Masonic Charities Breakfast

The Saturday morning breakfast was sponsored this year by Minnesota Masonic Charities. We had a great meal of steak and eggs, and were treated to a wonderful video on the work of Masonic Charities produced by Grand Chaplain Steve Johnson.

After the video reviewing the programs of Charities, the Annual Giving Campaign was introduced. This should be a great way for Masons and others of any giving level to contribute to the work of Masonic Charities.

Daniel Carter Beard Award

The Daniel Carter Beard Masonic Scouter Award is an honor due to members of the Masonic Lodge who act as role models and provide dedicated service to the young men in the BSA. The Daniel Carter Beard Masonic Award not only supports the Masonic relationship through the man who brought Scouting to America, but proclaims the integrity of the recipient who is honored by receiving the award.

Recipients are presented a medallion on a neck ribbon, a photo of which is shown.

This year, the Grand Lodge of Minnesota was privileged to present this prestigious award to two Minnesota Masons, Kirby Olson and Wayne Butt.

Congratulations, Brothers Mayer and Olson. You do our Fraternity proud!

Sibley Lodge No. 209 Opens Grand Lodge

It is a proud moment for a Grand Master when the brothers from his home lodge open the tyled session of the annual communication. This year, Worshipful Master Kevin Pioske and the officers of Sibley Lodge performed that duty.

These fine brothers have given me tons of support this year, and for the entire journey to become Grand Master. Just because I can't say thank you enough doesn't mean that I won't say it again:

THANK YOU, Brothers of Sibley Lodge! Job well done!

A Surprise from the DeMolay Master Councilor

DeMolay Master Councilor Talon Beck brought greetings from our young men's organization. It is so very inspiring to see how these youth leaders are so poised to bring greetings to such large groups.

Talon had a big surprise, too! At the conclusion of his remarks, he pulled a Petition for Degrees from his pocket and asked me to be his second line signer! He then met representatives from Garnett Lodge at the altar and delivered the signed petition to them.

I do hope my schedule permits me to attend at least one of Talon's degrees. He is a fine young man, and will make an outstanding Mason.

Greetings from Job's Daughters

One of the traditions of the public opening of Grand Lodge is to hear greetings from the Honored Queen and Miss Minnesota Job's Daughters. This year, those greetings were brought by Emily Niederhaus and Kelsey Wyman.

The photo of these lovely ladies was taken the night before, at the Grand Master's gathering.

Debt Paid

You may recall that MWB Craig Hummel, Grand Lodge of Iowa, challenged me to a bet on the Insight Bowl - Iowa State vs. the University of Minnesota. You may also recall that the loser was to don the school colors of the winner. And finally, you will recall that our Golden Gophers snatched defeat from the jaws of victory ...

It had been a long time, and I hadn't heard from MWB Craig, so I hoped he had forgotten the bet. "Vain hope." When invited to bring greetings from the Masons of Iowa during the public opening, he produced a jersey and quite an unusual hat for me to wear.

I suffered through perhaps 15 minutes with the ISU colors. But, when it was time to introduce Dr. Yee from the Masonic Cancer Center at the University of Minnesota, I just couldn't wear it any more.

Fortunately, I just happened to have some Maroon and Gold for the occasion...

50-Year Award

I have commented before on the thrill to be present when a Mason receives a longevity award. At the Annual Communication, I had the pleasure to arrange for the presentation of a 50-year award to Past Grand Master Ralph Hultquist and a 25-year award to his son, John Hultquist.

Shown in the photo are District Representative Vern Schwalbe, yours truly, PGM Ralph and John.

It's pretty unusual to make such presentations at an annual communication, but for Masons who have contributed so mightily to our Grand Lodge, it is only appropriate.

It's Not Over Till the Paperwork is Done

And I'm having trouble finding time to blog about all the truly wonderful things at the 157th Annual Communication.

Be assured, John L. Cook, Jr. was installed as Grand Master last Saturday afternoon. It was a great ceremony, and I will blog about it soon.

Thanks for your patience. I expect to have the blogs posted this week, and then this site will likely go inactive. I'll keep you posted ...

Annual Communication Public Opening

The 157th Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of Minnesota started Friday morning with a public opening. The Heroes of '76 presented the colors and tributes were given to the flags of the United States and Canada.

