J a n u a r y 0 1, 20 1 7 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: F r o m t h e E a s t W.B. Roger Cousineau 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. The Oasis Lodge installation was held on December 11, 2016 and was well attended. I would like to say thank you to all of the brothers who served in the Lodge in 2016 and to those who have committed to serving in 2017. I would also like to thank the brethren who voted in November and have given me the opportunity to again serve as Master of the Lodge. I promise you that I will give my best effort as Master. Brethren, as I stated in my December Trestleboard article, I want to see Oasis Lodge become an even more dynamic Lodge than it has been in the past. This can only happen with your participation my brothers. Remember that a Lodge is a certain number of brethren duly assembled and not the building that we meet in. On January 24th, as part of this effort, we will be meeting at the lodge to evaluate the 2016 year. We need to look at what worked and why it worked as well as what didn't work and why regarding such diverse topics as attendance at the lodge and the events that the lodge hosted such as the pig roast, poker run and the night at the movies. I want to emphasize that this is not a long range planning session. This will be an open discussion and we need as many brothers as are physically able to attend to be present so that you can give us your ideas and opinions. There is no formal agenda since I want this to be an open discussion. The first stated meeting was exciting as we had to fill many of the stations and places with sideliners but we managed to do so and were able to receive Right Worshipful Brother Craig Gross, Senior Grand Warden of the Grand Lodge of Arizona, in proper form. He gave a brief presentation on how we as Masons can make ourselves more relevant and visible to the public and thereby attract more good men and true to the fraternity. Please check the website regularly as we have a number of exciting events coming up including an official visit to Eloy Lodge #46 on the 19th of January. Finally, I would like to extend a belated Happy New Year to all of my brethren in Masonry and wish you and your families good health and good fortune in 2017.
P a g e 2 Features Page 1 Oasis Lodge Vision Statement Oasis Lodge Mission Statement From the East Thoughts from the Worshipful Master Page 2 Masonic Birthdays Page 3 Upcoming Events 2016 Officers 2016 Committees Page 4 Some Thoughts Page 5 From The South Page 6 From Our Marshal Words of Wisdom Birthdays January Benavides, Tony February Badinger, Gerald Polder, John Hines, Steven Masonic January Beach, Gene *** Bonnell, Sheldon Ruiz, Roy Stephenson, James Wilson, James Wood, Rodney February Rollin, Mike Promenschenkel, David Brys, Dan Collier, Milton Abi-Ad, Joseph Smith Jr, Leroy Page 7 From Your Editor *** 61 years a Mason
P a g e 3 Upcoming Meetings 10 Jan 7:30 PM: Stated Meeting 17 Jan 7:00 PM: Full 2nd Degree practice 19 Jan 7:00 PM: Official visit Eloy Lodge #48 24 Jan 7: 00 PM: Review of 2016 14 Feb 7:30 PM: Stated Meeting 14 Mar 7:30 PM: Stated Meeting 11 Apr 7:30 PM: Stated Meeting Ritual Director WB Paul Nordstrom WB Dan Tulloh Masonic Education WB Tim Yaiser COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN Mason Of The Year Senior or Junior Warden and the Current MOTY Bro Dee Webster Long Range Plans WB Jerry Badinger OFFICERS for 2017 WM WB Roger Cousineau, 808-9757, RCousineau2007@gmail.com SW WB Mike Bravin, 981-1688 Mikebravin@gmail.com JW Bro Dee Webster, 270-3718, deebo915@hotmail.com Sec. WB Timothy Yaiser, 661-3008 TYaiser@cox.net Treas. WB Randy Jager, 405-6098 Randy@thejagers.com SD Bro Wesley Gray, 730-4902 JD Bro Jon Henke, 305-5468 jon.a.henke@gmail.com Chaplain WB Dan Tulloh, 370-4115, DWTulloh61@cox.net SS (TBD) JS Bro Ray Donohue, 290-9802 rmdonohue@cox.net Marshal Bro Dan Brys, 306-8959, danjbrys@msn.com Tyler WB Paul Weathers, 290-6260, pwabble@cox.net Trustees: 3 year WB Frank Rice 2 year WB Jim Hewitt 1 year WB Mike Bravin Candidates, Coaches, and Mentors SW & WB Dean Millard Annual Veterans Day Poker Run Bro Ray Donohue WB Mike Bravin Bro Jon Henke 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 Membership Committee WB Jerry Badinger Widows / Welfare / Assistance WB Paul Weathers WB Frank Rice Youth Groups WB Dean Millard By-Laws/Dues & Relief WB Jerry Badinger 745-4307 Trestle Board Editor Bro Jon Henke 305-5468 jon.a.henke@gmail.com WEB Master WB Frank Rice Public Relations WB Bruce McLaughlin Congratulations to our New Mason of the Year Brother Dee Webster 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) 290-6260 or Brother Ray Donohue at (520) 290-9802.
