CHICO-LELAND STANFORD Masonic LODGE № 111 BLOG
Lodge and Other Masonic News
2nd Degree Ceremony: Bro. Gerson Cortes Palacios
/When: Tuesday, October 15th @ 7:00pm
Where: Chico-Leland Stanford Lodge #111
Come out to support Bro. Gerson Cortes Palacios as he climbs the stairs of the beautiful 2nd degree.
Do you remember your 2nd degree?
Please make time to come out to support this young brother on his progress.
Contact Bro. Sid Crane, Lodge secretary (893-3171 or 111secretary@sbcglobal.net) if you need assistance with transportation. Lodge officers and others can help get you to the degree and home again.
Lodge Work Day!! This Saturday--Tree Trimming
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When: Saturday, October 12th
Time: 8am-Noon; but please come when you can
Bring: hat, gloves, closed toe shoes, and water
Bring if you have: tree saws, pole saws, pruning shears (loppers), chainsaw, etc. If you have a truck and trailer….that would be awesome!
We are trimming the trees around the lodge building as they need to be a minimum 6’ clearance from the ground.
We will have water, coffee, and some snacks to get us through to Noon.
Remember September: Autumn Equinox, Michaelmas and Masonry
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This week we are between two important dates in the solar and Masonic year: September 23rd – Autumn Equinox and September 29th - Michaelmas (Feast of St. Michael). Whether you subscribe to either date, it is this time of the year in Masonic terms that we return to the center of our circumscribed circle, but only for the briefest moment. This is the time where we find ourselves at the center of the circumpunct, between the two St. Johns. A curious thing for a purportedly non-sectarian group to do. However, Solomon and Moses used to be the parallel line designations, you can read more about that story here.
“There is in every regular and well governed Lodge, a certain point within a circle, embordered by two parallel perpendicular lines... “ - MacKay
The ancient symbol known as the dot in the circle, circled dot, or a circumpunct, is one of the oldest symbols known to humans. According to Gnostics, it is the most primal aspect of God. To Greek philosophers and the Pythagoreans, the circumpunct represents God, or the Monad – the point of the beginning of creation, and eternity. It is the sun of astrologers; the alchemical gold of the alchemist, and the Keter of the Kabbalah. For Masons we are told to circumscribe our desires and keep them within due bounds (the body). The square of humanity is circled by the spiritual compass.
The circle around the dot is the universe or world in which we live. A blank canvas to draw from the circle that which we wish to create. A place to also retreat back from the world when things in life get too chaotic. Erase our problems in ‘order’ to have a clean slate. In a sense, redeem our souls. If you concentrate on the circumpunct, you can visualize your soul as the dot within the world of which we live.
What about Autumn Equinox for the Mason?
"As far as we can discern, the sole purpose of human existence is to kindle a light in the darkness of mere being."
- C.G. Jung
Autumn Equinox marks a deepening into the quiet season, celebrating the harvest time and coming into stillness. It is earth’s moment to be in between—weaving light and dark into balance. Equilibrium is point where things can change. It is an opportunity to invoke balance, harmony and communion of opposites. This is the time to harvest the fruits of summer which have created seeds to work on in Autumn into winter, it’s our time to mediate on what we have worked on in our Masonic journey, the journey to the self.
“Transform yourself for the sake of the world.
Learn to practice thinking, feeling, sensing, and willing without egoism.
Let your work be the shadow that your I casts
when it is shone upon by the flame of your higher self.”
Bro. Dr. Rudolf Steiner
What about Michaelmas?
Since 1723 and the Masonic Constitutions, the Feast Day of St. Michael has been recognized as one of the four important dates in the Masonic calendar. While still celebrated in Europe, North American Freemasonry has forgotten the importance of this date, instead Autumn Equinox is the substitute. Why Michaelmas? St. Michael is the archangel of the sun – overseeing earthly evolution. In Western esoteric teaching, there are seven archangelic regents, 1879* marked the return of the solar spirit Michael and the ending of the Hindu Kali Yuga – the Dark Age – and entered the Age of Light. Michael as cosmic ruler, battles to master the “dragon” of the spirits of darkness, and is the guardian of cosmic intelligence for GAOTU. At Michaelmas we are to be reminded that the evolutionary task depends on the free and independent collaboration of human co-workers. Our path is the development of selfless individuality; cosmopolitanism; fearlessness; the transformation of thinking and perception; and the reality of spirit. For Masons, Michaelmas gives us strength in our struggle with mastering personal and collective 'dragons' (to learn to subdue our passions and keep them within due bounds; and all that impedes our potential – coming back to our inner center).
