From the Worshipful Master

Brethren & Ladies,

My wife, Sis Pen and I wish to express our sincere thanks and appreciation once again for all the support and assistance you gave during our First Installation Ceremony.

Every accomplishment we achieve first starts as a dream. Our dream then becomes our goal. With diligence, effort, the support of others and belief in ourselves; our goals become a reality. We already started seeing the reality of our dreams. We started this lodge with pride and dignity and we shall keep it moving forward in the generations to come.

We need to foster growth by getting more new good members to continue what we started. People gets old everyday, some will move somewhere and others will be soon gone forever [as the natural order of things]. Like a seasonal plant that bear fruits, those fruits turned into seeds and sowed and grown again and again. Some fruits may turn into bad and unproductive state; while others have the best qualities to renegerate. The best quality will be kept and maintained forever and the unproductive ones will be soon out of sight. Some of the non-fruit bearing [unproductive] ones sometime will turn into something useable in the future: cut down to make use of the sturdy wood and made into lumber to support a structure [or die out to feed on other plants and support our environment].

We will continue to gain new members and to support our newer members we need to mentor them and look after them. We will guide them until they will have the full confidence to do what we are doing. I trust that we are all good leaders. We have the confidence, leadership skills and the utmost in our minds - Masonic service; thus when we serve ourselves we ultimatley serve others.

On behalf of my family; Sis Pen and myself  Wish You All an Enjoyable Festive Season and a Healthy and Happy New Year 2011!

VWBro Fidel Pamplona, AGDC
Wor Master, LJR 1045

"We work together to bring out the best in each of us, and then we apply our skills to help others."

LJR 1st installation: 13 Nov 2010

By RWBro Bruce Quirk, PJGW & Past Regional Grand Counselor, R-3 [reposted from District 32 website]

With large numbers expected, the members of Lodge Jose’ Rizal took great care in setting up the Festive Board at the Castle Hill Masonic Centre to achieve maximum capacity and their expectations were realized when all of the one hundred and sixty places set out were filled for the First Installation Ceremony and Banquet of Lodge Jose’ Rizal where VW Bro Emmanuel [Manny] Maniago was to Install VW Bro Fidencio [Fidel] Pamplona as Worshipful Master of this young and vibrant Lodge, Lodge Jose’ Rizal No 1045. 

The members and their wives arrived early on the Saturday afternoon to complete the final touches of the festive board and organize the food and as the hour approached the Centre became a flurry of activity and excited chatter as more, more, and still more arrived to both witness, take part in, and enjoy the first Installation Ceremony of Lodge Jose’ Rizal.  

The Lodge tyled at 6pm sharp and after the usual business was dispatched, all visitors were admitted including many large Faternals including a very large delegation from ‘The Cedars’ who have been keen supporters of Lodge Rose’ Rizal since it’s concept. As the Lodge was raised to the Third Degree, the Entered Apprentices and Fellow Crafts were respectively retired, many of which were members of Lodge Horizons and all were greeted and became acquainted with the RGC for Region Three, RW Bro Nigel Hamilton. At the same time, a large contingent of  Grand Lodge Officers were assembling under the care and direction of The Grand Director of Ceremonies, VW Bro Antoine Georges, who was assisted by VW Bro Peter Miller, Grand Steward. As seven o’clock approached and a photo opportunity taken, the Grand Lodge Delegation assembled and after an alarm was sounded and duly responded to, the Grand Lodge Delegation was led into the Lodge Room by The Grand Director VW Bro Georges, headed by MW Bro Raymond Barry Brooke PGM and all were warmly received by the Installing Master VW Bro Manny Maniago. 

With the Grand Lodge Officers seated and made comfortable and notice papers distributed, the officers of the Lodge divested themselves of their insignia of office and all Master Masons were retired and the ceremony of Installation began, commencing with the second presentation of the Worshipful Master Elect, by his sponsors W Bro Jacinto 'Jack'  Sta Maria and W Bro Rolando 'Rolly' Manarang.

The ceremony that followed was a joy to watch and a pleasure to listen to as the age old ceremony of Installation unfolded and soon VW Bro Fidel Pamplona became The Worshipful Master of Lodge Jose’ Rizal No 1045 at Lodge Jose’ Rizal’s first Installation ceremony.  

