5 minute read
When the Bubble Burst
by Joann Williams-Hoxha, Content Manager
If there were one word to describe Brother Paul M. Ferreira, 33°, MSA, it is proud: proud of where he came from, proud of the life he created for himself, proud of his family, and proud of his fraternity. So, it was with a heavy heart when, in the midst of The Great Recession of 2010, he had to swallow some of that pride and ask family and friends for help to make ends meet.
The son of Portuguese immigrants, Paul learned the value of the American dream very early on. His parents always told him that with hard work and fortitude, he and his siblings could achieve anything they set their minds to.
“Back in the early 1950s, my father knew the path to citizenship could be availed by enlisting in the service. So, in 1954, he did just that. He joined the U.S. Navy at the age of 18 with just 20 Escudos in his pocket,” Paul said.
Paul's father, Manuel Jesus Ferreira
Escudos were Portuguese currency, and 20 of them would have been equivalent to approximately 11 cents today. Fast forward more than 40 years, and Paul now had a family of his own—a loving spouse and three children that he was raising with the same values his parents had instilled in him. With a career as an established real estate agent and appraiser, Paul was at the top of his game—until the housing bubble of 2008 rocked his industry to its very core.
“We had never seen anything like it. In this business, you expect downturns and cycles, and you prepare for those by setting aside protection mechanisms and rainy-day funds. But this cycle was different. It was hitting us hard with unabated breath. First, we lost my head of the household income by more than 75%. Then, I lost my investment income as it became the stop gap to the heavy bleeding. My only investment property was led into foreclosure. With all resources being exhausted and no opportunity for unemployment funds, I was lost and hurting,” Paul said.
Paul continued to put one foot in front of the other, seeking out new opportunities and mustering a smile for his family and Masonic Brothers, all while financial pressures continued to mount. Notices began to arrive from lien holders warning of missed payments. Then, warnings of potential foreclosure. Then, a sheriff’s sale notice.
“Here I was, the inheritor of a heritage of working hard and fighting for what is good and right and the American dream. Now suddenly my home— my primary place of normalcy—was slipping away,” said Paul.
Brother Ferreira eventually had to ask family members for help to make ends meet. Unfortunately, most of his family was experiencing similar hardships due to economic uncertainty. The only place that remained a constant comfort was his Masonic home, where he served as Grand Marshal for the Grand Lodge of New Jersey. Still, he tried his best to keep his financial struggles a secret from his Masonic family.
“I could hide my feelings of inadequacy amongst my family but not my brethren. They sensed it; they were there for me,” Paul explained.
Brothers Charles Secallus, 33° (Left) Mohamad Yatim, 33°, and Paul
One Brother who sensed it was Sovereign Grand Commander David A. Glattly who at the time served as Deputy for New Jersey. “Paul Ferreira is one of the finest Masons I know. When I sensed he was in trouble, I knew I just had to force the truth out of him, so that we could assist him,” said Commander Glattly. “Like most Brother Masons in trouble, it’s that pride that prevents them from asking for help. Masons are much more comfortable assisting others, rather than asking for help themselves.”
Ill. Brother Glattly reassured Paul and told him about a new form of financial assistance that Sovereign Grand Commander John William McNaughton, 33°, was putting into effect—the Grand Almoner’s Fund for Scottish Rite Brothers facing hardship. Dave asked Paul if he had a specific amount in mind that would help him get back on his feet. Humbled, Paul told him any amount would help. Dave, still sensing that weight on Paul’s shoulders, asked him how far behind he was on his mortgage and other bills.
“I was brought to tears as I made the left turn on the International Drive and Route 46. Literally! I remember the exact spot and the exact time of day it was,” said Paul. “I had a feeling of euphoria with an overwhelming sense of security all at the same time. I felt a warm embrace of a Brother who knew. My lifeline extended to me by (at the time) our Deputy himself,” he said.
Stammering a bit, Paul told him a more specific amount. Without hesitation, Dave told him a check from the Grand Almoner’s Fund would be arriving, and to let him know immediately if needed anything else.
Now, even in the midst of a global pandemic, things are going well for the Ferreira family. Paul is back on track as a real estate agent, appraiser, and entrepreneur. He also serves as Executive Secretary for the Valley of Northern New Jersey, a role Paul said Brother Glattly told him he would be perfect for.
Paul and his wife, Semra
The Ferreira family journey has now come full circle—from being the first recipients of the Grand Almoner’s Fund to now being Gold-Level donors of the Scottish Rite, NMJ, Commander’s Circle. Paul also serves on the committee for the Valley of Northern New Jersey’s relief fund, helping other Brothers with financial aid when they are struggling. He says the Grand Almoner’s Fund served as a catalyst for many Grand Lodges to set up relief funds at a local level to help those in need.
As with his situation, he says it’s often the friend of a Brother in need who makes that initial phone call on their behalf for financial help. Perhaps one of the greatest hallmarks of the Grand Almoner’s Fund, Paul says, is that the assistance is confidential— designed to ensure a Brother’s pride doesn’t get in the way of asking for help.