As we go into the Fall season, the season of St. Michael mastering the dragon, may we all find the strength and the will forces to master our own dragons and show our Masonic way to others.
"Brave and True I will be like St. Michael. Each good deed sets me free. Each kind word makes me strong. I will fight for the right. I will conquer the wrong."
Note: *Masons in New York and London erected obelisks (also known as Cleopatra’s Needles) in their respective cities to mark the occasion.
Aloha from the Lodge, as we bid farewell to Summer
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WM Brad Marr wanted a Hawaiian dinner and stated meeting for September and he got it. Lodge officers and members wore Hawaiian Aloha shirts and Chef Fritz made a great Hawaiian themed dinner with homemade pineapple upside down cake!
Great dinner and a fun stated meeting with plenty going on in the lodge.
https://www.pinterest.ch/pin/425027283565902316/?autologin=true
Triple First Degree! Be Square, Be There!
/We will be welcoming to the lodge the following candidates for the First Degree in Masonry
Mr. Kenneth Carlsen
Mr. Travis Crane
Mr. Dennis Whitt Jr.
When: Tuesday, Sept. 17
Time: 6:00pm
Do you remember your first degree?
Come support these new brothers on their Masonic journey.
Contact Bro. Sid Crane, Lodge secretary (893-3171 or 111secretary@sbcglobal.net) if you need assistance with transportation. Lodge officers and others can help get you to the degree and home again.
Light refreshment will be served after the degree ceremony.
DeMolay Family Game Night
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DeMolay are having a Game Night.
Tonight, Saturday from 5-9pm
At the Chico Masonic Family Center.
All families invited as well as boys interested in DeMolay.
Passing of Bro. Mel Jones
/Brother Melvin Jones
was called to the Celestial Lodge above on
September 3, 2019
Services will be at the First Christian Church on September 25, 2019 @ 11am. Bro Darrel Hunter, P.M. will be presiding.
Lodge Open House: This Coming Saturday 11-2pm
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Chico’s Masonic lodge is hosting a free public open house to offer information and answer questions from the curious and skeptical.
Freemasonry is the world’s oldest and largest fraternal organization.
We are opening the lodge to the public to let them know who we are, what we stand for, and what we bring to the community, state and country. Not just for Blue lodge-- Shriners, York Rite, Scottish Rite, Eastern Star, Daughters of the Nile, DeMolay, Jobs Daughters and Rainbow for Girls will be represented. Please help participate, come meet with the pubic and tell them about your experiences or your group within the larger Freemasonic Family.
Tour of the lodge room and viewing of symbols and lodge artifacts.
short documentaries will be available for viewing.
Invite curious family and friends
For more information contact: The Lodge Secretary, Worshipful Master or Brother Dean Fairbanks; dhfairbanks@csuchico.edu
3rd Degree: Bro. Lane Norvell
/3rd Degree Ceremony for Brother Lane Norvell
When: Tuesday, September 3rd
Time: 7pm
Come out to support Bro. Lane Norvell to the sublime Master Mason degree.
Do you remember your 3rd degree?
Contact Bro. Sid Crane, Lodge secretary (893-3171 or 111secretary@sbcglobal.net) if you need assistance with transportation. Lodge officers and others can help get you to the degree and home again.
Light refreshment will be served after the degree ceremony.
2nd Degree Ceremony: Mark Your Calendar!
/When: Wednesday, August 14th @ 6:00pm
Where: Chico-Leland Stanford Lodge #111
Come out to support Bro. Lane Norvell as he climbs the stairs of the beautiful 2nd degree.
Do you remember your 2nd degree?
Please make time to come out to support this young brother on his progress.
Contact Bro. Sid Crane, Lodge secretary (893-3171 or 111secretary@sbcglobal.net) if you need assistance with transportation. Lodge officers and others can help get you to the degree and home again.
