Master's Message February 2026

Brethren,

We’ve had a very fun and active start to our Lafayette Masonic year. As I start to realize just how fast this year is starting to slip by, I pause to thank the Brothers not only for their engagement, but for their desire to continue to expand to do more in the future! I have had many Brothers come up to me and ask about what else we might do as an organization. I also reflect on an interview that I just did for Grand Lodge about why we are on such a good trajectory as a Lodge. I believe, that as I stated at St Johns Night, that we have great men that we share our lodge with. That is foundational. I also believe though, that the things that we do together as a lodge matter.

Thus, I refer to an article that my father sent me by Connecticut Bro. David J. Stewart called A Masonic Reflection on America’s Semi-Quincentennial. In it, Bro. Stewart states:

“One day, when you are long gone, your name just might be mentioned in lodge. You won’t be there to hear it, you won’t know who said it, or why. But something you did, how you served, how you spoke, will echo in a room filled with brothers you never met. Your memory will sit among them, even if only for a moment. This is one of the quiet truths of Freemasonry. We do not just build our own lives. We help build the lives of others, and in doing so, you and I become part of a living structure that endures beyond our time.”

The question is… Who are those others? Brothers?… Yes. How about your families…your community? Those that are the benefactors of some of our charitable work? Many, actually, may never know! I am convinced that it doesn’t matter who knows. Remember, the all seeing eye does. Our hearts do. Mostly though, in times that see so much division and frustration with our fellow man, the way to remedy that frustration is to do good things! No matter who knows! Brothers, we do good things here at Lafayette, and I continue to put it to us to do more!

As such, at February’s monthly meeting, we will be hosting guests from the Northern RI Food Pantry in order that we may continue to learn about how we might continue to grow Lafayette presence in the community. Maybe someday, somebody will speak kindly of your memory because of some future work or impact that we may have with the Pantry. How wonderful that would be! Or maybe not.

Fraternally,

W:. Matt Ludwig