Hello Brothers. I can barely believe it's December already and the Masonic year is nearly over. What a wonderful year it has been. We have shared many amazing events together this year: A fabulous sweethearts celebration at the Lexington restaurant, our first ever meeting at the James J. Hill house, our first ever combined table lodge for charity, the Canadian visitation, bunco nights and ladies nights and day at the races. And now at the end of the year, we are chartering the first new DeMolay chapter in St. Paul in many years, (see the article in this newsletter). This group of brothers and their ladies has certainly learned to work together and play together and serve together. I am very proud of our lodge. I am very grateful to everyone who has labored and helped to make this year such a success. And I want to say a big THANK YOU to all of you for your service to the lodge.
I have been thinking a lot about thank yous lately, and how does a person pay people back for all the help and encouragement they give you. I was reminded of something my Mother told me many years ago. She said that when life gives you gifts and blessings, life doesn't expect you to pay them back, how can anyone do that? She said that when life gives you gifts and blessings, it expects you to pass them on. I guess that comes under the heading of good and wholesome instruction. Thanks, Mom.
Please remember our third degree is on Saturday morning Dec 1st. Rolls and coffee from 8:15 to 8:45, the degree will start at 9am. This year we are holding a combined 3rd degree with the Metro East Masters and Warden's Assn., so there will be brothers from several other lodges taking part. We will not be breaking for lunch this time so the second half will start around 11am and we should be finished by mid afternoon. Please come and sit in on the degree if you can. The more Masons we can gather together, the greater the light that will shine on us all.
Our last Stated meeting of the year will be held on Thursday December 13th, the night we will be voting in our new officer line. Remember that in a democracy, decisions are made by those who show up. If you want to have a voice in how your lodge is run, join us for dinner at 6pm and lodge will open at 7pm.
Two days after we vote, on Saturday morning December 15 starting at 8:30am, we will hold the annual Montgomery/Landmark Christmas party for families, children and a local women's and children's shelter. There will be a magic show, clowns, face painting, a young girl's dance troop, food and fun, and a surprise visit by Santa and his helpers to hand out toys and treats to every child who attends. We need Masons and Ladies to help out and children to come and enjoy the season. Please come and participate if you can.
I'll see you all in lodge.
Todd Henderson, Master
What a great night. Friday, November 9, 2007 St. Paul Chapter DeMolay held its first meeting. On this evening DeMolay from other chapters around the metro area performed the ceremony of initiation for seven young men desiring to join this fraternity. Five of these young men were from our own Lodge.
Taking the obligation of DeMolay that night were (pictured from left to right) Philippe Desroches Jr and Luc Desroches, sons of our Brother Phil Desroches Sr., James Tibbles, son of Brother Alexei Vassilev, and Sam Holt, Grandson of WB Isadore Kanevsky. Sam brought a friend who also took the obligation but must first get approval of his parents before he can become a member of our new Chapter.
The ceremony performed by the DeMolay was simply outstanding. I have yet to see floor work like I saw that night, performed by the Men of our lodge. We could have learned a few things from these young men. Their ritual work was also outstanding, not perfect but a very high caliber. What was noticed was that the parts did not consist of a few lines but were in some cases very extensive and it was all done from memory. These DeMolay presented the ritual with great attention to detail and sincerity. You could tell that they were not just speaking the words; they believed what they were saying.
After the ceremony ended and the chapter was closed we all adjourned to the dining room for refreshment. Cake and the traditional Mountain Dew were provided, with coffee for the old folks.
So what's next you may ask? Our very first business meeting will take place Friday, December 7, 2007. At that meeting we will try to come up with a name for our new chapter and plan for our very first activity. Additional members will always be a goal. We need nine to receive a charter as an active chapter and we will also begin the process of the ritual. We can't get new members if we can't initiate them into our chapter.
But for now, congratulations to all our young men for taking this important step in their lives. Look at the faces of these new DeMolay and see the faces of our new Master Masons in years to come.
Fraternally, DeMolay Chapter Advisors Committee Ancient Landmark Lodge No. 5
All the proud parents stood for pictures with their new Knights.
