Happy Hanukkah

For many of my Brothers, tonight is the first day of Hanukkah. To all of them, I wish you a very happy Hanukkah.
For all of us as we sit down with our families at our holiday tables, let us remember those brave men and women in our armed forces. They have been called to duty to foreign lands. They are separated from their families and loved ones.
Please remember them in your prayers, knowing that they are keeping our country strong and preserving our freedom.
May the year ahead of you be filled with good health, and may you be surrounded by love and peace.
Happy Hanukkah.

Poem A Real Mason

A Real Mason
By Bro. Frank F. Baer

My Brother, Masonry means more
Than just to wear a pin,
Or carrying a dues receipt
So the Lodge will let you in.
You wear an emblem on your coat,
And on your hand a ring.
But, if you're not sincere at heart,
This doesn't mean a thing.
It's just an outward sign to show
The world that you belong
To this Fraternal Brotherhood
That teaches right from wrong.
What really counts lies buried deep
Within the human breast;
Masonic teaching brings it out
And puts it to the test.
If you can do outside the Lodge
The things you learn within,
Be just and upright to yourself
And to your fellow men;
Console a brother when he's sick,
Or help him when in need.
Without a thought of a reward
For any act or deed;
Conduct yourself in such a way
The world without can see
None but the best can meet the test
Laid down by Masonry;
Respect and live up to your trust
And do the best you can;
Then you can tell the world you are
A Mason and a Man!

The Most Worshipful Grand Master of Minnesota Thomas G. McCarthy

2010 Signature Scholarships are Here!

2010 Signature Scholarships Are Here !

The 2010 Signature Scholarships application booklets are now available from Minnesota Masonic Charties. These scholarships are available to all Minnesota graduating high school seniors with or without fraternal affiliation and are awarded to students who demostrate academic and personal achievement, as well as community participation or services and overall excellence. Five recipients are awarded the Signature Scholarships each year. Signature Scholarships are $5000 each, renewable for four years up to $20,000.

The Signature Scholarships are named after five individuals who are strongly identified with the state of Minnesota through personal achievement or public service and who personally committed to the values of Masonry in their private lives:

• James J. Hill
• Hubert H. Humphrey
• The Mayo Brothers
• Harold Stassen
• Laura Ingalls Wilder

For more information about MMC Scholarships program to download an application,

click here or call 952-948-6004 to request that one be sent to you.

Know of a worthy student who might qualify? Please pass the application along.

Deadline for submission is February 12,2010

The Masons of Minnesota have a long tradition of commitment to the next generation, Minnesota Masonic Charties provided $356,000 in scholarships in 2008-2009.

The Masons of Minnesota thru Minnesota Masonic Charties makes the dream of college a reality.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

Happy Thanksgivings to you all. If you have a few moments please read on.

This was painted by one of my favorite artists Norman Rockwell. I grew up seeing his art on Calendars, magazines and all types of memorialbilia. I have recently have been learning so much more about how great of an American artist he truely was.

Norman Rockwell heard President Franklin D Roosevelt speech to congress on January 6, 1941

. He was so moved and inspired that he created a series of four painting called The Four Freedoms. This painting of a multi generational family gathered at the table. They are together, happy and about to enjoy a feast. They are living in the moment .They are unencumbered by want or fear.

Just a little time before this picture was painted our country was in the deep depths of the great depression and europe was at war and we were just months from the attack on Pearl Harbor. President Roosevelt said" True individual freedom cannot exist without economic security and independence. "Necessitous men are not free men. People who are hungry and out of a job are the stuff dictators are made of."

Norman Rockwell painted this idealistic hopful picture when the past was dark and the future looked even darker. This painting is the third of a series of four paintings and its called "Freedom of Want."

For a outstanding study guide of the Four freedoms I suggest you click here and read the four part series by Mary Lea-Cox of the Carnegie Council. I have it arranged so it starts with Freedom of Want a Study guide to the Four Freedoms"

I hope during this time of Thanksgiving that you are healthly and have safe travels and most importantly a joyful feast and Freedom from Want.

The Masonic Trowel

The Trowel in operative Masonry is used to spread the cement which unites the building into one common mass. Its symbolic use is to spread the cement of brotherly love and affection which unites into one great Fraternity all members of the Masonic family, wheresoever dispersed around the world.