FROM THE EAST - MAY
Mother’s Day is this weekend (in case you forgot) so family is a good topic for this month’s message. Our Fraternity expresses a public dedication to helping the widows and orphans of our deceased brethren, and in practice, Masons often help Brothers families beyond just those two categories of relations. Truly, the importance of family resonates throughout the Craft as symbolized in terms such as “brethren”, “brothers”, “widow”, “son”, and “orphans”. From its foundations, Freemasonry has recognized the importance of family to its members, citing our duty to family as being second only to our duty to the Supreme Architect of the Universe.
MASONIC OAK PICNIC
The 2009 Masonic Oak Picnic will be Sunday, May 17 at the Masonic Oak Park in Brazoria. Registration begins at 9:30 a.m., with the program and devotional service at 10:00 a.m. A catered barbeque lunch will be served afterwards. Tickets will be available at registration. In the past they have been $7.50. Remember, this is an outdoor picnic, so dress accordingly. For more information on the picnic, visit this page on the Grand Lodge website for additional information.
FREEMASONRY FICTION
Dan Brown's new novel, The Lost Symbol, will be published September 15, 2009. There has been numerous speculation that the plot will revolve around Freemasonry and take place in Washington D.C. Dan Brown's official website offers sparse details other than the book will feature the character Robert Langdon, the protagonist of Angels & Demons and The Da Vinci Code.
PGM SAM HILBURN PASSED AWAY
PGM Sam Hilburn passed away yesterday, Sunday, April 12, in Midland, Texas. The Grand Lodge Funeral Services for PGM Sam Hilburn will be in Midland, Texas, April 16, 2009.
GRAND MASTER'S OFFICIAL VISIT
Grand Master David Counts will make his official visit to the 14th Masonic District on Wednesday, April 29th at Hella Shrine Temple. Doors open at 6:30 pm. Dinner will begin at 7:00 pm. The Masters, Wardens and Secretaries Association of the 14th Masonic District sponsors his visit.
FROM THE EAST - APRIL
Happy April! Spring is here and we are reminded of life beginning again all around us. The reawakening of the Supreme Architect’s creation can be alluded to a certain part of the Masters Degree, and it is the revitalization Spring brings that is this month’s discussion.
MASONIC REFERENCES IN A NEW MURAL HUNG IN STATE CAPITAL
The Grand Lodge of Texas History Committee has announced that the Grand Lodge of Texas History Committee was successful in working with Bro. Jonathan Pascoe and his father, Bro. Chuck Pascoe, to have several Masonic references included in a new MURAL that was unveiled at the Texas General Land Office this past week. This mural hangs in the hallway of the main lobby of the Stephen F. Austin Building at the State Capitol, and will serve to show the Masonic connection to the formation and development of TEXAS through illustrations of Bro. Stephen F. Austin, Erasmo Seguin, and members of the OLD THREE HUNDRED original settlers in Austin's Colony.