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1992-93.
When Faithful Navigator LEONARD MACHACO took the reins of office on
July 1, 1992, the assembly was poised for its most celebrated year.
Machado announced a membership goal of 50 new members for the assembly,
and during his term surpassed his goal with a total of 53, thereby
surprising everyone but himself. The assembly and its Color Corps made 51
pubic appearances during the Columbian Year and participated in all of
the district-wide programs and meetings.
The assembly selected its visit to the Veterans Hospital in
Alexandria as its entry into the Fourth Degree's "To Be A
Patriot" award competition. The project
won not only the District and Provincial awards, but also was chosen as
one of the International winners in competition with entries from 17 other
Provinces of the
Fourth Degree.
The assembly won the "Civic Award" because of its
patriotic and civic programs, and capped the climax when all of the
assembly's active members were rewarded with the Bienville Patriotism
Award. This was the first time in history that an assembly's members
rather than an individual won the decoration.
And when the Master's Award was presented to the assembly at the end of
the year, it was revealed that the assembly had won every award available
to win. It marked the 23rd time since 1945 that the assembly had been
recognized as the finest in the District with the presentation of the
Master's Award.
It was during Faithful Navigator Machado's spectacular year that the
assembly was further honored when one of its members was appointed Master
of the Fourth Degree.
On September 1, 1992, John
(Jack) W. O'Reilly Jr. was appointed Master Of the Fourth Degree by the
Supreme Master, thereupon becoming the first Sir Knight in Louisiana to
follow in his father's footsteps as Master. Jack O'Reilly Jr. (1992-94)
was the fifth member of the assembly to hold the post of Master. The
previous Masters from the assembly were Charles C. Jaubert (1962-64), now
deceased; John (Jack) W. O'Reilly Sr. (1964-66), now deceased; Truman
Stacey (1972-74) and Robert W. Kline (1984-86).
Only BienviUe Assembly of New Orleans, the mother assembly of the state,
has produced a greater number of Masters of the Fourth Degree.
Jack O'Reilly Jr. was installed in ceremonies held in Our Lady Queen of
Heaven Church, with State Deputy Allen J. Langley of Sulphur as the
installing officer. Msgr. A.d. Vincent, Vicar for Social Services for the
Diocese of Lake Charles and District Friar under two Masters, was
principal speaker at the installation banquet. Dr. Ernest Cook of New
Orleans, Supreme Board member, also attended.
During his term of office, Master O'Reilly conducted six
Exemplifications of the Fourth Degree, bringing in 529 new members. He
also instituted four new assemblies: Father Francis X. Seelos Assembly of
slidell; Father August W. Vandebilt Assembly of Houma; Msgr. Henry van der
Putten Assembly of MarksvUle; and Msgr. Robert C. Friend Assembly of
Zwolle. In addition, Master O'Reilly was instrumental in reactivating a
dormant assembly, Pope John XXIII, now domiciled in West Monroe.
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