51. Freemasons' Guide and Compendium, by Jones
52. Masonic Quiz Book, by Peterson
53. Landmarks, by Hunt
54. Masonic Lodge Methods, by Blakemore
55. Well-Springs of American Freemasonry, by Haywood
56. Guide of Masonic Speech Making, by Edwards
57. George Washington, Freemason, by Brown
58. Annotated Reading List, by Haywood
59. Little Masonic Library, Twenty Titles in Five Volumes
60. Masonic Soldiers of Fortune, by Stuart
Masonic Regalia and Jewelry Wholesale Prices
Boca Delray Lodge is an Affiliate and the lodge will get 15% from all order place at the site, if you want to help the lodge, please use the link below.
Past Masters of Boca Delray Lodge No. 171
2024 - Rafael Nioac de Salles
2023 - Alexandre C. Ferrari
2022 - Anthony W. Denton
2021 - Anthony W. Denton
2020 - Harold W Ewing II
2019 - Salvatore Musumeci
2018 - Demetrios Kirkiles
2017 - Mark Angstrom
2016 - John Blalock
2015 - Scott Durgee
2014 - Rex Bradford
2013 - David G. Lund
2012 - Jay Obeid
2011 - John Ager
2010 - George Hervey *
2009 - Mike Sinatra
2008 - Robert Langford *
2007 - John Kemp
2006 - David M Haycock
2005 - David Lerner *
2004 - Christopher G. Gilbert
2003 - Brant C. Bayer
2002 - Mark Silberman
2001 - Steve A. Sagal *
2000 - Arthur Dubin
1999 - A. Ray Stewart *
1998 - David A. Allen
1997 - Israel Stavis *
* Deceased
25 LANDMARKS OF FREEMASONRY
Modes of recognition
Division of symbolic Masonry into three degrees
Legend of the 3rd degree
Government of the fraternity by a Grand Master
Prerogative of the Grand Master to preside over every assembly of the Craft
Prerogative of the Grand Master to grant dispensations for conferring the degrees at irregular times
Prerogative of the Grand Master to give dispensations for opening and holding Lodges
Prerogative of the Grand Master to make Masons at sight
Necessity for Masons to congregate in Lodges
Government of lodges by a Master and 2 Wardens
Necessity of tyling lodges
Right of every Mason to be represented in all general meetings of the Craft and instruct representatives
Right of every Mason to appeal from his Lodge to the Grand Lodge or General Assembly of Masons
Right of every Mason to visit and sit in every regular Lodge
No unknown visitor can enter a Lodge without first passing an examination
No Lodge can interfere in the business of another Lodge or give degrees to brethren of other Lodges
Every Freemason is amenable to the laws and regulations of the Masonic jurisdiction in which he resides, even though he may not be a member of any Lodge
Candidates for initiation must be men, unmutilated (not a cripple), free born, and of mature age
Belief in the existence of God as the Great Architect of the universe
Belief in a resurrection to a future life
A "Book of the Law" is indispensable in every Lodge
Equality of all Masons
Secrecy of the institution
Foundation of a speculative science upon an operative art, and symbolic use and explanations for the purpose of religious or moral teaching
These landmarks can never be changed
The Grand Lodge of Florida developed this comprehensive course of study to instruct Brothers on the proper procedures and responsibilities of each Lodge Officer, and how to conduct the important business of their particular Lodge. Courses are presented by the District Chairman, and a certificate is issued upon successful completion of all 15
modules.
The Grand Lodge of Florida provides Master Mason Examinations to be open book type exams designed to give any Master Mason the opportunity to increase his knowledge of some of the Ancient Tenets, Rules, and Regulations of Masonry. They contain a mixture of multiple choice, True or False, or essay questions which should be answered on the answer sheet, as provided in the exam downloads.
The Grand Lodge of Florida encourages all members of the Craft to further their knowledge of Lodge operation, especially those concerning the Elected and Appointed
Officers of each particular Lodge. The Lodge Officers Training program was designed to educate and test your knowledge of Lodge procedures, business, penal code, and other areas. Let There Be Light
Appendant Bodies
BY-LAWS
BOCA DELRAY LODGE PAYMENT METHODS
Payment methods to Boca Delray Lodge No. 171:
1. By mailing a check to the address P.O. BOX 811113, Boca Raton, FL 33481-1113,
2. By CashApp to $BocaDelrayLodge171 or using the link https://cash.app/$BocaDelrayLodge171
3. By Zelle to our Lodge email bdlodge171@gmail.com (preferable)
Dues 2025: $281.00
LYPMGS Donation (2024): $7.30
Building Fund Donation (2024): $25.00
Relief Fund Donation (2024): $25.00
Total: $338.30
PERPETUAL MEMBERS
Alexandre Castro Ferrari
Aniello Alfonso Criscuolo
Bryant Orville Myers Sr
Charles-Johan Gustave Lund
David M Haycock
David A Allen
Demetrios Chris Kirkiles
Derik Brasher
Donald Phillip Bolton
Douglas Blair Sinclair
Eoin Brackenridge Stafford
Everett Alexander Stern
George Ray Ruffing Jr
Gerald Lee Barton
Gerard Joseph Kleehammer
Gerard Carras
Harold William Ewing II
Jack Harrison Breland
John Raymond Farill
John A Clarke Jr
John W Langford
Josiah Reeve Bright
Leslie Scott Gardner
Michael Strauss
Michael Sinatra
Patrick Peter Shepherd
Paul Hunter Goldstein
Peter James Snyder
Pieter Van Gunst
Raymond Hill Cralle
Richard Scott Durgee
Richard Wayne Jones
Robert Wayne Estell Jr
Robert Edward Coombs
Rodrigo Jose Himiob
Salvatore Musumeci
Scott A Gardner
Thomas Kevin Clements
Victor Charles Weinberg
Victor Lamont Searer Jr
Walter Carleton McCrumb
William Alfred Strucker
William Arthur Tucker
Zalmon John Starr
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