York Rite Educational Program

York Rite Mentor and Advanced Studies Program

Thomas Hendrickson-Chair

R. James Luchsinger

Ryan Regnier

Every so often the right people, with the right attitude, with the right vision, with the right knowledge, with the right passion, with the right motivation and right energy come together in a seamless fashion that produce the right results.

Our first meeting was in St. Cloud one evening during the Grand York Rite Session 2017. That one hour conversation took place in a hotel corridor. In the span of that one hour we created a shared vision, and determined we had the right stuff to create a educational program for the entire Minnesota York Rite. Something that has never been done before.

We were fully conscious that this was going to be a daunting and monstrous task that could take an entire year to produce. We understood that it would take hours of burning the midnight oil to keep the pace needed. We were sensitive enough to understand that we would need to remain motivated and encourage each other to stay on task.

That is how the York Rite Mentor and Advanced Studies Program was conceived, and its now ready to use. The program was designed to help you obtain a greater understanding and a deeper appreciation  of all the Degrees, and Orders in the York Rite.

Freemasonry is to Make Good Men Better. If we are to become better we have to study and understand its teaching and apply those lessons to our lives. In the Blue Lodge we are required to “prove up” before the Master as well as demonstrate our knowledge, and dedication to the Craft. But, we as Royal Arch Masons have a higher responsibility to “ disperse”  light and truth to the uninformed Mason. We are also tasked to study and acquire knowledge so we can perform that task.

The York Rite Mentor and Advanced Studies Program is not a test of your memory skills. It is, however,  a test of your willingness to seek out knowledge and improve yourself in Masonry.

It is our overall intent to provide a self-paced program that will walk you through all the various aspects of each of the Degrees and Orders. You will encounter some questions that will require you to think, ponder and do some soul searching because of their esoteric nature. But when you can complete all the questions in that particular degree you will have a very firm grasp of the knowledge of that degree.

The program is in the form of question and answer using multiple choice, fill in the blank, and true-false.

You will need your ritual and manual for the tests. The information booklets like the Quest books will be on line for you to use to assist you. Feel free to use materials in your Masonic Library, on line or your Mentor.

If your Chapter, Council or Commandery is looking for a great Education program we highly recommend you print out the questions and use them in a group discussion. It will be an evening where everyone will learn something. Caution…some of the questions may require you to think, and you may have to find your ritual or use the one on-line.

Some of the R.A.M. Chapter Secretaries are printing them out, and giving them to the new candidates as they progress thru the degrees as a learning tool.

I am please to report to you that this is cutting edge stuff. We have been informed by General Grand Chapter that this is the first on line program like this. We have had four or five calls from other Grand Chapters wanting to see what we have done. There is a buzz about our program.

Our work for this year is done. If you wish to accept the challenge to improve yourself in Masonry now your work lays before you. All you have to do is go to www.mnyorkrite.org go to Chapter, Council, or Commandery find the Resource page, log on and work through the pages.

If we at the York Rite Education Committee can help you in your further search for More Light in Freemasonry always feel free to call upon us.

Respectfully Submitted

Thomas E. Hendrickson-PGM and Grand Chapter Education Officer

PS If you think this is good, We have bigger plans for next year!

Royal Arch School of Instruction

This is the first time in a couple of decades that Schools of Instructions have been held. Except the way its being done is not what you may experience in your Blue Lodges. Instead of practicing the degree to perfection. We are going thru the degrees and explaining and going over the esoteric meanings as well. This approach brings forth the light.

165th Annual Grand Lodge of Minnesota Annual Communication

If you missed the 165th Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of Minnesota,you really missed out. Minnesota Masonic Charities were giving away free snow scrappers. The timing was perfect since we were in the midst of a Blizzard, with snow accumulation of 13.6 inches making diffcult driving conditions for all those traveling. 

This was our first year at the Minnesota Masonic Heritage Center in Bloomington Minnesota. It was a very nice location for us. 

I had the great honor and privilege of conducting the Installation of Officers for 2018-2019. The Most Worshipful Grand Master Edward R. Halpaus was my appointee during my term of office.

The ceremony was shortened due to the blizzard, but it was a wonderful event. 

Those free snow scrappers got alot of use out in the parking lot afterwards. 

Masonic Symposium St. Cloud Minnestoa

       Rex,Sean and Art are coming to Minnesota April 28th, and this is an opportunity you don't want to miss.

  Personally I know the works of Arturo de Hoyos, and Rex Hutchens. For I have spent most evenings for the past two years studying their works. I have also had the greatest of pleasures to have met both of them. Art is the recipient of the  Duane E. Anderson Excellence in Masonic Education Award from the Grand Lodge of Minnesota in 2011. I had the honor to presented the same award to Rex in 2012.

It should be a day of first class masonic education, and great discussions, and of course Brotherhood.

But leave it to Helios Lodge #273 to be able to put this all together. They are not just a little lodge that has one of the biggest Masonic Libraries in the state. The Brothers live after their Lodges name...Helios which means Light.

