| Los Altos Lodge No. 712: | Last Updated on September 26, 2004 |
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The Labor Day holiday is behind us and we are awaiting the arrival of autumn. By the time you receive this Trestleboard the sun should have crossed the autumnal equinox. I know look forward to the shortest day of the year and lighting the fireplace.
The Lodge granted me the privilege of being Master this year and I am still learning the responsibilities this privilege carries. The one I find most interesting and rewarding is that of seeing to it that we perform good degree work. I must admit that the Grand Lodge requirements for ritual qualification and oversight provide a great framework for performing good ritual. Still the Master is the one responsible for seeing to it that degrees are performed well. Last month’s third degree at Paradise Park turned out exceptionally well. We had some last minutes adjustments to be made but Brother Ed Fentum came to the rescue and not only performed admirable but provided a fine school of instruction at the practice. A special THANKS to Brother John Myers of Palo Alto - Roller Lodge No. 346 for being a last minute fill-in. I want to thank and congratulate our Past Masters on a job well done.
August 28th, was a magnificent day. Bright sunshiny and the redwoods were showing off their full splendor. Paradise Park is truly and enchanting place. The degree and BBQ turn out super well. We welcome Brother Jason Marolda as our newest Master Mason. Jason's, grandfather and grandmother made a special trip from Oregon to attend this event. We were honored by their presence and they were very pleased at being able to attend. Jason has informed us that Grandma and Grandpa had a very enjoyable visit and were very impressed by our members and fellowship. My special thanks to Bro. Rick Weyers for putting together such a great event. The residents of PP that attend were much pleased and continue to send us compliments. The chef and his assistants outdid themselves, providing a great meal. There was much fellowship and the ladies enjoyed themselves. Rick provided his home as sanctuary for the ladies before and after the BBQ.
Earlier in August we had a first degree and welcomed Brother John Barnet. John wrote me a wonderful letter thanking the brethren for such a moving degree. Brother John Barnet is progressing well with his proficiency, and his second and third degree have been scheduled for October 18 and November 29th respectively.
On September 27 we plan on having our fourth annual Roll Call. The invitations were sent out immediately after the on the first of September. This gathering of Brothers and friends has proved to be an interesting and moving event. Many brothers during the year have inquired if and when we were having this event. So far the response via the RSVP cards has been good. Bro. Ed Fentum will precede the Roll Call with a Educational Masonic talk. I am looking foreword to an enjoyable evening. As always this is a men only night.
The October stated meeting is to be an honoring evening for Brother Dan R. McDaniel. This year Dan is not only ‘The Right Eminent Grand Commander of Knights Templar of the State of California’, but the brethren of Los Altos Lodge No. 712 have elected to bestow upon Dan our Lodge’s prestigious Hiram Award. A double congratulation to you Brother Dan. The Most Wor. Howard Kirkpatrick, Grand Master of Mason of the State of California will be in attendance. All our Lodge Officers are requested to wear their tuxes to this meeting.
While I am on the subject of proficiencies, I thought I would update you on Brothers Rick Matchell (FC) and Octavio Zapata (EA). Shortly after Rick took his first degree, it was discovered he had a form of bone cancer. This is what brought about his early retirement from his job. He was undergoing chemotherapy when he was passed to a Fellowcraft. Since then he has finished his treatments and recovered from the debilitating side effects of his chemo. It looks like his cancer is in remission and he is feeling much better. Rick wishes to thank all the brethren that prayed on his behalf and provide encouragement and support while he was undergoing treatment.
Rick was residing in Sunnyvale when he joined but is now in his home in Sacramento. He hopes soon to be able to continue and finish taking his third degree. I have spoken with him and he feel greatly attached to our lodge. I have suggested that Bicentennial Lodge of Sacramento might be willing to perform a courtesy third degree for us, if he is agreeable. I will be visiting Bicentennial lodge in September and will discuss the possibility of this taking place.
