Oceanside – San Dieguito Masonic Lodge no. 381

Brethren,

Congratulations to the new officer corps that was installed on December 11th. The installing team did an outstanding job, and is to be congratulated on a wonderful installation.

The Lodge performed a double First Degree on December 13th, so we are off to a busy start!

It appears that 2011 will again be a busy year for our Lodge– our new officer corps is up to the many tasks ahead.

I again wish to thank the brethren for electing me to serve as the Junior Warden for the ensuing Masonic year. I look forward to performing the duties assigned to that station and assisting the Master and Senior Warden.

Please make every effort to support the Lodge by attending our Stated Meeting Dinners and our Degrees.

Fraternally,
David Lonergan, PM
Junior Warden

Brethren,

I would like to take this opportunity to thank my Brothers for their confidence and support by electing me to serve as Senior Warden for the ensuing Masonic year.

I take this responsibility very seriously and will endeavor to serve with the dignity and honor that this high office demands.

One of my duties as Senior Warden is verifying the proficiency of all Candidates prior to giving their proficiency in Lodge. As such I will be asking those Brothers who have given their proficiency in the Third Degree to assist me in coaching our candidates. It is a very rewarding experience.

The Installation of Master-Elect Drew Middleton and the Officers for the ensuing Masonic year will take place on Saturday, December 11th at 7 p.m. You and your families are cordially invited to attend this annual Masonic event. Refreshments will be served immediately following the ceremony in the dining room.

Again thank you to the Brethren for electing me to serve as your Senior Warden.

Fraternally,
John Brooks, PM
Junior Warden

Brethren,

I wish to thank everyone for making the Hiram Award ceremony a memorable one for myself and family. What an honor.

The planning and coordination of this event did not just happen. Someone had to step forward and make it happen. My hat is off to Worshipful Tom Traver and his wife, Dorothy, for overseeing the entire operation with Tom acting as the Master of Ceremonies.

My thanks to Sissy Pitts for preparing my favorite meal; also to the Rainbow Girls and Jobs Daughters for serving the meals and drinks. And to the ladies that assisted in the kitchen. Nothing but rave reviews.

To Worshipful Tom Colgan, Inspector of the 901st Masonic District, who made the impressive and informative Hiram Award presentation to the Lodge.

To WorBro Roy Youngblood my thanks for preparing and printing the various announcements, invitations and programs and the other behind the scene details. Roy makes it look easy.

To the many that sent cards, letters and phone calls of congratulations, I want to let you know that I sincerely appreciate your support and encouragement.

And of course to my Brothers that were able to attend with their families. You made the evening complete.

Thank you one and all.

Fraternally,
John Brooks, PM
Junior Warden

Brethren,

At the August Stated Meeting I was surprised and honored to be informed that I was to be the Hiram Award recipient for the 2010 Masonic year. I had no idea that I was being considered for this high honor. I have never considered anything I have done in Masonry to be anything but a labor of love. I wish to thank the committee for recommending me to the Master and many thanks to the Master for approving their recommendation.

I understand that this high honor is NOT a call for me to retire but to keep working at our ancient craft as long as I am capable of doing an acceptable job.

The ceremony will be held on Saturday, September 11th. Dinner will be served in the dining room starting at 6 p.m. This will give us a time to have conversation and for you to meet my family, which I am extremely proud of, and for them to meet you, my friends and Brothers. Immediately following dinner the presentation will take place in the Lodge room.

I would be honored by your presence at this once in my life time event.

May Brotherly Love Prevail.

Fraternally,
John Brooks, PM
Junior Warden

Brethren,

An Officers Association has been formed in San Diego and Imperial Counties pursuant to Section 1000.000 of the California Masonic Code. The objectives and purposes of this Association is:

• To promote a spirit of cooperation, friendship, and harmony of action among the Masonic Lodges in California Division IX, their officers and members;
• To arrange for receptions for the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of California in connection with his annual visitation with Division IX in San Diego, California;
• To foster Masonic education under the leadership of the Assistant Grand Lecturer, Inspectors and other Grand Lodge Representatives;
• To discuss subjects and problems incident to conducting the affairs of the Division IX Lodges; and
• To support and actively assist Masonic youth groups in Division IX.

Active membership shall be open to the officers of Masonic Lodges assigned by the Grand Lodge to Division IX.

Honorary membership shall be accorded to the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of California, the Assistant Grand Lecturer and Inspectors of Division IX, the Past Masters of the Lodges of the Association, and to such persons as the Association may from time to time elect.

Only active members shall have the right to vote on matters relating to the Association.

