Category Archives: From The West

From The West (April 2012)

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This has been a trying month for all of us at Mission Lodge. Our Worshipful Master passed to the Celestial Lodge above on Thursday, March 22, 2012. As I assume his station (until we hold new formal elections in May), it is my intention that we dedicate this year to his memory. His plans for the year will be followed, and it is my hope that in these trying times, the lodge will come together in peace and harmony. Worshipful Gar’s funeral will be at the San Francisco Scottish Rite on April 15, at 4:00 pm.

Like many of the brethren of our lodge, Worshipful Gar was my candidate coach going through the degrees, and he has touched the lives of literally hundreds of Masons. I want to extend my deepest sympathy and condolences to Jan, Gar’s wife, the first lady of Mission Lodge.

I would also like to extend my thanks to Oakland Durant Rockridge lodge for performing a second degree in our building on March 27th; it was one of Gar’s biggest wishes to re-establish visitation with our ‘child’ lodge, and it is my wish to do so as well. A special thanks to Worshipful Tim World, PM, who held a moment of silence in Worshipful Gar’s honor.

In April, we have the stated meeting on April 3rd, which will be our official visitation by our Inspector, The Worshipful Sebastien Taveau. Worshipful Seb will address the lodge as to the official process of succession due to the passing of a sitting Master.

On April 7, at 9:00 am, we will hold a conflict resolution meeting with Assistant Grand Lecturer, Chuck Jeronimo. It is imperative that all Master Masons attend.

Although the balance of the month will be dark per Grand Lodge’s instruction, the officers will be attending our District Schools of Instruction & we will hold degree practices in the interim.

During these next few months, let us reflect upon that brittle thread of life.

…and when we stand before the Great Architect, will we be praised for being a uniting force for Masonic ideals and brotherhood, or will be judged for being divisive and selfish?

Fraternally,
Andrew Brumana
Senior Warden

From The West (March 2012)

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Senior Warden Andrew Brumana

A couple of weeks ago, I concluded a task for the Lodge that took over a year’s worth of work. During this time, I’ve been forced to contemplate Right, Wrong, and Justice.

We learn about Justice in the First Degree, when we are taught that Justice enables us to render unto every man his just due, without distinction. In the Second Degree, we are taught not to palliate nor aggravate the offenses of our brethren; but in the decision of every trespass against our rules, we are to judge with candor, admonish with friendship, and reprehend with justice. Finally, in the Third Degree, we are taught to offer a friendly hand to a fallen brother and gently encourage him to bring about a reformation to his bad conduct.

So how does this apply to our daily lives as Masons?

Surely, we can’t expect everyone to be perfect. No one is. Mistakes are to be expected to be made in life. When someone ‘trespasses’ against another, we need to think, “Does the offender now realize it was a mistake?”, “Do they feel remorse?”, and “Are they going to do it again?” If so, then we should endeavor to assist that person to be brought back into the fold. If not, there’s no place for them in the Fraternity.

It’s lazy, cowardly, and a waste of time to point fingers, get emotional, beat our chests, and attempt to get revenge. It’s even worse to use a situation for political advancement.

I challenge each one of you (myself included), to focus on the teachings of the fraternity; to let go of the poisonous emotions which separate us and focus on what holds us together.

I would like to call your attention to the Trowel: the instrument which “spreads the cement of brotherly love and affection – that cement which unites us into one sacred band, or society of friends and brothers, among whom no contention should ever exist but that noble contention, or rather emulation, of who best can work and best agree”.

Fraternally,
Andrew Brumana
Senior Warden

 

From The West (January 2012)

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Happy New Year! As I write my first article after being installed in the West, I am excited in what we have ahead of us for the upcoming year.

As most people already know, I am an enthusiast for the ritual we perform; it is the foundation that everything that we do is built upon.
My hope, is that we don’t “just parrot the words”, but integrate the meanings behind the words.

I have often said that “Masonry is the world’s oldest men’s self-improvement group,” and here’s why:

Our Masonic path contemplates the journey of man’s life, from childhood to “mature masculinity.” We learn through our teachings, the concept of the Imperfect & Perfect Ashlars:

We view ourselves as imperfect, rough stones; which being shaped using the tools of morality, we are transformed into perfect stones.

We all know that we’ll never get to perfection, but it’s the constant drive towards making ourselves better men, better husbands, better fathers, and better pillars of our communities.

…and in turn, God willing, we’ll influence others to be better, and hopefully the world, a better place.

In closing, I ask you… What have you done today to implement your working tools?

Fraternally,
Andrew Brumana
Senior Warden