Sacramento York Rite News Published by Sacramento York Rite, Sacramento, California April 2016 April CALENDAR Monday, April 4, 2016 Commandery officers practice... 7:00 pm Saturday, April 9, 2016 Council Stated Assembly... 9:00 am Commandery Stated Conclave 10:00 am Honors Luncheon... 12:00 noon Reservations required for luncheon See flyer on page 5. Wednesday, April 20, 2016 Order of the Temple practice... 7:00 pm Monday, April 25, 2016 Royal Master Degree practice... 7:00 pm Saturday, April 30, 2016 Sacramento Sierra York Rite Festival Council (Cryptic) Degrees Auburn Masonic Temple... 8:00 am Looking ahead Monday, May 2, 2016 Order of the Temple practice... 7:00 pm Monday, May 9, 2016 Commandery officers practice... 7:00 pm Saturday, May 14, 2016 Chapter Stated Convocation... 9:00 am Commandery Stated Conclave 10:00 am May 21 thru 25, 2016 Grand York Rite Sessions Bakersfield Doubletree Hotel Information at www.ca-gyrs.org Monday, May 30, 2016 Order of Malta practice... 7:00 pm Stated Meetings - Second Saturday Council & Commandery Meetings April 9th Sacramento Council #1, Cryptic Masons, will hold its Stated Assembly on Saturday, April 9th, at 9:00 a.m. in the York Rite room of the. Business items include balloting on petitions for the SSYRA Cryptic Masons Festival April 30th. Sacramento Commandery #2, Knights Templar, will then hold its Stated Conclave in the same place at 10:00 a.m., or as soon after that as the Council is finished. Annual Honors Luncheon Following the meetings, there will be an Honors Luncheon in the Club Room to recognize one outstanding member in each of the three Bodies of Sacramento York Rite. Companion Joseph Dongo, KYCH, will receive the Royal Arch Meritorious Service Award, Illustrious Companion Harvey Holcomb, IPM, will receive the Council s Ish Sodi Award, and Sir Knight Gregory Voetsch, KYCH, will be awarded the Knight Templar Meritorious Service Medal. Reservations are a must for the luncheon! Details are on page five. Let s have a good turn-out to show our appreciation to these dedicated servants of York Rite Masonry. Monday, June 6, 2016 Order of the Temple practice... 7:00 pm Saturday, June 11, 2016 Sacramento Sierra York Rite Festival Commandery (Templar) Orders... 8:00 am
Page 2 April 2016 Spring Musings from the East Companions, Our Chapter performed the Mark Master Degree at the York Rite Festival in Woodland on March 19th. Word is that the degree was very well presented. Congratulations to new Companions of Sacramento Chapter who received their Royal Arch Degrees there: Joseph Madrid, Jared Yoshiki, Rolando Santos Jr., Craig McKinnon, Jonathan Brizuela, Brian Teabo, and Sonny Stormes were exalted. Our next convocation of the year is Saturday, May 14th at 9 a.m. Hope to see every Sacramento Chapter companion there, especially our new companions. I know full well that is probably a vain hope to expect fifty companions to be there that morning. But, it is a fine thought. Participation by all, or at least as many companions as possible, is what will enable us to have a successful, interesting and fun year. Hopefully, you will all prioritize high enough in importance attendance at our Saturday morning meetings every other month. We, and I emphasize this we, cannot succeed without participation. I mentioned this as my first point in my previous Trestleboard article. May I point out again a simple fact? No leader can lead without participation by others; no leader can accomplish very much alone. It requires a team. That team is the key to everything. I want you on the team -- not just elected and appointed officers -- you sideliners we seldom see, too. We need interested, dedicated sideliners if we are to accomplish much at all. Please think about (continued at right) From the dias (continued from left) this, and take action to set aside time to at least attend our scheduled Saturday meetings. This will be the last harp you will hear from me on this theme. Growth, my second point of emphasis in the last bulletin, requires that we all reach out to Masons in our Symbolic Lodges and invite them to become Royal Arch Masons and get the light we have to shine on them. Our seven new companions are a great start on that growth. What of our other Chapter aims, and purposes? We will be discussing these