A Brief Apology

Those of you who follow my blog routinely (and a few have told me that you do...), I apologize for being so slow in getting posts on in the past week. Work and Masonry caught up with me and I just didn't take the time.

Hereafter, you'll find a few blogs on the great One-Day to Masonry class last Saturday. I'll blog about my visits to Lake Harriet, Corinthian and Minneapolis 19 lodges this week in the next day or two.

Also, if you're reading this early on Friday morning, and you can get WCCO radio (Twin Cities AM830), you might turn it on and catch the broadcast from Dave Lee's Gutter Bowl. The Grand Lodge will have a team participating, and I hope there is an opportunity to say a few words about Freemasonry on the air. This is a fundraising event for the Amplatz Children's Hospital at the University of Minnesota. You may recall we dedicated the cornerstone for this building last October.

One-Day Class - 3rd Degree

Peter Van Osdal and Bill Ross put together a stellar cast for the Master Mason Degree at the One-Day to Masonry January 16.

Special thanks to John Gann, who gave such an inspiring rendition of the third section of the lecture for this degree that I wanted to stand up and cheer! Thanks to all who made this degree, and the entire day, such a great experience.

I had the privilege of addressing our new brothers at the close of the day, and remained in the East to close the lodge in due form. It was a great thrill!

As I said to the new brothers, be bold in inviting yourselves to your lodge's communications and activities. And, to the leadership of the new brothers' lodges, be sure to invite our new brothers to your next communication and make them really feel a part of our great organization!

One-Day Class - 2nd Degree

St Paul Masons provided the cast for the Fellowcraft Degree for the One-Day Class. Under the direction of Brian Beermann and Donald Olsen, the work was just terrific!

RWB Beermann did double duty, walking the candidates up a flight of winding stairs into a place representing the Middle Chamber. In addition to being the Junior Grand Warden, RWB Brian is Custodian for Southeast Minnesota.

One-Day Class - Lunch!

The Scottish Rite caterer and the staff from the Minneapolis Valley put out a great lunch for the cast, candidates and visitors at the One-Day Class. An open-face prime rib sandwich, with the fixin's!

A true testament to the cook - the room was pretty quiet during the first part of the lunch break! And, as you can see, there was a full house!

One-Day Class - 1st Degree

Metro West provided the cast for the Entered Apprentice Degree for the One-Day Class, and an excellent job was done by all.

Directors Ted Martz and James White put together a truly impressive degree to start the day.

I should not point out any one cast member, as all did a great job, but Brother Michael Bell really nailed the 3rd Section of the lecture - letter perfect. Brother Mike has been a member of Lebanon Lodge for less than a year!

One-Day Class

On Saturday, January 16, 40 candidates received the three degrees of Masonry in the Grand Master's One-Day Class.

It was a great day!

Grand Secretary Doug Campbell and Assistant Grand Secretary Gary Odegard had the paperwork in order and running smoothly. The members of the Minneapolis Valley of the Scottish Rite prepared a great setting for the ritual. The day was, in a word, AWESOME!

Congratulations to the 40 new Master Masons, and to the 24 lodges from around the State that gained one or more new brothers that day!

Tolerance Awareness Tuesday

"I ask you to uphold the values of America and remember why so many have come here. We're in a fight for our principles, and our first responsibility is to live by them. No one should be singled out for unfair treatment or unkind words because of their ethnic background or religious faith."

George W. Bush made these remarks in an address to a joint session of Congress on September 20, 2001. His statement reaffirms that this is a country of diverse peoples and faiths. Delivered at a time when the fires at the World Trade Center were, literally, still burning, his words should reach through the intervening years to give us pause.

Masons should espouse that not only should all peoples be free from unfair treatment and unkind words because of their faith, they should be respected. Masonry requires that its members have a belief in a Supreme Being, and we guard jealously each man’s right to worship his God as he sees fit.