I have just received an email from Octavio Zapata announcing the birth of quadruplets (Pilar (Girl), Luciano, Paolo and Vicente). He, his wife and family are well. They are currently visiting Chili and he sends ‘un Fuerte Abrazo’ to the brethren. I would like to add that Bro. Zapata and his family are visiting Chili for the benefit of his family. He left early this year and informed me that he expected to return to the US around December of this year.
I would like the brethren to consider serving on LAMTA. Next year we will need at least four (4) new members, so please think about joining the group that administers your building.
Fraternally,
Ernest Casilo
Master
Our Reservation Line: 650-569-MASON
Brethren, it is my duty as Master to keep the reservation line updated with the activities and schedule for each month. The primary use of this line was to accept reservations for each months stated meeting dinner. I must admit that to date I have had at least one reservation for each dinner, but hardly more. I wonder if it worth our approximately $25 a month to continue with this line. We have a Trestleboard which provides us with the schedule and we have an office line which will accommodate reservation. Unless I receive a healthy response to this article from those that are for keeping this reservation line, it will be my duty to recommend that at the end of my year as Master we discontinue the line and return to the old format of taking reservation on the office telephone and using the Trestleboard as the primary source of announcing scheduled events. PLEASE LET ME HEAR FROM THE BRETHREN AND SWEETHEARTS. ec
Mark the event date of October 16, 2004 on your calendar now!
San Jose Masonic Center
3:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Western or Casual Dress.
Wear a tie - Go to Jail!
Ticket Price: $10.00 per person
For tickets contact Ernie Castillo, Master
The Craft's Attitude to Politics and Religion
[Before reading this article, each of you should review the Written Law: the exact definitions of the "Ancient Charges" and the "Landmarks", which are referenced in this article. I personally feel that the author of this article has "made up" quite a lot of "facts" and "should dos" in this article here... This is very, very unfortunate... PB.]
"The Ancient Charges, from the Philalethes Email List , Feb. 14, 2000"
http://www.calodges.org/no712/la-achg.html#ACHG
"Albert Mackey's List of 25 Landmarks of Freemasonry"
http://www.calodges.org/no712/la-tb1099.html#AM
In Freemasonry there are certain basic rules and principles called “Landmarks”, which cannot be changed, repealed or amended by any Mason, Lodge or Grand Lodge. These Landmarks are an expression of that which belongs to Masonry’s identity. If they were removed Masonry would cease to be Masonry.
One of the most important of all these Landmarks is that which forbids us to participate, as Masons, in any form or religious or political sectarianism. We cannot question a candidate as to his own peculiar beliefs in religion or politics. We cannot discuss such matters at any of our meetings. We must not take any kind of public action with regard to them in the name of the Craft.
A Candidate must pledge himself to a belief in a Supreme Being and he must reverence that particular V.S.L. which he regards as the rule and guide for his life. The doctrinal interpretation that he may place on these beliefs must, however, be left entirely to him. So also must he pledge himself to good citizenship; but his choice of political part through which he works for the realization of his ideal of good citizenship must be left entirely to him.
The Craft’s attitude toward all such sectarianism is more than a negative one. It goes further than merely saying “Hands off”. It is rather a positive one, for it definitely prohibits all Masons from sectarian controversies in any form whatsoever. Such controversies are unmasonic-that is they are an outright violation of Masonic law.
It is not difficult to understand the reason for this Landmark. Freemasonry exists for the sake of, is dedicated and devoted to, the life of Brotherhood. Brotherhood means that many of us, men drawn from all walks of life, with a great variety of racial characteristics and religions and political opinions, are brought together, in a relationship of friendship, harmony and goodwill. To maintain that harmony it is essential that passions and prejudices that might divide us into opposing groups, schisms or conflicting cliques must be kept out. It is well known that nothing is more likely to divide and alienate men than religious or political sectarianism. Sectarianism is prohibited because the needs and the welfare of Brother hood demand it.
