Michael Sinatra, 32°, K.C.C.H.
1439 N.W. 97 Terrace, Coral Springs, Florida 33071–5945
ourgang@mediaone.net

The Scottish Rite Reunion is an opportunity to confer and receive the Degrees and to renew friendships.

For me, I found the Scottish Rite to be the niche of Freemasonry that has brought me the most pleasure. Twice a year, for instance, we have a special opportunity to plan, rehearse, and put on a Reunion. A Reunion is an initiation ceremony, which brings new members into our folds, and an opportunity for existing members to share fellowship and learn more about the Rite.

The Reunion creates a special time for Scottish Rite Masons. There is a certain atmosphere of anxiety mixed with excitement, all of which adds to the delight of the event. Of course, bringing new members into the Scottish Rite has many advantages. We not only have the opportunity of increasing membership, finding new cast members and participants for the many committees and events sponsored by the Valleys, but we also have the privilege of furthering Masonic Education. Each Brother participating has the opportunity of bringing a Candidate or other Mason greater Masonic light. Where entry into the Blue Lodge makes a good man better, entry into the Scottish Rite takes that better man and brings him to even higher levels of Masonic knowledge.

The Reunion makes its emergence a few months prior to the actual event. Committees are formed, Degree Teams meet, menus decided, wardrobe and makeup made ready, and the stage and sound prepared for this special day. With the enthusiasm of a Cagney or Bogart, Brothers put in hours of rehearsing their parts. Where a professional actor's goal is to entertain his audience, our goal is to teach lessons in building character, ethics, honor, virtue, and morality. These lessons will teach the Candidate the value of aiding the widow, the orphan, the distressed worthy Brother, the oppressed and downtrodden. Our Rite's short plays, the Reunion's Degrees, instill the values of democracy, social justice, political freedom, and religious tolerance.

We all know of men who build homes, boats, and model cars. In contrast, a Scottish Rite Mason, through his participation in a Reunion, builds character in men. In addition, the Reunion is a time for greeting Brethren we see often and sometimes not so often. Nevertheless, we greet each other with hearty handshakes and well wishes. Inquiries about family, health, and activities usually follow. Occasionally, the opportunity arises where we have the pleasure of meeting visiting Brethren. With these special visits, Brethren often compare the difference in how we put on Degrees, open and close Lodges, wear costumes, and so forth.

A Scottish Rite Reunion provides all men of varying talents a chance of lending a helping hand. Within our Valleys there is a job for everyone willing to help. Some involve complex, but satisfying, participation. Others are much simpler. Each is equally as important to the success of the Reunion. The Reunion, both in preparation and performance, helps us develop our self-esteem, public speaking, organizational ability, acting talent, and cooking skills. We give and take within the length of our cable tows, all in the name of brotherly love.

The Reunion is a time for sharing. What is shared all depends on the individual involved. Some give, others receive, although no one remains untouched by the excitement and mechanics of a Reunion. For those who have not visited their Valley lately, try stopping by, shake some hands, and say hello. Witness the Revised Standard Pike Degrees performed by dedicated Brothers seeking to make our world a better place. That's a Reunion!

Michael Sinatra is employed by AT&T as their Florida Market Fleet Manager. Raised in 1978 and currently a member of J. Dewey Hawkins Lodge No. 331, Oakland Park, the Scottish Rite Bodies of Lake Worth, and Amara Shrine Temple, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, Brother Sinatra has been Venerable Master in the 14° for the past eight years, was invested a K.C.C.H. in October 1997, and received the Double Eagle Award in May 1999.