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!





 

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

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.

Rehearsal Meeting: Friday 30 April

Brethren,

Please be reminded of our [Rescheduled] Rehearsal Meeting on Friday, 30 April 2010 at 7:00 PM at Castle Hill Masonic Centre.

Lodge Burnside has requested LJR two months ago to use the hall on Saturday, 1 May 2010 [our calendared/normal rehearsal day] for the fraternal visit of Lodge Taralga.

We will rehearse the Ballot for Membership and the Degree Work of the First Degree.

On our May 8 meeting, we will initiate two candidates. Please mark this on your diary, as these are our first initiates in our Lodge.

Together brethren,

Bro Manny Maniago
WM Lodge Jose Rizal 1045

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

Also, our Senior Warden, WBro Fidel Pamplona will be the coordinator for the South [Festive Board Committee for May]* for this May's Meeting. He will be substituting for Bro Rene Ilaya, who will be on holidays this May.

Members of the Festive Board Committee are WBro R Dobson, WBro V Flores, Bro J D Elizes and Bro M Fidel. Please coordinate with WBro Fidel Pamplona.

* See/click this link for Festive Board allocations & duties for 2010.

Congrats to new MM Bro Mick Fidel

Congratulations are in order to our foundation member, FC Bro Mick Fidel on his raising to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason at Lodge Hunter Hiram No. 246 [at Raymond Terrace Masonic Centre 14 King Street, Raymond Terrace NSW 2324]; last Saturday, 20 March 2010.

Bro Mick Fidel is a member of Lodge Alpha, and on an annual fraternal to sister Lodge Hunter Hiram, was raised to MM with another brother.

Again, our congratulations and best wishes to Bro Mick!

New masoniCare Caring Officers

As announced by the Grand Master, MW Bro [Dr] Gregory H Levenston last Quarterly Communication [10 March 2010], all Lodge Caring Officers will now be known as masoniCare Caring Officers [mCOs] from 31 March 2010.

While role of the curent Caring Officer's will be the same, he will have the full backing of the Grand Lodge's masoniCare Grand Charity. Also a new handbook, educational seminars and a new masoniCare website will be invaluable tools for the upgraded role.

According to the masoniCare website, the masoniCare is the philanthropic arm of the NSW & ACT Freemasons. It "aims to improve the lives of others by providing funding to ‘grass roots’ community organisations which are nominated by local Freemasons."

March - April Activities

1. 23rd March, Tuesday at 6:00 PM - WBro Fred Enriquez's 40th Day Prayers - at their residence, 38 Alamein Rd Bossley Park. All are welcome to attend.

2. 24th March, Wednesday at 6:30 PM - Lodge Resurgo No 223 - Installation of Wor Master, Wor Bro Mervyn Anthony McGrath and his officers for 2010-2011. Castle Hill Masonic Centre. Our Wor Master, VWor Bro Manny Maniago will lead a fraternal.  Attire: Dinner Suit and $20 per person cost of Installation Banquet.

3. 3rd to 4th April, Saturday & Sunday all day - FilMasons Club & Lodge Jose Rizal Joint Easter Outing/Camping, at the new Pilipino Multi Purpose Center at 80 Grange Ave, Schofields. The MPC is situated in a big acreage with a three (3) bedroom house and meeting room. We will spend the Easter weekend in this place,, arriving on the morning of Saturday, 03 April 2010 and leaving after lunch, Sunday, 04 April 2010. Please bring tent if you intend to sleep in the backyard, pillow or air mattress if sleeping at lounge room. bedrooms can be shared by ladies. Please bring your families. Bro Vince Flores will be providing BBQ's cost will be $20.00 per family.Come one and come all for fellowship. All welcome, non Masons also welcome.

4.  7th April, Wednesday - Tyling at 6:00 PM. Installation Meeting of Lodge Burnside No 729. Re-installation of W Bro Bryan Ingram as WM and Investiture of Officers for Masonic Year 2010-2011. Installation Banquet dining fee: $20.00. Castle Hill Masonic Centre.

5. 10th April, Saturday - Starting at 6:00 PM. Management and Committee meeting. Interviews of three LJR applicants at 7:00 PM. Nominators for the applicants must attend or otherwise send letters acknowledging character of applicant. Then after dinner our Initial meeting of the Exemplification Team Third Degree Ritual. Potluck if possible. Castle Hill Masonic Centre.

6. Various - District and District Lodge Meetings - please refer to your District Diary.

7. District 32 Notice Board:             www.masonicregions.org.au

Sausage Sizzles at Bunnings

North Parramatta on Saturday, 3rd April

Norwest on Saturday, 10th April

The Hills Lodge

District ANZAC Meeting

Castle Hill Masonic Centre

Wednesday, 21st April at 7:30 PM

Parramatta & Hills Lodge of Instruction

Castle Hill Masonic Centre

Monday, 26th April at 7:30 PM