Each of the Inspectors appointed by the Grand Master to serve in Masonic Districts that comprise Division IX has consented and approved of his Masonic District’s participation in the meetings and activities of the Association. Each such Inspector further warrants that the Association is intended to further matters as are for the welfare of the Craft.

The entire Constitution of the San Diego and Imperial County Masonic Officers Association is on file in our Lodge Secretary’s office for your perusal.

Fraternally,
John Brooks, PM
Junior Warden

Brethren,

Sorry, Brother Secretary, but you will need to find another subject to include in your column next month.

WorBro Youngblood reported that last month a Masonic Funeral Service was requested for one of our Brothers. (The Master was working in San Francisco, WorBro Brooks was on a cruise, I was unable to get away from preparations for the fair, and WorBro Traver was at his daughters wedding.) Thus, Roy had the privilege to officiate the service.

An e-mail was sent to all of the Brothers in the local area. Basically, all who live with in a one hour travel time to the Lodge.

Now for the bad news! No other brothers were in attendance at the service.

Below is from the CMC stating that it is your duty to attend a brother’s funeral service.

§804.855. DUTY TO ATTEND FUNERAL.
It is the duty of every member to attend the funeral of a deceased member of his Lodge or any other Master Mason residing within the vicinity of his Lodge at the time of death, if he can do so without great inconvenience.

Fraternally,
Drew L. Middleton
Senior Warden

Brethren,

At the May Stated Meeting the Lodge voted to participate in the Freedom Day Parade to be held on July 3rd. A truck will be at the Lodge at 8 a.m. on the 3rd which needs to be decorated. The Brothers that wish to ride can, the others will walk the parade route which is approximately 1 mile. This is an opportunity for the Brethren to show their support for our Lodge, our Community and our Country. Refreshments will be provided for the participants.

Candidate coaches are still needed. Contact the Senior Warden if you are interested in providing this valuable assistance. It is truly a rewarding experience.

In July there are two OSI’s scheduled. The first will be on Friday, July 16th at Consuelo Lodge starting with dinner at 6 p.m. and the Deacons program starting at 7 p.m. The second OSI will be held at the Scottish Rite Center in San Diego on Saturday, July 24th starting at 8 a.m. until 12 noon. Attendance is mandatory for all Lodge officers elected and appointed. The Grand Lecturer is scheduled to be in attendance.

Happy Independence Day!

May Brotherly Love Prevail.

Fraternally,
John Brooks, PM
Junior Warden

Brethren,

First of all I would like to give recognition to Beverly and Betty for preparing the Honored Ladies luncheon. They were assisted by Gerri, Mandy, Julie and Job Daughters Leah and Kaela. For Brothers Dan, David, Drew, Joseph, Harry and Roy for being the waiters, bus boys and dish washers. Without your dedication the luncheon would not have been such a success. A very special thanks goes to Brother Gregg Gunther for providing the entertainment. Watching the Ladies competing in the Wii horse racing game was something to behold.

On Friday, June 25th the Officer School of Instruction will be held at Consuelo Lodge. Dinner will be served at 6 p.m. The Deacons from the 901st and 903rd Masonic Districts will be exemplifying the first degree. If unable to attend kindly notify the Inspector.

Our officer’s coach, Worshipful Tom Traver, will be holding classes of instruction for prospective Deacons and Stewards. Contact Wor Tom for dates and times.

Grand Lodge is providing a Certification Program for Lodge Management. This year the classes for Southern California will be held in Newport Beach on June 12th and in San Diego on June 19th. It is in the Lodge budget to pay the enrollment cost for members who attend the training. I plan on attending in both venues, if you are interested in car pooling let me know. The courses offered are Program Planning, Lodge Finance, Hall Association Management, Membership Development, and Lodge Administration.

Fraternally,

John Brooks, PM
Junior Warden

Brethren,

The Honored Ladies Luncheon, hosted by the Lodge, will be held on Saturday May 1st in the dining room. If any of our Honored Ladies need transportation to the luncheon please notify the Lodge so that arrangements can be made. It is requested that all Lodge officers participate in this luncheon, all of our brethren and their ladies are invited to join in welcoming our Honored Ladies.

On Monday, May 17th, our Lodge will host the 901st Masonic District’s Officer’s School of Instruction. All officers need to be present as we are scheduled to exemplify the second section of the Third Degree. All Master Masons are invited to attend.

Classes of instruction for prospective Deacons and Stewards are being conducted by the Lodge. If you are interested in participating notify our officers’ coach Tom Traver, PM, for details.

May Brotherly Love Prevail.

Fraternally,
John Brooks, PM
Junior Warden