Brethren,
I am honoured to be the District Deputy Grand Master for the 2025-2026 year in the Huron District. I would like to have as much travel and brotherhood as possible within our district and between our lodges. I will be throwing down a challenge to each Worshipful Master and all Brethren to reignite, rekindle, and rediscover the reasons why you became a Freemason in the first place. With this reinvigorated state, my hope and goal are to have the Huron District thrive with membership and fun social events.
District Charity
Several years ago, one of the district charities was led by RW Bro. Friedhelm Hoffmann was for Jessica’s House. This has always stayed with me, and I decided that if I were ever the DDGM, I would want to follow in this same regard. Many of us have had this experience or know of someone who has needed this service for their loved ones in their final days.
My understanding is that there is a general lack of funding for these brick-and-mortar facilities. This year, I would like to try to help the three in the district with Jessica’s House Hospice, Huron House Hospice, and Rotary Hospice Stratford Perth. My own experience in this district is having seen a family member and a close friend taken care of in their final days at two out of the three facilities mentioned. My goal is to raise $15,000 in the district, to be evenly split three ways, from the funds raised, along with any top-up from the Masonic Foundation of Ontario. I’m naming it the Huron District Hospices Charity: our District Treasurer, RW Bro. Stephen Hearn and I will work out a plan for the most efficient means of receiving funds for this initiative.
District Social Events
I encourage every Lodge to consider hosting a social event to promote fellowship within your own Lodge and extend an invitation to the District. These events can be friends and family-oriented, and help to open our local surroundings’ eyes to what Freemasonry has to offer to a man possibly interested in joining our great Fraternal organization.
There are three district events already in the works. A 3rd annual Brotherhood Pub night on August 21, a Halloween-themed bowling event on October 25, both being sponsored by St.James-Tecumseh Lodge No.73. In November, there will be District representation at the Remembrance Day Parade in St.Marys on November 9, 2025, in full regalia. It will be a powerful sight to see Freemasons in public view with their regalia on, supporting and walking with members of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 236, Military Veterans and other dignitaries paying respect to our fallen soldiers, friends, and family that served our country. I encourage every Lodge to participate in their local Remembrance Day event. If you would like to walk shoulder to shoulder with your Brethren in the parade, more details will follow in September/October communications. The Huron District will also be holding a banquet in honour of our Grand Master on Friday, November 28, 2025, in Mitchell at the Mitchell Golf Club. A communication has gone out about this already, and will be ongoing in promoting for a desired sold out event.
Other examples of events could be a darts event, a billiards event, a Kids Holiday Season event, a curling event, an indoor golf event, a hole event, and a District Ladies Appreciation event. However, please put your hand up and step forward for some of these other ideas with hosting. I would love to see events held in various towns throughout our District. It would be amazing to see some of these events turn into annual ones. Please consider it.
Huron Herald
We have a great tool at our disposal with the Huron Herald, led by our R.W. Bro Wes Morley. This communication is open to all Lodges to submit events, exceptional lodge occurrences, pictures of the newly initiated member into the craft, etc. This is our District version of the OMM, Ontario Mason Magazine. Let’s use it for a great communication device within our District.
The Travelling Man
During my time in Freemasonry, I have heard many stories of a bygone era when carloads of Brethren would travel to visit a Lodge for an Official Visit or simply because. I have always loved travelling, and I did so the very next night after becoming an Entered Apprentice. What I didn’t realize was that it was an Installation! I was out more than I was in! But I loved every minute of it. I will personally donate a special award to preserve the history of our united Huron District and to capture the passion of Freemasonry travel within the District. I hope to see a great want and desire to take the Travelling Gavel from the last Lodge that won it. Let’s have fun.
In closing, Brethren, I would like to help our District thrive, and I need your help. A group of individuals gets nowhere, but a TEAM can move mountains, and we are Team Huron District. Worshipful Masters, please plan on attending the August 23rd District Meeting, 9:00 AM at Tudor Lodge No.141 in Mitchell. Let’s thrive in 25-26!
Sincerely & Fraternally,
R.W. Bro. Jamie McFadden
District Deputy Grand Master
Huron District