Masonry Universal...

44
=======================
the Masonic eZine

Welcome once again to Masonry Universal...

In a break from tradition, this edition is a Christmas special.

This is something I have avoided in the past, as Christmas is

primarily a Christian festival and I am aware that the
readership of MU is of many different religions. But, the
central message of peace on Earth and good will to all is
something I am sure we can all agree on. (Besides, as an
editor, three strong pieces on a single theme are totally
irrestible!)

If you have a Masonic story which is appropriate to a

religious festival (of any religion) please do send it in,
and I will try to publish it in the issue preceding the
festival.

(Items received not on the Christmas theme have been carried

over to the next regular issue. I still need a few more
before the next issue can be published.)

Yours in the Gentle Craft,

Gordon ---> www.charlton.demon.co.uk/masonic/ <---

----------------------------------------------------------

This was passed to me by Bro Warren Cone <warder@cyberspc.mb.ca>

with the permission of Lynn Latozke <latozke@mail.solutions.net>.
It is a reprint of a review of a very special Masonic event in
Winnipeg, Canada.

Since it was first published WB Frank Perillo passed to the Grand

Lodge above.

The 1996 Core Area Christmas Party

----------------------------------

Red River Lodge #172, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons,

Winnipeg, MB.

1996 Party is the best organized yet!

Volunteers make it work.

December 21, 1996,

The Freight Shed
Winnipeg,
by Lynn Latozke
I think that we can give ourselves a well deserved pat on the
back for the ease with which this event went off this year.
There was no doubt in my mind that we got most of the minor
kinks ironed out in this, the third year of the "Core Area
Party."

The support from all First District Lodges was fantastic, both
in the monetary aspect, as well as the volunteer component. We
had over 75 volunteers in attendance. Our many thanks to all
volunteers, wives, girlfriends, and children, who came out to
lend a hand. The party affords the opportunity for the Masonic
charity spirit to shine brightly, and shine it did! More
importantly, it puts faces to the needy, and gives us a first
hand look at poverty in Winnipeg.

Mary Wilson also did a terrific job of getting the extra helping
hands, coordinating the children, and arranging the use of the
Freight shed for us again. She also managed to arrange for about
500 presents to give to the children.

Masons, Shriners, The Eastern Star, and The Rotary Club were all
represented, as was the Grand Lodge of Manitoba. I have not been
able to find out just how the Rotary Club shows up every year,
but we thank them for their continued support of this event.

The Hill comes thru again

-------------------------

Frank Perrella and his staff from Food Service at Stony Mountain
Institution did a fantastic job of meal preparation, and we
thank the volunteers and their families for the time involved.
We know that most arrived at the institution at about 3 a.m. to
begin cooking the meal. The meal of chicken patties, mashed
potatoes, veggies, and gravy was very much appreciated by the
many hungry little ones that arrived for the Party. We would
also like to extend thanks to the Warden Dave Mills for allowing
the food to be prepared at the Institution.

The Inmates Welfare Committee donated all of the candies that

filled the kiddies bags, and we thank them for their kindness.

Party Highlight?
----------------

This is a tough one, and you can decide. That tough old Mountie,
District Deputy Doug Byers was spotted sitting down and feeding
a lone youngster, who could not quite manage the knife and fork
himself. Photo opportunities like this just don't keep coming
along, and Brian Bailey was kicking himself for running out of
film!

Ron Kisils' wife Karen, of Gateway Lodge came across a youngster

of about 8 years, crying about cold ears. Seems the youngster
had walked alone, all the way from Pritchard Avenue to the
Freight Shed, without a toque! Ron latched onto the youngster,
and would not let him leave until he was able to round up a
proper toque from the Lost and Found box!
Weather cuts attendance
-----------------------

Unfortunately, Mother nature would not cooperate with us this

year, and Winnipeg was blessed with another blizzard which
started Friday night. The blizzard warning ended on Saturday
morning, but the temperature was a bitter -35 C, with the
windchill on top of that! We got another good dumping of snow,
making travel difficult. It was not a nice day to be outside.
Most of the people that attend this function must walk, so the
low attendance was not surprising, given the conditions.

Actual attendance was down somewhat. At the end of the day, we

fed about 500 children and adults, which is about 1/2 of the
total number from last year.

Some notable faces

------------------

Of course all the faces that attended were notable! Due to other
commitments, the Grand Master was not able to attend the Core
Area Party this year. Grand Junior Warden John Reid did a
masterful job of filling in. John always had a smile on his
face, and looked genuinely surprised and pleased at the turnout.

Grand Senior Warden Rae Haldane- Wilsone had to send regrets, as

other commitments kept him away this year.

District Deputy Doug Byers, and all the First District officers
attended. They did a wonderful job of promoting this event on
every visitation they made over the year. Thanks for all the
help guys!

