Friday, May 28, 2010

Lodge Woronora 414 Install: 18 June

Bro Louie Reyes,  President of FilMasons NSW, Inc was elected as Worshipful Master of Lodge Woronora No 414. He has invited the brethren & ladies of this Lodge to attend his installation as Worshipful Master, Friday, 18 June 2010 at 6:00 PM at Oatley Masonic Centre.

Friday, 18 June 2010 [RSVP by 9th June 2010], Tyling at 6 PM
[Visitors: 6:15 PM - Grand Lodge: 7 PM]
Oatley Masonic Centre, 11a Letitia Street, Oatley NSW 2223

Followed by an Installation Banquet at the Oatley RSL Club
23 Letitia Street, Oatley, NSW  2223
[Banquet fee of $35.00 per person applies]

Please RSVP by the 9th of June 2010 to RWB Bill Casley, Secretary
PO Box 71 Sutherland NSW 1499, Telephone - 02 9521 2482

Let us support our Bro Louie & Sis Marilyn. A special mention & invitation to our ladies & partners to join us in the Installation Banquet.

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Philippine Independence Day Celeb: 12 June

Brethren,

We are invited to participate in the celebration of the Philippine Independence Day in the new Multi Purpose Centre at 80 Grange Avenue, Schofields on Saturday, June 12, 2010.

The Flag raising ceremony will be held at 11:30 in the morning and then we will plant a tree commemorating our participation in this important event. As per information from W Bro Vince Flores, we will attach a plaque bearing the name of Lodge Jose Rizal in the tree allocated to us.

I will be in attendance and I hope to see as many brethren as possible to support this event.

Then at 6:30 PM that night, we will have our Fellowship/rehearshal meeting at Castle Hill Masonic Centre.

Together brethren,

Bro Manny Maniago
Worshipful Master

Monday, May 17, 2010

3rd Meeting & Initiation: From a visitor's point

by RW Bro Bruce Quirk

Approaching ninety Brethren, their ladies, friends and ‘little helpers’ [three sons of W Bro Russell Dobson], were in attendance at the Castle Hill Masonic Centre for Lodge Jose Rizal’s third Regular meeting held on the eighth of May. This was a very special meeting as the two candidates were the sons of members [Lewis*] of this new and vibrant Lodge, Lodge Jose Rizal.

The Lodge tyled at six o’clock and the private business was soon dealt with and then the many visitors, some forming impressive fraternals were admitted. A successful ballot was then conducted for the admission of the two candidates, Mr Larry Pamplona and Mr Daniel Vincent Placido.

The Worshipful Master, W Bro Manny Maniago, then asked W Bro Fidel Pamplona to take ‘The Chair’ and thus gave him the privilege, which is every fathers' dream, to initiate his own son.

An alarm was sounded and the two candidates were admitted in due and ancient form under the care and direction of the Junior Deacon, Bro Manuel Placido, Mr Daniel Placido’s father. The ceremony that followed can only be described as ‘as good as it could possibly be’ and was a totally heart warming experience for all in the Lodge Room to be audience to, the Mode of Preparation and the Working Tools, delivered by Master Masons were explained with such expression and meaning it left all in the Lodge Room thinking ‘Just how good was that’. The candidates were then retired to restore themselves to their personal comfort and, after signing the register, were positioned in the North East corner where VW Bro Manny Maniago recited that lengthy charge, full of meaning, ‘The Final Charge’ which explains to the candidates what is expected of them now they are Masons and the duties contained there in, recited in a way that only VW Bro Maniago can.

The ceremony over and a full photo opportunity taken, W Bro Maniago resumed ‘The chair’ and finalized the meeting before all retired to the South [Festive Board#] to take part in what can only be described as an enormous banquet with an abundance of food catered for all tastes and the sweets were something the ‘Master Chefs’ could only dream about, that fruit salad ‘WOW’.