Freemasonry thus prohibits sectarianism within its own membership. But what, you must ask, is its attitude toward that sectarianism in the outside world that leads men to attack Freemasonry itself? What is a Mason to do in response to attacks from the outside? The question is a very pertinent one. During its whole history Freemasonry has been the subject of attacks from without. Two or three of the great Churches maintain enmity toward it. Some Governments have outlawed it and forbidden their nationals to become members. In all probability the Craft will always have such enmities to deal with, as does every other organization.
The attitude of the Craft in such matters is to ignore them. The Craft does not fight back. We take the position that if some man, or group of men, disagree with the teachings of Freemasonry, that is his or their own affair and does not concern us. We do nothing to invite or to warrant such attacks, therefore it is no affair of ours. Our faith in the truth and right of Freemasonry is so well-founded that we are certain that it needs to do nothing except to go on being itself, in order to silence, sooner or later, any charges that may be made against it by any kind of enemies.
That positive attitude, in its most general sense, take the form of the great Masonic ideal of toleration. Tolerance has always been one of the tenets of the Craft. What do we mean by tolerance? Tolerance does not mean, by any stretch of the imagination, that one belief is as good as another, or is as true as another, or is as valuable as another. Freemasonry does not advocate a general indifference to all beliefs; nor does it hold that all differences of opinion should be melted down to a drab compromise. As believers in toleration we, as Freemasons take the opposite position. We believe that one belief is truer than another, that one opinion is better grounded than another, and we want the truth to prevail. But we know that truth can never emerge unless man is left free to seek that fact for himself, to think for himself, to speak for himself, to confront life’s realties for himself. Every human mind must be left free to observe the world for itself. This, Freemasonry believes, is the one way in which the truth about any of the great subjects of human life will ever be found. Tolerance, therefore, is a positive and constructive thing. It encourages every man to think for himself, because not otherwise will men learn in the long run to think the same things. In all our Masonic meetings we try to deal with one another, in so far as religious and political matters are concerned, in the spirit of fair play. We may well disagree, but we try not to be disagreeable. But Freemasonry’s attitude is even more definite than this.
First, as regard religion. Freemasonry is dedicated to, and devoted to Brotherhood. Brotherhood rests upon a basis of religion. Every Mason must believe in a Supreme Being, The V.S.L. must be open at every meeting of the Lodge. Before engaging in any important undertaking a Mason should seek aid and guidance through prayer to the Great Architect of the Universe. This is religion but not a religion. It is faith-but not worship attached to any one alter. It is the ground that underlies all religion, all churches, all creeds, all sects. Once Masons stand together on that ground they can then proceed to build for themselves this and must not, interfere with them in so doing, but it does insist that whatever may be their private opinions they shall stand upon that ground.
Second as regards to politics. Politics means the discussion and determination of matters of public policy. Shall the Government maintain a large army or a small one? Shall it charge Custom Duties on goods imported form abroad? How shall it impose and collect its taxes? Each question of this kind is a matter of national policy, and therefore of politics. Consequently matters of politics are of the utmost importance and the concern of all citizens. Every citizen, if he is a good citizen, will bring to bear on such questions his best judgment and will do whatever his duty demands toward putting into effect such policies as are determined upon.
That is good citizenship and Freemasonry demands of every member that he be a good citizen. Just as there is common ground which underlies all religions so is good citizenship that which underlies all political parties. A Mason may belong to this political party or that, may hold one opinion or another on matters of foreign policy, or on the Atom Bomb. He may not attempt to persuade Brethren in Lodge to see things from his point of view. He must be and remains a good citizen-law-abiding, faithful to his country, loyal to the civil powers and as quick to do his public duties as to discharge his private ones.
To conclude: As a Mason one must never introduce into the Craft any controversial sectarian question. A Mason will pay no heed to those who, from without, attack the Craft. A Mason must adhere to the religion to which all good men agree and be ready to discharge the duties of good citizenship.
