W.B. Frank Rice. The Vision Statement Of Oasis Masonic Lodge # 52 Is That The Lodge:

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1 Apr 01, 2016 The Vision Statement Of Oasis Masonic Lodge # 52 Is That The Lodge: Is A Recognized Active Participant In The Masonic Community Fostering Fraternal Fellowship And Masonic Teachings. Supports The Local Community Through Involvement With Public Schools And Programs Addressing Community Concerns. The Mission Statement Of Oasis Masonic Lodge # 52 Is To: From the East W.B. Frank Rice Preserve And Promote The Teachings Of Freemasonry. Promote Masonic Values Through Service To Mankind And Our Conduct In Life. Inspire Good Men To Seek Membership In Our Organization. Encourage The Membership To Continually Seek The Truth. Promote Active Fellowship With Masonic Friends And Family. I appreciate the overwhelming support that I am feeling from the Oasis Brethren so far this year. Everyone is stepping up to the challenge of this year s busy schedule, and I believe that we are truly beginning to experience a positive momentum as a result. We've had a couple of visitations this year so far which gives us a chance to fellowship with brethren in other lodges. This is always a good thing. The hospitality extended to us, was wonderful. We have scheduled a visitation each month for the remainder of the year and I hope that brothers in our lodge will take advantage of this activity. We have also had a couple of degree practices to help brothers working on their degree proficiencies to move up to the next station in the line. These practices give us a great opportunity to hone our skills. There will be a number of practices scheduled throughout the remainder of the year and I highly encourage all brothers to come out and participate. In March, several brothers put together a golf tournament to benefit the Children at Risk program and the lodge. Most particularly, Worshipful Brothers Mike Bravin and Jerry Badinger are to be congratulated for shepherding this event. The money made will go a long way towards continuing the support of this worthwhile program. It is hoped that this will become a regularly scheduled annual event. On the last Tuesday of March, Oasis once again hosted an educational night based around several rounds of Masonic Jeopardy. The evening proved to be a truly educational and fun night. The Masonic Jeopardy game included questions associated with Blue Lodge, Scottish Rite, York Rite, Shriners International, Order of the Eastern Star, famous Masons, and many more Masonic topics. Also included was a category centered on Oasis #52. In this group of questions, the Brothers in attendance learned about both (Continued on page 2)

2 Page 2 Features Page 1 Oasis Lodge Vision Statement Oasis Lodge Mission Statement Thoughts from the Worshipful Master Page 2 Masonic Birthdays Page 3 Upcoming Events 2015Officers 2015 Committees Page 4 From the West Page 5 From the South Page 6 Masonic Funeral Our Last Earthly Right (Article) Freemasonry And The Ancient Secret Societies And Misteries (Article) (Continued from page 1) the history of Oasis Lodge and many of the Brethren. WB Randy Jager works very hard to put this together and is to be commended for his Masonic knowledge. Overall, the Masonic Jeopardy educational night has proven to be an effective method of allowing Brothers to learn in an environment of fun and fellowship. It can be as serious as we make it, but the educational content remains nonetheless. The Masonic Widows luncheon arranged by Worshipful Brother Paul Weathers for March was a terrific success. The Lodge welcomed the widows and it was obvious that they appreciate the event and recognition of their husband s service to the Fraternity. A nice lunch was had by all, and the fellowship experienced was healing, supportive, and strong. Because of a family health issue, Brother Dave Promenschenkel has had to Birthdays March Beach, Gilbert Cottrell, Vern Hathway Jr, Les Henke, Jon Hewitt, James Millard, Dean Mysak, Terrance Walls, Stuart Willis, Edward April Hickman, Carl Rollin, Mike Rothman, Frank Smith, Delmar Stalker, Robert Viljac, Dan May Beach, Gene Carter, James Garber, Richard McLaughlin, Bruce Stephenson, James Stoff, Jesse Masonic March Badinger, Gerald Gilliam, Charles Jager, Randal Slocum, Eric Taylor Jr, Willis Viljac, Dan Wilhite, William Willis, Edward (Continued on page 5) April Bonar, James Gannon, Bob Glassbrook, Lloyd Harty, Donald Hooks, Thomas Martin, Phillip Rothman, Frank *** Stalker, Harold Jr Valencia, Ernesto Wangerin, Robert May Gerhart, Gregory Hoehn, William Kidd, Mike Petty, Jason Smith, Delmar Stigers, William Tulloh, Dan Walls, Stuart *** 65 years a Mason