Before the Lodge was closed in the Third Degree, the usual announcements and proclamations were given in the South, the Herald on the night being W Bro Duncan Muir. The Third Working Tools were delivered by Bro Alfredo 'Fred' Sese and in resuming in the Second Degree, all fellow crafts were re admitted, an entered apprentice almost slipping by unnoticed but was quickly retired and after the usual announcements and proclamations given in the West the second Working Tools were presented by Bro Manuel 'Manny' Santos. The Lodge was closed in the second degree and the Lodge was resumed in the First Degree and all Masons were admitted and after the announcements and fanfare in the South the First Degree working tools were presented by Bro Israel 'Izzy'  de Guzman. A beautiful rendition of ‘What a Wonderful World’ was then sung by Bro Edward Banting which, on completion, drew loud acclamation from all in the Lodge Room. The presentation of the Warrant or Charter, the book of Constitutions and the By Laws as well as the codifications and decisions of the ritual committee was then presented before the new Worshipful Master of Lodge Jose’ Rizal invested his Officers for the ensuing year. The three closing addresses were then given, The Address to The Master delivered by Bro Micvi 'Mick' Fidel, the address to the Wardens, by Bro Antonio 'Tony' Saputil, and the address to the Brethren by W Bro Rolando 'Rolly' Manarang, and in closing the ceremony, a beautiful rendition of Amazing Grace was sung by Bro Daniel Vincent Placido. The Installing Master VW Bro Maniago then, with some reluctance, told the newly installed Master VW Bro Pamplona that the ceremony of Installation was complete and in handing him the keys of the Castle Hill Masonic Centre told him that Lodge Jose’ Rizal was now under his complete control. 

 VW Bro Pamplona immediately gave welcome to the Representative of The United Grand Lodge of New South Wales and the ACT and in response Most Worshipful Brother Raymond Barry Brooke related the long association he had had with both the Newly Installed Master and the Installing Master during his term as The Most Worshipful Grand Master, where they had traveled together all over the State to attend the wide and varied Lodge Functions including Lodge Dedications, Balls, the laying of Foundation Stones Installations and many more. MW Bro Brooke then asked the Grand Director to present Bros Mario Baylon Jnr. Jose’ Elizes, and Robert Maneze and duly presented them with their Master Mason’s Certificates [affiliation certificates]. Before retiring from the Lodge Room MW Bro Brooke gave an enlightening and inspiring address which motivated many of the Brethren present into trying harder to achieve greater. MW Bro Brooke then indicated his desire to retire and both he and the Grand Lodge Delegation left the Lodge Room to disrobe and to join the Ladies and were soon joined by the Brethren from the Lodge Room. 

Somehow one hundred and sixty found a seat and sat down for the Installation Banquet in a Banquet hall that eighty was the recognized maximum number and soon all were enjoying beautiful food prepared with great care and expertise by the Ladies and in response to the toast to the United Grand Lodge of New South Wales and the ACT. MW Bro Brooke gave recognition to the vigor and success of Lodge Jose’ Rizal in it’s short term of existence and in wishing them well, complimented them on their twenty five percent increase in numbers. In proposing the toast to The Worshipful Master and his Officers, Wor Bro Rolando Manarang said how proud he was to be the one who initiated the Newly Re Installed Master some years ago and he wished them well. In closing, the Immediate Past Master, VWor Bro Manny Maniago recited these words of great wisdom --- ‘Learn from Yesterday, Live for to-day and Dream of Tomorrow’. In response to the toast to the Ladies and visitors proposed by W Bro Russell Dobson, and the Worshipful Master of Lodge Woronora, W Bro Luis 'Louie' Reyes wished the new officers well and thanked the Lodge and the ladies for a great night.

The hour was late when the Junior Warden's toast was given but no one cared as all had had shared a thoroughly enjoyable evening with a thriving Lodge that is really going forward, carried by good officers, supported by keen members and have the unceasing devotion of their Ladies, may it long continue and be an example for all Lodges to take heed.  

[Moderator's note: As customary, the festivities & fellowship didn't end with the Junior Warden's Toast; only the formalities of the evening. The extended fellowship and 'house-keeping' continued on till the wee hours of the night.] 

http://www.masonicregions.org.au/page28302734.aspx

Reminder: Management & Rehearsal - 19 Dec

Management Meeting and Third Degree Rehearsal 

on Sunday, 19th December 2010

 at 6:00PM to be held at Castle Hill Masonic Centre.

Lodge Hornsby's Double Initiation: 15 Dec

Brethren,

A reminder that Lodge Hornsby's double Initiation on Wednesday, 15 December 2010 at Turramarra Masonic Centre , 1247 Pacific Highway, Turramarra. Lodge tyling at 7:00PM.

LJR's WM, VWBro Fidel Pamplona will be in attendance. Yours truly was appointed the GDC for the meeting. Hope to see as many brerthren to support Bro Nes Bangcoro and Lodge Hornsby No 262 .

Together brethren,

VWBro Manny Maniago
Secretary

Lodge Activities: Nov - Dec 2010

After the successful and well attended LJR Installation last 13 November, there are more activities planned [aside from usual District 32 Lodges' activities & fund raising!]:

1. 20 Nov [Saturday] - Lodge Education 814 Installation at the Egyptian Room, Petersham Royal Arch Masonic Temple, 23-25 New Canterbury Road, Petersham. Tyling is at 6:30 PM, ladies are invited. Our Wor Master, VWBro Fidel pamplona will be leading the fraternal.