(Copied from Ivenhoe Lodge Trestleboard)
[I asked WM Ernie to provide me with any information as to where this article came from, and he responded with the email copied below. PB.]
From: titocastillo@[snip]
To: Patrick Bailey
Subject: Ivenhoe
Date: Fri, 24 Sep 2004
Ivenhoe lodge is in Darian Connecticut.
I was on their mailing list for about 5 years going back about 5 years from now.
I gave all my Ivenhoe TB to a fellow Mason Ken Hilt and he has been using them to submit articles for the SCVDaylight TB. He gave me that article a few months ago and I decided to use it to fill in our TB. my contact there were,
Ernest Faulkner
Ivenhoe Lodge
354 Post Road
Darian, CT
203-655-3006
David Holmes - Chaplin
Fred Glotzar - Treas.
This information is probably 5 to 7 years old and some of these fellows my be dead by now.
You are free to contact them and you can mention that you knew Leonard Lieman, one of the originators of much of their TB articles. Lenny died in 1999.
Take care.
I have intended to make a trip to the Masonic Home in Union City before the year was over. Bro. Robert Sohigian is in charge of investigating and organizing the trip. After much discussion we have selected November 6th. The cost to each person wishing to visit will be approximately $10 and will include transportation and lunch at the Home. After lunch a tour is provided or you may visit with friends. Our schedule is to leave from the lodge building at around 9:30 and arrive at the home before 11:30. We hope to be back at the lodge building before 5 PM. We are now taking reservation for all that are interested in participating. Contact Robert Sohigian at (408)736-8970. or notify the WM. We have chosen a Saturday so that our working brethren can join us if they wish.
I have met with Brother Ed Clarke and spoken with Bro. Flemming Nielsen, we have looked at some the archival material. It will not be a simple task. I have established a committee of the aforementioned brothers and myself, which will provide preliminary review of the material and formulate some guidelines on how best we can organize the data. There are some wonderful items that all the brethren should take time to review. Our lodge has a very interesting and colorful history and it took many dedicated brothers to make us what we are today. Hopefully, in future articles, I will be able to keep you updated as to how we are progressing. (ec)
The Los Altos Masonic Temple Association has submitted a Request for Quote to three architects for the proposed elevator. We hope to have their responses in house prior to the October 13th LAMTA meeting.
The rules and guides for the elevator fund have been completed. We are now in preparing for mailing copies of these rules to our donors and generating conformation certificates of donations. The certificates will be modified versions of those original certificates used to purchase the building, With some minor modifications we are adapting them for the elevator fund.
Masonic Homes of California Update
The Masonic Homes website which can be accessed at www.masonichome.org has been completely revamped . Please visit our site to read about the latest developments in the Homes, download recent mailings to the membership, learn all about the programs and services we provide and initiate the application process for residential services or assistance through our Masonic Outreach Services (MOS) department.
Masonic Outreach Services (MOS)
We know that many of our constituents prefer to remain in their own homes or home communities. Yet many need help coping with the challenges and issues associated with aging. In response, the Masonic Homes of California has expanded the Masonic Outreach Services (MOS) program to better meet the needs of our elderly constituents who wish to remain in their own home or community.
Reaching the Masonic Homes of California just got easier!! As of August, we have created a new Centralized Intake function for all calls for Masonic Assistance. A single phone call is all it takes to address your questions and need for services. So call us today if you are considering applying for admission to the Masonic Homes or for assistance through our Masonic Outreach Services (MOS) department. 888-466-3642 (888-HOME MHC ).
Brethren, we are all aware of the hurricane disasters that have struck Florida. Many are still in need of assistance in that area. Our Brother Victor Sadun, is the President of the West Coast Chapter of the B’nai B’rith International. This organization has been providing disaster relief since 1868. B’nai B’rith International’s Center for Community Action has launched an appeal for donations to its general disaster relief fund as it prepares to assist victims of Hurricane Frances. The Center has already collected funds to help victims of Hurricane Charley. Donations to the disaster relief fund can be made by mail to BBI General Disaster Relief Fund, 2020 K Street, 7th Floor Washington, D.C. 20006.
