OFFICERS MESSAGES
Dear Brethren, Ladies, and Friends:
I hope that you all are doing well, remain healthy and safe, and are in good spirits. As we move further into 2021, we remain hopeful that the once normal aspects of life are on track for their way back to us. The hope is that by the end of the next 4 months, we could see the inside of a Lodge room, but we shall see.
At some point, finding topics for these articles becomes harder and harder for the singular reason that we just aren’t doing anything. My day-to-day, for almost 7-days of the week, consists of the same routine activities. Prior to the Pandemic, we had, at the very least, outliner days which would create a new experience. However, writing these articles (believe it or not) has been one of my more favorite parts of being a pillar. These articles are my ability to share with you, and your opportunity to learn about me. I know for some of you, what we write is important and enjoyable, sometimes even a topic/issue for debate - but important nonetheless.
Through the process of creating each article, I’ve gone on my own personal journey. Each journey begins the same, “what will I write about now?” but ends very differently. Soon after I ask myself that question, my keyboard begins clicking. If there was a difficult part to writing these articles, it would not be finding a topic, but always looking to the future. It’s always important for me to write something worth writing, and worth your time reading.
See, in an ideal world, Bro. Scott Weber would have these articles at least two weeks prior to the month they are intended for, giving him enough time to process and format. Most of the time, there is a delay on the writer’s part. For me, at least, anticipating what is relevant in two or three weeks is often a challenge. Even though life, as we know it now, is repetitive and almost non-moving, new things happen - good or bad.
Everyone who knows me well knows that ritual is my main focus in the Lodge. The Aladadyan’s, for whom I care very dearly, have their eyes focused towards community service, and I respect them for that. Nonetheless, my dedication within our Fraternity is the ritual we carry out and the lessons they impart. This isn’t to say I’m careless towards the community; it’s just the opposite. The lessons we impart through ritual are for our community members to improve themselves, and thereby improve the community.
I love ritual. I respect the precision, the carefulness, the reverence. When and if I am blessed with a seat in the East, ritual work will be my focus. The lessons we offer are Biblical, spiritual, and deeply personal. The philosophies we ponder are both eternal and new at the same time. New, as having truly taken prominence during the Enlightenment, and eternal, as having been given to us by our Higher Power. What could possibly be more important than giving our attention to teachings from a Lodge dedicated to God and the Holy Saints? This is why I love ritual, and why ritual has my dedication.
Fraternally from the West,
Peter G. Vogelsang
Senior Warden
Dear Brethren and Home Lodge Ladies,
I hope this article finds you and your love ones are in great health and safe B’H.
The light grows closer, as more and more are vaccinated against Covid-19. If you need assistance with registering online or need a ride to the vaccination location, please don’t be shy about reaching out to a Brother for help.
We now find ourselves in February. Puxsatawney Phil has seen his shadow; President’s Day and Valentine’s Day are coming up; and it is Black History Month. 2020 brought racism to the forefront of everyone’s consciousness, and in 2021 we need to keep the momentum going to end racism once and for all. Prince Hall Masonic Lodges are historically African-American, and hold a significant place in Masonic history. This is a great time to spark a conversation about Prince Hall Lodges, research and learn about these Lodges, their namesake, and what we as Masons can do to be allies to the Black community.
http://freedomsway.org/prince-hall-black-freemason-civil-rights-activist/
“To enlarge the sphere of social happiness is worthy of the benevolent design of a Masonic institution; and it is most fervently to be wished, that the conduct of every member of the fraternity, as well as those publications, that discover the principles which actuate them, may tend to convince mankind that the grand object of Masonry is to promote the happiness of the human race.
[Letter to the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, January 1793]”
― George Washington, Writings
May G_d bless you all and your families.
Fraternally from the South,
Orlando Salas
Junior Warden
FROM THE EAST
WORSHIPFUL ANDRE ALADADYAN
FROM THE WEST
PETER VOGELSANG, SENIOR WARDEN
FROM THE SOUTH
ORLANDO SALAS, JUNIOR WARDEN
HOME LODGE №721