who belongs to a Lodge

[seres]

......Masonry is a great institution, if you are interested in it I promise you'll get out of it what you put into it!

I agree. I've been in the Lodge for several decades; the more you participate, the more you receive.

 

[PADDY]

Maybe this is a UK thing...

But Freemasons don't tend to advertise their membership.

 

[ET]

I am Catholic and one of my best friends -who is Catholic - has been a Mason for many years. I think the charities that they support are a great value to the nation and the community - Shriner's hospitals and so on. I would join, but they meet at the same time as my Knight's of Columbus group. There is no official Roman Catholic stigma I am aware of that would otherwise preclude my membership at the present time, however many years ago there was. Times change, and so has the church. I am also a member of the Optimist's International civic organization, which supports many of the same type of charitable organizations, ie Special Olympics and so on. All of these organizations have benefitted me personally. I would not hesitate to recommend anyone join the Masons, KC, Optimists, Jaycees, whatever, in order to contribute in a positive way to the community.

 

[skbellis]

Illinois

In our Lodge ( DeKalb Masonic Lodge No. 144, Grand Lodge of Illinois, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons) alcohol is forbidden (even to anyone renting the building). I have not seen alcohol at any of the other lodges I have visited.

I have begun collecting vintage Masonic items since I have become a member. I would have to say it would be wrong for anyone to wear any Masonic items if they are not a Mason.

Cheers,

---Scott

 

[Sir RBH]

There is a "Travel Lodge" a few miles away.. Been there a couple of times..
Does that count?

RBH

 

[H.Johnson]

But Freemasons don't tend to advertise their membership.

Last year was Freemasonry Information Year. Each Lodge is encouraged to appoint an Information Officer to produce press releases etc. and many have websites and hold 'open days' (or "Ladies' Nights") as they are sometimes called .

As individuals, you are supposed to recognise Masons by their moral and ethical standards and their personal appearance. Some times it doesn't seem to work...

 

[H.Johnson]

There is a "Travel Lodge" a few miles away.. Been there a couple of times..
Does that count?

RBH

No, sorry. There is something called a travelling lodge that would, though.

 

[RBH]

There is a "Travel Lodge" a few miles away.. Been there a couple of times..
Does that count?

RBH

There is alot of history behind some of the travelling Lodges, which one do you speak of?

 

[warbird]

I belong to the Ali Baba Temple of the Shrine

Here they come down main street, drums a flailin' and the sirens a
wailin', what a roar
Bands are a playin' and flags are a waivin, and the Vanguard's and
Motorcycle Corps
Clowns are a clownin' to the crowd and pinchin' every pretty girl who
dares to smile
It's a glorious mess, everybody wears a fez the parade stretches out
for a mile

Chorus

It's a typical American phenomenon where all the members have a fine
old time
It's the forty-third annual Convention of the Grand Mystic Royal Order
Of the Nobles of the Ali Baba Temple of the Shrine
Girls

Meanwhile back at the Motel.....
Spoken

"Hello, Operator, give me room 321, please, thank you Hello, Noble
Lumpkin? This here is the illustrious Potentate. I said it's the
illustrious Potentate. The illustrious...Coy! Dad blame it! This
here's Bubba! Coy, why an't you at the parade?! What?! Well, how'd you
get that big Harley up there in your room? What?! I can't hear ya'
Coy! Quit revvin' it up, son! Turn it off! Listen I just want you to
know one thing. You have embarrassed us all, the whole Hahira
Delegation! Now I'll see you at the banquet tonight, son. And you be
there Coy, you hear me? Black tie! Seven o'clock! Be there! And Coy,
don't answer the phone, udden udden! Mercy"
Well, it was all arranged by the Ladies Auxiliary in the downtown
Convention Hall
Cold Roast Beef, String Beans, Mashed Potatoes and nine boring
speeches in all
And all the tables looked fine with their Mogen David Wine and
Chrysanthemums on each side
And the Hahira leaders in their rented Tuxedos made the local hearts
swell with pride

Chorus

It's a typical American phenomenon where all the members have a fine
old time
It's the forty-third annual Convention of the Grand Mystic Royal Order
Of the Nobles of the Ali Baba Temple of the Shrine
Girls

Meanwhile back at the Motel.....
Spoken

"Operator, 321, please. Thank You. Hello, Coy? What are you doin'?!
What do you mean, who is this! This is Bubba? Why wasn't you at the
banquet? What do you mean all you had to wear was a Hawaiian flowerdy
shirt? Well, you may think you're foolin' some people, but I know
what's goin' on. Yeah, Ever'body seen the little redhead. That's
right, ever'body! Why she come runnin' right through the dinner, right
in the middle of the pineapple sherbet. Didn't have nothin' on but
your fez, Coy! Coy, you the only one's got a fez with a propeller on
top!! Yeah, yeah and she was a yellin' out the secret code, too, Coy.
Dad blame it we gonna have to change it now, Coy! We gonna have to
have a special meetin', we get back to Hahira, about your conduct at
this here convention. Embarrassin'!! Now Coy, you be at the secret
conclave tonight! You hear me?! And Coy, keep it a secret! Hah!"
Well, it was a secret meeting in the dead of the night with mysterious
sanctimony
In accordance with prescribed rituals of time honored ceremony
Matters of grave concern were weighed with dedicated caution
Like whether or not to raise at stud or draw or spit in the ocean

