From The East (June 2011)

While on our recently concluded trip and as we were approaching one of our designated points of interest, I caught myself so enamored by the wondrous display of a reflection of God’s Creation and I could not help but acknowledge that I am just a mere speck in the vast display of the workings of the Great Artificer of the Universe.

I could only wish that the rest of you would have been with us and you could have been equally thrilled and awed by such display of natural beauty. In this regard, I would like to thank the promoter of our lodge’s trip, Worshipful Brother Danny S. Dayan, P.M., to Yellowstone National Park, Mount Rushmore National Memorial, South Dakota, and many other sites, and I hope there will be a similar opportunity in the future where we can view such beauteous array of God’s splendor!

Heading back from that experience, I am now faced with this sense of routine as I venture to wear my "family hat" and my "fraternity hat". I’m back to where I left off.

Here then is a recap of where and how things were. We have witnessed the tremendous success of the project "By Your Side" launched at the beginning of his term by our Grand Master, Most Worshipful Bill Bray III. We have also seen its incredible support not only in the Lodges of California but also practically from every mason, all convinced of the project’s importance. When our Grand Master declared the month of May as ONCOLOGY NURSES MONTH, we again showed our support when, at our May Stated Meeting, we invited two nurses from Saint Luke’s Hospital and presented them to the membership. We made sure that they know that our Lodge and California masons are always "By Your Side".

In our efforts to address the increase of our membership, on May 31, 2011, we raised Bro. Philip Karl to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason. As usual, the ritual was well done and I would like to thank our degree team for such a splendid job.

For this coming month of June, at our Stated Meeting on June 7th, we plan to include a response to our Grand Master’s declaration of June 5th, as the NATIONAL CANCER SURVIVORS’ DAY. This is a great opportunity to recognize cancer survivors and demonstrate that life after a cancer diagnosis can be a reality.

On June 14th, there will be a District School of Instruction (DSI) at which time we will be in charge of upgrading our skills and knowledge relative to how to conduct Funeral Services. As many of you are already aware, this ritual always gives a great opportunity of how we honor our fraternal brethren who have "gone this way before" and are now where our "fathers are gathered".

On Tuesday, June 21, 2011, at 7:00 o’clock in the evening, we will confer a First Degree upon Mr. A. Arthur Rugama. The week following, there will be a double Second Degree, for Bros. Hakki Ayverdi and Michael Tarver, at 7:00 o’clock on June 28, 2011.

After our Stated Meeting on July 5, 2011, our lodge will be dark for the rest of the month. It will be again fun time for those will be with me during our Master’s Trip. From July 19 to 27, 2011,we will have a Master’s trip to the Baltics and Scandinavia and I ask your prayers for our safety. Lately, you have received thru our Secretary a reminder about Meal Reservations during our monthly Stated Meetings, courtesy of Bro. Andrew M. Brumana, Junior Warden. Please abide by this request and hopefully we can better manage the amount of food for those who will be in attendance. In this regard, I thank Brother Andrew for a job well done. Also, for Officers who may not be able to be in attendance during designated degree conferrals, please inform our Officers’ Coach so a substitute can be produced before hand.

And now, a few words from my heart, I’m almost halfway in my term as your Master. It has been a wonderful time for me and I hope it is for you as well. For the rest of the year and especially as the Officers will advance in their stations, I hope that you begin to study and make good in your rituals. Those who may find it difficult to progress should begin memorizing their part and be fully ready when proficiency time comes.

This is all for now and I wish you the best in your "stations in life". I hope to see you as many of you during the activities for this month.

Fraternally,
Jess R. Bautista, P.M.
Worshipful Master