2025 Minnesota
Grand York Rite Session
June 26-28 Kelly Inn - St Cloud MN
To the Officers and members of all Chapters, Councils and Commanderies of Minnesota York Rite:
The three presiding officers, M. E. C. Michael Hilgert, Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of Minnesota, M. I. C. R. James Luchsinger, Most Illustrious Grand Master of the Grand Council of Cryptic Masons of Minnesota, and S. K. Jerry Zierdt, Right Eminent Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of Minnesota, cordially invite you to attend the Annual Grand York Rite Session. The Annual Session of the Grand York Rite Bodies of Minnesota are being held at the Best Western Plus Kelly Inn in St Cloud, MN on June 26-28, 2025.
ALL Minnesota Chapters, Councils and Commanderies are encouraged to send their full quota of voting delegates. Any member in good standing is welcome to attend their respective groups and encourage your Lady or guest to attend. St. Cloud provides many things to do during the down time.
It is important that every Chapter, Council and Commandery in Minnesota be represented. It is in your bylaws and the duty of the dais officers and the Secretary/Recorder of every Constituent Chapter, Council and Commandery to attend their Annual Grand Session in person or by their duly authorized representative. If a dais officer is unable to attend, the proper proxy form must be filled out and presented to registration. Please follow the proper protocol for this procedure.
Please review the attached schedule of this Grand Session. There will be a Ladies’ program each day. The chair degrees will be represented, Lotus, wine and chocolate tasting event for the Ladies and other events. A fabulous breakfast buffet is available to get you going in the morning. This site also gives highlights on the events, dress codes and the meal menus. We are hoping to have Illinois Regalia selling their Masonic wares and fun activities in the hospitality room.
Hotel Reservations: The Grand Session will be held at the Best Western Plus Kelly Inn, 100 Fourth Avenue South, St. Cloud, MN 56301. Call 320-253-0606 and mention Grand York Rite Session to make your reservation. The link for hotel reservations is below.
There is a room block set aside for the nights of June 26-29. Rooms are starting at a special rate of $119 or higher + taxes a night depending on room style. Hotel reservations need to be made by June 1, 2025 to receive this special rate. In case rooms are sold out there are other hotels in the area.
The registration deadline is June 12th.
Sincerely,
The Minnesota Grand York Rite Committee
Rundown of Events for the Grand Session:
****SILENT AUCTION ITEMS FUNDRAISER FOR OUR PHILANTHROPIES****
IN HOSPITALITY ROOM
BREAKFAST BUFFET EACH MORNING
WEDNESDAY NIGHT:
SPECIAL DEGREE AND DINNER FOR THE PAST GRAND HIGH PRIESTS AND THEIR LADIES
THURSDAY:
WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS BEFORE THE GRAND CHAPTER
CONVOCATION AND INSTALLATION
ORDER OF HIGH PRIESTHOOD
LADIES’ PROGRAM – College of St. Benedict Monastery (cost)
MEMORIAL SERVICE
KNIGHT OF THE ROYAL ARCH DEGREE
FRIDAY:
GRAND COUNCIL ASSEMBLY AND INSTALLATION
ISH SODI AND THRICE ILLUSTRIOUS MASTER
LADIES’ PROGRAM – Exclusive wine tasting and Chocolate tasting (cost)
GRAND BANQUET
ORDER OF LOTUS
SATURDAY:
GRAND COMMANDERY CONCLAVE AND INSTALLATION
LADIES’ PROGRAM – Canvas painting (cost)
KNIGHT CRUSADERS OF THE CROSS
SATURDAY: DINNER OUT
There will be a gathering for those staying Saturday night in the hospitality room.
There are some activities going on in St. Cloud that weekend to enjoy as well.
(Family Fun Fest and a Rummage Sale)
Dress Code
Public Welcome
- Grand Officers: red, purple or suit coats without aprons
- Companions/Sir Knights: suit or business casual
- No jeans or T-shirts
- Ladies informal
Grand Chapter Session & Installation
- Grand Officers: Red Jackets with aprons
- Companions: suit or business casual with aprons
- No Jeans or T-shirts
Grand Council Session & Installation
- Grand Officers: Purple Jackets with aprons
- Companions: suit or business casual with aprons
- No Jeans or T-shirts
Grand Commandery Session & Installation
- Grand Officers: Full uniform (Class A)
- Sir Knights: Full Uniform (per your Commanderies code) or dark suit
- No Jeans or T-shirts
Luncheons/Dinners
- Business casual
Grand Banquet
- Grand Officers and Distinguished Guests:
- Tuxedo or K. T. Class A Uniform less belt, sword and chapeau
- Grand Officers’ Ladies: Formal
- Distinguished Guests Ladies’: Formal
- Companions/Sir Knights: Class A Uniform less sword, belt and chapeau (cap) or dark suit
- Companions’/Sir Knights’ Ladies: Semiformal
Meals
You should reserve your meals with the online Registration and submit by the deadline of June 8th. We cannot guarantee the meals after the deadline.
In order that you may make informed choices for your dining selections, we are providing the menus for the various meals. If you have any special dietary requirements, please let us know and we will do our best to accommodate you.
The prices for each meal are provided on the registration form.
Breakfasts
ISunrise Buffet with Bacon, Sausage or Ham, Scrambled Eggs with Cheese, Potatoes, Fruit, Rolls and pastries.
Wednesday
PGHP and Ladies Dinner only
Traditional Turkey Dinner, Stuffing, Mashed Potatoes, Veggies and Garden Salad. Served with Roll. Coffee or Tea.
Thursday
Breakfast
Sunrise – Bacon, Sausage or Ham, Scrambled Eggs with Cheese, Potatoes, Fruit, Rolls and Pastries.
Joint Lunch
All American Buffet – Beef Patties, Fixings, Potato Salad, Baked Beans and Chips. Coffee or Tea.
Dinner
Yankee Pot Roast, Mashed Potatoes and veggie. Coffee or Tea.
Friday
Breakfast
Country Fare – French Toast Sticks, Syrup, Scrambled Eggs, Bacon, Sausage or Ham, Fruit.
Joint Lunch
Gourmet Fajita Bar – Tortillas, Chicken, Beef, fixings and Chips and Salsa. Coffee or Tea.
Grand Banquet
Choice of: 8 oz Top Sirloin, Stuffed Chicken Breast (Wild Rice, Mushroom and Garlic Sauce), Broiled Walleye. All served with Salad, Veggie, Potato. Served with Carrot Cake or White Chocolate Raspberry Cake. Coffee or Tea.
Saturday
Breakfast
Sunrise – Bacon, Sausage or Ham, Scrambled Eggs with Cheese, Potatoes, Fruit, Rolls and Pastries.
Joint Lunch
Italian Buffet – Chicken Alfredo with Penne Pasta and Deep-Dish Lasagna, Cesar Salad and Garlic Bread. Coffee or Tea.
Dinner
On your own or go as a group to a local restaurant.
**There will be no on-site meal sales.**
**You must get your meal reservation in before the registration deadline.**
The 2024 - 2025 Presiding Grand Officers
Most Excellent Companion Michael Hilgert,
Most Excellent Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of Minnesota
Most Illustrious Companion
R. James Luchsinger,
Most Illustrious Grand Master of the Grand Council of Cryptic Masons of Minnesota
Sir Knight Jerry Zierdt,
Right Eminent Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of Minnesota