CanadianMason.ca

Source: Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of Ontario

Companions, Brethren and Friends,

Marjorie and I extend to you and your family compliments of the season and a very special blessing on this most celebrated time of year.  Whatever your spiritual belief would be, may the Most High watch over your endeavors and embrace in what is good.

Be especially thankful and show your appreciation to our security forces for their sacrifice of quality family time to ensure peace, freedom and safety prevails here at home.

In this time of depressed investment returns, let us be patient and make wise decisions for the future.  The recent reduced price of gasoline is at least one bright outlook on our economics. Maybe all projects did not develop as expected but, we still have much to be thankful for, and as we bustle about in last minute plans, let us remember to appreciate our beautiful wide open space without that fear of danger. The growth within our midst is strengthened by effective mentoring of our youth to aim for high standards.

As we look forward to a new beginning, the calendar closes, year end reports presented, and resolutions initiated for 2009.  May you be successful in all your activities.

Roland and Marjorie Paddle 

Grand First Principal        

Source: The Rough Ashlar

The brethren of St.Lawrence-Zetland Lodge no. 14 are to be commended on an excellent evening of fraternal spirit and superb ritual. Worshipful Master Keir Link was installed on December 2nd, 2008 by an impressive team lead by R.W. Bro. Larry Dobby. R.W. Bro. John Manning officiated as Director of Ceremonies and provided the evening with several memorable moments, instructing the brethren in the ceremony of the "loving cup" and leading the group in song. Truly a memorable night of Masonry!

Source: Grand Lodge of Alberta

Written by Joe MacMorris

Tuesday, 02 December 2008 15:50 -

Crescent Lodge # 87 will hold their annual Robbie Burns Dinner and Ladies Night on Frida

y January 23rd, 2009

at the

Danish Canadian Club

, 717 11th Avenue SW, Calgary.

Cocktails at 6.00pm: Dinner at 7.00pm

Entertainment by Clan Maxwell and his cohorts. Dancing and entertainment by the lassies,

ours and theirs.

The Grand Master, MW Bro. John Hart, will be in attendance.

Cost is $45.00 per person.

Source: Grand Lodge of Alberta

Written by Hugh Young

Thursday, 23 October 2008 20:29 - Last Updated Thursday, 23 October 2008 21:34

The 2nd Annual Inter-Provincial Third Degree (Canadian Rite) will be held Saturday, 24 January

2009 at the Medicine Hat Freemasons Hall with Swift Current Lodge visiting. The lodge will tyle

at 1:00 pm. The Grand Master will be in attendance.

In the evening, a full Burns' Supper is being held at the Medicine Hat Lodge (Hotel) with tickets

at $55.00 of a table of eight for $400.00.

Our host hotel for the Burns Dinner, also on 24 January 2009 will be the Callaghan Inn located

at 954-7th Street SW, Medicine Hat. We have special rates for those travelling in and need a

room. The rate is $75.00 plus tax. Those interested can also stay Friday, 23 January 2009 at

the same rate. Those interested should call 1-800-661-4440 or (403) 527-8844 and refer to the

Burns Night Package. Note this hotel is very close to the lodge so this should make attendance

at the various functions go a little easier.

On the Sunday, the Grand Master will be unveiling a bust of Robert Burns at the Medicine Hat

College. This is a project of the Freemasons of Medicine Hat. They are still looking for lodge

support for this 250th Anniversary Burns Bust Project, so if any individual or Lodge wishes to

contribute to this venture, they are most welcome to do so.

Interested in sponsoring, tickets or holding a table can call Ken Montgomery at (403) 580-5080

or by e-mail at mhburns@canopycanada.net

Click HERE to download full brochure.

Source: Grand Lodge of Newfoundland and Labrador

GREETINGS FROM THE GRAND MASTER

GRAND LODGE OF NEWFOUNDLAND & LABRADOR

DECEMBER 2008 EDITOR: RWB DANIEL R. FRAMPTON

FRATERNAL TIDINGS

SEASONS GREETINGS

Brethren, I am honored beyond words to be your Grand Master for the next two

years. Your confidence and support is most appreciated and I promise you in return

my steadfast commitment to the duties of the office. To the Officers who

were elected or appointed I offer my congratulations and I look forward to working

with you as a team. I do trust that you will have a most satisfying term of

office with me.

