| Potentate's Message English |
POTENTATE'S MESSAGEFebruary 19, 2009 After completing one year of work with positive results for our organization, I must give thanks to the Almighty and to all those Nobles who collaborated in making it possible for Shriners to do the work they do. I'm referring to those who work daily to serve our children, organize the clinics, maintain contact with the patients, do the administrative paperwork, take care of transportation and, especially, who do the follow-up. I also thank the Medical Staff for making sure that all patients meet the clinical requirements. Special mention to our wives, the LADIES OF ABOU SAAD, who at all times are quietly ready to support us by translating from Spanish to English and vice versa, feeding the patients and their families, and organizing activities to celebrate Christmas for our children. Without them the service to others would be a very heavy burden. To the various working committees, thank you for your work on behalf of the organization. To the Motor Patrol for maintaining in good condition our fleet of vehicles; to the Ritualistic Divan for its excellent participation during initiations; to the Kitchen Crew for making sure we are always well fed. To all the special committees like the Cayuco Race, Airplane Festival, International Night, Pilots Day, Chicken Festival, etc. To all of you, thank you very much for your efforts. The year that just ended was a great challenge, especially the visits to all our clubs, some of them more than once, reason for which we salute the Puerto Rico Shrine Clubs in San Juan and the Western Region in Mayaguez, the Virgin Islands, El Salvador, David in Panama, Costa Rica, Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela, Paraguay and Argentina. In all these places we found wonderful Nobles, always ready to serve our children. To all of them thank you very much, and I hope we will soon see each other again. I appreciate the work and fraternal support of our Divan, of the Finance Committee for the sacrifice it makes in order to accomplish things beyond expectations, to our Secretary Magdalena for helping to make things in our Temple possible. We now face the challenge of reopening our club in Peru, which ceased to function for reasons I do not wish to divulge at the moment, but which should not happen again. We are also working to organize clubs in Chile and Brazil, which should give a very decisive boost to our institution. This year we are committed to consolidate Abou Saad and complete the growth in Chile, Peru and Brazil, in addition to strengthening the existing clubs which we hope to visit with more of our Nobles. For which reason we invite all those who can accompany us to do so, and that way we give a bigger feeling of unity to all our endeavors. I take this opportunity to invite all the Nobles to join the Abou Saad delegation that will be present at the Imperial Shriners International Convention in San Antonio, Texas, July 4 thru 9 of this year. I hope many Nobles and their Ladies can go, with the assurance that we will have much fun, at the same time that, together with other Nobles, we will be working towards strengthening and improving the Shriners work. That is why it is important that you advise our office of your decision in order for us to make the necessary reservations. Finally, Maribel and I want to share with you the good news that our family has been blessed with the arrival of our second granddaughter, Andrea Valeria, who was born by cesarean on Monday, February 16, at the Hospital Nacional in Panama City. She weighed 3.2 kilograms, was 49 centimeters long and brought happiness to the home of our son and Noble Ivan Alexander Lau De Leon and his Lady Marta. Thanks to all the Nobles and their Ladies for their beautiful expressions. ES SELAMU ALEIKUM Ill. Sir Enrique Lau Cortes Potentate Abou Saad Shriners |