Reflections of Being Master of the Lodge

25 years ago this month, I was installed Master of Sibley Lodge No. 209 in a public ceremony. I recall that my children didn’t have a real good idea what this Masonry thing was all about, but they found it highly amusing to see their Dad in a top hat!

My appointment to the progressive line that day was an insurance agent who had recently moved to town and affiliated with Sibley Lodge. I now refer to him as Most Worshipful Brother and Past Grand Master, Steven R. Johnson.

I have had the opportunity to install officers at several lodges over the past couple of years. It is so very meaningful to hear, again, the admonitions and responsibilities shared with the incoming Master of the lodge. I have commented on them before in this blog, but would again encourage you to take another look at them. They can be found in the Masonic Manual.

Becoming involved in Masonry on the Grand Lodge level has been an experience that I treasure. The opportunities I have had to serve the Craft have been most gratifying. The one part of the experience that is not entirely positive, however, is that it has taken me away from participating completely in the activities of my home lodge.

In just a few weeks, my obligations as Grand Master will come to an end. While I know I will miss many, many of the opportunities I have enjoyed in this office, I am looking forward to serving my local lodge and local community once again.

Minnesota River Valley Table Lodge

Patty and I were most pleased to again attend the Minnesota River Valley table lodge in Montgomery last night. This was, I think, the third such table lodge I have attended, and Patty and I look forward to it every year.

This year was no exception. Good food, good fellowship and a very appropriate message by PGM Neil Neddermeyer. Lodge awards, recognition of new Masons (and there were several in the audience) and just an all-around good time.

Thanks, MRV members, for the invitation and great reception!

Minnesota River Valley Hiram Award

During the Minnesota River Valley Lodge table lodge last night, the 2009 Hiram Award was presented to Worshipful Brother Don Conn, in recognition of years of dedicated service to the Craft and his lodge.

In typical fashion, Don did not talk about his accomplishments, but rather how excited he is to be a member of such and active and growing lodge.

Congratulations, Don and Judy. We look forward to many years of Masonic fellowship!

Wedding Bells!

At 12:30, he was installed as Marshal of Lebanon Lodge. At 1:30, he said "I do" to the love of his life and was married! I am most honored to have been invited to participate in the exchange of vows and to solemnize the marriage of Brother Jeremiah Spear and Angela Kopp!

Family and friends, and a room full of Brothers, were there to witness the happy event. A reception and dinner followed in the Fellowship Hall.

Congratulations to Jeremiah and Angela! Best wishes for years and years of married bliss!

Installation of Lebanon Lodge Officers

Deputy Grand Master John Cook installed the officers of Lebanon Lodge yesterday in front of a packed house at the Lake Harriet Masonic Center.

I was privileged to read the charge to the Master and Wardens.

Congratulations to Worshipful Master Philip Carlson and the other officers of Lebanon Lodge!

Delta Lodge Installation for Tonight Postponed

I just talked to District Representative Doug Pamp, who told me weather conditions in Southwest Minnesota have prompted the officers of Delta Lodge to put off the installation of officers.

I'm not totally disappointed: In addition to poor travel conditions, I have a case that will not finish today in time for me to have made the installation. I'm hoping the rescheduled time can fit into my schedule!

Installation of Officers at Sibley Lodge

Last night, I was privileged to be the Installing Master for the 2010 officers at my home lodge in Winthrop. These brothers will open Grand Lodge in St. Cloud for me on March 26.

One of the few downsides to being Grand Master is that I don't get to my own lodge on many occasions. Last night was a great night to be there and catch up on what's happening locally.

And, there is a lot! We have three Entered Apprentices working on their proficiency. A fourth candidate is scheduled to be initiated January 19 - along with perhaps two candidates from Charity Lodge in New Ulm! Work is being done to improve the kitchen and more work is planned for the dining area.

Congratulations, Worshipful Master Kevin Pioske, and the officers elect and appointed for 2010 for Sibley Lodge No. 209, Winthrop Minnesota!