In response to the toast to ‘The Newly Initiated Brothers’, proposed by Bro Manny Placido, both candidates rose and responded in turn which bought cheers of recognition and acknowledgement from all in the room. The DGIW [District Grand Inspector of Workings] for District 35 VW Bro Bill McBey then gave each candidate a lapel badge in a ‘good will’ gesture and was gratefully received by each.

As the hour approached ten o’clock the Worshipful Master W Bro Manny Maniago rose and said ‘We begin early so we can finish early’ and with that the Junior Warden proposed the Junior Wardens Toast.

‘To our Next Happy Meeting at Jose Rizal.’


[As adapted from RW Bro Quirk's original article that appeared in the Masonic Regions website.]


 This is history in the making for Lodge Jose Rizal 1045, as this were the first two candidates & initiates of the Lodge. What makes it more special is that both Bro Larry Pamplona & Bro Daniel Placido are both Lewis; sons of the current Senior Warden, W Bro Fidel Pamplona & Sis Pen Pamplona and current Junior Deacon, Bro Manny Placido and Sis Do Placido. respectively.
 
[* "Lewis is traditional English for a man who is the son, grandson, or direct male descendant of a Freemason. The term comes from the device traditionally used by operative masons, consisting of two wedge-shaped side pieces fit together by a straight centerpiece, to raise heavy blocks of stone into place; symbolizing the utility and strength of family heritage in building Masonic character."]
 
Both young men were highly recommended, & applied for the degree 'on their own freewill & accord' & talented in their own rights; the stuff that future & new generations of Freemasons are in this Lodge - young, vibrant & talented.
 
Another pillar of this Lodge are the ladies. Our brethren can't thank them enough for their support & help in making sure that the Festive Board & other social activities of the Lodge are graced by their presence. The atmosphere is akin to a family event, wherein everyone [even the children] are having a good time!
 
Another 'secret' is the extended & very informal South [which, "according to Masonic tradition, medieval European stonemasons would meet, eat, and shelter outside working hours in a Lodge on the southern side of a building site, where the sun warms the stones during the day. The social Festive Board #(or Social Board) part of the meeting is thus sometimes called the South. Early Lodges often met in a tavern or any other convenient fixed place with a private room." In fact, The Grand Lodge of England was founded in a tavern or pub called 'Goose & Gridiron'!].
 
Hence, an early toast of the Junior Warden so that brethren & other guests who wants to go home can do so after the formalities of the South. The brethren & ladies stayed till about 12:00 midnight having fellowship, dancing, and general clean up while polishing off the remainder of the drinks & food!





 

Friday, May 14, 2010

Lodge Sydney St George Installation: 4 June


Dear Brethren,

This is to cordially invite you to the re-installation of VW Bro Glenn Lilly, WM Elect of Lodge Sydney St George on Friday, 4th June 2010. Tyling at 6:30pm. Dining fee: $15.00per person.

We would love to see your ladies too, so please bring them along.

For catering purposes, please don't forget to RSVP to either the Secretary VWB Richard Lilly or myself.

Other details are in the above invitation card.

Looking forward to see you on the night.

Kind regards,

Rey Porras

Thursday, May 6, 2010

Lodge Baulkham Hills 958 Install: 7 May

Brethren,

The Worshipful Master-Elect, Bro Tom Dabbagh extends his invitation on his Installation, Friday, 7th May 2010 at Castle Hill Masonic Centre, Tyling at 6:30 PM, visitors at 6:45PM. Wor Bro Fidel and Wor Bro Rudy indicated that they will be joining me to support the lodge.

If you are free on that night, your attendance will be much appreciated. I have booked five (5) for LJR.

Together Brethren,

Bro Manny Maniago
WM, LJR 1045

-----------------------------------

Reminder to all Brethren [members & visitors], Lodge Jose Rizal 1045's Lodge meeting and Initiation of two candidates this Saturday, 8 May. Tyling at 6:00 PM at Castle Hill Masonic Centre.