Orange County Royal Arch No. 73

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1 Volume CXXIX, Issue 3 - March 2017 Celebrating 129 years of Excellence Orange County Royal Arch No. 73 Stated Convocation: 7:00pm the third Monday in January, March, May, September, and November High Priest: Robert Wellington (714) rozekroy@gmail.com Secretary: Shawn E. Bell (949) shawn@shawnebell.com Inspector: Duane Nead (562) dwnead@verizon.net schedule as well. Your High Priest will be at this festival to represent our Chapter. In Conclusion, on the agenda for the OC Royal Arch March Stated Meeting on the 20th we will do our business and review the 2017 Budget, immediately following will be the practice of Mark Master Degree... so all cast members we need you to attend. We will need only two practices (as most of our team has done this work before) so let's get some work done in March and another practice in late March or Early April... and as always looking forward to seeing you soon! Sincerely and Fraternally, Robert M. Wellington, Jr High Priest From the High Priest: Greeting to all Companions! Thank you for your support of Orange County Royal Arch, we are looking forward to a productive, fun year and would like to see all members of our Chapter involved in this Great Undertaking! Part of that involvement is to share with your Blue Lodge Brethren the opportunity for further Masonic Light in the form of the upcoming Free Mark Master Degree on April 18th at Orange Grove Masonic Lodge. Attached to this newsletter is the application for the Mark Master and/or the Capitular degrees. We ask that this form be printed out and brought to your next stated meeting for offer to the Brethren, and/or freely share this via to any and all Master Masons in your Circle of Brothers. Furthermore, for those Mark Masters that seek the completion of the York Rite Degree, the Companions of San Bernardino/Riverside are hosting a Spring Festival at the San Bernardino York Rite Building in April, attached is that Grand High Priest s Message Companions, In Masonry we are taught to explore astronomy as one of the seven liberal arts and sciences. That investigation leads us to review and study the explanation of the equinox and how it relates to history, present day and our teachings. The equinox is defined as one of two points in a planet s orbit where the tilt of the axis of rotation points neither toward nor away from the Sun and the length of day and night are roughly of the same duration. This year we will experience that phenomenon for the first time on Monday, March 20th. In ancient civilizations, when the sun crossed the equator in a northward direction, which we now call the vernal equinox, the interpretation of the event had dramatically opposite meanings depending on which hemisphere you were in. For those in the northern hemisphere, it signaled the start of a new year, a season of planting, and the creation of new life. Philosophically, it represented the victory of light over darkness, the ending of the dark half of the year, and the beginning of the light half. For those in the Orange County York Rite / 303 W Lincoln Ave, Suite 200 / Anaheim, CA / (949) Page 1

2 southern hemisphere the vernal equinox represents the opposite; the end of the year, culmination of a season of harvesting, and the victory of darkness over light in the eternal struggle. We are reminded that in 325. C.E., the Council of Nicaea established that Easter would be held on the first Sunday after the first full moon occurring on or after the vernal equinox. Easter, being the oldest festival of the Christian Church, celebrates the resurrection of Jesus on the third day after his crucifixion. Easter is a time to reflect on God s grace and pursue ways to model this trait in our own lives. It gives us time to reflect on God s call for us to live a more godly, morally-based life; and reminds us of the tenets of our great fraternity and of our Masonic obligation. A time to evaluate and rebalance the things most important in life. March is a busy month for our Grand Chapter as we work to complete preparations for the next Grand Capitular year for the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of California. Our annual Grand Chapter Officers meeting will be on March 11th in Bakersfield. I have a full agenda for the Grand Officers and I can assure you they are ready and willing to go to work. In addition to our Grand Officers, we will have a number of our Past Grand High Priests in attendance, so I look forward to a very productive meeting. I would also like to remind you to sign up and make your reservations for our Grand York Rite Sessions, starting on Monday, May 22nd at the Bakersfield DoubleTree Hotel. Our meeting will be on the 23rdand I hope you will attend and support your Grand Chapter. You can download the registration form from our website or use the copy of the registration form at the end of this newsletter. Lastly, remember that the ads in the Souvenir Brochure help finance the activities at the Grand Sessions, so encourage your Chapter to take one out and include a picture of your Officers and members. a little time. And for that investment you will get lunch and the most up to date information on our ritual. The information alone is worth the price of admission. What would March be without a note about St. Patrick s Day? So I thought I would include a couple of items of interest. 