Chorus

It's a typical American phenomenon where all the members have a fine
old time
It's the forty-third annual Convention of the Grand Mystic Royal Order
Of the Nobles of the Ali Baba Temple of the Shrine
Girls

Meanwhile back at the Motel.....
Spoken

"Operator, room three-twenty...How'd you know? Oh! Hello! Coy? Where
have you been? No, you wasn't at the meeting! Well, I found out that
at three o'clock this mornin' you was out there in your Fruit of the
Loom's in the motel swimmin' pool with a bunch of them waitresses from
the cocktail lounge! I just hope your mama don't find out about this,
Coy! What? Well, how'd you get that big motorcycle up there on the
high dive, Coy? Now Coy, dad blame it, that ain't no way to act. We
supposed to be pillars of the community. When we get back to Hahira
you can just turn in your ring and your tie tack 'cause Coy, heh-heh,
you are out of the Shrine! You gonna be blackballed, boy! That's
right! You might even have to pack your bags and leave town! What do
you mean you might join the Hell's Angels? Coy! Don't you hang up on
me! Hello, hello...Don't you crank that motorcycle! Who's that
gigglin' in the background, Coy? Hello, hello operator! Yeah, we's cut
off! Rroom 321. Dad blame it Coy! You don't hang up on the illustrious
Potentate! I said the illustrious Potentate! This is Bubba! Bubba!
Coy!............."

 

[H.Johnson]

There is alot of history behind some of the travelling Lodges, which one do you speak of?

He's joking. Travelodge is a cheap UK hotel chain.

 

[skbellis]

Travelodge is a cheap hotel chain in the US as well.

 

[H.Johnson]

Then you have my condolences...

 

[RBH]

He's joking. Travelodge is a cheap UK hotel chain.

. :eusa_doh: .

 

[babs]

Raised last year .. Biltmore Lodge #446 Asheville, NC A.F.&A.M.
Conferred my 1st E.A. this past Tuesday. What an awesome experience. Reason I had to find a homburg.

Working on Lecturer certification currently.
Also, 32nd Scottish Rite Valley of Asheville.

Good to see some brethren here.

For those that aren't... 2B1ask1

hehehe.. Somehow I had a sneaky suspicion there would be a bunch of travelers in here.

 

[babs]

I am Catholic and one of my best friends -who is Catholic - has been a Mason for many years. I think the charities that they support are a great value to the nation and the community - Shriner's hospitals and so on. I would join, but they meet at the same time as my Knight's of Columbus group. There is no official Roman Catholic stigma I am aware of that would otherwise preclude my membership at the present time, however many years ago there was. Times change, and so has the church. I am also a member of the Optimist's International civic organization, which supports many of the same type of charitable organizations, ie Special Olympics and so on. All of these organizations have benefitted me personally. I would not hesitate to recommend anyone join the Masons, KC, Optimists, Jaycees, whatever, in order to contribute in a positive way to the community.

Hey ET, This is a fascinating topic I've wondered as I'm also a catholic convert, prior to becoming a mason, which helps to affirm the subject some people wonder.. Nope freemasonry is not a religion. My church is catholic, my lodge is a regular masonic lodge. Often wondered about the relations between the KofC and Masons though. I imagine some individuals have issues etc from the old school issues the church had / might still have with freemasonry, but I've also heard that there have been occasions where KofC folks and Masons actually worked together on fundraisers, charities, etc.

 

[skwerl-hat]

i just happened to be thinking of this very subject and i came across the thread. It seems like in our present society there is very little that bonds people together as if everyone has gone adrift like boats without sails. Anyways im off track has anyone heard of this fraternal group

Knights of Pythias?

 

[DodgeDeluxe]

Cobleskill Lodge #394 F.&A.M., Cobleskill, New York.

Dan

 

[Cigarband]

I recently discovered that my Grandfather (whom I never met) was a 33rd Degree Scottish Rite Mason (and a Roman Catholic, as am I). So I have become interested in Freemasonry. In my research, I have found that there were many motives beyond the official ones for the Roman Catholic Church to be opposed to Freemasonry. During the Reformation in Europe, The Church was allied with the Nobility, and the limitation of the rights of the People, while Freemasonry was a driving force in the growth of Protestantism and the cause of individual liberty. Thus, Freemasonry was anathema to the Church and Aristocracy.
One of the reasons so many of our Founding Fathers here in the USA were Masons, was this belief in the rights of man to live in Liberty. It is this legacy of Freemasonry in the USA that has convinced me to follow my Grandfather's path and petition to become a Freemason. I hope to be able to call many FLers "Brother" in the future.

 

[babs]

Cool!

Halcyon #498
Euclid #599
North Star #638
Cleveland #781
.. All in your area
http://www.freemason.com/html/lodge_locator_by_city.php

 

[bburtner@moran]

Tompkins Lodge #471

Yes I am a Mason,as a member of the Tompkins Lodge #471 located in Staten Island NY,I must say Masonry is a very positive enlightening experience,you only get from it what you put in!My lodge celebrates it`s 150th anniversary in November...