more beginning with our next Chapter meeting on the 14th of May. The Sacramento York Rite Honors Luncheon is on April 9th after the Commandery Conclave. You will want to be there as we honor Excellent Companion Joseph Dongo with the Chapter Meritorious Service Award for 2015. The Council and Commandery will be honoring Excellent Companion Harvey Holcomb and Sir Knight Greg Voetsch. Fraternally, Dusty Deryck, High Priest dusty@gotsky.com Companions! I would like to thanks all who showed up at our last Stated Assembly and for sure those who are making progress in our ritual. This coming Saturday will be very special date -- our official luncheon for our distinguished companions Joseph Dongo, Harvey Holcomb and Gregory Voetsch. I encourage the companions to make an effort to attend and help show our appreciation to (continued on page 3)
April 2016 Page 3 (continued from page 2) these gentlemen who put so much time and dedication into our masonic traveling. I am pleased to say that our line of officers in the Council is solid, and every officer is very conscientious of his duties; we will continue to improve our ritual. I will make sure this time to talk to our companion Recorder about more rituals. Well companions, I wish you all health and happiness; I will see you next Saturday, April 9th. I will say bye with our depth phrase that is in our ritual: To retire in peace, practice virtue and maintain silence. Fraternally Juan Faranda, Illustrious Master juan.faranda@yahoo.com Greetings, Sir Knights! Let us welcome Sir Knight Aaron French, our newest member. At the March Stated Conclave, along with five other petitioners to receive the Orders, he was elected to membership by affiliation in this Commandery. They were all balloted on collectively. Also at the March Stated Conclave, the Annual Commandery Inspection by Sir Knight Wes Mindermann took place. At the time I am writing this article, I myself have not yet seen the results. Anyway, whatever the results may be, I would like to thank our Officers Coach, Sir Knight Greg Voetsch, Jr., and the Officers who have devoted their time and talent to improve their floor work, sword work and memory work. The 2016 Grand York Rite Sessions will be held at the Doubletree Hotel in Bakersfield from May 21st through May 25th. On behalf of our (continued at right) (continued from left) Commandery, I will be attending the Grand Commandery Session on Wednesday, May 25th. The Sacramento-Sierra York Rite Festival Commandery (Knight Templar) Orders, for which we are the host Commandery, will be held on Saturday, June 11th. As in previous years, our Commandery will again confer the Order of Malta (the second of the three Orders) on a class of candidates. Let us congratulate and applaud our degree team, under the able direction of Sir Knight Richard Wilson (Degree Master), who have been doing excellent work in conferring the Order of Malta. Special recognition and thanks also to Sir Knight Joseph Dongo, our Junior Past Commander and currently Recorder. He took the added responsibility and challenge of forming a degree team to confer the Order of the Temple. Under his direction and leadership, we have been practicing since October of last year at least once a month. We are looking forward to having our Commandery confer the Order of the Temple for the very first time after so many years. Last year, my predecessor, Sir Knight Joseph, started a new program, that of putting our progressive line Officers at advance stations beginning at the September Stated Conclave. As I found this extremely helpful, I would like to continue on with this program in order for the Officers to get a jump start on their work and to give every promise of making the term of my successor an outstanding one. Till next issue, Sir Knights. May we never fail to do our best. Lito Viray, Commander Jsviray32@yahoo.com
