NEWS. January - March, 2016 Denver CO DESENSITIZATION. John Warren, 33

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NEWS Volume XXIII - Issue I 1370 Grant St January - March, 2016 Denver CO 80203 www.denverconsistory.

1 NEWS Volume XXIII - Issue I 1370 Grant St January - March, 2016 Denver CO DESENSITIZATION John Warren, 33 Nature has given man one tongue and two ears that we may hear twice as much as we speak. Epictetus A lot of Brothers spend a lot of time living life as a Mason and extolling Masonry s virtues to the world around them, sometimes in a humorous manner and sometimes in a more serious manner. This is so in all Masonic groups, whether it is in our Blue Lodges, Scottish Rite, York Rite and so on. For purposes of this article, we ll concentrate on the Scottish Rite. We all recognize some problems in the Fraternity, such as low membership numbers and the like. A lot of Brothers spend a lot of time looking for solutions to these problems. At the same time, we all see situations and problems that could be harmful to the Consistory, but we see these things so often, we don t think much about it anymore. This is not a good situation to be in. We just move on to something else. What does the word desensitization mean? Dictionary.com tells us, in part, that in Psychiatry: it is a behavior modification technique, used especially in treating phobias, in which, panic, or other undesirable emotional response to a given stimulus is reduced or extinguished, especially by repeated exposure to that stimulus. Wikipedia tells us the same thing and The Thesaurus tells us that the word is a noun and means a process of reducing sensitivity. The question then becomes: What are we going to do about it? Are we going to continue to concentrate on the more popular problems but continue to ignore other situations because we see them so much that they do not appear to be such a big deal? Leonardo de Vinci once said: The greatest deception men suffer is their own opinion. This situation has caught the attention of our Sovereign Grand Commander Ronald A. Seale, 33, who stated, in part, in the May June 2015 Scottish Rite Journal that: There is no doubt that we come face-to-face with evil incarnate every day, walking beside us and in our midst, and yet we take it in stride. How can Masonry exist and have any impact in such a world? How do we live a life in accord with the gentle craft of Freemasonry squaring our actions and walking uprightly in the face of such evil and destruction that has come to accompany our days? Our Grand Commander quoted Albert Pike, who pretty much said to stay the course, continue believing in Masonry. You cannot avoid evil in the world any more than you can ignore some of the problems in the Fraternity by concentrating so heavily on the more popular? problems.

HELP WANTED Donald Marshal 33 A V Committee Chairman The Denver Consistory Audio/Visual team, known as The Men in Black, is currently looking for a few good men.

2 HELP WANTED Donald Marshal 33 A V Committee Chairman The Denver Consistory Audio/Visual team, known as The Men in Black, is currently looking for a few good men. Sound, lights and video are heavily utilized in the Reunions to enhance the presentations of the degree work. Lights add drama and feel to the presentations. Lighting can set the mood, indicate the time of day, or direct the audience attention toward (or away from) action on the floor or stage. Lighting can also provide special effects to wake up a scene. Sound provides microphone support for the actors and choirs, ensuring that everyone can hear all of the important lessons being taught by the allegorical stories and lectures. Sound also provides music and sound effects critical to the story telling. Video provides an electronic Trestleboard through which the lecturers can communicate their important truths, as well as enhancements to the mythological storytelling. The Men in Black also support the numerous rentals by Masonic bodies and outside groups that use the cathedral, providing technical support, lights, sound and video to meetings, weddings, concerts, funerals and performing groups in the auditorium. All in all, we manage to keep busy. But, we are currently in need of more help! It takes many hands to quickly outfit an entire cast with microphones and keep those microphones in good working order, set lights, set up and take down equipment. Skilled operators are needed for both the sound and light boards, as well as computer savvy operators for sound effects and video/power Points. You do not need any experience to join this crew. We can train you from scratch, or maybe you can teach us a thing or two! All it takes is an interest and some free time to give to the Consistory. Working A-V is a rewarding experience. You can contribute to the valuable lessons being taught without having to memorize lines! Since we work live in the auditorium during the degrees, you get to participate in and learn from every degree being presented, enhancing your own Masonic experience as well as that of the Class. If any of this sounds interesting or rewarding to you, please contact me as soon as possible and we will get you started. You may contact me by at Donald_Marshall@msn.com or by calling at before 8 PM please. (From Jan., 2011 Rite Works) JUST MY OPINION D. J Cox, 33 A new year is upon us and with it comes new challenges, continued responsibilities and unforetold opportunities. Personally, I don t put much stock in New Year s resolutions. They rarely yield production or action. I do, however, believe in rededication. Therefore, I plan to rededicate myself to helping children and senior citizens (perhaps because I act like one or the other most of the time). I encourage each member of the Consistory to dedicate some amount of time to helping others. We all have some free time let s use that time and our resources in assisting a friend, neighbor, community member, fellow Mason and/or their family. Just about everyone needs a helping hand at one time or another. Let s try to make our world a better place in 2011! Just do it! Anyway, that s my opinion.

