From the South

After the festivities of the past holidays, we start the season with a promising New Year. It is a celebration of the end of formal vacation and a signal that it's time to go back to work with our respective vocations as well as our duties and responsibilities in the lodge.

A journey of a thousand miles, as an old Chinese saying goes, always begins with the first step. The beginning of a new year should also be the start of our renewed dedication and commitment not only for the betterment of the lodge but to our craft as a whole. Time really goes fast when you are having fun, and I am indeed starting to have fun serving you from the South. We started the season with new programs as well as new challenges.

We have numerous activities set up for this year. Beginning with our Masonic Information Night on February 05, 2011.The three lodges comprising the #713 Masonic District (Atwater Larchmont Tila Pass Lodge No.614, Elysian Lodge #418 and William Rhodes Hervey Lodge #767) joined together to come up with a Masonic program aim to raise awareness in the community, attract potential new members and promote member involvement. We will be celebrating our Sweetheart's Nights with our Ladies and honoring our widow's on a romantic waterfront restaurant by the bay. We will be honoring WB Leonardo de Castro, PM for his 50 Years of unselfish dedication and contribution to our craft.

Every last Friday night of each month is "Fellowship Night". This is something new in our Lodge. It is design to share tranquil fellowship, time to relax and have fun with all our Brethren and their families. Newly initiated, passed and raised Masons will have the opportunity during this time to practice their proficiencies and for the present officers as well as future ones to polish their performances on ritual work. Whatever it may be, it is "Fellowship Night".

We truly appreciate the hard work and dedication of the officers, leading to the initiation of three applicants to the Entered Apprentice Degree, the passing of a brother to the Fellow craft Degree and the raising of four brethren to the sublime degree of Master Mason but, they, were welcomed by only a very few of us. More applicants are knocking for membership and I have no doubt that we will be able to sustain our excellent start if only we will work together for the good of the lodge.

We are so grateful to see some of the past masters during our first stated meeting of this year, their attendance during events and even extending their hand during the performances of degrees. But, it's not just our Past Masters and the officers that will keep the lodge going, it is all the Brethren. That is our foundation, our corner stone in all we do. I do not believe that anything can be more reassuring to the progress of the lodge and to a candidate, regardless of the degree, than to come into the light, and see a good solid foundation of Brothers attesting to his creation, passing and raising. My brethren, we need your presence, involvement and highly spirited example, you had a time to be away from the Lodge, it is now time to come back; a time for party, and a time for responsibility; a time to resent, and a time to be present; a time to lounge, and a time for Lodge.

It is time to examine our selves. It has been said also that Masonry is a journey, not a destination. Are you still on a journey, my brethren? Or have you reached your destination? I have no doubt that when you began your Masonic journey into those lessons symbolized by the working tools of the Craft, you found them impressive and worthy of daily practice, and it made you a better man. Have you stopped that journey and settled for a destination? If so, what destination have you reached, and where are you today?

As members of Atwater Larchmont Tila Pass Lodge #614, we must not, even for a moment, be unmindful of the fact that the interested eyes of the Masonic world are upon us and, furthermore, that our life and conduct, our words and deeds, may become the basis upon which all those with whom we come into contact outside the Masonic circles will be led to evaluate Freemasonry. Let us, therefore, renew our pledge to become good and loyal Masons, faithful and true.
Dear brethren, we consider the Lodge was dark when you were away. We hope to see you back in Lodge!

By The Plumb,
Bro. Jonathan Asis, JW