Royal Arch Education

I have had the wonderful opportunity this Summer to sit and study the Degrees in the Royal Arch.
During this time of study I thought of a way to share it in a easy format and can be fun to learn.

Its a five part learning that takes the form of a Trivia Test...I don't like the word Trivia but I think you'd better understand the concept. There are five parts Introduction-covers general Royal Arch Trivia to get you started, Mark Master, Past Master Virtual, Most Excellent, Royal Arch.

I meant it to be used in your Chapter Meeting as a form of Educational instruction. It should take about 15 to 25 minutes depending how spirited the conversation gets. You can break up into teams, appoint  a Quizmaster and keep score. Or you can have someone give the question and everyone shout out the answer. Id encourage having your Ritual handy and look up the ones you don't know.

Its a very good way for the new Companion to learn in a friendly environment, and for the older Sages a good way to stay sharp.

I plan on placing the Quiz on my blog at the start of the month. The answers will appear at the end of the Month. This way if you are wanting to do this at home or your office you can do your own research and wait to see how you did.

Now...I have not reveled anything that we consider the secrets. I used publish materials, and I checked my Minnesota Ritual which is in compliance to the Grand Chapter. Believe me as a lover of the Craft I believe and live my Obligation.

The quiz has a different number of questions on each quiz. Anywhere from five to nine. Some you may find easy others you may have to look up. This is not a PH.D or the Companion Adept or even the Master Craftsman, its a simple  way for you to  learn more about the Royal Arch without buying an expensive book and spending hours of your time.

I hope you enjoy it and Good Luck...Oh by the way tell me how you did!

The Cross and Crown

     

        

                                                                         

A couple of weeks ago I was in Cincinnati Ohio for the American Legion National Convention. It was during the Parade of States that I walked past the Cincinnati Masonic Temple. So two days later when I had a little free time I went back to the Temple and met my old friend Past Grand Master Mike Himes of the Grand Lodge of Ohio.

Mike gave me a tour of their 8 floors, 350,000 square foot Masonic Building. It is a beautiful building that has beautiful Blue Lodge Rooms, Royal Arch Chapter Rooms, Commandery Rooms, Easter Star Rooms, and the Scottish Rite Theater that holds 850 people. 

The image above in inlayed in the floor as all the Masonic bodies emblems as you get off the elevator on each of the floors.

This is the Cross and the Crown which is the Commandery Symbol. It is commonly interpreted as a reminder that death is not final but we will continue on victorious after death.

The words Hoc Signo Vinces were used by Constantine meaning By this sign thou shall conquer.

 

Past Grand Master 2004  Michael Himes

Masonic Knowledge and Some Advice

Last evening I had the wonderful opportunity to go to my Minneapolis Valley of the Scottish Rite. It was the big Summer event. After meeting a large group of perspective members, and a great dinner of bar-b-q. I was presented my certificate for the completion of the Master Craftsman-History and Ritual.

It took me maybe 10 or 11 months to complete it. I took last Summer off so that's partly why it may have taken me so long. This course covered all of the Scottish Rite degrees and historical perspective.
The Questions were clear and easy to understand, and the people correcting them did a very good job in trying to mail it back as soon as possible.
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 Now here in Minneapolis we do all the degrees TWICE a year in the full form. Oh its a beautiful pageant with all the Actors in full costume and make up. There are stage back drops, with a sound committee, and lighting so its a full theatrical performance.  It truly is a treasure! I often brag about it, and when I met Sovereign Grand Commander Ronald Serle I  reminded him of the great work we do.
And in Minneapolis we have dinner before the degrees so you have time to talk and make new Brothers.

Did I learn anything during the course? No not really.I described it to my Masonic Scholar friends as a wonderful tour thru Albert Pikes immigration.Yes I would be more than happy to buy you a Cup or a Pint and explain my reasons.