Page 4 April 2016 Cryptic Degree Festival The annual Sacramento Sierra York Rite Association (SSYRA) Festival will continue Saturday morning, April 30th, when the Council (Cryptic) Degrees are presented at the Auburn Masonic Temple. Registration and coffee will begin at 8:00 a.m., and the Degrees will start at 9:00 a.m.. The Royal Master Degree will be presented first, followed by the Select Master Degree. Closing will be before noon, and there will not be a lunch. As has been customary in recent years, Sacramento Council #1 is responsible for conferring the Royal Master Degree. The final cast rehearsal will be on Monday, April 25th, at 7:00 pm at our Temple. Anyone interested in learning parts for future conferrals is encouraged to attend. The SSYRA Festival will conclude on Saturday, June 11th, when we host the Commandery Orders at our Temple. All Royal Arch Masons are eligible to receive the Council Degrees, though if you did not apply to Council at the same time as Chapter, you must present a Council petition to be balloted on at our April 9th Stated Assembly. The California Encompasser is the official publication of the Grand York Rite Bodies in California. It is issued quarterly. The April 2015 issue is now available on the web-site: www.yorkriteofcalifornia.org. In addition to educational articles on several diverse subjects, the issue includes information about upcoming events around the State, including Grand Sessions. Sacramento York Rite Masonry 1123 J Street, Sacramento, CA 95814 Secretary/Recorder, all three bodies: Joseph Dongo, KYCH... 916-776-6440 Joe@JosephDongo.com 2016 Sacramento York Rite Officers Royal Arch Chapter High Priest... Dusty Deryck... (530) 919-1773 King... Antonio Weary Scribe... Luis Montero Treasurer... Richard Wilson, PHP Secretary... Joseph Dongo, PHP Chaplain... Juan Faranda, PHP Captain of the Host... Ron Charles Principal Sojourner... Joseph Wallach Royal Arch Captain... Jesse Solis-Jacques Master of the 3rd Veil... Carlos Brusel-Casals Master of the 2nd Veil... Floyd Tritt Master of the 1st Veil... Francisco Marques Sentinel... Inspector, Dist. 11... Richard Wilson, KYCH Cryptic Council Illustrious Master... Juan Faranda... (916) 928-4354 Deputy Master... Timothy Harper Principal Cond. of the Work... Colin Cooper Treasurer... Richard Wilson, IPM Recorder... Joseph Dongo, IPM Chaplain... Phil Hardiman, IPM Captain of the Guard... Ron Charles Conductor of the Council... Luis Montero Steward... Carlos Brusel-Casals Sentinel... Joseph Igbinadolor Inspector, Arch 7... Joseph Dongo, KYCH Commandery Knights Templar Commander... Josilito Lito Viray... (916) 509-9467 Generalissimo... Alexander Townsend Captain General... Ron Charles Senior Warden... Juan Faranda Junior Warden... Joseph Igbinadolor Prelate... Phil Hardiman, PC Treasurer... Richard Wilson, PC Recorder... Joseph Dongo, PC Standard Bearer... Jesse Solis-Jacques Sword Bearer... Colin Cooper Warder... Patrick Malley Sentinel... Luis Montero Inspector, Department VI, Division B... Wessel J. Wes Mindermann, KYCH
April 2016 Page 5 You are cordially invited to the Sacramento York Rite Bodies Court of Honor Luncheon Honoring the 2015 Recipients: Excellent Companion Joseph Dongo, KYCH, Recipient of the Meritorious Service Award Presented by Sacramento Chapter No. 3 Royal Arch Masons Ill. Companion Harvey Holcomb Jr., IPM, Recipient of the Ish Sodi Award Presented by Sacramento Council No.1 Cryptic Masons Sir Knight Gregory Voetsch Jr., KYCH, Recipient of the Meritorious Service Medal Presented by Sacramento Commandery No.2 Knights Templar Date: Saturday, April 9, 2016 Time: 12:00 Noon Place: Club Room, 3 rd Floor 1123 J Street Sacramento CA Cost: $10.00 per Plate Reservations: Advance Reservations are a MUST! Seating Limited to the First 50 RSVPs Questions? Contact Phil Hardiman 916-712-4814 Email: Phil@SacramentoMasonicTemple.com
Page 6 April 2016
April 2016 Page 3 Grand Sessions This year Grand Sessions will again be held at the Doubletree Hotel in Bakersfield, adjacent to Highway 99, during the week before Memorial Day -- Saturday May 21st thru Wednesday May 26th. Saturday is devoted to activities of the Allied Masonic Degrees, an appendant York Rite Body. Sunday will feature the Battalion & Belles (a Grand Council auxiliary) Brunch, Commandery Drill Team Competitions, Vesper Service, and the formal Grand York Rite Banquet, with leaders of all branches of Masonry around the country. Monday is Grand Chapter day, with public opening ceremonies at 8:00 a.m., followed by the business session until about noon. There will be various activities in the afternoon, and the day will conclude with Installation of the 2016-2017 Chapter Grand Officers at 5:00 p.m. Grand