My theme for the next two years is “Learn It, Live It” It is my belief that Freemasonry

is more than an organization, more than a society, it is a way of life or a

way of living. It is a way of life based upon the moral and social virtues which are

inculcated, or should be inculcated, in the Lodge. These moral and social virtues

are spread throughout our ritual in the three degrees and, unfortunately, we very

often are more concerned with either memorizing the words or getting the floor

work right than we are with internalizing the messages and making them a part

of our lives. I will have much more to say on this matter later.

This edition of Fraternal Tidings will be our Christmas issue. In the next few

weeks Lodges throughout our jurisdiction will be having Christmas socials and

Christmas dinners with spouses. Brethren and their families will be experiencing

the joy of finding that special gift for a loved one and, of course, experiencing the

Christmas Eve and Morning traditions. Brethren, my wish for you is that this

will be a very special Christmas, a Christmas filled with the love, joy and peace

Source: Grand Lodge of Manitoba

The Fellowcraft Degree builds on many of the lessons first presented to the Entered Apprentice and prepares one for the tremendously important Master Mason Degree. This degree focuses on the mature man, the working man and the working tools reflect that fact. However, upon entering the Middle Chamber we realize that we are just beginning our journey. We recognize the need to develop our minds beyond the level of practical knowledge for we are introduced to the intuitive or spiritual levels. There is a vast difference between merely knowing something and really understanding it. Knowledge is the beginning, not the end of this process.

It is estimated that there are as many as 100,000 books written about Freemasonry. Many of these expound upon an individual’s interpretation of the allegory and symbolism of the Craft. Often times they repeat what they have read elsewhere but on occasion they introduce a totally new view of the story contained within the ritual. This workshop combines much of the lesser known interpretations and presents it in a unique way. Passing through the two great pillars has a great significance, so too the pass word has a deep and profound meaning. The letter ‘G’ in our lodges we are told represents the Grand Geometrician but we never pause to consider the sacred geometry which the Creator used in designing our wonderful world and the being which exists in His own image. Even the name He gave to Moses upon the mount can serve as a unifying force among mankind when properly understood.

On Saturday, January 17th those interested in pursuing a fuller understanding of the mysteries of this degree will meet at MMC and share their passion for the quest with other like minded men. Consider joining us.

Lodge secretaries have further information and registration forms.

Source: Grand Lodge of Canada in the Province of Ontario

As we approach the season of giving, let our hearts rule our lives for this short period of time.We are called upon in many ways to show our Charity, first of all to our families by being present, by celebrating with them the joys of the season, by spending time with our loved ones and our friends both in contemplation and in relaxation from our busy lives. With those in our places of worship, let us be as one, practice tolerance and the ideals on which our fraternity is based.

Let us not forget those less fortunate homeless individuals. Remember the widows of those Masons who have gone before, the many other charities that rely upon our individual support and others who require our benevolence of spirit and forgiveness. The great leaders of our faiths are unified in their push for peace and goodwill amongst mankind. 

Brethren, I have talked about Masonry, Making a Difference, in our lives, our homes, our lodges and our communities. This is the time of year that we can really exemplify the true spirit of Masonry in all that we do and show those around us that indeed Masonry lives and thrives on its charitable precepts learned at Initiation.

Prayer is an important part of the ritual in the Craft. The opening and closing of the degrees and ceremonies invoke prayer and guidance from God, the “Great Architect of the Universe. Beginning with an examination of the earliest Manuscripts of “Old Charges”, the Regis Poem Manuscript of 1390 A.D., shows that all lodge activities were begun with prayer to God.

An interesting bit of Canadian masonic history.   Found it HERE

The reader will recall that in 1605 Champlain, the French explorer, established the settlement of Port Royal on the west side of Annapolis Basin. This settlement was the predecessor of the more noted Port Royal and Annapolis Royal, built some miles to the northward, the scene of many sieges and history making events, including the organization of the first Masonic lodge on Canadian soil.