The Joint C&I of the Priory of The Holy Trinity and the Priory of The Temple Church commenced at 3:30 PM on Friday, 3 October 2025, with the Mandatory Postulant Training for the 3 Holy Trinity and 2 Temple Church Postulants conducted by Temple Church Master of Postulants Claudia Chamberland and Prior Dennis Chamberland. This session finalized the series of 10 Units of SMOTJ Templar pre-Accolade electronic training provided to the Postulants.
The Priors’ Reception and Dinner on Friday, 3 October, at Zarella’s Italian Restaurant, Cape Canaveral, began at 5:00 PM. There were 38 attendees. Deputy Grand Prior, H.E. Chev. Fredrick Cassidy, GOTJ, accompanied by his wife Chvse. Tanya Cassidy, Prior XI, Priory of the Holy Rood, was present for the weekend events. The reception included dining, a review of the weekend by the Priors, fantastic fellowship with the members of the two priories, meeting a prospective member, and enjoying a delicious cake that featured the graphic for the “Team Florida” event.
Following the reception, the 5 Postulants attended a formal Spiritual Vigil that included Master of Postulants Claudia Chamberland officiating, with Assistant MOP Chev. Raymond House, Prior Rev. Dennis Chamberland, and Temple Church Secretary Kim St Clair Seals assisting.
There was also continued fellowship poolside at the host hotel, the Radisson Resort at the Port, where fine spirits and aromatic cigars were enjoyed.
Saturday morning began with a fellowship breakfast at Grills Dockside at the Port featuring magnificent views of Port Canaveral. Attendees were rewarded with watching the SpaceX Falcon 9 booster recovery drone ship “A Short Fall of Gravitas” (about to receive its 127th+- Falcon 9 booster landing) plus support vessel “Bob” (designed to recover nose cone fairings) departing for a Monday scheduled launch.
The Joint C&I ceremony commenced on Saturday afternoon at 2:00 PM onsite in our created “Templar Chapel” at the Radisson with 45 attendees, including Knights, Dames, and honored guests, with a potential future member.
During the Joint C&I, Priory of The Holy Trinity Postulants Lieutenant Colonel Robert M. Altamirano, Bradford A. DiCamillo, and Luis F. Quesada, MPrA, plus Priory of The Temple Church Postulants Master Sergeant Reverend Father William R. Bates and Ronald W. Wetherington, were honored with the accolade, with Deputy Grand Prior, Region III, H.E. Frederick Cassidy, GOTJ, officiating on behalf of Grand Prior H.E. COL Chev. Fredrick Kienle, PhD, GCTJ.
During the service, one Holy Trinity member received an award: MGYSGT Chev. Gerson Cabrera was presented with the Achievement Medal. Four Temple Church members received awards: Chev. Thomas Beaton was presented with his second Meritorious Service Medal, Chev. Robert Sherman with the Commendation Medal, plus Chev. James R. Pottinger and Chvse. Sarah Pottinger were awarded the Achievement Medal.
The Priory of The Holy Trinity advanced six Knights to the rank of Knight Commandeur (KCTJ): Master Gunnery Sergeant Chev. Gerson I. Cabrera, Chev. Jean P. Compere, Sergeant First Class Chev. Cesar E. Fernandez, Staff Sergeant Chev. Ivan C. Garcia, Chev. Losmyr Luberisse, and Chev. Bradley R. Miller. Prior CAPT Chev. Howard Giraldo was advanced to the rank of Grand Officier (GOTJ).
The Priory of The Temple Church advanced four Knights to the rank of Knight Commandeur (KCTJ): Chev. John D. Boyd, Chev. Jack H. Gerkovitch, MD, Chev. Major Joseph W. Jung, Jr., and Reverend Chev. Cristiano Meneses. Chvse. Kim St Clair Seals was advanced to the rank of Grand Officier (GOTJ).
The Temple Church Chaplain, the Rt. Rev. Dr. David Sokol delivered a very inspiring and thought-provoking Homily, as well as attending to all Chaplain duties during the C&I ceremony.
A Cocktail Reception and Formal Banquet were held at the Radisson.
CAPT Chev. Howard Giraldo, Prior I, the Priory of The Holy Trinity, was Master of Ceremonies for the banquet and presented the first Holy Trinity Prior Medal to Chev. Claude Mode, KTJ. Temple Church Prior Chamberland presented the 25-Year Gold Star Long and Faithful Award to both Temple Church Prior I, Chev. Thomas Seater, GCTJ, CMTJ, and Chvse. Sara Seater, GOTJ, plus Prior Medals to LtCol Chev. Robert Miller, GCTJ, CMTJ, Chev. James R. Pottinger, KCTJ, and Sarah Pottinger, DCTJ.
Temple Chuch Past Prior VI, Chvse. Linda M. Ross addressed the group as the Regional Growth Officer for Region III, and Deputy Grand Prior Region III, H.E. Chev. Fredrick Cassidy, GOTJ, delivered a message for the Grand Prior concerning the significance of Growth and the Oath for all Templars.
The evening ended with enjoyable and entertaining silent and live auctions benefiting both Priory Scholarship Funds.
An Order of the White Ash gathering was celebrated at the end of the evening’s events, poolside at the Radisson.
On Sunday morning, an enlightening ecumenical service was held by Rev. Chev. Dennis Chamberland, PhD, focused on God’s amazing grace. The story of John Newton’s conversion and later penning of the famous hymn “Amazing Grace” helped illustrate the message.
The Knights and Dames of The Holy Trinity and The Temple Church enthusiastically responded with extraordinary generosity to the Scholarship Fund needs of both Priories.
$2924 was collected from the Silent and Live Auctions to be divided by the two priories for their Scholarship Funds.
$500 was donated to help kickstart the Holy Trinity Scholarship Fund.
$700 was collected as the mite offering during the Joint C&I and designated as a Priory donation to the GPUSA Jerusalem Mite.
TOTAL collected at The Holy Trinity and The Temple Church Joint Convent and Investiture: $4124
But Wait….
This unique Convent and Investiture story cannot be told without unveiling its true highlight…
The Third Bedlam White Hat Auction
For the third consecutive Florida C&I, the Floppy White Hat was auctioned again, but with a new twist. No longer was the auction internal to one Priory!
For the very first time, under the very shadow of spaceships and rockets, it was between two Florida Priories – Temple Church and brand new Priory of The Holy Trinity. And that is when the flashing of the swords began!
And it was certified bedlam. At the center of the battlefield was the floppy white hat, veteran of previous fights for the unparalleled privilege of the-holding-of-the hat until the next C&I. GPUSA’s newest Priory was not about to lose this one. The fierce round of bidding went on into the night until the pile of cash (literally) reached $450 and the bidding finally ended with the white hat changing its address from Central Florida to South Florida. But that change of address is only temporary. In spring 2026, there is already much discussion on the floppy white hat moving back north again!
And what was the focus of all of that bedlam?
Supporting Holy Land scholarships, of course!
Team Florida’s Floppy White Hat Series
Priory of The Holy Trinity – 1
Priory of The Temple Church – 0
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(Much of this October C&I analysis and narrative was produced by Claudia Chamberland)