17 St. Patrick's Day 18 OFFICERS PRACTICE FOR DEGREE CONFERRAL

Transcription

1 Silver Gate Three Stars Lodge No. 296 Free and Accepted Masons 3795 Utah Street San Diego, CA Non-Profit Org U.S. Postage Paid Permit # 383 San Diego, CA CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED February ~ March 2015 ~ April Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat TEMPLE BOARD STATED MEETING MEETING DEGREE PROFICIENCY TBD DOSI BLACK MOUNTAIN LODGE 17 St. Patrick's Day 18 OFFICERS PRACTICE FOR DEGREE CONFERRAL DEGREE CONFERRAL TBD DEGREE PROFICIENCY TBD TEMPLE BOARD MEETING 31 Notes:

2 FROM THE EAST: To the Ladies and Family of Masons: A man in your family is now a member of the Masonic Fraternity. This will undoubtedly raise some questions in your mind, and I hope the following will be helpful in answering those questions. You are now a Mason s Lady, and I take this opportunity to extend my first greeting to you. While you personally have not joined our organization, there are things that may be helpful for you to know in the future. At the same time, there are matters of the general interest about your mason and his new organization. The Fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons is the oldest, largest and most widely-known fraternal organization in the world. It has its roots in antiquity, and is directly descended from the association of operative masons, the cathedral builders of the Middle Ages who traveled through Europe employing the secrets and skills of the crafts. The organization, as we know it today, began in 1717 in England when cathedral building was on the decline and the operative masons or free masons, as then known, started to accept as members those who were not members of the masons craft, calling them speculative masons or accepted masons. Freemasonry was brought to the United States by our early settlers, and Benjamin Franklin, in an early newspaper published by him, referred to a Lodge of Freemasons being in existence in Philadelphia in Masonry is not, contrary to common belief, a secret society, but rather a society with secrets. If it were a secret society, Masons would not wear Masonic jewelry of publicly mark their many Halls. Masonry does have many traditions and customs which, of course, are known only to its members. It would be difficult to summarize in a brief space all that a Mason learns through his membership. But briefly, Freemasonry encourages a member to apply to his daily living the broad, general principles of morality. Membership is limited to adult males who can meet the recognized qualifications and standards of character and reputation. Freemasonry does not interfere with the duties that a man owes to God, his country, his neighbor, his family, or himself; but rather, by learning to understand, to live or practice the fundamental precepts of the organization, he has an opportunity for self-improvement. It helps a good man become a better man, a better father, husband, brother or son. During the ceremonies of his initiation, each Mason is presented with a white leather apron. It is, to him, an emblem of innocence and the badge of a Mason. It has, in all ages, been cherished by the rich, the poor, the high and the low. It is his for life. He will never receive another one and has, therefore, been cautioned to take it home and instructed in its care. While perfectly satisfactory for him to do so if he desires, he need not bring it to the Lodge, as linen aprons are provided for his use in meetings. It is to be placed upon him at his death if his nearest living relative so chooses. Its moral application is explained to a Mason during its presentation. Its physical usage is now revealed to you. Any member who was in good standing at the time of his death is entitled to a Masonic funeral if he or his family requests it. Such a request should be made to the Master of the Lodge who will make the necessary arrangements with the family, the mortuary, and the minister. A service is authorized by the jurisdiction in which you are located, and consists of participation at the mortuary, the beginning at the mortuary and the closing at the graveside, or graveside only.