From the Secretary s Desk Bill Klatil, 33 The 47 th Fall Reunion, dedicated to our Veterans, is in the history books and we have 16 new Masters of the Royal Secret in our midst.

3 From the Secretary s Desk Bill Klatil, 33 The 47 th Fall Reunion, dedicated to our Veterans, is in the history books and we have 16 new Masters of the Royal Secret in our midst. This Reunion produced a high level of performance in the exemplification of the degrees which has become our Consistory s standard. Health issues affected some of the performers, to include our Director General. Illustrious Brother Ron is back in the pink and doing well. Veterans and First Responders Program. This Friday night Reunion event had several highlights. These included honoring and presenting to three of our 50 year members, their blue cap. Next we were honored to have US Congressman and Brother Scott Tipton deliver an inspired talk about our Veterans and the Masonic Fraternity. Knights of Saint Andrew. We thank the Knights for their continuing work in the Consistory. They have cleaned up a storage closet in the kitchen, put a shine on the woodwork in the Cathedral Room, assisted the stage crew by rearranging backdrops and winterized the garden in front of the Consistory. Our building is a better place because of the work of these Brothers. New Consistory Officers. Our December Stated Meeting saw the election and appointments for the 2016 Masonic year. Bro. Richard Silver, 32 KCCH, was elected as Venerable Master of the Lodge of Perfection; Scott Bates, 32 KCCH was elected as Wise Master of Rocky Mountain Chapter of Rose Croix; Robert Salazar, 32 KCCH was elected as Commander of Colorado Council of Kadosh and William Hickey, 33 was elected as Master of Kadosh for the Denver Consistory. Seize the moments of happiness, love and be loved! That is the only reality in the world. All else is folly. Leo Tolstoy NOTEABLE QUOTE Along with veterans organizations, Americans have developed scores or orders, lodges, and encampments, courts some simple insurance organizations, some burial agreements, some charitable associations, but all noble. Anyone who has lived long enough will remember some of these as an enrichment of his youth. Elks, Masons, Knight Templars, Woodmen of the World, Redmen, Eagles, Eastern Star, Foresters, Concatenated Order of Whowho, International the World Almanac lists hundreds of such societies and associations, military and religious, philosophic, scholarly, charitable, mystic, political, and some just plain nuts. All were and perhaps still are aristocratic and mostly secret and therefore exclusive. They seemed to fulfil a need for grandeur against a background of commonness, for aristocracy in the midst of democracy. And the ritual perhaps satisfied the nostalgia of the Protestant for the fulsome litany and ritual of the denounced Catholic Church. A great many orders had rules against admitting any Catholic. And then the Catholics formed their own orders, their own knighthoods and clubs, and that kind of ruined the whole thing. We are very strange people; we love organizations, and hate them. --- John Steinbeck (Editor s Note: Admittedly, I have never read anything written by John Steinbeck and this has been difficult for me to read. However, this quote does send a very powerful message which we all should pay attention to.) We are all travelers in the wilderness of this world, and the best we can find in our travels is an honest friend. Robert Louis Stevenson

PLANNING CALENDER IN MEMORIAM Bob E. Blattner, 32 04/19/2015 Lee D. Briley, 32 09/02/2014 Clarence C Cox, 32 KCCH 11/29/2015 Russell E. Dorrell, 32 05/21/2015 Ralph L.

4 PLANNING CALENDER IN MEMORIAM Bob E. Blattner, 32 04/19/2015 Lee D. Briley, 32 09/02/2014 Clarence C Cox, 32 KCCH 11/29/2015 Russell E. Dorrell, 32 05/21/2015 Ralph L. Dunham, 32 09/15/2015 A Frederick. Ems, 32 09/14/2015 William J. Goldsboro, 32 09/22/2015 Henry B. Hering, Sr., 32 11/17/2015 Delbert J. Jensen, 32 09/18/2015 Eugene D. Johnson, 32 10/04/2015 Robert C. Liska, 32 10/10/2015 William J. Matsch, Jr., 32 11/11/2015 Gordon A. McDonald, 32 05/18/2015 Robert J. McElwain, 32 08/28/2015 Merl I. Moler, 32 10/19/2015 Harold D. Naber, 32 07/19/2015 Wayne L. Pew, 32 10/26/2015 Loren D. Pierce, 32 10/26/2015 Lynn B. Reed, 32 11/16/2015 Hipolito E. Ridau, 32 09/03/2015 John A. Sells III, 32 KCCH 11/07/2015 Donald E. Sherfick, 32 04/29/2015 William C. Simon, 32 10/26/2015 Richard H. Stienmier, 32 11/16/2015 Carl L. Todd, 32 08/18/2015 Adolph P. Wolff, 32 10/05/2015 Gary M. York, 32 07/26/2015 There is a friend whose heart was good. He walked with men and understood. His was a voice that spoke with cheer, And felt like music on the ear. His was a smile men loved to see. His was a hand that asked no fee. For friendliness or kindness done. And now that he has journeyed on, His is a fame that never ends He leaves behind uncounted friends. Author unknown January Fri Jan 1 Closed for New Years Day Holiday Sat Jan 9-8:00 AM - Un-decorating Party Members, Officers & wives invited Sat - Jan 16-8:00 AM - Officers Breakfast and Installation Practice Mon - Jan 18 Stated Meeting PARKING GARAGE AVAILABLE 5:30 PM - Red Room Business Meeting 6:00 PM - Dinner 7:00 PM - Installation of new Officers Fri - Jan 22 - CONSISTORY CLOSED due to annual Grand Lodge of Colorado meeting Sat - Jan 30 - Annual KSA Burns Dinner PARKING GARAGE AVAILABLE Reservations a must. February Mon - Feb 15 - Stated Meeting PARKING GARAGE AVAILABLE 5:30 PM - Red Room Business Meeting 6:00 PM - Dinner 7:00 PM - Entertainment (Presidents Day, Valentine Day) 7:30 PM - Split Meeting- Almoner & Life Mem. Annual Reports to CLOP March Mon - Mar 21 - Stated Meeting PARKING GARAGE AVAILABLE 5:30 PM - Red Room Business Meeting 6:00 PM - Dinner 7:00 PM - Awards and announcements 7:15 PM - Celebration of Remembrance and Renewal All menus are at THE DENVER CONSISTORY BUILDING IS A NON- SMOKEING FACILITY. THIS MEANS NO CIGARS, CIGARETTS, PIPES, ETC. INSIDE THE BUILDING. QUESTIONS MAY BE REFERRED TO THE SECRETARY

NEW SCOTTISH RITE BRETHREN John Warren, 33 The debate has been ongoing for years. How can we best help new Scottish Rite Mason s feel as if they are part of this Fraternity.

5 NEW SCOTTISH RITE BRETHREN John Warren, 33 The debate has been ongoing for years. How can we best help new Scottish Rite Mason s feel as if they are part of this Fraternity. Most think that getting them involved in Consistory activities, which are many and varied is the way. We show them what is available and let them make their own choices, depending on THEIR own needs, wants and desires. The worst thing any of us can do is make the decision for them, guiding them with the Hammers from Hell, fulfilling our needs and not theirs. Regret for the things we did can be tempered by time; it is regret for the things we did not do that is inconsolable. Sydney J. Harris The Fall Reunion is over and we have several brand new Scottish Rite Masons. They are excited and look forward to becoming active in the Denver Consistory, something that all of our newer Brothers over the past couple of years need to think about. The life of an active Mason is often demanding and that by balancing your family life, your work life and activities with your Brethren is no easy task. The question then becomes: Who is responsible for getting this done? Does the Consistory alone bear this responsibility? Do our new Brothers bear any responsibility? The answers to the two questions can only be yes and yes. The Consistory does, indeed, have the responsibility to inform our new Brothers what activities and Committees are available to them. Often, it is a real competition by the chairman of the different committees to get our new Brothers attention and this can be onerous to them. Some feel that the Consistory has total responsibility for getting the new Brothers actively involved. Others feel that the new Brothers must bear some of the responsibility. I am in the latter group. Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambition. Small people always do that, but the really great ones make you feel that you too, can become great. Mark Twain Denver Consistory s Secretary, Bill Klatil, 33, said not long ago: Many events and activities are created that provide opportunities to interact with your Brothers. It is up to you to choose those opportunities that best meet your needs. Denver Consistory s Director General Ron Birely, 33, firmly believes that getting newer Brothers involved in the different degree teams is very important, an idea shared by many, including myself. Other committees feel the same about their area of responsibility. What is never a good idea is to convince the new guy to do something by which they may, in the beginning, feel somewhat inadequate. There is so much available for them that this should never occur, yet it does regularly in some areas. WE ARE HERE TO HELP THEM, NOT HINDER THEM So, what is the solution to this vexing problem? Many have ideas in this regard but it boils down to the fact we older members (not just physical age but time as a SR Mason) do have a responsibility to help our new Brothers get involved in Consistory activities and not by using the hammer from hell to force them in one direction, but to mentor them, explain what is available and let them decide. It is often true that some think that the best way to get new members involved should come at the expense of the older members. I do not feel this way. Do you?