So save the date, and I encourage to attend. Please call Worshipful Master of Helios Lodge       Andrew Barrett 612-709-7603 to reserve your place. Just click on the image to expand the view to see the days activities.
           
 Oh did I mention that they are providing lunch?  I hope to see you in St. Cloud.

It will be great to hear if Rex bought a new Bike, and  how Arts shooting is coming along.

Masons at Sea

Just a few days ago I was sitting in the solarium on the Royal Caribbean Oasis of the Seas. I was drinking coffee and writing an outline for a Royal Arch education program. As I was twirling my pen searching for a better word to use I gazed around the ship. My eyes came upon a gentleman near me reading. Being a lover of books, and a hellacious reader I was wondering what book he was reading.
As I took a closer look I realized it was " Capitular Development Course by Piers Vaughan.
 I walked over to him and said " Brother is that Piers Vaughan book? I then introduced myself, and we shook hands. Meet Richard Petty the Right Excellent Grand King of the Royal Arch Masons ot Tennessee.Him and his wife were on vacation, and Richard was getting caught up on his reading.
If tradition prevails Richard will be elected as Grand High Priest in less than a month.
During the cruise we had a several conversations and of course they were all about our favorite subject...The Craft.
Also on the cruise I met a group of Brothers from Franklin Tennessee. They had brought their newest Entered Apprentice and one of their goals was to help him learn his ritual. I thought that was a great idea. 

HAPPY TO MEET, SORRY TO PART, AND HAPPY TO MEET AGAIN

A Little Vacation reading

I always travel with a Ritual when I go on vacation. Yesterday I just returned from a week long cruise from the lower Caribbean. There is nothing more relaxing than sitting on the beach or on a ship contemplating the esoteric meanings of our Rituals. Its those trips that seem to charge my batteries, and inspire me to write a paper or an education piece.
It was my intent to write an article for Commandery and to study it further.My Royal Arch manual has been to two different continents, and eight different countries with me.
I was very surprised when I pulled out both my copies of the Royal Arch Manual that morning. I have all my Rituals on one shelf. I meant to grab my Commandery Manual and my Royal Arch.
 But I did manage to write a very nice education piece, and I also started an outline for a book.
So traveling does have its many benefits.

Top Ten Reasons to Attend the Minnesota Grand York Rite Session

Top Ten Reasons to attend the Grand York Rite Session

1.       To Fulfill your obligation

It’s the duty of the Dais Officers and the Secretery/Recorder of every constituent Chapter, Council, and Commandery to attend their respective Annual Grand Session in person or by their duly authorized representative, to take their part in deliberations. If you are unable to do so the proper proxy form must be filled out and presented.

2.       Opportunity to learn something new

Attend one of the Break-Out Sessions that have been planned. Royal Arch Grand Secretery Gary Odegard will be explaining any new developments, Web Hosting and will answer any questions no matter how complex or simple. Grand Chapter Education Officer Tom Hendrickson will be conducting an inter-active educational session with a surprising entertaining twist. Be present at the introduction of the exciting and new York Rite Mentor and Advanced Studies Program. .Learn more about the Holy Land Pilgrimage. Tom Hendrickson has recently returned and will be sharing his experiences.

3.       Connect and Re-connect

The Session is a gathering of York Rite Masons from across the state and beyond. It’s a great place to re-connect with old friends and make new friends who share the interest in the Ancient Craft.

4.       Exchange Ideas and develop New Ideas

Are you wondering how successful Chapters, Councils and Commanderies are getting things done? You have an opportunity to meet the state and local leaders to get personal advice to help make your Chapter Council and Commandry better. Its also the perfect place to share with others what successes you have experienced.

5.      Join a new Order

If you are a Past High Priest or the current High Priest of your Royal Arch Chapter. You are eligible to join the Order of the High Priesthood. If you’re a Past Commander of the Commandery you are eligible to join the Past Commanders Association. 

6.      Want to Honor Masonic Youth?

Then you will want to be present at the dinner on Thursday For the Youth Awards Presentation.

7.      Looking to Escape?

This year the session is held at the St. Cloud Courtyard Marriott. A hotel with nice rooms, good food that’s not that far away. It’s a great place to bring the love of your life, or a good place to sit with your brothers and smoke a cigar. Either way it’s a nice place to get away from the stresses of life.         

8.      Ring in the York Rite New Year

The Grand York Rite Session reflects a new beginning at a at a state-wide level. Come meet and greet the new leaders and hear what plans they have in store. Get inspired and          harness the enthusiasm that can last all year.

9.      Want some fun and raise money for charity?

For those with a sense of humor The Order of the Lotus is a fun way to spend part of the evening and the money raised will go towards the three York Rite Charites. Wives are cordially welcome to attend.

10.  The Business

Even on a state-wide level we need to discuss budgets, and pay the bills. This is your opportunity to see firsthand how your per capita is being spent. Each of the bodies have done a very good job in stream lining this portion of meetings. But it’s a job that must be done.

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