2. 20 - 21 Nov [Saturday & Sunday] - Lodge Horizons & Lodge Jose Rizal will have a 'East meets West' BBQ & fellowship at 80 Grange Avenue, Schofields starting at 11:00 AM. Those brethren wishing to stay overnight are advised to bring tents, according to VWBro Manny Maniago & WBro Kristan Regalado.

3. 27 Nov [Saturday] - Lodge Star of Australia 200 Installation at the Hurlstone Park Masonic Centre, 67 Duntroon Street, Hurlstone Park NSW 2193. Tyling is at 6:00 PM with the ladies invited. Bro Joe Cassar will be installed in the chair and  VWBro Fidel Pamplona will be the Grand Director of Ceremonies on the night. IPM, VWBro Manny Maniago or our Senior Warden, WBro Rudy Romerosa will then lead the Lodge Jose Rizal fraternal.


4. 3 Dec [Friday] - Combined Lodge Christmas Celebration with Lodge Baulkham Hills at the Castle Hill Masonic Centre, tyling at 7:15 PM. this is Lodge Baulkham Hills 535th Regular Meeting and Ladies Christmas Night.

5. 19 Dec [Sunday] - Lodge Management Meeting & 3rd Degree Rehearsal at The Castle Hill Masonic Centre, 6:00 PM.

From The Worshipful Master [elect]: VWBro F Pamplona

VWBro Fidel Pamplona with Sis Pen.

Brethren,

Thank you for entrusting to me the leadership of this young and vibrant Lodge [in the District]. As your Worshipful Master, "Teamwork" and "Network" are my first two guiding words to run our Lodge. As I, may represent the Wisdom of this Lodge, our Officers are the Strength; but the most important part is your individual roles as model members - will represent the Beauty of this Lodge!

[Brethren], there are many who perhaps in our members are wondering 'Where and what is my role in the Lodge?' Their questions: 'How can I impart my knowledge for the improvement of the Lodge?' 'Can I participate during the Management Committee Meetings?' Should I wait to be asked?'

Brethren, our Lodge is run by its members; from the Wor Master to the Entered Apprentices. Every member must contribute for the improvement of our Lodge - positive [and constructive] comments, attending rehearsals, taking understudies and participating in social activities are all signs of good qualities needed in our Lodge. Your participation and attendance therefore is a hundred percent required and [that our Lodge will be] surely lead to a Lodge of Excellence and a source of pride for our culture.

Who should be the Executive Officers of a Lodge? Doubtless these should include; at the very least, the Wor Master, Senior and Junior Wardens, Secretary, Treasurer, Membership and masoniCare [Caring] Officers. These officers should be capable of dealing with most issues [associated with their offices] that require an immediate response without the necessity of waiting to be dealt with in the next Business or Regular meeting.

Our social activities will be structured to provide a sufficient and balanced variety of social events to satisfy all members. We will invite our partners to socials and obtain commitment that they will in fact attend.

We will therefore work together to bring out the best in each of us; and then we apply our skills to help others. We will work on the 'network' to meet people, find our future resources and make connections in the community.

VWBro Fidel Pamplona, AGDC
Worshipful Master

From the Outgoing Worshipful Master

Above, our outgoing Wor Master: VWBro Manny Maniago, AGDC*, and always there to support him, Sis Remy.

Sis Remy and I wish to express our heartfelt thanks to the brethren and their ladies; who in one way or another contributed to the success of Lodge Jose Rizal activities. Likewise, I personally thank you my brethren for your trust in allowing me to serve you as your Foundation Worshipful Master. I am forever grateful for that privilege.

We have introduced innovations to our lodge's meetings and involved our ladies in the social functions of the lodge. We are a growing lodge and a progressive lodge; and it is my hope that we will maintain that enthusiasm. I would like to encourage each brother to continue evaluating improvements for our lodge and to continue to participate in our lodge, district and Grand Lodge activities.

I would like to welcome VWBro Fidel Pamplona, AGDC, as the new and first Worshipful Master-Elect of Lodge Jose Rizal. I trust that he will enjoy his term of office as much as I have. I hope you will extend to Bro Fidel and Sis Pen the same level of support as you have extended to me and Sis Remy during my term.

Brethren we look forward to the future - that of Lodge Jose Rizal as a Lodge of Excellence, a Family Lodge and a Lodge existing in Peace, Love and Harmony.

Again, my heartfelt thanks for the opportunity to serve you as your Foundation Worshipful Master.

VWBro Manny Maniago, AGDC [PDGIW]

*Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies