The Phoenix York Rite Mason Trestleboard Phoenix York Rite Bodies (602) 258-0678 Summer 2009 August 2009 To my fellow Sir Knights; Contents NEW! PYR Website: www.phoenixyorkrite.org Check it Out! The Eminent Commander's Message Sir Knight Eric Hannah, EC First and foremost, let me thank each and every one of you for the trust you have placed in me by electing me as your Commander. I am extremely honored and humbled for the task ahead, and I will promise you this; I will perform this duty with the respect and dignity that you all deserve. Let me express my sincere pride and appreciation to all of my officers. As some of you might know, on Friday, August 14 th, our Commandery had the honor of opening the 116 th Grand Convocation at Grand York Rite Sessions this year. They all gave up several Saturdays to practice, and their hard work and dedication paid off. We all performed flawlessly and I received hundreds of compliments on how well my officers did. A special thank you to SK Robbie Robinson and Phil Zeilinger for filling last minute openings. I can tell you this, we set the standard of how a Commandery should be opened. Moving on for the rest of the year, I need each and every one of you to help. As most of you probably know, our numbers are falling drastically and if we don t do something soon, there will be no one left to keep our Commandery, or York Rite for that matter, alive. Although I have only been a sir knight for just over three years, it has become painfully obvious that we have gotten into a rut. It seems that our meetings are always the same and nothing really differs from month to month. This is where I need your help. Please think back when you joined York Rite. What did you expect? Why did you join? Why have you stopped coming, and what can we do to get you to come back? There has to be a reason that you all still pay your dues so I won t believe that we have lost you forever. I ask that you think about these questions and let me know your answers. Call or email me anytime. There are so many of you that I have never met, and thus all of your experience and knowledge has been lost to those of us that are newer Masons. I know you still have things to share and I look forward to learning them from you this year. Lastly, I assure you that all of the officers of the Phoenix York Rite Bodies will work diligently to change the status quo. Although it won t happen over night, I think you will be pleasantly surprised with what we are planning for the near future. Give us a chance and you won t be disappointed! Thank you all and God Bless, M. Eric Hannah Commander Phoenix Commandery No. 3 The Eminent Commander's Message 1 The High Priest Speaks 2 Necrology 2 PYR Reminders 2 The Illustrious Master's Words 3 Honors of the York Rite 4 Trestleboard by Email 4 York Rite Grand Sessions 5 York Rite Awards 5 Phoenix York Rite Raffle! 6 York Rite Officers 7 Important York Rite Dates 8
Page 2 The High Priest Speaks Companion Tom Thompson, HP My Fellow Companions, I would like to thank all the Companions for electing me to the office of High Priest for the 2009-2010 capitular year. I am very grateful for your confidence and humbled by your selection. I am asking all companions to discuss with your Blue Lodge secretary the names of the brothers that were raised during the last year and contact them about becoming a York Rite Mason. As someone once said to me, and I repeat it often, Every Mason should be a York Rite Mason. Our York Rite Catch-up Festival, supported by most Arizona York Rite Bodies, will include all Chapter and Council degrees. It will be held at the Phoenix Masonic Temple on Saturday, September 19, 2009. Degrees start at 0800. We need to strengthen our York Rite Bodies if we are to survive. Please call our Secretary Paul Dore and get some petitions now, so they can be ready at the September stated meeting on September 14, 2009. At the York Rite Grand Sessions, Arizona Chapter #1 was presented the Grand Lecturer s Award of Excellence for 2009. We were one of five Chapters so recognized. Be proud of your work and be mindful that we can always improve our execution. We have a great group of officers both elected and appointed and they need your support. Come out and support your York Rite Chapter. If you have any suggestions or comments, I would appreciate hearing from you. I sincerely want to make this an outstanding year at Arizona Chapter No. 1. Respectfully, Tom Thompson High Priest Arizona Chapter #1 Necrology We acknowledge our Brothers/Companions/Sir Knights who have gone to the Celestial Lodge above. Joseph Barney Salyer Born: Feb 2, 1918 Past High Priest Arizona Chapter #1, 1992 Past Illustrious Master Phoenix Council #4, 1994 Past Commander Phoenix Commandery #3, 1991 Raised to the Celestial Lodge above: August 22, 2009 Memorial Service at El Zaribah Shrine, August 31, 2009, 5:00 P.M. PYR Reminders Support your York Rite Attend and participate in Meetings Attend and participate in the Degrees Learn the work Support your York Rite Charities RARA CRMFF Eye Foundation Holy Land Pilgrimage Furnish the Dining Room We need new tables and chairs for the dining room. Please see John Ruth for additional information.