1. The most common St Patrick's Day symbol is the shamrock. The shamrock is the leaf of the clover plant and a symbol of the Holy Trinity. 2. Religious symbols include snakes and serpents, as well as the Celtic cross. Some say that Saint Patrick added the sun, a powerful Irish symbol, onto the Christian cross to create what is now called a Celtic cross. Other Irish-related symbols seen on St Patrick s Day include the harp, which was used in Ireland for centuries, a mythological creature known as the leprechaun, and the pot of gold that he keeps hidden. Companions, I close my article with the sad news that Most Excellent Companion Xavier A. Sam Pitassi, Knight of the York Grand Cross of Honor was called from labor on February 12, He was Grand High Priest ( ), Deputy General Grand High Priest ( ) of the General Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons International and Potentate of Al Malaikah Shrine in Sam was a valued leader in Freemasonry, giving freely of his time and experience to help other on their Masonic journey. He will be missed. Richard D. Baskin, KYGCH Grand High Priest Grand Chapter Royal Arch Masons of California We will hold the last of our Schools of Instruction in the North and Central parts of our great state. Our Grand Lecturer will promulgate the date, time, and location of the schools once the remaining details are worked out. I can assure you that you will enjoy the ritual and the follow on discussion. We have worked to make sure the schools are affordable, only costing you Orange County York Rite / 303 W Lincoln Ave, Suite 200 / Anaheim, CA / (949) Page 2

3 Orange County Council No. 14 Synonyms: administration, management, directorship, control, governorship, stewardship, hegemony. 2. Ability to lead: Stated Assembly: 7:00pm the third Monday in February, April, June, October, and December Illustrious Master: Brandon Cook Inspector: Ron Alcorn III (626) Recorder: Shawn E. Bell (949) As early as sixth grade she displayed remarkable leadership potential. Synonyms: authoritativeness, influence, command, effectiveness; sway, clout. 3. An act or instance of leading; guidance; direction: They prospered under his strong leadership. 4. The leaders of a group: The union leadership agreed to arbitrate. From the Illustrious Master: Greetings Companions, Thank you to those of you who participated at our Installation last month and especially our Grand Council Officers (past and present). We had an excellent meal and bright examples of fellowship ensued. We'll be dark in March so please support OC Chapter. Next month we'll have another great dinner, short business meeting including the budget. Brandon Cook Illustrious Master Elect From the Most Illustrious Grand Master: Companions, Leadership is easy to define but hard to implement. Leadership is defined, as we find in the dictionary, as: noun 1. The position or function of a leader, a person who guides or directs a group: He managed to maintain his leadership of the party despite heavy opposition. As you can see there is the definition but there is no instructions on how to be a leader. In defining leadership it does not tell anybody the work and dedication it takes to be a leader or the sacrifices and difficult decisions that have to be made to make an organization prosper and grow. To paraphrase a quote of Helen Keller on her blindness; It s sad that some people have sight but no vision. We as Grand Council have a vision or mission statement and we need to continue to fulfill this statement with continued action. We have a Leadership Training Program and we, as leaders, need to take advantage of this elite program by sending our members, young and old, to this program. We have to stop the thinking I m too old to contribute or He s too young for a leadership role. All our companions can contribute in some way and grow with experience. It is up to the leaders we have now to cultivate every aspect of our membership. I am going to continue to write and talk about Leadership to encourage all our membership to bring in new, vibrant, and dynamic companions from our Craft Lodges (our base). We have our Masonic teachings for encouragement and a tool to instruct new and current members on how to better communicate Orange County York Rite / 303 W Lincoln Ave, Suite 200 / Anaheim, CA / (949) Page 3

