KNIGHTS TEMPLAR HOLD CHRISTMAS CHARITY EVENT
Read Masonic Center, Kuala Lumpur
Sunday 1st December 2019
To relieve the distressed is a duty incumbent on all men, but particularly on Freemasons, who are linked together by an indissoluble chain of sincere affection. To soothe the unhappy, to sympathize with their misfortunes, to compassionate their miseries, and to restore their troubled minds, is the great aim we have in view. The Knights of Golden Chersonese Preceptory and Priory (GCPP) No. 290 took their Masonic charity duties to heart in the active relief of human suffering within their own community.
The Golden Chersonese Preceptory and Priory held their first Christmas Charity and Celebration event at the Read Masonic Center in Kuala Lumpur. By all accounts this event was a resounding success.
Better known as the Knights Templar, GCPP hosted forty (40) visually impaired persons and seventy (70) orphans from local care homes together with their care workers. The event was also attended by our Right Eminent Prior as well as Brother Knights, Masons, their families and friends, in all approximately two hundred (200) people attended this Christmas Charity Celebration event.
The day started with a short carol service. The Right Eminent Prior was received under an Arch of Steel formed by the Brother Knights of GCPP. The carol service was accordingly held after which the Right Eminent Prior retired with all ceremonial customs and observances. As a mark of appreciation all the guests departed the temple under the Arch of Steel.
Immediately thereafter a sumptuous buffet lunch was served to all the guests while the Brother Knights who wore their tunics decorated with distinctive Red Cross, the symbol of the order helped to ensure all guests were properly catered for.
Following the lunch, a short pantomime of the Golden Chersonese version of “The Golden Goose” was performed by the members of GCPP. This was well received by the children who joined in enthusiastically.
Alms were then presented by the Sub Prior Eminent Knight Wong Swee Min to the following charitable organizations:
1. Rumah Charis - RM 1,500
2. Persatuan Kebajikan Rumah Jaireh - RM 1,300
3. Rumah Kanak-Kanak Triniti - RM 1,500
4. Persatuan rumah Kebajikan kanak - kanak Makarios
- RM 1,500
5. Malaysian Association for the Blind - RM 2,000
In all a total of RM 7,800 was dispersed from the GCPP charity account with more than fifty percent (50%) being donations raised by Brother Knights and Masons.
The balance of the funds raised was donated to the Jerusalem Eye Hospital totaling GBP 500. Supporting this hospital is a long standing tradition among Knights Templar.
The children then went to visit Santa Claus to receive their personal gifts. The event concluded with the visually impaired being presented with a goodie bag of toiletries in our commemorative GCPP carrier bag.
The whole event was a lot of fun and well enjoyed by all who attended, the children, adults and Knights alike.
Our thanks go to Read Masonic Board Management committee who allowed us to use the facilities at the Read Masonic Center free of charge.
Editor’s Note:
A branch of the Freemasons, the Knights Templar – or to give it its full title, the United Religious, Military and Masonic Order of the Temple and of St John of Jerusalem, Palestine, Rhodes and Malta in England and Wales and its Provinces Overseas – has no direct historical with the medieval Knights Templar and Knights Hospitaller from whom it takes it name.
However, the ceremonies echo the history and ethos of those medieval organizations.