The Convent and Investiture of the Priory of The Temple Church with the Commandery of the Holy Trinity
28 February – 2 March 2025
The Temple Church C&I commenced with the Prior’s Reception and Dinner on Friday, 28 February, at Sonny’s BBQ Restaurant in Titusville, Florida. There were 34 attendees. Grand Chancellor, H.E. COL Chev. Fredrick Kienle, PhD, GCTJ, accompanied by his wife Laura, was present for the weekend events. The reception included dining, a review of the weekend by the Prior, and raffles to benefit The Temple Church Priory Scholarship Fund. Following the reception, there was continued fellowship around the firepit at the host hotel, the TownPlace Suites.
On Friday evening, Postulant Claude Rene Mode concluded several weeks of mobile SMOTJ Templar pre-Accolade Training by attending Mandatory Postulant Training conducted by Master of Postulants Claudia Chamberland and Prior Dennis Chamberland with Temple Church Secretary Kim St Clair Seals assisting.
On Saturday morning, March 1st, there was a morning fellowship breakfast at the IHOP adjacent to the hotel.
Following the fellowship breakfast, Postulant Mode attended his formal Spiritual Vigil that included Master of Postulants Claudia Chamberland officiating, Assistant MOP Chev. Raymond House, Prior Dennis Chamberland, and Temple Church Secretary Kim St Clair Seals assisting. After Saturday’s activities were concluded, Chev. Claude Mode (French is his primary language) responded with this email to Prior Chamberland:
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Thank you, brother Dennis.
It was very intense for me.
I was feeling something that I never did before when I was on my knees with you.
A beautiful moment.
I was speaking to God and I think He was around me. It made me cry.
This is the first time in my life.
I have not enough words to explain.
I went outside and could not walk for ten minutes.
Thank you to all of you for making this happen.
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The C&I commenced on Saturday afternoon at 3:00 PM at St. Stephen’s Christian Retreat Center in Titusville with 38 attendees including Knights, Dames, and honored guests, with five of the attendees as potential future members. In addition to Chev. and Mrs. Kienle, we were honored to include BG Chev. James Reed and Chvse. Carmel Reed as our guests from the Priory of St. David of Wales.
During the C&I, Claude Mode was honored with the accolade, with Grand Chancellor, H.E. COL Chev. Fredrick Kienle, PhD, GCTJ officiating on behalf of Grand Prior, Chev. Ralph Donald Robinson, GCTJ, GMTJ. During the service, two Temple Church members received awards: Chev. Thomas Beaton KCTJ with the Commendation Medal and Chev. Raymond T. House, Sr., KTJ, was awarded the Achievement Medal. Chev. Thomas Beaton was also advanced to the rank of Grand Officier (GOTJ). Rev. Dr. Glenn Galtere delivered a very thoughtful and thought-provoking Homily as well as attending to all Chaplain duties during the C&I ceremony.
A Formal Banquet was held at the John F. Kennedy Space Center’s Atlas Ballroom in the Kurt Debus Center that overlooked the spectacular Rocket Garden which displayed authentic rockets – unmanned and manned – representing more than 60 years of space exploration history.
CAPT Chev. Howard Giraldo, Commander of the Commandery of The Holy Trinity, was Master of Ceremonies for the banquet. The gathering was addressed by Prior Dennis Chamberland who spoke on the theme of the evening, “It’s Who We Are,” encouraging extraordinary, extra-mile generosity on behalf of our brothers and sisters in the Holy Land. Prior Chamberland reminded all that sacrificial giving for the Kingdom of God is our duty and our honor as Templars – and it is, indeed, who we are.
Prior Chamberland then presented award certificates, Long and Faithful Awards, and a pair of Prior Medals to Chvse. Margaret Miller and CAPT Chev. Howard Giraldo, Commander of the Commandery of the Holy Trinity. Past Prior VI, Chvse. Linda M. Ross addressed the group as the Regional Growth Officer for Region III, and Grand Chancellor, H.E. COL Chev. Fredrick Kienle delivered a message of commitment and challenge to all Templars.
The evening ended with enjoyable and entertaining silent and live auctions benefiting The Temple Church Scholarship Fund. Members were also encouraged to offer additional contributions after the auctions, especially if they did not win an auction.
An Order of the White Ash gathering was celebrated at the end of the evening’s events at the TownPlace Suites firepit.
On Sunday morning, an ecumenical service was held by Commandery Chaplain Chvse. Deborah Galtere, DTJ, in a very moving and contemplative service commemorating the Christian event of Transfiguration Sunday.
The Knights and Dames of The Temple Church enthusiastically responded with truly extraordinary generosity to the theme of the weekend, “It’s Who We Are!”
$438 was collected from the Friday Prior’s Reception Raffles.
$742 was collected from the Silent Auctions.
$2,270 was collected from the Live Auctions.
$660 was collected as additional contributions for the Priory Scholarship Fund.
$1,000 was collected as the mite offering during the C&I and designated as a Priory donation to the GPUSA Jerusalem Mite.
TOTAL collected at The Temple Church Convent and Investiture: $5,110.00
This collection represents approximately DOUBLE our typical C&I income, making up for losing our October 2024 opportunity due to Hurricane Milton!
GOD IS TRULY GOOD as He consistently blesses through our Order’s Templar efforts extended to His people in extremis in the Land of the Holy One.
The weekend was, in a word – spectacular – in every respect!
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NOTE TO TEMPLARS UNABLE TO ATTEND:
If you could not attend for whatever reason, please prayerfully consider making a contribution of ANY amount for The Temple Church Scholarship fund! Just mail your check out to SMOTJ and mail to:
Treasurer Claudia Chamberland, 5029 Fleetwood Pl., Cocoa, FL. 32926
-OR-
Contact Tom Beaton to make your contribution by credit card. (info@TempleChurchPriory.org)
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Respectfully Submitted by
Chev. Dr. Dennis Chamberland, GOTJ
Prior VII – Priory of the Temple Church
Non Nobis Domine, Non Nobis, Sed Nomini Tuo Da Gloriam
** Photos by Chev. Cesar Fernandez and Chev. John Boyd.