| I have just returned from our Imperial Sessions in Toronto. It was a thrill to see a Canadian, Imperial Sir George Mitchell, installed as Imperial Potentate. George’s enthusiasm and passion for Shriners is always evident and I know all Mocha Shriners wish him success. We will be honoured by the Imperial Potentate George and his Lady Deanna with a visit to Mocha on Tuesday October 5 – a flyer with details can be found on this site by clicking on our events link.
The Imperial Sessions saw two new Temples (or chapters), one in Puerto Rico, and one in the Philippines. Also permission was granted for a new temple under dispensation in Germany. With this worldwide growth we officially changed our name to Shriners International. With the interest from around the world it will not be long before many more countries will be represented. It was also announced that the construction of the new Canadian unit of Shriners Hospitals for Children will be built in Montreal.
We got to see evidence of what great work our Shriners hospitals can do with some of our patient success stories. The strength and determination of these children is incredible and truly humbling. People may say “you Shriners are always selling something” – I say yes we are and with good reason. We live by the mantra of helping someone today besides yourself.
We ask for your support not your praise. I know many Shriners feel burdened by the pressures of too few doing too much work for too long – I appreciate your hard work and empathise with you – but I urge you to stay the course, what we do matters and does make a difference.
My thanks to every Mocha Shriner for your continued dedication. Remember the words of Mark Twain “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did”
Barry Snider
Potentate Mocha Shriners
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