April 2025
- rs7041
- Apr 1
- 14 min read
Meetings
1st Thursday (Stated)
3rd Thursday (Stated)
***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: | |||
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 would like to congratulate all of the newly raised Master Masons back in March. We are all excited to have them join us in our lodge meetings. I also wanted to extend a big thank you to everyone who participated in the Boca Bash event. It's great to see us getting out in the community together as brothers.
We have the MMA meeting on Monday, April 7th and I hope to see all who can make it there. It's always a fun time
For the 1st meeting this month we have a guest speaker from the South Florida Woodworkers Guild coming to talk to us about their Veteran's Urn Project.
I would like to request every brother if you can, bring nonperishable foods to be donated to Boca Helping Hands.
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 of Boca-Delray Lodge No.171,
I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate our newly raised Master Masons on March 8, 2025. I suggest they read all Masonic Education System Booklets given to them and would like to paraphrase a passage in one of the booklets.
You having the good fortune of becoming a member of Boca-Delray, and thereafter you
progress in Masonic knowledge and experience, as we trust you will, you will then win an understanding of this subject in a more technical manner, and you will have the advantage of seeing it from inside instead of from outside. But at your present stage, the subject is of the utmost importance to you, and that for this reason: it makes plain to you that Freemasonry is clearly conscious of what belongs to its own proper nature. It guards against every possible influence and cherishes that nature continually; the petitioner who comes into its membership must accept it as he finds it or not at all.
There is no way to change Freemasonry to suit the tastes, foibles, prejudices, or opinions of the member; it is the member who must change himself to conform to it. To be a Mason, therefore you must stand ready with all sincerity to give wholehearted assent to its teachings and principles, obedience to its laws and regulations and observance to its Ancient Landmarks.
Eric Figueroa
Senior Warden
Boca-Delray Lodge No.171
From the South
Greetings from the South!
Thank you for everyone's support of the Boca Bash!
We, in the kitchen, continue striving to provide a variety of good food for you to enjoy because together is a good place to be, especially with good food.
I appreciate SS Garfield Heron, former JS Marcos Liberato,
and our new JS Dan Mitu who have worked hard to ensure that all goes well.
Also appreciated are a number of Brothers such as
Homer Chang, Daniel Garces, and others who jump in
to help as needed.
Feel free to offer suggestions
***
Freemasonry is founded on the immutable laws of Truth and Justice
and its grand object is to promote the happiness of the human race.
George Washington
***
Fraternally,
Derik Brasher
Junior Warden
Boca-Delray Lodge No. 171
F. & A.M.
From the Secretary
Greetings Brethren, I hope that you had a pleasant March and enjoyed the unusually cooler temperatures that we have seen.
One of the unpleasant tasks a lodge secretary must attend to is having to drop a Brother for non- payment of dues, not offering the family a Masonic Funeral Service or removing his status as an Emiritus Brother, all because his contact information has not been updated in many years. Usually, this Brother does not attend lodge or that he submitted a petition many years ago and has since changed phone numbers, addresses or at the time of submitting a petition for the degrees has never had an email address. In many a case, email did not exist at the time. The absolute worst scenarios are when he may have forty or so years as a Mason and fails to pay his annual dues and gets dropped from good standing because his mail is returned as non-deliverable, he doesn’t answer the phone or reply to an email. Does the secretary have to assume that he passed or is in a health facility? This same Brother, being away from lodge in years has never informed his family or reminded them that he is a Mason and to contact either the lodge or Grand Lodge of their loved one’s situation. Worst so when this Brother has no family.
Pease Brothers, take this message to heart and update the secretary with your contact
information by emailing mastermason33@gmail.com We will not be contacting you or
soliciting you; we will just update your Masonic profile and be able to better contact you if the need arises.
On another note, Petitions for the Three Symbolic Degrees. Boca Delray Lodge does not make it a practice to present a petition to a potential member unless his has visited the lodge for about six times. This enables our members to get to know him, who he is, his occupation, something about his family, and other information that will enable a Brother to decide if this is a proper candidate for Masonry. If you have the privilege to be a first line signer on a petition, you are the person who mentors this gentleman through his process of becoming a Freemason. You inform the petitioner that all questions must be answered on the petition and supplemental with either an answer or N/A. That he provides the Degree fee of $200.00 dollars with the filled-out forms, and also submits the background investigation form along with the fee of $15.00 dollars. This is the cost the agency running the investigation charges our lodge. In the unfortunate instance that the petitioner is rejected, this fee is not refundable although
his Degree fee is returned to him. You also help him by coaching him in proper Masonic
protocol and courtesies, dress code and assuring that he interacts with other members of the lodge as well as other potential candidates.
This complete message my Brothers is to make Good Men Better – Good Masons Better
Masons.
Fraternally,
R:.W:. Mike Sinatra - Secretary
Chaplain's Corner
Greetings Brethren!
While both Passover and Easter celebrate themes of freedom and redemption, Freemasonry, as a non-religious institution, doesn't have a specific message or ritual tied to either holiday, but rather focuses on universal values like liberty, equality, and fraternity.
Passover, a Jewish holiday, commemorates the Israelites liberation from slavery in Egypt, while Easter, a Christian holiday, marks the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Both holidays share common themes of freedom, redemption, and hope, which resonate with the Masonic ideals of liberty and progress. Freemasonry does not have specific rituals or ceremonies tied to either Passover or Easter, as these are religious holidays.
The Scottish Rite, a branch of Freemasonry, has a ceremony called the "Feast of the Paschal Lamb," which is a remembrance of the Last Supper and the death and resurrection of Jesus. This ceremony, while drawing on Christian themes, is not a religious service but a symbolic representation of Masonic principles, including the importance of brotherhood and the pursuit of knowledge.
Masons may use the opportunity to reflect on the importance of freedom, equality, and fraternity, and to renew their commitment to these values. Masons, regardless of their individual faiths, were reminded of the parallel path they all follow, seeking the immortality of the soul and life eternal.
The presence of the Holy Bible, Torah, and Quran on the Masonic altar symbolized the inclusive nature of Freemasonry, where members of multiple faiths could find common ground.
The transition to spring, marked by both Passover and Easter, brought renewed hope and confidence in man's ability to be reborn.
May the GAOTU continue to watch over all those in need wherever dispersed over the world. 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:
John | Morris | |
Osmay | Cortez | |
Christopher | James | Downey |
Alfred | Karl | Kreusher |
Robert | Ted | Masters |
John | Daniel | Miladin |
Richard | Scott | Durgee |
Dragos | Sprinceana | |
William | John | Welch III |
Bryant | Orville | Myers Sr |
Paul | Hunter | Goldstein |
Carlos | Eduardo | Llovet |
Harold | William | Ewing II |
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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