Page 3 The Illustrious Master's Words Companion Zach Zachary, IM My Companions All, A message of hope is all I can bring, and that may be enough. My niece just gave birth to a new little baby girl. My first thought was: what could we give her? The child will be well loved, will never be in need of money, and lastly will have a solid foundation for the life ahead. I remembered a quote from college -- I think it was George Washington Carver, if memory serves me correctly: How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving and tolerant of the weak and strong, because someday in your life you will have been all of these. I think the best gift I can give my new great-niece is to "be there" for her if she ever needs me. Most people need someone from time to time, no matter what their station is in life. As a member of the York Rite Bodies it seems we need to reach out to our brothers more. Some have health issues -- even if those issues may not be major, they often stop some of our Brethren from visiting their Lodge. Have you called or e-mailed a fellow Mason lately? Whether it be a joke to some, perhaps junk mail to others, it is a spark of communication. If your life is restricted due to money woes or heath issues, a phone call, email, or a letter means more than just that you are thinking of them. While we fight to learn rituals, signs, passwords and the like, we may be forgetting the higher purpose of Masonry. While it is great thing to try and make good men better, some better men have been lost and forgotten. We are coming along in building the York Rite back to where it belongs in Masonry. We have a strong new group of leaders coming over the next few years. It feels funny looking around as the image on faces change but sort of stay the same as the years go by. I see young members and older members as two sides of the same coin. We are all just Brothers, Companions and Sir Knights of different ages. We all want Masonry to grow and be better each year. Many things are in the planning stages for the year ahead. I hope, my Companions, my Brothers, and my fellow Sir Knights will have a fun and productive year. While as travelers we pass each other during trips to and fro, stop and ask "How are you, my Brother? It takes only a second. Zealously, Zach Zachary Illustrious Master Phoenix Council #4 Support the Temple! The Phoenix Masonic Temple Board is selling laser engraved memorial Masonic Bricks to continue the refurbishment and maintenance of our historic Masonic Temple. Please see Paul Doré for additional information.
Page 4 HONORS IN THE YORK RITE Organizations, Compiled by SK Joe Zito, PC (Part 2; to be continued) Holy Order of High Priesthood A side order of High Priests and Past High Priests of Chapters. Currently, this order is conferred during the annual Grand York Rite Sessions in Arizona. To learn what is taught in this order, you will have to attend the conferral. Order of the Silver Trowel Another side order, this is for Illustrious Masters and Past Illustrious Masters. It is also conferred during the Grand York Rite Session. Sometimes, this order is referred to as Thrice Illustrious Master Degree. To learn what is taught in this order, you will have to attend the conferral. Past Commander s Association A third side order for Commanders and Past Commanders of Commanderies, this degree is conferred during the Grand York Rite Sessions. To learn what is taught in this order, you will have to attend the conferral. Knights of the York Cross of Honour The Knight of the York Cross of Honour is an organization comprised of those York Rite Masons who have presided over a Blue Lodge, Chapter, Council and Commandery. After so serving, a candidate must be proposed by one already a member and balloted on by the membership of the state body, called a Priory. There is but one Priory per state, headed by a presiding officer called a Prior. One of the more-exclusive of the side orders, it is an invitational body. Not all who have met the minimum requirements are selected. If a member is elected to preside over his Grand Lodge or other Grand York Rite bodies, he is invested with the honor of Knight Grand Cross (KYGCH) upon completion of his tenure. The Knight Grand Cross lapel pin is circular, with the KYCH emblem in the center, surrounded by a quadrant of color representing each Grand body over which he has presided. The colors are: blue-- Grand Lodge; red--grand Chapter; purple--grand Council; white--grand Commandery. Knight Masons of the USA Knight Masonry is sometimes referred to as The Irish Branch of Masonry or the Green Degrees. In the United States it is considered to be a part of the York Rite and exist as an invitational order with membership being extended to those York Rite Masons who have served the craft, civic organizations or their community in leadership roles. Minimum requirements are to be a Chapter Mason with notable service to Masonry. There are three degrees associated with the Knight Masons. There are currently no Councils in the state of Arizona. York Rite College This invitational body s requirements are to be a member of all four York Rite Bodies. Invitations are generally sent to York Rite Masons who have demonstrated leadership or the potential for leadership in their bodies. There are three Colleges in Arizona. PYR York Rite Trestleboard via Email! To try to save mailing costs, from this issue forward we are going to send out the Phoenix York Rite Trestleboard via email to anyone who has a valid email address on record with us. If you have a valid email address that you want us to use and have not yet made it available to us, please send a message via email to Tom Thompson at Tom.Thompson@AZLodge2.org and I will add you to the list for the email Trestleboard. Thank you.