4 Craft. Remember communication and unity go hand in hand with leadership. Our Vision Statement: Cryptic Masons of California will be the preeminent York Rite Body in the nation, comprised of active and passionate companions recognized by all. As Cryptic Masons, we support the research dedicated to eliminate heart disease and diabetes. Cryptic Masons of California will progress to new heights through teamwork and the exemplification of the teachings of our Masonic Values. Hope to see ya ll soon. God Bless, William E. Price, KYGCH Most Illustrious Grand Master Orange County Commandery No. 36 Meets: 10:00am the third Saturday of the month dark July and August Eminent Commander: James M. Sunseri, Inspector: Michael J. Sekera (951) Recorder: Shawn E. Bell (949) From the Eminent Commander: Good Day, Sir Knights! And, it really is a Good Day! The heavy rains, howling winds, and frigid temperatures have laundered the air and the earth; the bright shining sun has warmed us all; and our days are beautiful and balmy once again! So, also is our Commandery. Our First Stated Conclave in February was wellattended with several sideliners observing the performance of our new line of officers. And the officers did a fine job, all of them! Allow me to introduce them to you: Generalissimo, Adam Buttons, Captain General Rogelio Bulanadi, Senior Warden Brandon Cook, Junior Warden Henry Murillo, Prelate Robert Coe, Treasurer Michael Sekera, Recorder Shawn Bell, Standard Bearer Michael Nelson, Sword Bearer Robert Wellington, Warder Eric Hamilton, and Sentinel Charles Reeves. The only Past Commanders in this line include Sir Knights Robert Coe, Michael Sekera, Charles Reeves, and yours truly. This line is one of the youngest in many years, and one of the best and brightest! At our February Conclave we voted to accept the petitions of three Knights from other commanderies who wished to affiliate with us: Sir Knights Frank Castillo, Eric Hamilton, and Edmundo Alarcon. At that meeting, I informed the Knights present that we will be conferring the Illustrious Order of the Red Cross and the Order of Malta in August or September of this yea. This commandery has not conferred those degrees for many years, and now is the time to do it again! Each of these Orders is beautiful in its pageantry, stirring in its words, and glorious in its spirit. Each of these Orders has one major speaking part, two medium speaking parts, several very small speaking parts, and some non-speaking parts. Each Order usually takes from 50 to 60 minutes to confer, depending on the number of candidates receiving the order. lthe actors in both these orders are clothed in period costumes with appropriate props and scenery. Now is the time to jump in, and be a part of these plays. We have several veteran performers and plenty of time and room for each of you to take a part, large, medium, or small. Feel free to call me on my personal cell phone , or me at jimsunseri@verizon.net. Orange County York Rite / 303 W Lincoln Ave, Suite 200 / Anaheim, CA / (949) Page 4

5 Our Drill Team has begun its weekly practices at 7:00 a.m. every Sunday morning at the business address of Sir Knight Todd Gibb on MacArthur, east of Harbor in Santa Ana, just north of the 405 Freeway. We are a group of veteran drill team members with several openings in our ranks which all of you can easily fill. You do not need to have military experience to participate and perform as well as any of the "veterans". We will teach you, individually, and with the group. You will be provided with a chapeau and case, sword and scabbard, and plenty of camaraderie and fun, as well as a chance to win a statewide trophy at the Annual Grand Commandery Session in Bakersfield the third Sunday in May. Again, contact me as above, or speak with other Drill Team members in our line of officers: Captain General Rogelio Bulanadi, Treasurer Michael Sekera, Junior Warden Henry Murillo, Standard Bearer Michael Nelson, Sentinel Charles Reeves, or Commander, Yours Truly. Your Commandery and your Fellow Sir Knights invite and welcome you to join us on Saturday, March 18th at 10:00 a.m., sharp, for our next Stated Conclave. You will be welcomed! Your humble servant, James M. Sunseri Eminent Commander Grand Commander's Message: March has arrived and with it comes spring, that time of renewal and growth. The arrival of March also means that I am nearing the end of my term as your Grand Commander. This has been a special time for me and my Lady Susan as we have traveled up and down the state to visit with you. This is a time we will not soon forget. By now all Commanderies will have installed their new officers and are now completing their inspections. I am hoping that over the next few months we will have quite a few new Sir Knights knighted in the several festivals around the state. As we find these new knights attending our Commandery