Santa Bob comes thru again!

---------------------------

The Winnipeg Police Service can be justly proud of Sgt. Bob

Melnyk, who works in Community Relations. This is the second
year that Bob has come out and donated his precious time playing
Santa for all the little ones. We all know how busy each of us
is at Christmas time every year, and Bob somehow finds the time
to be Santa for different groups throughout the city on almost
every weekend throughout December. Thanks for all your help
again Bob! I know the kiddies enjoyed having you! Each child got
to sit on Santas' lap, and received a goodie bag, and a candy
cane.

Media Coverage
--------------

This year CKY-TV came out and did a wonderful job of covering
the party. Reporter Lisa Saunders put together a great story
outlining child poverty in Winnipeg, and how the Masons of the
First District were lending a helping hand by sponsoring the
party. Frank Perrella and I were interviewed, and many shots of
the kids, helpers, Santa, and the food were shown. In all, the
Masons of Manitoba got a wee bit of recognition. The telecast
was shown both at 6 and 11 p.m. We know that this broadcast was
seen in Dauphin, Saskatoon, and Edmonton, because of telephone
calls from relatives! Now how's that for coverage?

Another unexpected large boost was found in the Winnipeg Free

Press. I had taken the liberty of calling and inviting columnist
Gordon Sinclair to come out and see what the Masons and the Core
Party were all about. I guess he was not able to attend, and one
of the reporters accompanied by a staff photographer came out.
Things were winding down by the time they arrived, but I was
able to give them the history on the party, who was involved,
and why we were sponsoring this event. This story ran in Sundays
Free Press and provided a good insight into this charitable
venture by the First District Lodges. There were a few minor
inaccuracies, but for the most part, it was accurate. "Lynn
Latozke and his merry band of Masons" were also mentioned in
Sinclair's annual column of "names." We thank all media
personnel for their coverage of this event.

Healthy treats were a hit!

--------------------------

During the initial planning stages, Frank and I discussed many

possibilities regarding gifts. We were planning on about 1000
attendees, and in looking at the money situation, we knew that
we would not have enough in donations to purchase meaningful
gifts for the children. We decided to purchase foodstuffs, which
we could then put into "grab bags" for Santa to give out. With
that in mind, Frank was able to order Christmas Oranges, apples,
and cereal boxes. Candies came from the Inmates Committee. No
complaints came to my attention, and I think that the bags were
a nutritional alternative that the children appreciated.
Christmas oranges are a treat in any house.

Rossbrook House and Children's Hospital

---------------------------------------

The presents that were left over all went to Rossbrook House. A
portion of the goodie bags were also turned over to this group.
This is a drop in center at Ross and Sherbrook that provides
shelter and activities for area youth. This facility was started
by a nun in the early 70's and provides a much needed drop in
center for the area.

The remainder of the bags, and the candy canes went to the
Children's Hospital for distribution on the wards, and in the
emergency triage area. The staff were very grateful for this
donation.

Thanks Frank!
-------------

Make no mistake, this event was the vision of one man, some
three years ago. Frank Perrella is a kidney transplant patient,
and just loves kids. Frank knows the value of life. It was his
perseverance and resolve that got this party going, and has kept
it going. It was his desire to help the needy in our own
neighborhood that started this thing going. Despite illness in
his family which is requiring a lot of his free time, he has
carried on with this party for the "kids." Thanks Frank!

Sponsors and Support

--------------------

The First District Lodges, including

St. John's Lodge #4
The Assiniboine Lodge #114
St. James Lodge #121
Meridian Lodge #140
Sturgeon Creek Lodge #145
Gateway Lodge #171
Red River Lodge #172
Cornerstone Lodge #179

Officers of the First District:

DDGM Doug Byers
SW Ken Warren
JW Brian Bailey

The Rotary Club

The Order of the Eastern Star
The Masonic Enhancement Fund

Stony Mountain Institution

Warden Dave Mills
The Inmate Welfare Committee
Food Service Section of Stony
Mountain
Institution

Donations by the business community really made this event fly

this year. There was over $3100.00 in supplies, foodstuffs, and
candies donated to the Party . The following suppliers made it
happen :

CoreCan
Serca
Cuddy Foods
Scott National
Nestle Foods
The organizers and the "kids" thank
you for supporting this event.

The Freight Shed

The Organizers are:

Mary Wilson
Frank Perrella
Lynn Latozke

We thank each and every one of you for your help and support. My
apologies for any oversight in this list.

The Future?
-----------
 We hope to be in touch with all the First District Lodges in the
next couple of months for a strategy session. Like any event of
this magnatitude, there are a few problems, some logistic, and
some political. We would like to speak to all the participants
and outline some of the areas of concern, and ask for input from
you.