There were presentations by Eastern Star, Job's Daughters and DeMolay. Dr. Douglas Yee made a very interesting presentation on behalf of the Masonic Cancer Center at the University of Minnesota. Grand Orator Bill Callister gave the oration, which came straight from the heart.

It was a great start to the communication. I'll make a couple more blog entries on some of the special things that happened during the opening.

Hospitality Room

The Grand Master has traditionally hosted a hospitality room, where guests and friends are able to mingle and continue the fellowship of the evening.

This year, the Kelly Inn has a new space for hospitality, and it worked very well.

Shown are the crack waitstaff for the event, Mark McCarthy, his sister, Carrie Zak, and brothers-in-law Chuck Kelsey and Rick Zak.

In Ireland, the pubs close at 11:00. That's when I left, but the conviviality continued....

Grand Master's Gathering

Thursday evening, the festivities of the Annual Communication were kicked off with the Grand Master's Gathering. This year, it was an informal mingling at the Herberger Room and Amateur Baseball Hall of Fame at the St Cloud Civic Center.

Patty and I were very happy to mingle with brothers and guests. There was good food and lots of good conversation and fellowship.

This bodes well for the communication....!

Checking In

I spent most of Thursday with luggage carts at the Kelly Inn in St Cloud. It's really here! Early birds and distinguished guests arrived and were greeted by PGM J.V. Christianson, Julie Neddermeyer, PGM Neil Neddermeyer and Assistant Grand Secretary, Gary Odegard.

The truck is unloaded. Hundreds of brothers and guests will, in just a few hours, assemble in the St Cloud Civic Center for the public opening.

So what am I doing putting up this blog??? I have WORK to do!!!

Counting Down

The Deputy Grand Master will tell you that it was only hours after my installation as Grand Master last year that I announced the number of weeks, days and hours until my term expired.

It is now down to hours.

I'm almost packed. The speeches are almost done. The agenda is almost finalized. But, ready or not, the kick-off to the annual communication is less than 24 hours away.

Patty and I will be heading to St Cloud tomorrow morning. Doug Campbell and Gary Odegard will be loading the truck at the Grand Lodge office and heading north themselves. Tomorrow will be a day of frantic activity and of asking over and again, "What else did I forget?"

But Friday morning, the public opening of the Annual Communication will begin at 9:00 a.m. and all will be well. (That's my story, and I'm sticking to it)

I hope to see many of you in St. Cloud on Friday. Until then - actually, until Saturday afternoon at 1:00 - remember me in your applications to Deity.

George Washington's Gavel

In the mail Monday came an envelope from the George Washington National Masonic Memorial with an 8 x 10 photo of me and John Cook with the gavel and trowel that George Washington used to lay the cornerstone of the United States Capitol, as well as the Bible upon Washington took his Masonic obligations.

It was truly humbling to be so near items that were handled by the Father of our Country, and used by him as a Mason.

Meeting many Minnesota Masons with many wonderful histories was, without a doubt, the pinnacle of being Grand Master this year. But after those friendships, standing with Deputy Grand Master Cook behind these artifacts of United States and Masonic History has to rank up there with the most memorable experiences of this year.

Tolerance Awareness Tuesday

This is the last Tuesday of my term as Grand Master. There is only one Masonic event left on my calendar - the 157th Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of Minnesota.

I intend to stop blogging on this site within a few days of the installation of John L. Cook, Jr., as Grand Master of Minnesota Masons. I am, however, trying to decide just how to continue Tolerance Awareness Tuesday, as this poor world needs tolerance more than ever before.

Masonry should be the place to find the examples of practicing tolerance. It is said that the only place where a Christian, a Jew and a Muslim can meet in peace in the Middle East is in our lodge rooms. The Masonic value of tolerance MUST be maintained and promoted. It's good for Masonry, and it's good for our homes, communities, country and world.

As Brother Glenn Kiecker would say, "Tolerance: The Crown Jewel of Masonry"!

Remembrance and Renewal

The Scottish Rite bodies have a very touching tradition of gathering to remember their brothers who have transferred their membership to the Celestial Lodge above, and to renew their commitment to honor those departed brothers by continuing to strive to live the Masonic ideals.