Page 5 2009 York Rite Grand Sessions The 2009 meeting of the Grand York Rite took place September 12 through 16, 2009 at the Chaparral Suites in Scottsdale, Arizona. The following Phoenix York Rite Companions and Sir Knights were elected/appointed to serve as Grand York Rite officers for the 2009-2010 Capitular/Cryptic/Chivalric year. First, Companion/Sir Knight Paul Dore Sr. was elected to serve as the Grand Treasurer for all three Grand York Rite bodies, replacing Companion/Sir Knight Ed Scott-Ellis, who served in that position for the last eight years. He was honored to be elected to receive the title of Treasurer emeritus in the Grand Council and Grand Commandery and was elected to receive the title of Honorary Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter. These are lifetime positions. Also, Paul was elected to serve as the Treasurer of the Holy Order of High Priesthood. Notably, Companion/Sir Knight Ken Smith of Tucson, was elected to serve all three Grand bodies as Grand Secretary in the Grand Chapter, and Grand Recorder in the Grand Council and Grand Commandery, replacing Companion/Sir Knight David Stankow, who also served in his position for the last eight years. He was honored to be elected to receive the title of Secretary emeritus in the Grand Chapter and was elected to receive the title of Recorder emeritus in the Grand Council and Grand Commandery. These are also lifetime positions. Companion/Sir Knight Bill Garrard was elected to the office of Grand King in the Grand Chapter, Grand Generalissimo in the Grand Commandery, Conductor in the Holy Order of High Priesthood and Senior Warden of the Order of the Silver Trowel. Good Luck, Bill, in all your endeavors. Companion/Sir Knight Bruce Johnson was elected to serve as the Secretary for the Holy Order of High Priesthood and also to serve as the Recorder/Treasurer for the Order of the Silver Trowel. Companion/Sir Knight Foy O. Yancey was appointed as the Grand Lecturer for the Grand Council of Cryptic Masons for the next Cryptic year. Companion/Sir Knight Joe Cortez, the outgoing Right Eminent Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of Arizona, was elected to serve as a two year Trustee of the Grand Commandery. Companion/Sir Knight Zach Zachary was appointed to the position of Grand Sentinel in the Grand Commandery. And, last but certainly not least, Companion/Sir Knight Joe F. Zito was appointed to serve as the Standard Bearer for the Grand Commandery. We wish all of our Brothers/Companions/Sir Knights all the best for the upcoming Grand Capitular/Cryptic/ Chivalric year! Congratulations Are In Order! Awards Companion/Sir Knight Bill Garrard was awarded the Cryptic Mason of the Year and was inducted into the Order of the Purple Cross. Both of these awards show a dedication to the craft that is second to none. Companion/Sir Knight Paul Dore Sr. was awarded with the General Grand Chapter Distinguished Service (Bronze) Medal. Paul s outstanding support of all of our bodies and to the craft is noticed by more than just our Band of Brothers. Companion/Sir Knight Joe F. Zito was awarded the Grand Master s Distinguished Service Award for his work above and beyond the call of duty to assist the Grand Secretary/Recorder when he fell ill during the last year.
