Brethren,

At the close of another eventful calendar year, and the midpoint in our Masonic year, I ask that you take some time to reflect. We can count accomplishments, degrees conferred, etc., but that is not what I am thinking of as I write this. I am grateful for the light the men in this Lodge provide in my life, and for the light, we are able to provide to our community. I hope that you will resolve to reach out to Brothers who you may not have seen or spoken with in the past couple of years to reconnect. I have been able to make many such calls over the past year, and they have been some of the brightest moments of my time in the East. I am optimistic that this pandemic will soon become endemic, and we can more safely turn those phone calls into breakfast or lunch meetings. Until then, and for the Brothers who might not live in Austin any longer especially, please reach out to them. 

Thank you for the work you have put in these past six months on improving our ritual work. I know the dedicated practice nights aren’t easy to get hallpasses for, but your dedication and professionalism have definitely raised our level of proficiency. The Master’s degree in the Capitol in October was very special, and truly a team effort. We will be supporting the Grand Master with another degree on February 25th, 2022. Your engagement in the Work is making University Lodge a beacon in Texas Masonry.  

The Grand Master will be presenting us with our Centennial Certificate that same night at our Festive Board to kick off the celebration of our 100th birthday. Tickets and sponsorships can be purchased here: https://universitylodge.org/eventer/centennial-year-of-university-lodge-1190/edate/2022-02-25/  This event is to celebrate the accomplishments of all the Brothers who have come before us to make University Lodge what it is today, and to support the philanthropic organizations we support in Austin. Your contributions, past & present, have made us a beacon in this community. 

Finally Brethren, I encourage you to remember that engagement of the Brethren is a very delicate and special thing. Never take it for granted. As our Grand Master has so aptly put it, we must provide purpose and reasons for our members to stay engaged. It is my earnest desire that you are able to find that purpose here striving for excellence in ritual, in active benevolence the Work has cultivated within us, and in the fellowship of other intellectually & philosophically curious men. That strong bond is what led to the creation of University Lodge 100 years ago, and it is what sustains us today. Not every Lodge turns 100 though… 

Memento Mori, Memento Vivere

Ford Meadows, Worshipful Master

University Lodge #1190, A.F. & A.M.