P a g e 4 S o m e T h o u g h t s WB Jason Richards Guest Correspondent New Year's Reflections by Midnight Freemason Emeritus WB. Jason Richards The turn of the new year is often a time of reflection. The holidays have begun to wind down; the bustle of the Christmas shopping season has ended, and the relatives and friends who came to visit have returned from whence they came. This (often abrupt) return to normalcy provides the perfect catalyst for introspection and reflection, timed well with the passing of another revolution around the sun. As we look forward to a bright new year as men and Masons, let us not forget to spend time reflecting on those we love, as well as those we have lost. The latter was the subject of the Rob Morris-penned poem "New Year's Reflections," which I have reproduced in part here. To brethren wheresoever dispersed, I wish you a wonderful, happy, and prosperous new year full of peace, prosperity, and reflection. -JR "New Year's Reflections" Shall we see it, loving Brothers, Ere another New Year's day? Shall we join those loving others, Whom the past year tore away? Shall we change this toil and drudge, For the bright Celestial Lodge, Shall we tread that one more station, Take that fast and best degree, Whose consummate "Preparation" Is to set the spirit free? Lay our bodies off, that then Souls unburdened may go in, (Continued on page 5)
P a g e 5 F r o m T h e S O U T H Bro Dee Webster Jr Warden I feel a distinct honor to have been advanced to the position of Junior Warden. As so, you will now have the pleasure of a monthly article from yours truly. I have come to appreciate the advancement of the chairs and the procedure of working through them. When I first started in Masonry, I wasn't sure how involved I would be. In the beginning, I figured I would advance to Master Mason and then wear the ring and just be "who I am". But as time has gone by, "Who I am" has changed. Years ago people wore bracelets with WWJD (what would Jesus do) and I thought that was a cool concept. Getting people to think morally about upcoming actions. But that has transformed into WSID. (What should I do). Meaning, what is the Masonic or moral right thing to do. My few years in Masonry has moved me into trying to do the right thing for the lodge. At first, I wasn't interested in the process through the chairs. But, as the times predicated, new members into the chairs was needed. Through the leadership of many Oasis members, I joined the line partially skeptical. At a certain point about two years ago, I decided to jump in with both feet and do what was needed. As I've advanced to Junior Warden, I've tried to really enthrall my life with Masonry. My friendships with many brothers has compelled me to be there whenever and wherever. I now take great pride in being a good Mason and doing whatever it takes to present our lodge in a favorable manner. (Continued from page 4) Shall we find beyond the river, Shall we find beyond the tomb, Those who left us, not forever, Lett us till we, too, should come? Shall we learn the long-lost word That admits a man to God, Then, be zealous, loving Brothers, While your lives so swiftly tend; Emulate those faithful others In the prizes they have gained; O'er the river, on the shore, They are happy evermore, Toil, your wages rich are ready; Bear, your burdens all shall cease; Give, however poor and needy; Pray, and God will give release From this bitter toil and drudge To the bright Celestial Lodge -Rob Morris
P a g e 6 F r o m O u r M a r s h a l Bro Dan Brys Marshal My monthly topic this month is to enlighten you on Masonic Ritual and the importance that it has for you as well as others. I am learning the importance of each day is to make improvement each day; our attendance at Lodge has not been well attended, and it shows on the side lines; people have been talking and I have been listening. This is my second writing and I am very convinced that our most precious resource is people that are members of Oasis #52. I love people and also love life; I hope that I have a purpose in Lodge. My position as Marshal is important to me because I am the first one that has contact with a new candidate. I have the best spot in the Lodge. I am sure we have a great line of Officers: Worshipful Roger is making a great year ahead for us. We are starting to see new blood coming into the Line; Brother Dee Webster is serving as Junior Warden, which I am happy to see. W o r d s o f W i s d o m Courtesy of WB Paul Weathers Tyler I decided that it was not wisdom that enabled poets to write their poetry, but a kind of instinct or inspiration, such as you find in seers and prophets who deliver all their sublime messages without knowing in the least what they mean. Socrates Love thy neighbor even if it requires that you bend the truth, the truth will understand. Robert Brault
P a g e 7 F r o m Y o u r E d i t o r Bro Jon Henke Grand Lodge Social Newsletter In an ongoing effort to keep in touch with the Masons of Arizona, the Social Media Committee of the Grand Lodge of Arizona has launched an online Social Media monthly newsletter to recap some of the items each month that are trending around the State. We hope that it will encourage communication and share knowledge around the State while also giving another outlet to the activities of our many Lodge in Arizona. As is the case with Social Media, we intend for it to be enjoyable and informative and hope that it will grow and adapt to the needs and wants of our Craft as it progresses. We hope that you will share the below link with the brethren of your Lodge, post on your Facebook page, tweet it on your Twitter account and send out in your trestleboards. If you have any comments or suggestions, please reach out and share. http://www.azmasons.org/docs/copper_post_november_2016.pdf
Would you like to be In Print? Buy this space! 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. Tucson, AZ 85710 http://www.oasis52.org