This is a wonderful event and with a bit more work, we could

probably make it better yet!

This newsletter was compiled and edited by Lynn Latozke of Red

River Lodge #172.
-------------------

This is also from Warren Cone, with permission...

A Masonic Christmas Story

-------------------------

As the co-editor of our Lodge Newsletter, I am pleased to offer

an original Christmas poem as it appeared in the December 94
issue of the BlueLight Bulletin. It was written by my close
friend and fellow editor, W.Bro. C.S. Laurie Lund, with
editorial assistance from myself.

Please feel free to copy and redistribute if you wish. I ask

only that you let me know if you do (just for my own interest).
Hope you like it! Ronald G. Dixon <dixonr@iosphere.net>

(With Apologies to Clement C. Moore)

'Twas nigh afore Christmas at the Freemason's Hall

(Civil Services' regular), the order was tall;
Reams from Grand Lodge, a notice of motion,
A ballot or two and a pause for devotion
To brethren departed of the year '94,
Plus a candidate who would soon walk the floor.

Our own Junior Warden, when faced with the crunch

Said, "Let's all call off and go upstairs for lunch."
The Master replied, as Masters all do,
Intoned in a voice reserved for the few,
"Before we partake of the fellowship there
Is the summons to read and a ballot to clear.
Not to mention the candidate, he's quaking with dread
At the stories of whether the goat has been fed."

The Master, exhorting the brethren to work,

A firm grip on the gavel, he turned with a jerk
To the Secretary, putting a shine to each lens,
Polished both to a lustre and reached for his pens.

"It's half past the hour," the Master then winced

At the stuff left to do and remained unconvinced
That the evening would go as smooth as he'd hoped
Since he'd gone to the trouble of feeding the goat.
 "Though the ballot's behind us, the notice is gone,
Grand Lodge is finished, the work still goes on."

The Inner Guard knew as the Tyler did too

That knock, knock and knock was the right thing to do.
Sidebenchers slept soundly and were only stirred
When the crack of the candidate's knuckles was heard
The slight groan that penetrated lips that were pursed
Appeared to the Deacon as just a light curse.

Onward they travel, the guide and the man

Seeking truth and enlightenment wherever they can
The secrets were given, the grip and the token,
Obligation was offered, the words then were spoken.
Though never, not once, was one heard to gloat
As the Entered Apprentice never did meet the goat.

The evening now ended, the candidate clear

Junior Warden entreats from the South us to hear
The oath we look forward to right from the start,
"Happy to meet and sorry to part."

Christmas had come to Civil Service that night

As men came together under the light
Giving freely of time as a labour of love
As we bent to the task of the Most High above.

To Stewards, to Deacons, the Tyler, the 'Guard

The Wardens, the Master, who all work so hard,
To Past Masters steady, Sidebenchers too
To Treasurer, Chaplain, the D. of C. who
Help carry the Lodge, year in and year out
To your family extended, a warm Christmas time.
Thank the G.A.O.T.U. we've run out of rhyme!

Wor. Bro. C.S.L. (Laurie) Lund

V.W. Bro. R.G. (Ron) Dixon
---------------------------

Is Father Christmas a Freemason?

--------------------------------

By David Beagley <d.beagley@bendigo.latrobe.edu.au>

Grand Lecturer's Panel, UGL Victoria, Australia

I have a very serious question to put to you all. I would like

to raise it with you and then do some detective work, examining
the evidence that might lead us to answering it. It is a most
important question that I am sure you have often asked yourself,
and relates our Craft to the wider society in which we live and
concerns several major issues of this season.

This very serious question is "Is Father Christmas a Freemason?"

Let us consider the facts of this case: Of whom does this remind
you? A worthy gentleman, who is (we must admit) getting on a bit
in years and is perhaps a little overweight, who wears a very
distinctive costume as the badge of his activities, who provides
the opportunity for friends and visitors to meet in fellowship,
who is surrounded by secrecy and mystery, dispenses goodwill and
the charity of gifts all over the world (avoiding ostentatious
public display while doing so) and is there doing it year after
year!

Well, fellow detectives, you must admit that this description

could fit either Santa or a freemason. But this is merely
circumstantial evidence. We need some proof!

Let us start with his movements on the evening in question. All

the reports have him coming from the North Pole. As the sun
rises in the east to open and enliven the day, and with him
needing to finish the world before dawn, then he would have to
begin in the East and move towards the West. Therefore Father
Christmas must begin his journey at the north-east corner of the
world. This, of course, is exactly what we do with an entered
apprentice. Similarly, you would assume he would finish heading
for home, which would place him in the north-west corner at the
end of his work, to give his salute to the world and leave.

Convincing proof, you must agree!

But, think too, he undertakes this great journey to provide the

gifts but once a year, and I am sure that any Brother Treasurer
will agree that this is exactly the frequency with which most
brethren provide the gift of their dues to the lodge!