3 Upcoming Meetings April Apr 7:30 PM Official Marian McDaniel 05 Apr 7:00 PM: 1st Degree Practice 09 Apr 8:00 AM: Trustees Meeting 12 Apr 7:30 PM: Stated Meeting 19 Apr 7:00 PM: Texas Hold Em 26 Apr 7:00 PM: Tabel Topic Ashlars 29 Apr 7:00 PM: SAMWA 30 Apr 12:00 Noon: Spring MFFN Pig Roast May May 07:00 PM 1st Degree Practice 10 May 7:30 PM Stated Meeting 11 May 7:30 PM Official Builders #60 17 May 7:00 PM: Table Topic King Somon 24 May 7:00 PM: Texas Hold Em 27 May 7:00 PM Sabbar 31 May 7:00: Revies GL Proposed Legislation OFFICERS for 2015 WM WB Frank Rice, , FRice@live com SW WB Roger Cousineau, , RCousineau2007@gmail.com JW WB Mike Bravin (Pro-Tem), Mikebravin@gmail.com Sec. WB Timothy Yaiser, TYaiser@cox.net Treas. WB Randy Jager, Randy@thejagers.com JD Bro Dee Webster, , deebo915@hotmail.com SD Bro Wesley Gray, Chaplain WB Dan Tulloh, , DWTulloh61@cox.net SS Jon Henke, , jon.a.henke@gmail.com JS Bro Ray Donohue, rmdonohue@cox.net Marshal Bro Dan Brys, , danjbrys@msn.com Tyler WB Paul Weathers, , pwabble@cox.net Trustees: 3 year WB Jim Hewitt, 2 year Bro Robert Shrager, 1 year WB Roger Cousineau Ritual Director WB Paul Nordstrom WB Dan Tulloh Masonic Education WB Tim Yaser Candidates, Coaches, and Mentors SW & WB Dean Millard Annual Veterans Day Poker Run Bro Ray Donohue Spring Masonic Family and Friends Event WB Randy Jager Public Schools WB Roger Cousineau Masonic Communications WB Dean Millard Fall Masonic Family and Friends Night Bro. Dave Promenschenkel WB Mike Bravin COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN Membership Committee WB Jerry Badinger Mason Of The Year Senior or Junior Warden Current MOTY (1) Master Mason (TBA) Long Range Plans WB Jerry Badinger Widows / Welfare / Assistance WB Paul Weathers WB Frank Rice Youth Groups WB Dean Millard By-Laws/Dues & Relief WB Jerry Badinger Trestle Board Editor WB Jim Hewitt jlhewittsr@cox.net WEB Master WB Frank Rice Page 3 SICKNESS and DISTRESS If you or your loved ones are stricken with an illness or distress or any other major concern, don t keep it inside, let us know about it. We may be limited in many cases to remembering you in our prayers. But I believe that the majority of us believe in the power of prayer so please let us be informed of your troubled times. Call WB Paul Weathers at (520) or Brother Ray Donohue at (520)

4 Page 4 From The West WB Roger Cousineau Sr Warden Update on the Leadership Conference B rethren I had the pleasure of spending the weekend of April 2nd and 3rd at a leadership conference in Casa Grande. The first morning covered communications, education, community and ritual work. The afternoon topics were investment, finance presented by WB Randy Jager, technology and planning. It was a lot of information in a short amount of time but the Grande Lodge of Masons in Arizona is making the information presented available online and I'm waiting to get it so that I can review it and try implementing some of the ideas in our Lodge. On the second morning we broke out into smaller groups to discuss areas in which we, as the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Arizona, could do better and WB Brother Randy Jager acted as secretary to record the ideas that were presented. For our newer Brothers I would like to point out that all of the Master Masons of Arizona constitute the Grand Lodge as opposed to the Grand Line which are the officers who preside over the Grand Lodge. Further Light in Masonry In Masonry we talk about traveling from west to east and east to west again searching for further light in Masonry. In early civilizations darkness represented fear and a lack of knowledge of what was around us. Light, the opposite of darkness, became a symbol of knowledge and truth. When the candidate is brought into the Lodge he is blindfolded, not to hide anything from him, but to symbolically impress on him the idea that he is blind in spirit or spiritually in a state of darkness. The device we use to blindfold the candidate is a hoodwink. The term "to hoodwink" has come to mean "to deceive". In the case of a candidate passing through the degrees of Masonry it is not the brothers who are deceiving the candidate. Rather, we are trying to show him that is deceived by his own ignorance and that we are about to offer him spiritual knowledge. The search for light is our individual quests for spiritual knowledge and the dispelling of ignorance and fear as we attempt of gain a better understanding of ourselves, our brothers, our society and our God. As we take the candidate through the degrees we are continually showing him more light but having passed through the degrees the search for light is not over. Masonry is not a destination that ends when we have received the Master Masons' degree but a lifelong search for a better understanding of the world in which we live and a quest for more spiritual knowledge. The ultimate goal of receiving further light in Masonry is not to change others but to change ourselves for it is only by becoming better men ourselves that we can affect a change in others and the world around us.

