Christopher L. Hodapp's Blog, page 4

Speaking in Denver on June 16th

by Christopher Hodapp

I'll be speaking in Denver, Colorado at the Consistory of the Denver Scottish Rite Masonic Center on Monday, June 16th at 6:00PM. Really looking forward to it - the last time I was there for an event was back in 2009.
For more information and tickets, CLICK HERE .

Speaking in Denver on June 6th

by Christopher Hodapp

I'll be speaking in Denver, Colorado at the Consistory of the Denver Scottish Rite Masonic Center on Monday, June 16th at 6:00PM. Really looking forward to it - the last time I was there for an event was back in 2009.
For more information and tickets, CLICK HERE .

God and the Odd Fellows

by Christopher Hodapp

Over the last few years, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows fraternal organization has been growing and reaching out to a younger demographic. Some have been embracing their decidedly offbeat name as a welcoming place for men and women who proudly celebrate themselves as being 'odd', an image the organization didn't really have of itself before. Many IOOF lodges have tried to expand with this strategy, but some apparently fear that local lodge officers are doing so by shun...

Cuban Freemasons Oust Grand Master in Called Session

Grand Lodge of Cuba in Havana
by Christopher Hodapp

The Grand Lodge of Cuba is in what the English used to call a right old bloody mess. First, their former Grand Master, Mario Alberto Urquía Carreño, was arrested last September under accusations of fraud, in collaboration with the former Grand Treasurer, Airam Cervera Reigosa. After an extensive audit of the Grand Lodge finances, Carreño and Reigosa may have ultimately embezzled more than US$20,000 using forged documents, along with making off wi...

New York's "Welcome Brother" Package

by Christopher Hodapp

A new Entered Apprentice with the moniker Zealousideal-Hunt242 posted this photo on Reddit of a 'welcome box' of information and Masonic swag he recently received from the Grand Lodge of New York . Looks to be a coffee cup, a set of stickers, a 'Welcome Brother" booklet of reference information, and a bottle of hand sanitizer (for cleanup after making those dodgy handshakes we're so famous for, dontcha know). 
Not a bad little welcome package from the grand lodge level, and a ...

Brother General Lafayette Masonic Marker Dedication May 12th in Jeffersonville, Indiana

by Christopher Hodapp

Alice and I are in Jeffersonville, Indiana this weekend for the arrival Brother General Gilbert Lafayette. (See HERE for my original post in April.)
Major General Gilbert du Motier, the Marquis de LaFayette, was invited as ‘the Nation’s Guest’ in 1824-25 to tour America as part of the Jubilee 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and American Revolution. By that time, Lafayette was the last living member of General George Washington’s Revolutionary War-era gener...

Dick Fletcher, Longtime Head of MSA, Passes

by Christopher Hodapp

Richard 'Dick' Fletcher, long-time Executive Secretary of the Masonic Service Association , has passed away.
The following message was sent out on Thursday by James Cole, Sovereign Grand Commander of the Scottish Rite Southern Jurisdiction:

It is with deep sadness that I share the passing of Richard “Dick” Fletcher, beloved husband of Judy Fletcher and a cherished member of our House of the Temple family.

Dick’s contributions to the Scottish Rite were immeasurable. For many year...

2025 Midwest Conference on Masonic Education Wrap Up

by Christopher Hodapp

The 75th Midwest Conference on Masonic Education in Indianapolis has wound down for 2025, and I'd like to express my deepest thanks to everyone who helped make it a great success. Not only to the other presenters, but to the attendees, as well. 

Speakers at the Conference included Steve Harrison, Heather Calloway, Daniel Gardener, Adam Kendall, Brent Morris and myself.
Among the close to 100 attendees were representatives from 17 different Masonic jurisdictions.
As president of...

Those Spooky Masonic Messages Are EVERYWHERE

by Christopher Hodapp

Check out the subway station sign in New York City just outside of the Grand Lodge F&AM of New York's beautiful headquarters building on 23rd Street. 
"Freemasonry is the Path to 33"
It's a big secret conspiracy. 
Everybody knows about it.
(H/T to the Scottish Rite Freemasonry Facebook page.)

R.I.P. T.M.S. - The Masonic Society Officially Announces Closure

by Christopher Hodapp

After a prolonged public silence, the officers and directors of the Masonic Society have regretfully issued the following official statement:

Sunday April 27, 2025

Greetings all members, Fellows and friends of the Masonic Society,

It is with great difficulty and sadness that we, as the members of the TMS Board of Directors, inform you that we have officially closed all operations of The Masonic Society, Inc and have ceased publication for the foreseeable future. This decision ...