I have just sent off  for the next Master Craftsman Esoterika. I truly enjoy learning and will give me another chance to look at the Blue lodge thru another tint of glass. Now Im using the next course only to warm me up for the York Rite Companion Adept program. Im working up to my Masters in Masonic Knowledge. Oh and  Ill sign up for French lessons and my Winter will be complete.Well a little Cross Country sking will be in the mix as well.

So if you are looking to expand your Masonic knowledge. I highly recommend you continue on and join the Royal Arch and finish your education. For the York Rite is Ancient Craft Freemasonry in the purest sense.For in the Royal Arch you will learn the rest of what was intended for you to be a full Mason. The Royal Arch completes the circle.

Think about it.... in the Blue lodge you learned a substitute word..The Royal Arch will give you the true word.So if your interested in learning the true Anchient Craft Freemasonry consider joining the Royal Arch.The Royal Arch is the authority. Everything else may teach you like things or similar or resemblances of  the Craft Freemasonry, but why accept imitations.
You may want to join my Royal Arch Chapter. We don't just have a meal before the meeting..We eat like Men! and everyone one of my fellow Companions and I enjoy very lively fun conversations and true Brotherhood.

If you want to go to a school of philosophy, and learn in the Albert Pike fashion I highly suggest you join the Scottish Rite. I highly recommend you don't fool around but join the Minneapolis Valley for its not just done right but its magnificat.A little dinner two plays the evening is complete.

Master Mason Murdered-Dallas Texas

Master Mason Brent Thompson a Dallas Police Officer was murdered yesterday in Downtown Dallas, Texas. He was on duty protecting the lives, and Constitutional Rights, of Black Lives protesters during a lawful march demonstrating their grievances.His life was taken by a Sniper who was filled with hate who is now no longer with us...

Brother Brent was a seven year Veteran of the Dallas Rapid Area Rapid Transit Police, He left a wife and family. He was a member of Corsicana Lodge #174 in Corsicana, Texas

Brother Brent's death is a senseless tragedy. He is a hero for defending other citizens constitutional rights. He paid the supreme sacrifice to support, and defend clause of his oath.

As a retired Cop of 33 years it always seems to me that the Cops who are killed are young, and have kids...Its hard to refrain from expressing my opinion, but I will say this, if the Dallas Police Department needs funds to replace R2D2 give me a call. I'll deliver the check personally.

Brother Helping Brother

Two weeks ago I was installed as the Commander of Richfield American Post #435. We have 1400 members. I was informed that there were no preparations made for the annual 4th of July parade. So with help we scrambled and prepared food,found bands and tents for the fireworks.
But who do you call when you need help..a Brother especially Wayne Fanjoy from Minnehaha Lodge who owns a 1952 mint Willis( other wise known to many as a Jeep) Wayne made the time in order for our July 4th presence be a great success. He had to scramble to get to another parade 9 miles away. If you dont know it...A willis Top speed down hill is 50mph. Driving at 30 is a speed experience...and a joy!

Brother helping Brother and Thanks again Wayne

New Video From The Grand Lodge of Massachusetts

The Grand Lodge of Massachusetts always does an excellent,inspirational job on everything they do.

Photos from Minnesota 2016 Royal Arch Grand Session-Day One

Here is our new Grand High Priest Clifford Isley and the new Grand Chaplain Tom Hendrickson (me)

Clifford is going to have a great year and will guide us to some new exciting areas. Im just honored to have been asked to join in and help.

This is our out going High Priest Greg Schultz. Greg had a good year, and had many various programs that he worked on that helped us get better organized, and set in the right direction.

The gavel he is holding was made by Hugh Swift our Brother with just about every title and talent as well.

This top hat is called "The Dusty Old Beaver" It came from The Star in the East #33 Lodge. Its well over 100 plus years. Its sat on all its Masters, a few Grand Masters, and a few Grand High Priests heads from Owatonna Minnesota

This was the box lunch served. It was a new attempt this year...it wasnt as good as the bag lunch served at the Grand Lodge of Ohio, but it was ok