5 From The South WB Mike Bravin Jr. Warden (Pro-Tem) Page 5 D ue to unforeseen circumstances, I again have the opportunity to be the Junior Warden pro-temp. I look forward to the responsibilities associated with this position. Because this is my second time around, being Junior Warden should be a lot of fun. Brothers, we are rapidly approaching Memorial Day (Monday, May 30th) and it strikes me how little I hear of the coming holiday other than that it is going to give us a 3-day weekend! Memorial Day was first observed as Decoration Day. It was changed to Memorial Day in 1882, but didn t become commonly called that until after World War II and was not declared the official name by Federal law until Our duties as Masons are quite clear for this holiday. Many of our members are veterans and should be recognized for their service to our nation. Considering the close ties of Masonry to our country and her fighting men and women, we should consider the recognition of the fallen warriors a part of our regular duties, not a tiresome thing that must be done but a joyous time when we celebrate the efforts and sacrifices of the warriors. I hope that you will enjoy the time off but will keep in mind the true purpose of this holiday. May God bless and I look forward to sitting with you in lodge. (Continued from page 2) step down as Junior Warden. WB Mike Bravin has agreed to move into that position and move into the East in Our prayers are with Brother Dave. Brothers, I look forward to seeing you in lodge and at the various activities we have planned. Remember that the lodge is only as good as the members supporting it. I would love to sit in Lodge next to each and every one of you very soon.

6 Page 6 MASONIC FUNERAL, OUR LAST EARTHLY RIGHTS, SO IMPORTANT Paul Weathers, Past Master ny Mason who is in good standing in a legally chartered lodge are eligible for Masonic last rights if he A has expressed a desire for this honor or if his family requests the service. This is a Masonic right. Brothers, if you wish to have these last earthly Masonic rights please make it known to your family members and friends. Insure that they know not only this desire, but where to find your lambskin aprons, dues cards, photos, meaningful Masonic items are located so that the apron can be used in the services and of his other cherished items can be displayed. If his lambskin apron can not be located, let the funeral team organizers know and one will be made available. The services may be held in the Masonic Lodge Hall, at his home, in a chapel, church or synagogue (with approval of the entity authority), or at the grave side. It may be performed after religious services if one is to be held. And if there is to be military honors they should be performed last. Keep in mind that your survivors may be with emotionally distress which might affect their ability to think and clarify their wishes or their desires. So consider an idea of discussing arrangements with a friend so that less stress is on the family members. Also, it would be very helpful to the Funeral Master if you will prepare a autobiographical profile of your life; your date of birth, dates of your foundation degrees (Entered Apprentice, Fellowcraft and Master Mason), your Lodge name and number (except for Massachusetts Lodges where Masonic Lodges aren t numbered), other Masonic affiliations, military history and patriotic organizational affiliations, family members, notable accomplishments, educational achievements, your experiences and travels, offices held, your occupations, awards, decorations and other recognitions in life, enjoyable family events that provided you with treasured memories, things that happened to or with you that your family or friends loved to retell, your hobbies, and any other information you would like to be considered and perhaps made known. These Masonic Last Rights provide a venue for honoring the life of a Mason, his devotions to the fraternity and etcetera. They may be in some ways similar to traditional funeral services, but there are certain differences, such as the placing of the lambskin apron and a sprig of an evergreen plant on the coffin or urn, which is representation of the acacia which from a twig from a downed acacia plant can be put in contact with the earth s soil where it will sprout to life again. This is representative of the Masonic beliefs that the soul never dies and can sprout from our earthly body s death into a new life. Pre-planning for your last rights can and should be a healing and comforting service for your loved ones who will miss your physical presence. FREEMASONRY AND THE ANCIENT SECRET SOCIETIES AND MYSTERIES Paul Weathers, Past Master T he Egyptian Secret Societies and similar guilds that were formed and thrived throughout ancient times; could it be that Freemasonry today derived from them? Egypt is the oldest known history and many Masonic Historians believe that Freemasonry is a descendant of those Egyptian Secret Societies. However, we re dealing with relatively modern researches of twilight times dating back as far as 4500 B.C. with no fixed dates and actual documents whereby to speak with certainty. (Continued on page 7)

