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May You Walk in Beauty
May 2009
Supreme President’s Report
May 2nd was the official calendar marking of JOIN HANDS DAY, and I am pleased to continue our efforts not just on one particular day, but straight on through to this administration’s last day this coming August. To be able to present SAMARITAN’S FEET with so many brand new shoes and socks that we have been collecting since our very first Official Visit back in the fall of 2008 will speak volumes about our membership; who we are, what we are all about, and where we are going as a Fraternal Benefit Society; this will take place at the 123rd Annual Convention Visitor’s Luncheon at the Wyndham Hotel in Palm Springs, Ca., Sunday, August 2, 2009.
I am only a few days away from a Friday night visit with Gustine and Newman Councils to be celebrated at the traditional festa landmark, O.L.M. Parish Hall, followed by a Board Meeting at the U.P.E.C. Home Office in San Leandro on Saturday.
Gustine is a place of Portuguese sacredness; a festa known the world over from Rosary processions by candlelight to the distinguished and honored guests who flock there from all corners of the globe and of course the romantic sweetheart stories of a time gone by; in short, Gustine is a place of miracles. We will be honoring our beloved U.P.E.C. in a most holy spot.
Our Lady of Miracles – how radiant – how divine and how necessary during our time of eminent merging of companies, ideas, personalities, powers, artifacts, histories, treasures, and families. This is our opportunity to LIVE the lessons of love and kindness rather than just read about them in church. I trust that the Official Visit in Gustine, so graciously planned and prepared by my friends Anthony Areias, Nancy Petersen and others will help me to refocus my energies while approaching the home stretch of my term. An Official Visit never fails to leave me inspired, motivated and enlightened.
Subsequently, I will offer to the Supreme Board of Directors for approval the 123rd Annual U.P.E.C. Convention Schedule as hosted by Chino Council #43 Dom Carlos, at the Wyndham Hotel in Palm Springs, Ca. August 1 – 4th, 2009.
Does anyone remember the love poem by George Gordon, Lord Byron (1788 – 1824) entitled, She Walks in Beauty? Even the very beginning lines remind you of not only the outer beauty but the soulful splendor of a woman unlike any other; in this case I am meditating on Santa Isabella, the Shrine of Our Lady of Miracles in Gustine, and Our Lady of Fatima.
She walks in beauty, like the night
Of cloudless climes and starry skies;
And all that’s best of dark and bright
Meet in her aspect and her eyes:
Let us have eyes that see the beauty in what our traditions were founded on. We were once immigrants; slaves of Our Lady; hungry to help our brother and sister, not drooling for power. Let us be like the brave and benevolent Queen Santa Isabella and dare to be so faithful that God Himself turned bread into roses; that the Holy Spirit brought King and beggar together at the table to eat; that for peace the Queen put her crown at her feet.
These poetic expressions, the long-anticipated annual festa in Gustine, the Portuguese Fraternal Conventions, the lives of Saints; all of these things make me realize that we have to work harder, and find all the little ways of preserving what we know to be the life force and foundation of our fraternal family – UNITY, CHARITY, PROTECTION for all; LOVE and COMPASSION throughout; FAITH and PERSERVERANCE that never tires. Never waste time worrying how we are supposed to become what we think we are supposed to be, instead, we must BE who we are to the best of our ability and God will take care of the rest.
May 2009
Supreme President’s Report
May 2nd was the official calendar marking of JOIN HANDS DAY, and I am pleased to continue our efforts not just on one particular day, but straight on through to this administration’s last day this coming August. To be able to present SAMARITAN’S FEET with so many brand new shoes and socks that we have been collecting since our very first Official Visit back in the fall of 2008 will speak volumes about our membership; who we are, what we are all about, and where we are going as a Fraternal Benefit Society; this will take place at the 123rd Annual Convention Visitor’s Luncheon at the Wyndham Hotel in Palm Springs, Ca., Sunday, August 2, 2009.
I am only a few days away from a Friday night visit with Gustine and Newman Councils to be celebrated at the traditional festa landmark, O.L.M. Parish Hall, followed by a Board Meeting at the U.P.E.C. Home Office in San Leandro on Saturday.
Gustine is a place of Portuguese sacredness; a festa known the world over from Rosary processions by candlelight to the distinguished and honored guests who flock there from all corners of the globe and of course the romantic sweetheart stories of a time gone by; in short, Gustine is a place of miracles. We will be honoring our beloved U.P.E.C. in a most holy spot.
Our Lady of Miracles – how radiant – how divine and how necessary during our time of eminent merging of companies, ideas, personalities, powers, artifacts, histories, treasures, and families. This is our opportunity to LIVE the lessons of love and kindness rather than just read about them in church. I trust that the Official Visit in Gustine, so graciously planned and prepared by my friends Anthony Areias, Nancy Petersen and others will help me to refocus my energies while approaching the home stretch of my term. An Official Visit never fails to leave me inspired, motivated and enlightened.
Subsequently, I will offer to the Supreme Board of Directors for approval the 123rd Annual U.P.E.C. Convention Schedule as hosted by Chino Council #43 Dom Carlos, at the Wyndham Hotel in Palm Springs, Ca. August 1 – 4th, 2009.
Does anyone remember the love poem by George Gordon, Lord Byron (1788 – 1824) entitled, She Walks in Beauty? Even the very beginning lines remind you of not only the outer beauty but the soulful splendor of a woman unlike any other; in this case I am meditating on Santa Isabella, the Shrine of Our Lady of Miracles in Gustine, and Our Lady of Fatima.
She walks in beauty, like the night
Of cloudless climes and starry skies;
And all that’s best of dark and bright
Meet in her aspect and her eyes:
Let us have eyes that see the beauty in what our traditions were founded on. We were once immigrants; slaves of Our Lady; hungry to help our brother and sister, not drooling for power. Let us be like the brave and benevolent Queen Santa Isabella and dare to be so faithful that God Himself turned bread into roses; that the Holy Spirit brought King and beggar together at the table to eat; that for peace the Queen put her crown at her feet.
These poetic expressions, the long-anticipated annual festa in Gustine, the Portuguese Fraternal Conventions, the lives of Saints; all of these things make me realize that we have to work harder, and find all the little ways of preserving what we know to be the life force and foundation of our fraternal family – UNITY, CHARITY, PROTECTION for all; LOVE and COMPASSION throughout; FAITH and PERSERVERANCE that never tires. Never waste time worrying how we are supposed to become what we think we are supposed to be, instead, we must BE who we are to the best of our ability and God will take care of the rest.
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