From Left to Right, Mr. Jim Holt, WB Isadore Kanevsky, Sam Holt, and his Mother Mrs.Bonita Holt
From Left to right, Philippe Desroches Jr., Brother Phil Desroches Sr., Luc Desroches
From Left to right, Brother Alexei Vassilev, James Tibbles, and Mom, Heather Tibbles
As we approach year end with all its holidays it reminds me of a quote, "Pleasure generally comes from things, and always through the senses, but happiness comes from humans through fellowship."
December is a month of cocktail meetings, the office parties, holiday parties, and the family gatherings. A party would not be a complete party without the incredible appetizers and good wine or coffee to bring us great pleasure. But it is the socializing with friends and family, the telling of stories, the exchange of information and the exchange of brotherly love, that brings great happiness.
Now add to this the gift of children absorbing holiday pleasures and social happiness. The purity of children living life moment by moment, making the most of each and every encounter. I wonder what the children see when they look at us, the politically correct adults?
December seems to be that one month during the year where we take some extra time out of our busy schedules to exchange extra pleasure and happiness with family and friends.
Have a great month.
Alan Peterson,
Senior Warden
Is it December already? Good, because I have to admit that I really like the winter. I like the snow, especially at night when the lights from the lamp posts take on that nostalgic amber glow, the streets are deserted and undisturbed, and everything seems as surreal as it does pristine. Then, there is this: there is a peace on a snowy night that is just perfect for reading, writing, and meditating.
Of course, there is something else about winter that is rather interesting . . . it often hits us with everything it has in its well-stocked though gelid arsenal, while simultaneously promises us a spring filled with renewal and growth. Moreover, it actually fulfills that promise like clockwork every year.
I suppose it is the contrast between the seasons that makes each season something very special. Brothers, along with winter come those special holidays that we all look forward to: Hanukah, Christmas, and of course, New Years. It has been both a pleasure and honor to have served as your Junior Warden this past year and I would like to wish all of you and yours the blessings of joy and peace in this holiday season and in the coming year.
Bro. James McKenna,
Jr. Warden
As you may recall, we will be putting on the Third Degree on Saturday, December 1, 2007. This year, we will involve the Masters and Wardens organization and will raise candidates from other lodges as well as our own. In fact, we expect to raise a total of nine candidates.
All of us remember going three the three degrees, and many of us remember the Third Degree as being the most meaningful. What made it memorable to me was the participation of so many people in making me a Master Mason. We need the assistance of as many of you as possible to make this Degree memorable for these nine candidates. You can help in one of two ways—first, by actually participating in the ritual itself by playing one of the characters, and second, by being there on December 1st and witnessing the raising of our newest Master Masons.
As you may recall, we need a number of people to help in the second part of the degree ceremony. The rehearsal for the Third Degree will be held on Thursday, November 29th at 6 p.m. If you are unable to help in this manner, please support your Lodge and our candidates by being there on December 1st. They will appreciate your presence as much as you appreciated the presence of others at your Third Degree Ceremony.
Allan Floyd,
Senior Deacon
We live in an age of unparalled hubris. Our myth is that a man of sufficient cunning or strength can make it happen, and that we are beholden to no one for the many advantages of birth, station and geography that make life as we know it possible. Fortunately we are also entering a season which reminds us that there are forces and events beyond our control. Just maybe, we aren't the be and end all of the eternal plan. Perhaps we need to pay attention to the designs on the tracing board of the Master of all Architects. Perhaps then we can recapture a sense of awe and gratitude for the magnificent manifestation of nature's cycling and the truly awesome opportunity it offers for new beginning. Be grateful for the unmerited happenstance that makes our lives possible and the opportunities we have to enhance the lives of our communities, our families and ourselves.
As we prepare to enter again into the time when the light will overcome darkness, we are called to celebrate with gratitude an equivalent enlightening of our outlook, senses, and opportunities. This is a time to make ready for the coming spring when life with all its possibilities reasserts itself in an ever heightening crescendo of blossoms, greening plants, and new birth. It is fitting that we should be beginning the initiation of a new class of brothers at this time, and it is more fitting that each of us be present to reinitiate our own commitments to our obligations and our craft.