Family Game Night! Pizza and Soft Drinks Provided :)
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Its Hot in Chico, time to come down to the Chico Masonic Family Center for free air conditioning, but…. bring a game or two and join in the real social interaction of Family Game Night!
When: Tuesday, July 30.
Time: 6:00 - 9:00pm
WM Brad Marr will be providing Pizza and Soft Drinks!
What’s not to like? Bring a friend and bring children, its family night.
DeMolay, Rainbow Girls and Jobs Daughters are all welcome!
2nd Degree Ceremony: Mark your Calendar!
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When: Tuesday, July 16th @ 7:00pm
Yes, that is tomorrow!!
Where: Chico-Leland Stanford Lodge #111
Come out to support Bro. Montell Minor as he climbs the stairs to the 2nd degree.
Do you remember your 2nd degree?
Please make time to come out to support this young brother on his progress.
Contact Bro. Sid Crane, Lodge secretary (893-3171 or 111secretary@sbcglobal.net) if you need assistance with transportation. Lodge officers and others can help get you to the degree and home again.
1st Degree Ceremony: Thursday at Los Molinos Lodge
/Chico-Leland Stanford Lodge #111 welcomes two new brothers:
Mr. Lane Norvell
Mr. Gerson Cortes-Palacios
Ceremony to be hosted by Los Molinos Lodge #150
25020 Tehama Vina Rd., Los Molinos
When: Thursday, July 11th @ 7pm
Carpool from Chico lodge starting at 6:15pm.
All brothers in good standing please come out to support these gentlemen as they enter the fraternity
Do you remember your 1st degree?
Please make time to come out to support this young brother in the Masonic tradition.
Contact Bro. Sid Crane, Lodge secretary (893-3171 or 111secretary@sbcglobal.net) if you need assistance with transportation. Lodge officers and others can help get you to the degree and home again.
Light refreshments to be served afterwards
3rd Degree Ceremony: Bro. Irvin Noval
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When: Tuesday, June 25th
Time: 7pm
Come out to support Bro. Irvin Noval to the sublime Master Mason degree.
Do you remember your 3rd degree?
Contact Bro. Sid Crane, Lodge secretary (893-3171 or 111secretary@sbcglobal.net) if you need assistance with transportation. Lodge officers and others can help get you to the degree and home again.
Light refreshment will be served after the degree ceremony.
Forbestown BBQ - June 8th!
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Contact our lodge Secretary, Bro. Sid Crane who knows who has tickets available in Chico for this event.
1st Degree Ceremony: Tuesday 28th @ 7pm
/When: Tuesday, May 28th @ 7:00pm
All brothers in good standing please come out to support Mr. Hendra (Jason) Cipta as he enters the fraternity
Do you remember your 1st degree?
Please make time to come out to support this young brother in the Masonic tradition.
Contact Bro. Sid Crane, Lodge secretary (893-3171 or 111secretary@sbcglobal.net) if you need assistance with transportation. Lodge officers and others can help get you to the degree and home again.
Light refreshments to be served afterwards
3rd Degree Ceremony: Mark your Calendar for an outdoor degree!
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When: Saturday, May 11th
Time: 10am
Where: Near Pasquini's Restaurant (just south of Live Oak), near the dryer located next to the restaurant.
Come out to support Bro. Spencer McNairn to the sublime Master Mason degree.
There will be a BBQ lunch to follow. Please try to support our brother!
For directions and ride sharing please contact Bro. Brad Marr, WM 530-518-3111 or Bro. Mark Wood 530-701-6331. This degree is being put on by the Marysville Lodge, see flyer below.
2nd Degree Cermony: Mark your Calendar
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When: Tuesday, April 30th @ 7:00pm
Where:
Chico-Leland Stanford Lodge #111
Come out to support Bro. Irvin Noval as he gives his 1st degree proficiency and climbs the stairs to the 2nd degree.
Do you remember your 2nd degree?
Please make time to come out to support this young brother on his progress.
Contact Bro. Sid Crane, Lodge secretary (893-3171 or 111secretary@sbcglobal.net) if you need assistance with transportation. Lodge officers and others can help get you to the degree and home again.