Saturday evening, the Minneapolis Valley of the Scottish Rite performed that duty. We started with a sumptuous meal. Then we adjourned to the auditorium for the service. It was a most impressive ceremony, honoring 83 Scottish Rite Masons from the Minneapolis Valley that failed to answer to call of the roll in 2009.

MWB Terry Tilton delivered a wonderful and thought-provoking address. The names of the 83 deceased brothers was read, including my friend, David Caufman of LeSueur. A rose was laid on the altar and a candle lit, reminding us to carry their light with us as we perform our labors.

This was the last Masonic event for Patty and me before Grand Lodge. What a fitting way to end the Masonic year.

Metro East Table Lodge

Patty and I, along with daughter Carrie, son-in-law, Brother Rick and Noah and Blake, attended the Metro East Table Lodge at the St Paul Masonic Center Friday night. This is a terrific event, meant to celebrate the completion of the Grand Master's term. Friday night, it did not disappoint.

A contingent from Sibley Lodge made the trip for the dinner: PM Ross Arneson and his wife Sheila, Grand Tyler Pete Schue, Grand Standard Bearer, Steve Saxton and WM Kevin Pioske. Thanks for coming in!

Area Deputy Ken White presided as Master of the Table Lodge, and everyone had a great time. MWB Chuck Luman gave a terrific talk on Masonry, using Abraham Lincoln as an example to emulate.

I was short one Irish joke for the evening, when Blake came through for me! What do you get when you cross a four-leaf clover and poison ivy? A rash of good luck!! Thanks, Blake!

This is the last big event on the calendar before the annual communication. It's been a terrific year. I look forward to thanking everyone, in person, at the Grand Lodge communication Friday and Saturday.

26th Degree

Thursday night I participated in the 26th Degree at the Minneapolis Valley of the Scottish Rite. It is a very nice degree that I have blogged about previously.

The photo shows most of the cast, in costume, before hitting the footlights.

Masonry in the appendant bodies is a great experience to obtain "more light in Masonry." The Scottish Rite, York Rite and Shrine each offer opportunities for more fellowship and more education.

I'll be having a brief presentation on appendant body Masonry during the Annual Communication - starting in only seven days!!!

St Patrick's Eve at Sibley Lodge

It was my turn to serve supper at Sibley Lodge last night, along with Brothers Don Lannoye and Kelly Pierson. I whipped up some corn beef and cabbage soup and my brothers brought pulled pork sandwiches and dessert.

As you can see from the intensity of the diners, the meal was greatly appreciated!

After the communication, the brothers organized tickets for the Sibley Lodge Spaghetti Supper, held in conjunction with Winthrop's Grackle Days, April 9.

When I next visit my home lodge, I'll be PGM (that's "Prestige Gone, Man") Tom McCarthy. The next time I see those brothers in a group, though, will be a week from Friday, when they open the Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of Minnesota at the St. Cloud Civic Center!

Happy St Patrick's Day!

Ireland is a land of about 6.2 million inhabitants, counting the population of the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.

It is estimated that there are over 70 million persons of Irish descent that live outside of the island.

I am one of them.

My great-great grandfather, John McCarthy, left Ireland in the third year of the famine – about 1849. It was said the good farmers hung on for that long.

March 17 is the feast day of St. Patrick, patron saint of Ireland. It is said that everyone is Irish on March 17!

Ireland is a beautiful land. My grandfather, and all the others who left during the Diaspora, were truly desperate. Only in recent times has prosperity begun to come to Ireland, now sometimes called the “Celtic Tiger” of the European economy. I saw that economy first hand, about a dozen years ago, when the photo of me in front of the McCarthy Homestead (aka, Blarney Castle) was taken by my brother.

So, when we pause to listen to an Irish tune, or raise a glass for St. Patrick today, let’s also pause to consider the hardships endured shared by all immigrants coming to a new land, and give thanks that they came to such a wonderful country – the United States of America.

And, let us close with some lines from the Great Saint himself: “Therefore, indeed, I cannot keep silent, nor would it be proper, so many favours and graces has the Lord deigned to bestow on me in the land of my captivity [Ireland]. For after chastisement from God, and recognizing him, our way to repay him is to exalt him and confess his wonders before every nation under heaven.”