No. 122
1371 Lynn Valley Road,
North Vancouver, BC
Canada
604-656-6440
Find out more about Freemasonry at the Grand Lodge of BC and Yukon web site...
2007 - 2008 Lodge Officers
WM Bro. Jason Kanigan
IPM W.Bro. R. Macaskill
SW Bro. Roy Friis
JW Bro. Bruce Sanderson
TR R.W.Bro. Dick Schafer
Sec R.W.Bro. Frank Young
DC M.W.Bro. Grant Wardlaw
SD Bro. Michael Schelhaas
JD Bro. Brian Hegedus
CH R.W.Bro. Dave Brown
IG W.Bro. Merl Taylor
OG W.Bro. John Passegger
SS Bro. Jack Houghland
JS Bro. Alphonse Quenneville
OR W.Bro. Don Thomson
More about Freemasonry...
5.) Where can I get
more information about the Freemasons?
The best way to get
information is to talk to a Mason – either in person or online. You may have
some of the same questions as those below – so take a look at the FAQs. If you
want more historical information, Mark Tabbert’s book, American Freemasons, is a
good place to start. More lighthearted, yet accurate and thorough, is Freemasons
for Dummies by Christopher Hodapp. Both books published in 2005 and are
available in your local bookstore, or you may find them at online stores like
Amazon and Borders. You can also Request Information online through this web
site.
6.) Is there a
difference between Masons and Freemasons?
The names are
interchangeable. The term Freemason is often used today in public to
differentiate the fraternity from actual operative stonemasons, and is said to
more accurately describe the enlightened “freethinking” of the membership.
7.) Why is there so
much interest in Masonry today?
Over the last four centuries,
Freemasonry seems to have flourished during times of great enlightenment and
change. It is no coincidence that Freemasonry rose to prominence during the Age
of Enlightenment in both Europe and America – where a new generation believed it
could discover ways to gain personal improvement, bring order to society, and
understand the whole universe. This statement is perhaps even stronger today
than it was in the 18th century. Today, men seek out Masonry for the same
reasons – to better themselves and improve society in the company of like-minded
Brothers. As we learn more about how our physical world works, there’s also new
interest in those things we don’t understand – especially things bound around
tradition or that have a more mystical nature. Also, books like The Da Vinci
Code and movies like “National Treasure" have brought up both new interest and
renewed speculation about the nature of the Fraternity. Though these books and
movies are a product more of a vivid imagination than fact, the real history of
Masonry is perhaps the best story of all – one learned only by Asking – and
becoming a Freemason.
8.) Can Freemasonry
actually prepare me to be a greater person?
No organization
can guarantee to make anyone great, but the powerful values and important truths
that are taught as part of the Masonic tradition has proven to inspire,
challenge, and develop leadership in men. Benjamin Franklin may have said it
best, describing the Fraternity as a place to “prepare himself.” Perhaps one of
the things that has kept Masonry a strong and vital organization for so long is
the fact that the fraternity proposed only to “make good men better,” not to
make bad men good. This distinction is critical in that from its early days the
Fraternity took itself out of the “rehabilitation” game -- which became the
purvey of both religion and the criminal justice system. Today, men are
preparing themselves for greatness in Lodges the world over. If you think
there’s greatness in you, we invite your interest.
9.) What about
secret handshakes, ritual, and passwords?
Freemasonry, often
called the “Craft” by its members, is founded on metaphors of architecture.
Following the practice of the ancient stonemason guilds, Freemasons use special
handshakes, words, and symbols to not only to identify each other, but to help,
as William Preston said in 1772, “imprint upon the memory wise and serious
truths.” Although every new Freemason takes an oath – and vows to keep secret
the metaphors of Masonry – the metaphors are only used to help Masons become
better men; and there’s certainly no secret surrounding what it takes to be good
and true.
10.) What is a
Grand Lodge?
Grand Lodges were formed – first in England and
Ireland, and later in America, to help standardize ritual, traditions, and
customs among various Lodges. The first Grand Lodge in America was formed in
Massachusetts in 1733. Today there is a Grand Lodge in every state – and
virtually every country in the world. There is no “central” Grand Lodge, though
Grand Lodges also meet to help facilitate unity and uphold tradition within the
Craft.
Ritual
What is Masonic
"Ritual"?
The nature of Masonic ritual is both complex and
beautiful. “Ritual” is actually a recitation of certain tenets and truths that
have been passed down for generations – mostly from mouth to ear. This “Ritual”
takes the form of lectures and theater in the Lodge, and is used to teach new
Masons the value of truth and the necessity of helping those in need. Not
everyone will want to learn the ancient ritual – as it takes great time and
study – but those Masons who chose to learn it are rewarded with the
satisfaction of upholding a powerful tradition and helping their fellow brothers
further their Masonic understanding.
Secrets
I’ve
seen secret Masonic “codebooks” What do they mean?
The nature
of Masonic teachings and initiation is deeply rooted in the oral tradition. In
most Lodges, these rituals are never written out – but are passed on “mouth to
ear,” from one Masonic generation to the next. What may be thought to be
codebooks are actually Masonic “ciphers”. These ciphers are not in “code” at
all, but provide merely hints of the spoken word to refresh one’s memory. A
Masonic cipher cannot be “broken,” – as there is no code to break.
Masonry & Religion
I heard certain religions cannot become Masons, is that true?
Freemasonry has always welcomed members of any faith. Today, there are many members of every faith who are Masons.
Is Masonry a Religion?
Masonry is not a religion. But it is one of the few platforms where men of every religion can come together. And although Lodges open and close with a prayer and Masonry teaches morality, it is not a church or a religion. Masonry is open to all men who believe in a Supreme Being. But because of the necessity to take oaths, no atheist can become a Mason.
Why aren’t there any famous women who are Masons?
Freemasonry is, by definition, a fraternity that aims to promote Brotherly Love and Friendship among its members. It is a worldwide organization that draws together men from every country, race, religion, ethnicity, opinion, and background, and helps cultivate and promote better relationships and bonds of friendships among them. Freemasonry doesn’t focus on Friendship and Brotherly Love because it believes that only relations between men are important, or that relations between men and women are unimportant, but because hope for peace and harmony in the world is improved when men can put aside their differences and come together as friends. Masons also appreciate and value relations with women. We sponsor and participate in Masonic related organizations such as the Order of Eastern Star and the Order of Rainbow for Girls, whose members include women and girls respectively.
Is Freemasonry a Charity?
No. Masonic principles teach the value of relief - or charity - and Freemasons give more than $3 million A DAY, of which more than 70% of these donations support the general public. Among their works are the Shriners Hospitals for Children with 22 sites throughout North America, including a burn center in Boston and an orthopedic facility in Springfield; almost 225 Learning Centers helping children with dyslexia and speech and hearing disorders; the Masonic Youth Child Identification Program (MYCHIP), and the Masonic Angel Foundation, providing modest assistance to children and adults in local communities who do not fit the criteria for usual social-services. Most recently, the Masonic Service Association of North America entered into an agreement with the USO to participate in Operation Phone Home: a campaign to provide United States Military Service Personnel serving overseas with prepaid international phone calling cards. There are numerous other worthy causes and groups that local Lodges contribute to and help in their communities.
Can any race or color become Freemasons?
Masonry accepts men from every race, color, creed, nationality, and culture.