Council public opening is at 8:00 a.m. Tuesday, followed by the business session. There will again be various activities in the afternoon, and the day will conclude with Installation of the 2016-2017 Council Grand Officers at 5:00 p.m. Sessions end with Grand Commandery on Wednesday. Public opening again is at 8:00 a.m., followed by the business session. After the afternoon activities, Installation of the 2016-2017 Commandery Grand Officers at 5:00 p.m. wraps things up. There are group breakfasts and luncheons each day (Monday through Wednesday) for the respective Bodies. Also, a Hospitality Room for the Ladies will be open during the daytime, and several Ladies programs will be offered. A number of vendors will be on hand all week, offering a variety of clothing, paraphernalia and jewelry. (continued right) York Rite Scholarships The filing deadline for York Rite scholarships for the 2016-2017 academic year is June 30, 2016. All current members of Masonic youth groups Job s Daughers, Rainbow and DeMolay -- are eligible, so talk it up in your local Lodge, as well as among your families and Masonic friends. Information is available on the York Rite website, www.yorkriteofcalifornia.org. Increased donations to the Scholarship Program are badly needed if we are to maintain the program. Send donations to the Grand Chapter Scholarship Program at 11428 E. Artesia Blvd, #13, Artesia, CA 90701. Remember, all donations are tax deductible. The Clothes Line A line of Jackets for our York Rite bodies continues to be available at MP ENTERPRISES. Prices range from $75.00 to $107.00, depending on size and color. Also available are Men s and ladies vests, tuxedos and shirts as well as pins, patches, flags and OES T-Shirts. Contact Max Luy at (510) 527-5728, or cell: (510) 502-3224; or email at maxluy@hotmail.com. (Grand Sessions continued from left) Dias officers have an obligation to attend the business meetings of their respective Bodies, but all York Right Masons are invited to join in the activities. All attendees must register, whether or not they are purchasing meals and such. The Doubletree is offering a special group rate of $94 (plus tax) per room per night if reserved before April 15th, subject to availability. Reservations for meals and other activities should be made by April 17th to avoid a 25% late fee. Reservation and registration forms are on the website: www.ca-gyrs.org.
Page 8 April 2016 Comptche Outdoor Degrees The 44th Annual Outdoor Royal Arch Degree Festival will be held at the Tunzi Ranch near Comptche on Saturday, June 25, 2016. The Degrees start at 8:30 a.m. and conclude in mid-afternoon. The degree site is an amphitheater in a redwood grove on the ranch. Group meals are available Friday dinner thru Sunday breakfast, and camping is available on-site. The Tunzi Ranch is about ten miles inland (east) from the coastal village of Mendocino. Self-contained RVs and tent campers are welcome to set up any time during the week, and restroom and shower facilities are available. There are also a wide variety of motel accommodations in Mendocino and nearby Fort Bragg. Nancy Hardiman and Kitty Wilson are planning a ladies trip into Fort Bragg or Mendocino for shopping and lunch on Saturday while the degrees are being conferred. Plan now to attend this fun event and bring a friend to take the degrees. New Members Needed The Sacramento York Rite Bodies have experienced significant growth the last couple of years. But, that growth must continue if we are to be a vibrant and relevant organization. New members are always welcome, particularly if they are interested in sharing in the work. Please find the time now to contact that Master Mason whose petition you would like to sign, and invite him to join us. The spring 2016 SSYRA Chapter Festival is past, but the Royal Arch Degrees will next be offered June 25th at Comptche (see left). Deadline for petitions for that festival is our May 14th meeting. For more information about York Rite Masonry, visit the excellent website maintained by the Golden State Research Chapter: www.goldenstatechapter.org. Membership in the Research Chapter is open to all Royal Arch Masons for a one-time application fee of $10. There are no annual dues. Contact High Priest Joseph Dongo, PHP, at Joe@JosephDongo.com.