meetings we must take them by the hand and lead them, teaching them our traditions and gently helping them into our ranks. Let s work with them, make them feel at home, and get them involved. My Bible verse is 2 Thessalonians 2:15, Therefore, brothers, stand firm and hold fast to the traditions that you were taught, either by an oral statement or by a letter of ours. I chose it because I believe that it is more than just the ritual that makes us Templars, it is our traditions. We need to hold on to and pass on our Commandery s traditions to our newest Sir Knights. We need our Templar traditions to build our future, or, as better put by Winston Churchil, a love for tradition has never weakened a nation, indeed it has strengthened nations in their hour of peril. My motto is, as always, Stand Firm and Hold Fast. But this is the month when we have other celebrations on the calendar. Ash Wednesday, or the beginning of Lent, occurs on March 1, marking 40 fasting days before Easter. Saint Patrick's Day is on March 17. This day is in honor of the patron saint of Ireland, who brought Christianity to the Emerald Isles. As Christian Knights, we should appreciate this with the celebrational Erin Go Bragh, meaning Ireland Forever. For those who can attend, the Grand Encampment is planning a West Coast Easter Observance again next month. This year it will be held between April 13 and 16, 2017 in Salt Lake City at the Salt Lake City Masonic Temple & Auditorium. More information is available from the York Rite website at the following link: I want to remind all of the Sir Knights that an Easter Observance is obligatory whether you attend the Grand Encampment event or your own local Commandery s event, so make your plans accordingly. March is the month for our annual Grand Officers Conference. Talk to your Department Grand Officer and give him any suggestions you may have about how we can make the Grand Commandery better. Remember, it is your Grand Commandery. And, of course, Grand Sessions is just around the corner in May. Every Commandery should be making the final plans for an advertisement in the souvenir program, and deciding how many and who will attend and represent the Commandery. Sir Knights, I again thank you for Orange County York Rite / 303 W Lincoln Ave, Suite 200 / Anaheim, CA / (949) Page 5

6 the support you ve given me. Being Grand Commander is, in part, so enjoyable to me because of the charity and hospitality that you have shown to me and my Lady Susan. Stephen. E. Alderete Grand Commander Grand Commandery of California Mail to: York Rite of California Attn: Raffle E Artesia Blvd. #13 Artesia, CA Orange Coast Council No. 162 Grand Commandery Rifle Raffle The Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of California is raffling a Henry Rifle to benefit one of their 501C(3) charities the Educational Foundation. Who are the Knights Templar? The Knights Templar is a Christian oriented fraternal organization and is the culmination of the York Rite of Freemasonry. This fraternal organization does not claim to be a direct descendent of the ancient order founded in the 11th century but their service in these times reflects the virtues of those valiant Knights and serves those in need today through charities and support of higher education. Since its founding the Knights Templar Educational Foundation has assisted more than 80,000 students for an aggregate monetary value of over 38 million dollars through Loans and Scholarships to deserving youth thereby exemplifying the purpose and principles for which it was created. Stated Assembly: 1:00pm the third Saturday of the month meets quarterly Sovereign Master: Shawn E. Bell (949) shawn@shawnebell.com Secretary: Raymond Godeke (714) godeke33@msn.com Hi, Companions! This year Orange Coast Council in association with our other local Councils will be offering all of the Allied Masonic Degrees - All of 'em! - to every member of AMD! When? To be determined. Where? See When, above. Every Mason should be taken aside to see the Knight of Constantinople degree! Tickets are limited and the raffle will be held in Bakersfield on May 21, The winner need not be present. Tickets are $10 each or 5 for $40. The winner has the choice of the rifle and display case or $1,000. The winner will be responsible for all transfer fees. PPT transfer is possible within 150 miles of the L.A. area. To order tickets PayPal gift to caktrifle@gmail.com or send a check payable to Grand Commandery Knights Templar CA. Include Education Fund in memo. You will receive your ticket stubs via return snail mail. Orange County York Rite / 303 W Lincoln Ave, Suite 200 / Anaheim, CA / (949) Page 6