7 Page 7 (Continued from page 6) Accounts of those Societies as described in the 1908 reprint of The Illustrated History of Masonry gives a fair description of them and their three degrees. And the volumes of the Old Testament of the Holy Writing might to relate to what these historians of the early to middle 1800 s report of their findings of those times in history. Their doctrines embraced such arts and sciences as Astronomy, Cosmogony, Religion and belief of immortality of the soul. Through their practiced rites and ceremonies they attempted to teach and lead their followers from darkness into light, ignorance to enlightenment, into a moral way of life and faith in their concepts of Deity, death of the body but of a resurrection of the soul. According to the Royal Cyclopedia, page 193, The Hierophant or High Priest would hold ceremonies in the Anactoron or as we might say in more modern times, the Holy of Holies. The ceremonies were very elaborate and devotionally presented. The High Priest was seated in the east consisting of a magnificent throne and with a golden crown on his head and a symbol of the sun located above his throne. The Priest officiated at the Altar while silence was observed in the Temple. Rhea led a procession in search of a lost companion of the moon. And those who were under control by a bond (free man) or with bodily defects were denied entry into the Mysteries. Candidates were required to acknowledge matters pertaining to their life and were to serve a period of probation before initiation into the Mysteries. He would then be dressed in a dark robe and blindfolded. He was conducted in darkness into a cavern, where scary sounds of beast and hisses of snakes were surrounding him, and unexpected claps of thunder and lightening would vibrate the air around him. With permission to escape he was blocked by a heavy door and a voice informing him that he would be required to attain a perfect state and he must be purified. The door slowly opened and he was trust into more darkness where he was made to feel unstable by whirlwinds. Next he was compelled to cross through a hallway where flames of fire seemed to threaten his life, after which he experienced strong currents of water in which he had to swim or drown. If he exhibited manly courage through these ordeals he was conducted into the great Hall of the Mysteries, and in the presence of the Priest and the elder members, he took upon himself the oaths of fidelity for maintaining the secrets. Instructional lectures and benedictions were then given. This was his first of the three degrees. After a yearlong probation he was advanced to the second degree, which consisted of sacrifices to be made by the candidate and the making of other obligations and oaths were to be made. He was then invested with a sacred cloak and scarf, a crown of palm-leaves was placed on his head. He was then called a Mystae. The third degree represented the death and search for the body of Bacchus (or Osiris), and observance of its resurrection. In due time, he was to be raised to the third degree. But for now he was conducted among horrible scenes where the walls were covered with blackness and depictions of death were multiplied. A tragic drama was enacted, in which a horrid murder was committed by three ruffians, and the dead body now lay before him. A funeral dirge was chanted and a search for the dead was now underway because the body had disappeared. Then suddenly a burst of bright light appeared, and standing in its center the candidate sees the resurrected body of Bacchus. Shouts of joy were given; the ordeal was over and the spectacles of bliss and purification were then and there experienced (Mackey, Pages ; or Royal Cyclopedia, page 188). These similarities might easily explain the beliefs by some that the modern Masonic degree ceremonies and our very existence as Freemasons derived from those Ancient Secret Societies.

8 The cost is only $125 / Year and it can be prorated. Contact our treasurer, WB Randy Jager for more details. Oasis Masonic Lodge #52, F&AM 450 N, Pantano Rd.