3 Pallbearers will be furnished at the request of the family. Contacting the Lodge is not a difficult matter. The Lodge Secretary s name appears on all dues cards. If you are unable to contact the Secretary when needed, a call or letter to the Grand Secretary will provide the information. In the event our member becomes ill, we want to know. Again the same method of notifying us can be used as explained above. In the past, members have fallen ill without our knowing it and their loved ones have been displeased with us for a seeming act of disregard, when in fact we have been unaware of the problem. Your Mason has joined an organization who wants to assist him when in need, and we need your help to do it. Lodges meet in regular monthly sessions and on such other days as are necessary to conduct its business and ritualistic work. While every Mason s attendance is solicited, it is not intended that a Lodge should interfere with one s regular vocation or duty to family, God or country. Your Mason has invested time and money in joining our order and for years to come will be paying annual dues. He can best receive all that is his by frequently participating in deliberations and events. We hope that you will approve and encourage him to attend regularly, and we hope that you will join us whenever possible. In the years to come, it is reasonable to assume that at some time while you are accompanying you Mason, someone will address him as Brother. Brother is neither a sentimental nor familiar form of address, but is a title, a distinction and an honor, indicating that he has been recognized by another Mason. Brother is a title dating back to ancient times and is used in place of Mister or a similar title to which one is entitled by virtue of his station in life. In Masonry, all men are equal, as no man is regarded for his worldly wealth or honor, and all distinctions are cast away. There are several groups to which ladies related to Master Masons may apply for membership if they desire. But this is entirely optional. If there are children in the family, they may find interests in Masonic-oriented youth groups whose teachings of patriotism and love of family will, we assure, be pleasing to you. Across the nation is a network of Masonic Service Association Officers. If, while traveling, dire need of aid should arise, consult the telephone directory of a major city for the number. If none is listed, a local Lodge will be able to make connections for you. We hope you have found this information helpful, and that it will assist you in better understanding your Mason s role in life. By the Square, Celso Marañon Master-SGTS #296

4 FROM THE WEST: A Westerly Wind: Special Thanks to Bro. Ray Cruz and Bro. Willie Francia for preparing our delicious February Stated Meeting dinner and to Worshipful Brother Joe Dano for being our Head Chef for our Valentine Dinner Dance. In the next month of April, we will have another Breakfast Buffet Fund Raising benefiting the Grand Masters Project of Raising a Reader and also supporting our next social events. Bro. Philip Lastrella is spearheading the pre-sale of those tickets and is also accepting monetary donations. (Make your check payable to Silver Gate Three Star Lodge). By the same token, Bro. Rio Baltazar will be the head Chef for that event and is also accepting Food donations that will be used for the said event. Among the items we need are: 5 lbs. to 10 lbs. of Bacon 5 lbs. to 10 lbs. of Sausage (Hamonado Longaniza) 10 to 20 dozen eggs 5 to 10 boxes of Hash Brown 2 to 4 Gallons of Milk 2 to 4 Boxes of Pancake Mix 2 boxes of Assorted Flavor Oatmeal 2 boxes of Assorted Flavor Cold Cereal 2 to 4 Gallons of Orange Juice 2 to 4 Bottles of Assorted Flavor Coffee Creamer We hope that you would support our lodge Fund raising event. Collections already began last February, if you haven t made your pledges/donations please consider doing so and if you have, we sincerely appreciate your support to our lodge. I am glad our Tiller is back and well from his By-Pass surgery which is relative to our Masonic Education for this Month as explained by Worshipful Brother Bong Paynita: Outside the door of every Masonic lodge stands the tiller, armed with the proper implement of his office, the sword of silence. The tiller s job is to guard the lodge against the approach of Cowan s and eavesdroppers, lest the secrets of Freemasonry be comprised. Thus, when you see our tiller who stands watch for so many Masonic years now, thank him for his great undertaking in guarding the outside door against the approach of any unworthy persons, as well as tactfully challenging every visitor who wishes to visit our worshipful lodge. Always on the Level Bro. Mark Gene Sr. Warden 2015

5 MARCH BIRTHDAY LIST Albert Abinsay Emmanuel Gleyo Danny Salcedo PM Edel Alayon Leroy Holzman Leonardo Salonga Erlando Cabugos Kevin Horn Jack Schwab Kristopher Cabuhat Jared Kernozek Patrick Sweet, III Menino Cacayuran, Jr. Johnny Lim, Jr. Cesar O. Torres Adriano DeLeon Louis Meiers Rick Tuyay Alex Espiritu Macario Millan Jeffrey Velasquez Romeo Geronimo Jerry Paranal STATED MEETING DINNER MENU New England Dinner Dinner Rolls with Butter, Assorted Fruits, Green Salad and Dressing, Dessert Cake Advance announcement: Our May 1, 2015 stated meeting will be moved to May 8, 2015 which will be the second Friday of the month. May 1-3 is the Master and Warden s retreat..."reminder FROM THE SECRETARY, If you haven't received your dues notice for 2015 due to change of address, mail in your dues renewal fee of $99.00 plus any donations to Masonic Homes, Public Schools and Youth Groups to the Lodge address, addressed to the Secretary.