6 STATED MEETINGS HAVE VALUE Bill Klatil, 33 Denver Consistory, like most Masonic Bodies, has a regular meeting schedule. Our Valley s schedule is the third Monday of every month except for the months of July and August. This means that we have ten stated meetings a year. We do, of course, have many events that take place outside of the stated meetings schedule. Meeting content is important. To conform with the required items does require a certain format. By-laws, requirements from Supreme Council in Washington and the direction given to us by our Sovereign Grand Inspector General gives us a framework that should not be compromised. We have, over the years, modified the meeting format with the intention of creating a more productive use of time during our Meetings. We regularly ask for feedback from our officers lines. One example of this variation is the presentation of the 32 nd and 21 st Degrees during Stated Meetings. Our focus is to make meetings interesting enough that you will want to attend them. How many places can you attend that have the number of leaders of our Fraternity meeting in one location? The obvious answer would be Grand Lodge, but even these meetings do not have the same crosssection of members that attend our Stated Meetings. To have this wealth of Masonic knowledge in one place is extraordinary. Interacting at these meetings does produce clues in how other leaders arrive at ideas that benefit their particular situations and challenges and which can present solutions to a myriad of conditions. The interaction of individuals before and after the meetings demonstrates that brotherly love and affection occurs when two or more Brothers are brought together. It has been noted that the premeeting and post-meeting are where the real business takes place. What you take away from a meeting is your choice. Highlighting who is doing the work by attending their Blue Lodge, participating in Rose Croix Funerals and paying homage to our fallen Brothers has value. Learning of coming events and on-going activities are part of the meetings. Committee reports demonstrate a line of communication. Knowledge is power. Looking at a familiar format and considering a different perspective is a method of learning. The Scottish Rite is known as the University of Freemasonry. We offer a learning experience with our Degrees. It is our hope that we also produce a valued experience incorporated into our stated meetings. NOTE FROM THE EDITOR John Warren, 33 Some know, most don t that Denver Consistory publishes quarterly, a printed Newsletter, separate from the Rite Works. This Newsletter is mailed to those who do not have access to the internet, other Masonic groups across the country and so on. I have been Editor of this Newsletter for a couple of years now and it takes a lot of time to produce it. Like most of you, I have obligations to other Masonic Bodies as well. To help me with the time problem, I cannot continue writing so much of the content myself. I have asked many for articles and few have responded to my pleas. I can no longer INVENT articles on upcoming events when I am not given the details of those events such as upcoming Reunions, Health Fairs and etc., etc.. If I am given the details on such events, I will write the article, but not under my by-line. Otherwise, information for that event will not appear in this Newsletter. All I m really asking for here is some help and that help translates into articles from you Brothers. You will be seeing articles from time to time from past Rite Works that still sends a message today, beginning with an article from the December, 2011 Rite Works, in this very issue.

(Ed. Note: The following article was written by the Class Vice President from the Fall, 2011 Reunion and originally appeared in the December, 2011 Rite Works It is a very insightful article which