7 The Knight of Constantinople has been called an authentic side degree. The type of degree where it was customary for one or more of the Brethren to take a Brother aside to confer it and explain the degree to him. The origin of this degree is unknown, and the date it was first practiced is lost to antiquity. What we do know is that the degree was being practiced at least as early as the first part of the 19th century, as references to the Knights of Constantinople appear in several exposés of the time. By 1831, the degree was regularly being practiced in the United States. Masonic scholar William James Hughan writes that Major F. G. Irwin received this degree in Malta. After he moved to Bristol, Lodge records indicate that Major Irwin introduced this degree to Brethren in Devonport, England in He organized ritual teams, and worked the degree in both Devonport and Plymouth after the England Grand Council A.M.D. was formed. The same ritual for the degree was being worked in both England and the United States for most of the 19th century. In the late 1890s Reverend Hartley Carmichael reworked the degree to include "rough usage" to emphasize the lesson of the degree. He also added what is described as distinctly Christian character, and submitted his version of the Knights of Constantinople to the Sovereign College of Allied Masonic and Christian Degrees for America, where it became one of the listed degrees conferred by the College. The American degree was later revised to more closely match the English version. Today, the ritual used is identical in both England and the United States. The Knight of Constantinople degree links the legend of Constantine to Freemasonry, and teaches candidate lessons of humility and of the equality of all men, regardless of rank or status. A Council of Knights of Constantinople is arranged like a Craft Lodge, but without the great lights, columns, or the Square and Compasses. The breast jewel of this degree is a gold Maltese Cross surmounted by a Crescent suspended from a green ribbon on which there are affixed three gold poignards (daggers). The Knights of Constantinople apron is white with green trim. A green Maltese Cross surmounted by a Crescent in the center of the square portion of the apron. The flap contains the three poignards, also in green. Many hands make light work, Companions! Shawn E. Bell Sovereign Master Social Order of the Beauceant Santa Ana Assembly No. 61 Stated Assembly: 10 AM; Third Saturday (dark July and August) Worthy President: (Mrs. Brett) Donna MacDonald (626) , djmacd08@gmail.com Recorder: (Mrs. Tom) Lynda Derby, lderbyhawk@aol.com My Dear Beauceant Sisters, I hope you all had a nice Valentines Day and Presidents Day. This month we will be celebrating St Patrick's day, so don't forget to wear your green on March 17th and enjoy your corned beef and cabbage. Our Social club was cancelled March 4th due to date conflicts for a lot of us. Our next Social club will be on April 1st at Norma Burketts home Escala Dr. Mission Viejo at 10 a.m. Please call her and let her know if you will be attending. (949) or (949) At our meeting on March 18th we will be balloting on a new member and practicing Initiation floor work, so please look over your ritual and instruction book. Orange County York Rite / 303 W Lincoln Ave, Suite 200 / Anaheim, CA / (949) Page 7

8 Congratulations to Mr & Mrs Kurtis (Rachel) Derby and to Lynda and Tom Derby (Grandma & Grandpa) on the birth of Kamille Anne. She weighed in at 7lbs and was 20 1/2 in. long. According to Grandma she has beautiful Auburn hair. Saundra Coe had her knee surgery, she's doing great and should be home on March 4th. We should hopefully see her on March 18th. June Meigs is doing fair and has had a blood transfusion according to Art. Milton Baker is in the hospital in Texas. Debi Gannaway is on her way to Texas to be with her mom and dad. Sad to report that Sir Knight Milton F. Baker passed away on 3/4/2017. Please keep these members and their families in your thoughts and prayers. Recorder are Mondays. If you need to get ahold of me outside of that day, please feel free to me directly and I'll make sure to address your concerns the next Monday. To reiterate: office hours are Mondays. Monday is when the work of the Secretary / Recorder gets done. Monday. One of my favorite memes lately is the Boss versus Leader one. It looks like this: Happy March birthdays to Ms Dovie Kelly 15th Mrs John Walling 19th Mrs Art Meigs 24th May you have many more to come!! I hope to see you at our March 18th meeting! Beauceant Love Mrs (Brett) Donna MacDonald From the Desk of the Secretary Recorder When I joined Orange County York Rite, it was mired in politics and ego. It was a stagnant body with a dwindling, unenthusiastic membership that never seemed to be able to show up for monthly meetings. It relied on getting members from other York Rite bodies to put on degrees, or it simply told new candidates to go to other York Rites to get the degrees necessary for membership. Even though I was enthusiastic about the York Rite, I, too, succumbed