Illustrious Sir
John Domonkos
Potentate

June 2024

The Good News is that our Parade is now 1:00 PM on Saturday, June 8, 2024. I would like to extend my appreciation to Noble Dave Gillies and his committee at the Niagara Shrine Club for their persistence and hard work to make this happen.

Last month was very busy for Lady Elizabeth and I in our travels to all the functions, meeting wonderful Shriners and their Ladies. I would like to note their invaluable support to our philanthropy and our organization in supporting our children in our Shriners Hospital for Children – Canada.

March 16, 2024 – Daughters of the Nile Installation: I would like to congratulate Queen Nancy Benetton-Sampath, may she have a full and wonderful year. I thank all the Divan and Appointed Nobles and their Ladies for being there to give support from Rameses.

March 20, 2024 – Niagara Falls Installation of Officers: I wished them luck and success for their year in office. I was accompanied by Ill. Sir Donald A. Campbell.

April 6, 2024 – Bokhara Court No. 22 Installation of High Priestess Debora Jones: I wish her the best for her year and may it be with lots of pleasant memories. Once again, our Elected and Appointed Divan proved their support to our Shrine family.

April 19-21, 2024 – New York Ontario Shrine Association Spring Session, Saratoga Springs, NY: I attended NYOSA with Lady Elizabeth and received a warm welcome from President Illustrious Sir Thomas Abraham, P.P. The lunch speaker was Miss Bethany Toni, a Shriners Patient, telling us about her story, her procedures and appreciation to the Shriners. She was an excellent speaker and our future comedian, as her speech was filled with humour.

April 23-24, 2024 – 2024 Hospital Seminars at the Shriners Hospital for Children – Canada: The meeting was opened by Jacques Boissonnealt, Hospital Administrator. The message from the Board of Trustees was delivered by Imperial Sir Jerry Gantt, Chairman of the Board of Trustees. The topic discussed was “The Care we give at the Shriners Hospital for Children – Canada”, presented by Dr. Thiery Benaroch, M.D., Chief of Staff. The Patient Transportation and Lodging was presented by Audra Smith, Transportation and Lodging Coordinator. Arthrogryposis was presented by Dr. Reggie Hamdy, M.D. Workshops were on the Breaking of Bones to measure their strength and Bone Cells under the microscope, which was interesting to all present. Dr. Jean Oulette gave an interesting presentation as always. Also in attendance were Imperial Sir James E. Stolze Jr., Imperial Sir Jerry Gantt, and Dr. Leslie Stewart.

The Potentate’s Ball was held on Saturday, April 27, 2024. As the Potentate of Rameses Shriners, I, along with Lady Elizabeth, the First Lady, would like to thank our Chairman, Noble John Neil, Chief Rabban, and Lady Peggy, for organizing and decorating the Banquet Hall. We received our Boarding Pass to finally enter, even though he gave instruction to people to keep me out of the room, including telling the hotel not to give me a key to the room. Our appreciation is also extended to Noble Mark Smith, and Lady Deb Airhart for hosting the Hospitality Room and decorating it with airplane decorations including a runway to enter. If you could not make it, you missed a wonderful time and great food. I would like to thank all the Appointed Divan, and especially the Appointed Ladies, for their hard work in making this an enjoyable event to remember for a long time, and showing us that they all work together with love and harmony.

I would like thank all the Clubs and Units that came to celebrate with us, as I promised you in my Inaugural Speech in January, that I will always be there for you when you need me. You now showed me that you are here for me when I needed you. (Continued on page 7…)

I would like to thank all the Nobles and Ladies from NYOSA for travelling long distances, Bokhara Court Hight Priestess Deborah Jones and Daughters of the Nile Queen Nancy Benetton-Sampath, for attending the Potentate’s Ball. A special thanks to all the Past Potentates for also attending and for their assistance and help throughout the years. You are the back bone that Rameses is built on. My Thanks to my Loving Family for their support and my friends for attending our function.

I have to thank my Mentors whose help and guidance was always appreciated: Rt. Reverend Past Potentate Illustrious Sir Bevan Carrique for sponsoring me into Masonry almost 50 years ago and into Rameses Shriners, without his help and support I would not be here; and Most Worshipful Past Grand Master and Illustrious Past Potentate Donald A. Campbell.

Together, we can make a meaningful difference in the lives of children and their families, offering them hope, healing and a brighter future. I believe that working together, we can amplify our efforts and continue our mission to serve those in need.

We are the Beacon of Hope for Children from all corners of the world. One of the fundamental principles of our organization is to provide medical care to children regardless of their ability to pay. I firmly believe that every child deserves access to the best medical treatment available, irrespective of financial constraints. We, as Shriners, are proving this over and over.

I am hopeful that some of you can make it to Reno for our Imperial Session, I know that First Lady Elizabeth and Noble Drew Ward have a surprise for the Ladies by taking them to Lake Tahoe.

I am looking forward to see you all in Niagara Falls for our Spring Ceremonial and personally say hello to you and your Lady and shake your hand in respect for your help and support.

In closing, I would like to reaffirm my unwavering commitment to serving Rameses Shriners with Dedication and Passion.

Thank you to everyone who has contributed to our Potentate’s Ball 2024 and to the noble cause we all uphold. May our bonds grow stronger together, and may we continue to make a positive difference in the lives of those we serve, our children in the Shriners Hospital for Children – Canada.

God Bless you, from First Lady Elizabeth and your Potentate Illustrious Sir John Domonkos.

“We Fly High For Our Kids”

Let’s Spread Our Wings in 24

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