7 (Ed. Note: The following article was written by the Class Vice President from the Fall, 2011 Reunion and originally appeared in the December, 2011 Rite Works It is a very insightful article which everyone should heed.) WHAT AN EXPERIENCE THE REUNION WAS Lee Miller, 32, Class Vice President We came together on the first day as Brothers, but we were Brothers in Masonic name only. There were twenty four of us, and in true Masonic fashion, from every walk of life. We represented Lodges all over Colorado, although the over achievers at Weston Lodge #22 made up one third of our class. Some of us were just old enough to have joined Freemasonry, others of us were retired with grandchildren. Many of us were veterans, made all the more poignant be being together on Veteran s Day. No heroes here. As one of us said, heroes come home in boxes. Another of us informed the Class, to a huge round of applause, that while almost everyone else was American born, he was American by choice. Through the very awkward introduction periods, we began to recognize each other. Bro. Gerry s inexhaustible stock of bad jokes helped loosen things up, and Bro. John (introduced to us as the doughnut guy ) lived up to that nickname by showing up with more doughnuts that even a room full of Masons could not eat. Throughout the introductions, we had a common thread: not one man defined himself by his job but rather by his family, whether it was a new bride, a still happy marriage of 41 years, children and grandchildren. We did continue to learn more about each other; law enforcement, sales, medicine, law, retired and more. We also discovered each other by lodge connections, and by a few, lawyer and cop jokes thrown out by Bro. Gerry on day two. It wasn t until the end of the 4 th Degree that we realized the first of our class members had been chosen to play the initiate. Still, we hadn t quite caught on until after the 10 th or 11 th Degrees, that one of us was being appointed to participate in each of the exemplified degrees. As Bro. Gerry put it, This isn t a democracy. Later that morning when the class officers were similarly chosen, the class came closer again trying to decide if all of the class appointees were chosen randomly, by number, or by some arcane criteria. We never did get a satisfactory answer. On Friday, the Class Officers drew us together by addressing the class, ever mindful of the time, while Bros. Gerry, John, Danny and the rest of the class committee waited outside. Saturday morning dawned clear and we gathered outside for class pictures, complete with the usual good-natured ribbing, and we were back inside for more degree work. Both days, we ran upstairs to pay for the Master Craftsman Program, Knights of St. Andrews and hat boxes. Later, Bro. John had the class practice putting on hats and we realized that we were almost there. Suddenly it was time. Hats in hand, we found our seats for the exemplification of the second section of the 32 nd Degree. Bro. John raised his hands and said hats on. We were Masters of the Royal Secret. Bro. John Buchanan presented a patriotic poem, and followed by a round of thank yous with Sovereign Grand Inspector General Stephen Munsinger. The class officers were proud to present a class contribution to Bro. Stephen on behalf of the Scottish Rite Foundation in the amount of $2432.(Yes, the $32 was a deliberate addition by the class.) We first came together as brothers in name only, but we left as true brothers.

8 DENVER CONSISTORY NEWS STAFF DENVER CONSISTORY OFFICE William C. Klatil, 33 Bulletin Advisory (303) FAX (303) John A. Moreno, 33, Staff Photographer Toll-Free Long Distance D. J. Cox, 33, Editor Emeritus Denver Consistory News is published four times Bill Hickey, 33, Editor a year (Jan, Apr, Jul, Oct). Deadline for article John Warren, 33 Editor submissions is three weeks prior to the first of Dan Conway, 32 Webmaster the month of publication. denverconsistory@denverconsistory.org CENTENNIAL LODGE OF PERFECTION Non-Profit Organization DENVER CONSISTORY U.S. Postage William C. Klatil, 33, Secretary PAID 1370 Grant Street Pin ers.com Denver, CO ALLEGIANCE The bodies of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, sitting in the Valley of Denver, Orient of Colorado, acknowledge and yield allegiance to the Supreme Council (Mother Council of the World) of the Inspectors General, Knights Commander of the House of the Temple of Solomon of the Thirty-third Degree of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry For the Southern Jurisdiction of The United States of America Ronald A. Seale, 33 Sovereign Grand Commander Supreme Council, 33, Washington, D.C. Stephen M. Munsinger, 33 Sovereign Grand Inspector General For the Orient of Colorado David W. Powell, 33 Personal Representative of the SGIG in Colorado For the Valley of Denver Venerable Master Centennial Lodge of Perfection Richard D. Silver, 32 KCCH Wise Master Rocky Mountain Chapter of Rose Croix Scott A. Bates, 32 KCCH Commander Colorado Council of Kadosh Robert A. Salazar, 32 KCCH Master of Kadosh Denver Consistory William A. Hickey III, 33 Almoner Joe E. Keir, 33 Treasurer Wayne G. Arner, 33 Secretary-Recorder-Registrar William C. Klatil, 33

A PUBLICATION OF The Stockton Scottish Rite. Volume 71/12 Valley of Stockton, California December 2015

A PUBLICATION OF The Stockton Scottish Rite Volume 71/12 Valley of Stockton, California December 2015 From the Desk of the Personal Representative, Ill. Patrick O Hern, 33 The Holiday season is upon us