Page 6 Phoenix York Rite Raffle - Tickets $10 each or 3 for $25 We are raffling off a Certified Pre-Owned Sig Sauer Model P229 Equinox.40 caliber semi automatic pistol. Certified Pre-Owned This gun is backed by a one-year factory warranty and has passed the Sig Sauer Five-Point Factory Certification process which includes: stripping, refinishing, refitting with original factory parts where needed, cleaned and lubricated, function tested, and hand-inspected by a certified Sig Sauer armourer. The Equinox is the balance between day and night. The P229 Equinox is a compact.40 S&W designed by SIG SAUER Custom Shop master gunsmiths. It features a twotone accented Nitron stainless steel slide with a lightweight black hard-anodized alloy frame. The contrast in color is achieved by the brush polished flats of the slide and nickel accents. The combination of the TRUGLO Tritium Fiber Optic front sight and the rear SIGLITE night sight, provides excellent target acquisition, whether shooting day or night. To further enhance the low-light use, the Equinox comes equipped with an accessory rail. To complete the package, the Equinox comes with gray laminated wood grips with a perfect blend of checkering and stippling to enhance not only the form but the function. Drawing will take place on December 5, 2009 during the 1st Annual Templar Ball. You do not need to be present to win and the winner will be notified by phone. For any questions, please contact Paul Dore at (602) 258-0678. For tickets, call the Eminent Commander, Eric Hannah, the High Priest, Tom Thompson, or the Illustrious Master, Zach Zachary at their contact numbers on Page 7 of this Trestleboard.
Page 7 Arizona Chapter #1 Phoenix York Rite Officers 2009-2010 Position Name Address City, State, Zip Phone Spouse Email Address HP Tom Thompson 3530 S. Kachina Dr. Tempe, AZ 85282 602-316-7313 Laurie tom.thompson@azlodge2.org King Zach Zachary 9902 W. Bright Angel Cr. Sun City, AZ 85351 623-977-6576 Mary z_zachary@yahoo.com Scribe Eric Hannah 26144 W. Burnett Road Buckeye, AZ 85396 602-885-1922 Rachel erichannah@hotmail.com Treasurer Scotty Giffen 9655 E Edgewood Ave Mesa, AZ 85208-3121 480-620-6918 Secretary Paul Dore, Sr. 8028 W Clara Ln Peoria, AZ 85382 602-920-0456 Linda pauldoresr@cox.net Capt. Host Chris Hagenian 6407 E. Palm Lane Scottsdale, AZ 85257 602-881-8651 Chris.Hagenian@azlodge2.org Prin. Soj. Gerry Massey 725 S Power Rd #215 Mesa, AZ 85206 623-229-0545 P8riot25@yahoo.com RAC Jim Gibson 454 W Nopal Ave Mesa, AZ 85210 480-813-9394 Mary Gibson454@cox.net M 3rd Veil M 2nd Veil M 1st Veil Chaplain John Ruth 7807 W. Turney St. Phoenix, AZ 85033-2428 602-647-9359 Terry john.ruth@azlodge2.org Sentinel Joe Zito PO Box 128 Meridianville, AL 35739 480-357-5992 Angie jzito35759@aol.com Phoenix Council #4 Position Name Address City, State, Zip Phone Spouse Email Address IM Zach Zachary 9902 W. Bright Angel Cr. Sun City, AZ 85351 623-977-6576 Mary z_zachary@yahoo.com DM Eric Hannah 26144 W. Burnett Road Buckeye, AZ 85396 602-885-1922 Rachel erichannah@hotmail.com PCW Tom Thompson 3530 S. Kachina Dr. Tempe, AZ 85282 602-316-7313 Laurie tom.thompson@azlodge2.org Treasurer Scotty Giffen 9655 E Edgewood Ave Mesa, AZ 85208-3121 480-620-6918 Recorder Paul Dore, Sr. 8028 W Clara Ln Peoria, AZ 85382 602-920-0456 Linda pauldoresr@cox.net Capt. Of G. Jim Gibson 454 W Nopal Ave Mesa, AZ 85210 480-813-9394 Mary Gibson454@cox.net Conductor Chris Hagenian 6407 E. Palm Lane Scottsdale, AZ 85257 602-881-8651 Chris.Hagenian@azlodge2.org Steward Gerry Massey 725 S Power Rd #215 Mesa, AZ 85206 623-229-0545 P8riot25@yahoo.com Marshal Ken Fitschen 646 E. Calavar Phoenix, AZ 85022 602-863-6805 a032309@allstate.com Chaplain John Ruth 7807 W. Turney St. Phoenix, AZ 85033-2428 602-647-9359 Terry john.ruth@azlodge2.org Sentinel Joe Zito PO Box 128 Meridianville, AL 35739 480-357-5992 Angie jzito35759@aol.com Phoenix Commandery #3 Position Name Address City, State, Zip Phone Spouse Email Address EC Eric Hannah 26144 W. Burnett Road Buckeye, AZ 85396 602-885-1922 Rachel erichannah@hotmail.com Generalissimo Tom Thompson 3530 S. Kachina Dr. Tempe, AZ 85282 602-316-7313 Laurie tom.thompson@azlodge2.org Capt. Gen. Gerry Massey 725 S Power Rd #215 Mesa, AZ 85206 623-229-0545 P8riot25@yahoo.com Sr. Warden Gary Carnicle 3628 W Beryl Ave Phoenix, AZ 85051 602-978-2411 Hope gary@carnicle.com Jr. Warden Jim Gibson 454 W Nopal Ave Mesa, AZ 85210 480-813-9394 Mary Gibson454@cox.net Treasurer Scotty Giffen 9655 E Edgewood Ave Mesa, AZ 85208-3121 480-620-6918 Recorder Paul Dore, Sr. 8028 W Clara Ln Peoria, AZ 85382 602-920-0456 Linda pauldoresr@cox.net Std. Bearer Zach Zachary 9902 W. Bright Angel Cr. Sun City, AZ 85351 623-977-6576 Mary z_zachary@yahoo.com Sw. Bearer Chris Hagenian 6407 E. Palm Lane Scottsdale, AZ 85257 602-881-8651 Chris.Hagenian@azlodge2.org Prelate John Ruth 7807 W. Turney St. Phoenix, AZ 85033-2428 602-647-9359 Terry john.ruth@azlodge2.org Warder Ken Fitschen 646 E. Calavar Phoenix, AZ 85022 602-863-6805 a032309@allstate.com Sentinel Joe Zito PO Box 128 Meridianville, AL 35739 480-357-5992 Angie jzito35759@aol.com
Phoenix Masonic Temple 345 W. Monroe Avenue Phoenix, AZ 85003 Phoenix York Rite Bodies Recorder: Paul Dore Sr. (602) 258-0678 «F3» «F2» «F5» «F6», «F7» «F8» What's coming up through Autumn 2009 Aug. 27, 2009 (Thurs.) Mark Master, Damascus Chapter, Mesa, AZ (1830 eat; 1930 meet) Aug. 28, 2009 (Fri.) Most Exc. Master, Oasis Chapter, Sun City, AZ (1830 eat; 1900 education; 1930 meet) Sept. 11, 2009 (Fri.) Royal Arch at Oasis Chapter, Sun City, AZ (1830 eat; 1900 education; 1930 meet) Sept. 12, 2009 (Sat.) Order of the Red Cross, St. Andrew Commandery, Sun City, AZ (0800) Sept. 12, 2009 (Sat.) KYCH Meeting, Scottish Rite Temple, Tucson, AZ (0800) Sept. 14, 2009 (Mon.) PYR Stated Meeting Commandery Opening (Dress uniform) (1830 eat; 1930 meet) Official Visit of SK Mike Stegen, Very Eminent Deputy Grand Commander Sept. 19, 2009 (Sat.) York Rite Catch-Up Festival at Phoenix Masonic Temple (0700 eat; 0800 degree) Sept. 25-27, 2009 Grand Lodge Education Communication, Rio Rico, AZ Oct. 3, 2009 (Sat.) York Rite Regius College, Phoenix Masonic Temple (0800) Oct. 3, 2009 (Sat.) Red Cross of Constantine, Phoenix Masonic Temple (1300) Oct. 12, 2009 (Mon.) PYR Stated Meeting Chapter Opening (1830 eat; 1930 meet) Oct. 18-20, 2009 Colorado River Fall Festival, Laughlin, NV Oct. 30-31, 2009 Southwest Department Conference, Embassy Suites, 44th & McDowell, Phoenix, AZ Nov. 7, 2009 (Sat.) AZ York Rite Regional Meeting, Phoenix Masonic Temple, Phoenix, AZ (1000 1200) Nov. 9, 2009 (Mon.) PYR Stated Meeting Council Opening (1830 eat; 1930 meet) Dec. 5, 2009 (Sat.) Phoenix York Rite Christmas Observance, Phoenix Masonic Temple (1500 1700) Dec. 5, 2009 (Sat.) 1 st Annual York Rite Knight Templar Ball, Location Pending, (1800 2200) Dec. 5, 2009 (Sat.) Drawing to be held at Templar Ball for PYR Sig Sauer Raffle (2100) Dec. 14, 2009 (Mon.) PYR Stated Meeting Commandery Opening (Dress uniform) (1830 eat; 1930 meet) Dec. 25, 2009 (Fri.) Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!