Tolerance Awareness Tuesday

The capacity for getting along with our neighbor depends to a large extent on the capacity for getting along with ourselves. The self-respecting individual will try to be as tolerant of his neighbor's shortcomings as he is of his own. – Eric Hoffer

Eric Hoffer has also written that we really do love our neighbors as we love ourselves. That is, if we are intolerant and dislike our neighbors, we really don't much like who we are.

Masons, it is said, are good men, striving to become better. We, each one of us, falls short of the mark - whether that mark be set by our faith or our conscience. But we keep striving.

Today, let's cut ourselves a little slack. We will fall short today, but we'll get up and try our best tomorrow. And, while we're at it, let's cut our neighbor a little slack today, too. Maybe he is falling short of his mark today. Maybe all it takes is a kind word or a word of encouragement to help him rise and strive again.

Maybe all it requires is a little tolerance.

40th Wedding Anniversary

Forty years ago this day, January 3, 1970, I stood next to the woman (not much more than a girl then) that I love and in front of family and friends, promised to love, honor and cherish her all the days of my life.

So far, so good…

What’s the secret in a marriage that has lasted four decades? Well, like Masonry, the secret is: There is no secret. It takes love, of course, but also patience and forbearance and an attitude that allows you to overlook the (almost certainly unintentional) slights and relish the wonder of a life together.

Those of you who know Patty, know that I have been most fortunate that she chose me for her spouse. It’s not only been this year that she’s had to put up with my crazy schedule – though this year has been exceedingly busy.

A successful marriage: Love. Hard work. Forbearance. And perhaps more important than the rest, the Blessings of God and good fortune.

Thank you, Patty, for loving me even when – especially when – I am not very loveable. I look forward to several more decades loving you if God will grant us the time and His continued Blessings.

New Years Wedding at Harrington Mansion

I was able to do double-duty to start the new year - both as Grand Master and as District Judge. I was privileged to preside at the wedding of Brother Tim Jirak and his love, Jami Schaffer.

The setting was the staircase of the Harrington Mansion at Zuhrah Shrine Center. A brief ceremony in the lodge room of Minneapolis No. 19 followed, and then a very nice reception.

Best wishes to Tim and Jami, and their daughters, for a long and prosperous life together!

New Years at Zuhrah

My son, Brother Mark McCarthy, joined me at the annual Zuhrah Shrine Center New Years Day brunch. As always, the food, fellowship and entertainment was great!

Thank you Potentate Jeff Lewis, and the Nobles of Zuhrah, for a great tradition.

(Thanks to Noble Thomas Smith for the photos!)

A Mission Statement for the New Year

Instead of the usual ritual of making New Year’s Resolutions, consider this day putting your “Personal Mission Statement” to paper (or your hard drive). A personal mission statement should encapsulate those principles which are the most important to you. As an example, Brother Chuck Nettestad (publisher of the weekly Alexandria (MN) Peace Newsletter) prepared this mission statement last year. With his permission (and his comments after) I share it with you.

Now, where shall I start on MY mission statement? …

Personal Mission Statement

I will live my life with honesty and integrity.

I will strive to keep myself; physically, mentally and spiritually fit.

I will treat people I meet with dignity and respect.

The priorities in my life will be God, family, and duty to my fellow man.

and I will strive to humbly serve my Lord and Creator.

That is it....if you already have a personal mission and wouldn’t mind sharing it with me...please send me a copy. If you make a new one and want to share it please send it to me. peaceinalexandria@hotmail.com

(That e-mail address is also where you can write to sign up for Brother Nettestad’s weekly message.)

A Little Bit Short ...

Looks like I'll be donning the cardinal and gold of the Iowa State Cyclones, as our Golden Gophers came up just a bit short.

MWB Craig, I will keep my word as a Mason and will suffer through a photo with the garb that you will get to me.

My Cyclone fan of a grandson, Phillip, will LOVE it!

Get you in 2010!