Nile
Shriners

Shriners come from all walks of life. We are members of the community who are working or retired, members of the trades, business professionals, business leaders and men who want to just have fun. We are fathers, uncles and sons. We are also brothers. When you become a Shriner, you become part of a brotherhood of men committed to family, engaged in ongoing personal growth, and dedicated to providing care of children and families in need through Shriners Childrens® regardless of their ability to pay.

While our backgrounds and interests may be diverse, what binds us together are shared values and a desire to have fun, do good and build relationships that can last a life time. Is it time for you to learn more about Shriners International? Visit www.beashrinernow.com and find out. You can also go to our Join Nile page for what it will take to join.

Michael J. Riley | Potentate 2023

A parable is told of a farmer who owned an old mule, and one day the mule fell into the farmer’s well.

The farmer heard the mule braying – unable to get out of the well – and after assessing the situation, the farmer decided that neither the mule nor the well was worth the trouble of saving. Instead, he called his neighbors together, told them what had happened and enlisted them to help haul dirt to bury the old mule in the well and put him out of his misery.

Initially the old mule was hysterical (as you can well imagine), but as the farmer and his neighbors continued shoveling the dirt on the mule’s back, the mule responded rather than just standing there. Every time a shovel load of dirt landed on the mule’s back, he would shake it off and step up!

This the mule did, shovelful after shovelful – shaking the dirt off and stepping up…shaking the dirt off and stepping up…shaking the dirt off and stepping up. The mule continued to do this despite how painful the blows of dirt were or how distressing the situation seemed. The old mule fought panic and just kept right on shaking the dirt off and stepping up again and again.

It wasn’t long before the farmer realized what was happening, and shortly after the old mule, battered and exhausted, stepped triumphantly over the wall of that well. What seemed like what would bury him actually helped him…all because of the manner in which he handled his adversity.

And so It is with life. Life can seem full of trouble, can’t it? It can seem that there is conflict in our jobs, our families, our neighborhoods, our national politics and even our churches. Why should there be so much adversity? Most conflict comes either from change or a selfish outlook – a way that seems right to us.

It is my hope that we all endure the blows that rain down upon us, shake it off and continue to rise in order to not be buried. Life happens. It is our perception that frames it and allows us to be happy and have fun. Let’s enjoy our time and all rise together.

I am very pleased to be the 2023 Potentate of the Nile Shriners. I hope that you can attend our upcoming fun events, including the Kentucky Derby-Themed Ladies Luncheon on May 6th.

Thank you for your support and I look forward to another year of Having Fun Helping Kids.

Ill Sir Michael J Riley, 2023 Potentate

At the recent Conference of Grand Masters in Louisville, Kentucky, Imperial Potentate Jeff Sowder, along with Scottish Rite Sovereign Grand Commanders David A. Glattly, 33° (Northern Masonic Jurisdiction), and James D. Cole, 33° (Southern Jurisdiction), announced a formal partnership on the Path Forward for Freemasonry.

As part of that initiative, the three leaders announced BeaFreemason.org, which features a wealth of information including an explanation of Masonic terms, lodge life, symbolism, degrees and family organizations. Launched in mid-February, this first-of-its-kind site introduces Freemasonry to men who are looking to "become the best version" of themselves. The site has a "Get in Touch" button, so prospects (in North America) can fill out a short form that will put them in touch with a Masonic leader in their local area. We hope you share this helpful site with men that you know who are committed to lives of honor, integrity and character.

For more information, go to: beafreemason.org