6

7 Silver Gate Three Stars Lodge List of Officers for Masonic Year 2014 Master: Jerry : Celso Maranon (Sylvia) awaiting consent Senior Warden: Mark Dela Cruz (Nanette) Treasurer: Heredito Edra (Evangeline) Secretary: Mario Rante, PM Asst. Sec.: Kevin Horn (Marie) Chaplain: Hermie Zuniga (Yvonne) Junior Deacon: Rio Baltazar (Jesusa) Marshal: Phillip Lastrella (Alma) Senior Steward: Arthur Coloma(Annabelle) Junior Steward: Jeffrey Velasquez (Grace) Tiler: Rudy Tintiangco (Trining) Organist: Gil DeLeon (Armie) Officers Coach: Joe Dano (Norma) 913 Masonic District Inspector: Gil Magdaluyo, PM (Darlene) Silver Gate Three Stars Masonic Hall Association President: Danny Salcedo, PM awaiting consent Vice Pres: BenHur Evangelista, PM Fin. Off.: Fred Marty, PM Secretary: Patrick Carreon Ex-Officio: Mark Dela Cruz, SW Member: Larry Puckett Member: Romy Quinto, PM Member: Jack Villanueva Member: Jerry Fabula PM Member: Al Farinas, PM Facility Coord: Tony Bersamera Eduardo Pasalagua (Custodian) Secretary s Info secretary@296.sdcoxmail.com Primary Number: Cell: (619) Office:Fridays after 3:30pm (619) Assistant Secretary s Info hornmk@cox.net Cell: (858) WEB PAGE; New Application Fees: Application fee for degrees: $ includes other fees to grand Lodge. Application fee for Affiliation: Out of State: $94.00 Same jurisdiction, FREE as per By-Laws. Brothers, if you would like to receive the Trestleboard Electronically and opt out of the paper version, to help us save mailing costs, please let the Asst. Secretary, Kevin Horn, know at hornmk@cox.net. You will be put in a mail group to receive it earlier via . Join us on Facebook at the group Silver Gate Three Stars #296, Free and Accepted Masons!!! Special Note: " CMC , states that for members who have not paid their dues for the last 12 months, the Secretary must send a letter of suspension by certified mail." Significance of Symbolism Masonry is veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols because these are the surest ways by which moral and ethical truths may be taught. It is not only with the brain and the mind that the initiate must take in Masonry but also with the heart. Mind speaks to mind with spoken or written words. Heart speaks to heart with words spoken. Those words are symbols; words mean little to the indifferent, much to the understanding. The body has its five senses through which the mind may learn; the mind also has imagination. That imagination may see farther than eyes and hear sounds fainter than may be caught by ears. To the imagination symbols become plain as printed words to the eye. Nothing else will do; no words can be as effective. Each Mason can and should analyze for himself each symbol, each allegory, and form his own personal and moral philosophy. Through a study of its symbolism he will learn the meaning of Masonry, and his own life will be enriched thereby. The significance of symbolism is emphasized in the following quotation from Oliver Day Street s Symbolism of the Three Degrees: It may be asserted in the broadest terms that the Mason who knows nothing of our symbolism knows little of Masonry. He may be able to repeat every line of ritual without an error, and yet, if he does not understand the meaning of the ceremonies, the signs, the words, the emblems and the figures, he is an ignoramus Masonically. It is distressing to witness how much time and labor is spent in memorizing the work and how little in what it all means. Far be it from me to underrate the importance of letter perfection in rendering of our ritual. In no other way can the symbolism of our emblems, traditions and allegories be accurately preserved, but I do maintain that, if we are never to understand their meanings, it is useless to preserve them. The two go hand in hand, without either, the beauty and symmetry of the Masonic temple is destroyed. Take from Masonry its symbols and but the husk remains, the kernel is gone. He who hears but the words of Masonry misses their meaning entirely.