to nonparticipation. Why? Because Orange County York Rite was run by bosses. Secretary / Recorder: Shawn E. Bell (949) shawn@shawnebell.com Orange County York Rite 303 W Lincoln Ave, Suite 200 Anaheim, CA Office Hours: Mondays, 8:00 am 5:00 pm Hi, Companions and Sir Knights! Figured I should start off with a gentle reminder: the Office Hours for the Secretary / Bosses manipulate resources to get a job done. An example of a boss is a Burger King manager. He will know exactly what he wants to deliver and he ll berate and push the worker to get the product out at the lowest cost while hoping that the consumer doesn t complain, and maybe even comes back. Burger King doesn't innovate, it does things the same way it's always been done because that's all it knows how to do. It doesn't inspire. Orange County York Rite / 303 W Lincoln Ave, Suite 200 / Anaheim, CA / (949) Page 8

9 When Michael Sekera became Eminent Commander of Orange County Commandery No. 36, a movement started. Mike is a leader. He got me excited about the York Rite. Excited enough that I jumped in with both feet and ended up as Secretary / Recorder. His enthusiasm was infectious. Soon, other leaders joined him - most notably Brandon Cook and Robert Wellington. The Orange County York Rite now had leaders rather than bosses. Guys who wouldn t just order others around or berate and browbeat them into doing something. Our leadership was made up of men. Good men. Strong men who were leaders with vision and courage and who turned our York Rite around. Last year that inspired leadership was put to the test; the Orange County York Rite put on the largest Mark Master Degree held in California in well over one hundred years. Those who participated in the degree saw enthusiastic York Rite Masons eager to show off their new direction, their new purpose, and their new vision for a better York Rite in Orange County. And the response was fantastic! Unfortunately, Freemasonry can lose momentum. It can lose direction with something as simple as an election. Inspiration and enthusiasm can die if it's not properly nurtured. Companions, our York Rite is still healthy. The change that was started over the last few years will continue. We ll gain new members who participate and are proud of our Royal Arch, Cryptic Council, and Commandery. But we must be vigilant. We can t let bosses replace leaders ever again. We must remain engaging, thrilling, interesting and - above all - fraternal. Remember: this is a volunteer organization. Members come to our meetings and degrees because they want to and because they re proud of their membership and affiliation, not because they re browbeaten or pushed or ordered to show up. Don t let the enthusiasm we ve built up fade. Members won't recommend the York Rite to their Blue Lodge brethren if they don't feel pride about their membership. If you're looking for camaraderie amongst Companions, consider attending our monthly Royal Arch or Cryptic Council meetings. We're there the third Monday of the month! If you are interested in purchasing a spiffy jacket for a York Rite Body (Red for Royal Arch, Purple for Cryptic Council, Green for AMD, or Blue for Commandery), get your measurements (the jackets come in standard sizes) and contact me. We will be putting in a jacket order within the next month. I will get pricing and let you know the cost of each jacket. A benefactor has donated several red jackets and a purple jacket to the York Rite. If you are in need of one of these, drop me a line and I'll arrange to get the jacket to you. If you are interested in purchasing a Commandery uniform, or are in need of uniform pieces, please contact me for pricing or who to contact so you can purchase a conforming chapeau, sword, or jacket. Orange County Commandery does not provide uniforms, chapeaus, or swords. If you need a ritual book for any body, Spiedel book for yourself or a prospective new member, or please contact me to order. Our Annual Mark Master Festival is coming up in April. This is a great introduction to the York Rite put on free of charge at Orange Grove Lodge, and is a precursor to our York Rite Festival that will be coming up later this year. If you know any Master Mason interested in attending this event and becoming a Mark Master, please contact me to get an application. Applications must be in prior to the event (we will be voting on members at our April meeting). No election of candidates will be taking place the night of the event. I have the applications available in PDF format that you can download and print out. The applicant must be a California Master Mason in Good Standing. And that, my Brothers, Companions, and Sir Knights, will about cover it for the month of March! Shawn E. Bell Secretary / Recorder Orange County York Rite Orange County York Rite / 303 W Lincoln Ave, Suite 200 / Anaheim, CA / (949) Page 9