With the celebration of light we are inevitably drawn to that moment when the Master in solemn commemoration of that sublime did here by Masonically declare: "Let there be light." Then we first beheld the Three Great Lights of Masonry. Our celebration of this newest Vernal Equinox being well founded in our traditions could find no better place to begin. The Volume of Sacred Law as the rule and guide of Faith is the appropriate chart for our quest of new discovery. The Square reminds us to deal squarely in all our actions with mankind and more especially with a Brother Mason. The Compass teaches us to circumscribe our desires and keep them within due bounds. As symbolized by the gradual disclosure of this most useful instrument its lessons are both the most arduous and fruitful. No man who has mastery of the compass will materially fail in his duty to God, Brother, or Himself.
Come rejoice with your brothers at Ancient Landmark #5. Behold the Light that enlightens each man coming into the world. The Light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it.
John Glenn addresses 3,285 Scottish Rite Masons and their ladies at the Gala Banquet
John Glenn, Jr. (Colonel, USMC, Ret.), NASA Astronaut (former), spoke to the Scottish Rite Masons at the gala banquet held after the conferral of the Northern Masonic and Southern Jurisdictions 33rd degrees. John Herschel Glenn Jr. (born July 18, 1921, in Cambridge, Ohio) is an American astronaut, Marine Corps fighter pilot, ordained Presbyterian elder, corporate executive, and politician. He was the third American to fly in space and the first American to orbit the Earth, aboard Friendship 7 in 1962. After retiring from NASA, he served as a United States Senator (D-Ohio) from 1974 to 1999. He received the Congressional Space Medal of Honor in 1978. He became the oldest person to fly in space when, at the age of 77 in 1998, he flew aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery (STS-95). Glenn is a member of Concord Lodge 688 in New Concord, Ohio. He is also a 33rd degree Scottish Rite Mason in the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction.
Married to the former Anna Margaret Castor of New Concord, Ohio. They have two grown children and two grandchildren. Glenn attended primary and secondary schools in New Concord, Ohio. He attended Muskingum College in New Concord and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering. Muskingum College also awarded him an honorary Doctor of Science degree in engineering. He has received honorary doctoral degrees from nine colleges or universities.
Glenn has been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross on six occasions, and holds the Air Medal with 18 Clusters for his service during World War II and Korea. Glenn also holds the Navy Unit Commendation for service in Korea, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, the American Campaign Medal, the World War II Victory Medal, the China Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the Korean Presidential Unit Citation, the Navy's Astronaut Wings, the Marine Corps' Astronaut Medal, the NASA Distinguished Service Medal, and the Congressional Space Medal of Honor.
He entered the Naval Aviation Cadet Program in March 1942 and was graduated from this program and commissioned in the Marine Corps in 1943. After advanced training, he joined Marine Fighter Squadron 155 and spent a year flying F-4U fighters in the Marshall Islands.
During his World War II service, he flew 59 combat missions. After the war, he was a member of Marine Fighter Squadron 218 on the North China patrol and served on Guam. From June 1948 to December 1950 Glenn was an instructor in advanced flight training at Corpus Christi, Texas. He then attended Amphibious Warfare Training at Quantico, Virginia. In Korea he flew 63 missions with Marine Fighter Squadron 311. As an exchange pilot with the Air Force Glenn flew 27 missions in the in F-86 Sabrejet. In the last nine days of fighting in Korea Glenn downed three MIG's in combat along the Yalu River.
After Korea, Glenn attended Test Pilot School at the Naval Air Test Center, Patuxent River, Maryland. After graduation, he was project officer on a number of aircraft. He was assigned to the Fighter Design Branch of the Navy Bureau of Aeronautics (now Bureau of Naval Weapons) in Washington from November 1956 to April 1959, during which time he also attended the University of Maryland.
Above: John Glenn meets several Masons before the dinner.
Published monthly except July and August by Ancient Landmark Lodge No. 5. Non subscription newsletter to members and friends.
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