And the secrecy, the mystery? Those of you who are parents,
remember. What was the worst crime that an older child could
commit at this time of the year? To tell the younger ones the
secret of Santa, to break the faith that they should have kept.
And I am sure your punishment of them pointed out that they were
void of all moral worth and totally unfit to be received into
the dinner table but be sent to their room for destroying
something that was so good, so worthwhile and so innocent.

Surely all this evidence shows us beyond doubt that Father

Christmas is a Freemason! He practices Brotherly Love and
Relief; we are happy to meet him and the Christmas season, and
sorry to part. All the details, his wearing of a uniform, the
rituals that happen year in year out, the fact he is a male ...

On a more serious note, brethren, the way the whole Christmas

season has developed and is practised does have many things in
common with Freemasonry, and we can learn much about each from
the other.

For instance, where did the figure we call Father Christmas come
from originally? What is his background? Father Christmas, or
Santa Claus, or St Nicholas has elements of pre-Christian myths
and legends, which developed through the Middle Ages by being
built into the great Christian story of God's wonderful gift to
the world. By the eighteenth and nineteenth century these
details were formalized into the character that we still have
today: his stylized uniform, his way of working, his ritual
activities and sayings.

This all sounds very Masonic. The pre-Christian legends of

Solomon's Temple, the pyramids, Pythagoras, and so on were
developed through the Middle Ages by the great Christian
cathedral builders, then formalized in the eighteenth and
nineteenth centuries into the uniform, the work, the rituals
that we use today.

St Nicholas was actually a 4th century Turkish bishop who had

originally been a rich nobleman. One of the stories about him
was that he had helped a poor man who could not afford to pay
for weddings for his 3 daughters. St Nicholas climbed onto the
roof and threw a handful of gold coins down the chimney and
these coins fell into the girls' stockings that had been hung up
by the fire to dry. The girls were then able to marry well and
lived happily ever after. He has been considered the patron
saint of poor children ever since.

The legend became very popular in Europe, especially the

Netherlands where it was mixed with elements from the pagan Yule
or mid-winter festivals. St Nick became Sinterklaas, who would
arrive on December 6th (St Nicholas' Day) mounted on a white
horse and visit children to enquire about their behaviour the
previous year. Good children would be rewarded, and bad ones
punished. The night before, children would leave a pair of the
shoes or clogs out, filled with hay and carrots for the horse.
In the morning these would be found, filled with sweets or small
presents.

These traditions were taken to America by Dutch settlers, but it

was the famous poem by Professor Clement Clark Moore which
begins " 'Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the
house ...." which settled most of the details into the Santa
figure we know today. Many of these details (such as the
reindeer, and their names, the flying sledge, coming down the
chimney) were first brought together in this poem, but Professor
Moore took them from old traditions from as far afield as
Finland and Siberia and they have stuck and become a single
story.

You can see how similar this is to the creation of our ritual
and ceremonies. While these also certainly include many elements
that are ancient folklore, they were put together quite
deliberately by identifiable people, with a specific aim: to
create an impression in the minds of the brethren taking part.
Like the Santa legend, the details may be fictional, they may
come from many different sources, and they may even be
inconsistent with each other. That does not matter. It is the
impression that all of them create as an entirety that is
important. Would you deny all the good that the Santa story
achieves, all the happiness it creates, just because it is a
story? Of course not.

And this is the real linking of Father Christmas and

Freemasonry. Why do we have Christmas and why do we have Father
Christmas? We celebrate religious beliefs about the birth of
 goodness, and hope for the future; we reaffirm the belief that
people are basically good and can develop into loving, caring,
helpful, supporting friends to each other. We look to a new year
where things can be better.

We do this at this season whether we are celebrating the

Christian Nativity, or the Jewish Hannukah with its lights and
gifts and story of peace, or the Hindu Diwali with its festival
of lights and gifts of sweets and toys, or even if we hold no
formal religion except the pleasure of seeing a child's face
transfixed with wonder and delight.

And why are we freemasons? Because we believe that there are

important things like goodness and hope for the future, and that
men can develop into loving, caring, helpful, supporting
brethren to their families and each other. We not only look to a
future where things can be better, but we see it as our role, as
Free and Accepted, or Symbolic, Masons, to help to build that
future.

So, I feel I can safely say that Father Christmas is a

freemason. Not only does he show so many the signs and tokens of
being one, but he brings us a message that we, as freemasons,
can heed for the whole year.
------------------------------

Masonry Universal... is edited by Bro Gordon Charlton

<gordon@charlton.demon.co.uk> who retains copyright on all
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the accuracy of the articles herein.

Thank you for reading right to the last line.

I hope you enjoyed it. :-)
==========================