Remember the Masonic Home Endowment Fund
Please be generous in your donations to the Masonic Home.
You now send your donations directly to:
OFFICE OF PHILANTHROP
1111 California Street
San Francisco CA. 94108
2004/2005 Annual Charitable Giving Program
You may now make your donations online. The Office of Philanthropy invites you to make your Annual Charitable Giving online. By going to www.freemason.org you can make your donation online. CHECK IT OUT. You will need your member ID number. You can get this either from your secretary or through Grand Lodge.
Grand Master Kirkpatrick's Decision No. 1
Senior Deacon Qualification
Interpretation of Section 25100 of the California Masonic Code.
Before a Brother can be installed as Senior Deacon, he must be qualified in all the ritual work required of the Senior Deacon in each of the Three Degrees of Masonry according to the ritual adopted by the Grand Lodge, including the Senior Deacon's lecture of the Fellow Craft Degree.
Grand Master Kirkpatrick's Recommendation No. 2004-01
Grand Master's Lodge
This recommendation is for creating a GM Lodge so that when a lodge can no longer continue to exist, the members can retain membership in the GM Lodge until they find another suitable lodge.
Grand Master Kirkpatrick's Recommendation No. 2004-02
Candidate's Fees to Grand Lodge
Requires Candidates to pay a fee to GL for administration costs. The fee is to be $30.
Grand Master Kirkpatrick's Recommendation No. 2004-03
Lodge Funds and Property
This Recommendation modernizes the management of Lodge properties. It is very extensive and brothers interested in reviewing all the recommended changes should obtain a copy from the Master or download a copy from the Grand Lodge site.
Grand Master Kirkpatrick's Recommendation No. 2004-04
Executive Committee Appointments to Constitutional Boards
Authorize GM to appointment members to various boards. This allows for more streamline operations at the boards and at Grand Lodge.
Grand Master Kirkpatrick's Recommendation No. 2004-05
Candidate's Contribution to the Masonic Homes, the California Masonic Memorial Temple, and the George Washington Masonic National Memorial.
Candidate to donate an added $100 at initiation towards these institutions.
Carry Over Recommendations
Grand Master Holsinger's Recommendation No. 1
One Day Conferrals.
This will allow the conferral of all three degrees in one day. Only under the direction of Grand Lodge.
Grand Master Holsinger's Recommendation No. 2
Flexible Dates for Annual Communication
This recommendation will allow for a much great flexibility in determining the timing of Grand Lodge Annual Communication.
2004 Resolutions
Resolution No. 04-01
Powers of the Hall Associations.
Provides for Temple Associations to manage their properties with or without the consent of Grand Lodge. As currently written many activities of Temple Boards cannot be performed without obtaining GL approval.
Resolution No. 04-02
Voting on Grand Lodge Budget.
Provides for earlier approval of GL Budget.
Resolution No. 04-03
Advertising and Public Relations by Lodges.
Provides for lodges to advertise their public relations programs in the area.
Resolution No. 04-04
Add Flag Salute To All Lodge Openings.
Makes it mandatory that the Pledge of Allegiance be said when opening lodge.
[I am surprized that this was not declared "out-of-order", as this would be mandatory blatent politics inside of a CA Masonic Lodge. PB}
Resolution No. 04-05
Entered Apprentice and Fellow Craft Dues.
Requires EA and FC to pay dues the same as current MM pay.
Resolution No. 04-06 - Withdrawn
Modified Homes Admissions.
Resolution No. 04-07 to 10 - Out of Order
Resolution No. 04-11
Allows California Masons to belong to the Ancient and Heroic Order of The Gordian Knot.
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