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My Brothers, welcome to October! The sun is already setting earlier, the leaves are slowly falling from the trees, and there is more darkness in a 24 hour period than light. As time begins to dwindle down on 2021, Consuelo Lodge is still going strong. No doubt, there is still a piece missing in the cog at times, but to say we are not doing our best to support our Brothers, provide an experience for the candidates, and promote good will towards all, couldn’t be further from the truth. Times have not been easy, but they have been successful. Many Lodges are continuing to struggle, while Consuelo Lodge is putting on 50 year pinning’s, covering all three degrees, and celebrating those Brothers who have been examples of what it truly means to be a Freemason.

     September was not a very busy month, but it did have a lot of meaning and impact. Brother Bob Torrie received his First Degree initiation, and has begun his journey in Freemasonry. Bro. Torrie had been waiting over 18 months to receive this Degree, and the smile on his face at the end of the night was testimony to the affect Masonry and brotherly love can have on a man. Congratulations to Bro. Torrie on his taking the first step into the mysteries of Freemasonry.

     September was also impactful in the recognizing of Bro. Greg Lund as Consuelo’s recipient of the Mason of the Year award. For those who do not see all the work being done in the background, Bro. Greg has been the Assistant Treasurer this year, assisting Wor. George. Brother Greg has also been serving the Masonic Hall Association for a number of years, specifically as the Secretary, keeping copious notes and records in order to make sure the Hall continues to keep an accurate record of all dealings and to make sure it is run smoothly. Lastly, and certainly not the least, Bro. Greg has been using his public relations skills to connect the lodge to media outlets and has even had an article or two put in local papers spotlighting Consuelo as an emerging collaborator within the community.

     The Hiram Award, the equivalent of a lifetime achievement award within Freemasonry, goes to Wor. George Tegart. Wor. George was initiated, passed, raised, and served his mother lodge as Master in the state of New York. After many years of travelling for work, Wor. George settled locally, and became a member of Consuelo Lodge. Since that time, Wor. George has always  been very active in the Lodge, and has served as the Treasurer and on the board of the Masonic Hall Association. Wor. George is always there when one needs advice, and is always willing to put in the time and effort to see that processes are done accurately and professionally. The pride Wor. George takes in his work is something that should be emulated by all Masons. Please, when you see these three Brothers around, congratulate them and thank them for being a part of the Consuelo family. Also, please keep an eye out for further details for the celebration of their service to Masonry.

     September’s “Consuelo at Refreshment” was held at DiCicco’s Italian Restaurant. I hope most of you had an opportunity to see the photos taken from that evening. It was truly a great time being outside of the Lodge socializing with our Brother’s laughing and joking while enjoying libations. These events are very informal and is a great opportunity to truly get to know your Brothers. “Consuelo at Refreshment” hold no expectations of the Brothers. They can show up as late as they wish, and leave when they have had their fill of fun. Dress as comfortable as you wish, but come ready to have a great time. I promise, you won’t regret the time spent. Please keep an eye out for Bro. Jon Rick’s emails regarding the next “Consuelo at Refreshment.” If you have the opportunity to attend, I strongly recommend you give it a chance. 

     “Fireside Chats” are still going strong. It’s a small personal group, but the esoteric conversations are thoughtful and inspiring. For those that feel there is more to Masonry, and especially more to the ritual than appears at the surface, you are invited to join us in the Wor. Pete Lagatta Fireside Room at the Lodge on the 2^nd and 4^th Friday of each month. For October, there will only be one session as October 8^th the Pillars will be at Grand Lodge for Annual Communications. The chats will again start up on October 22^nd, so for those interested please mark your calendar, we start at 7 o’clock PM. These are open to Freemason only, but not limited to any Degree.

     Looking ahead, there is still plenty of labor to be performed. Rumor has it, there is another Brother ready to give back his 2^nd Degree proficiency, and will be ready to schedule his Third Degree. Please stay tuned for more details as they are determined and socialized. The Pillars are heading to San Francisco October 8^th– 10^th. Remember, we are you representatives so if there is something you wish to discuss regarding this year’s legislation, please get with one of us and we can go over it.

     October 25^th will be Past Masters Night at Consuelo Lodge. Wor. Tracy Reynold’s has been hard at work coordinating a spectacular event. The Degree will be a 2^nd Degree for Bro. Dan Currie, and will be preceded by a pasta dinner. Looking even further ahead, and I bring these up just to spark some discussion, Bro. Jason Beyer is coordinating a very eventful Veteran’s Appreciation night. That evening will be on our Stated Meeting evening, November 8^th, and dinner will start earlier than usual. Please be cognizant of that and plan ahead. More details will be following very shortly.

     Also, coming later in November, as many heard at this past Stated Meeting, Bro. Jeff Powell and Wor. Mike Beyers are working out the details to perform a community service with Interfaith on Thanksgiving serving food to the less fortunate. As the time draws closer, more details will be socialized. I implore you all, if you are able to give any amount of time to this bit of charity, to join us in giving a helping hand to others in the community that really need our support and kind nature. As a Mason, you are called to perform these acts. I look forward to seeing many people there that day. Lastly, rounding out the year, Bro. Julian Madril and Bro. Raphael Pena are coordinating our Christmas party at the end of the year. They have assured me, this event will be an event to remember and will be open to both Masonic families and prospects. I look forward to them sharing their ideas with the Lodge at the next Stated Meeting.

     As you see, we are nearing the end of the 2021 adventure. For those that have not had the opportunity to participate this year, there is still time. I for one am pleased with the current state of the Lodge. There is a strong core of motivated Brothers who are excited to see the Lodge continue to grow. Two things that I feel would benefit our Lodge is Brothers stepping up to be coaches for the upcoming Candidates. Some of our current coaches have numerous candidates. I know there are many able Brothers within the Lodge who would make great coaches. If you have the ability please step up and pass on that Masonic knowledge. By teaching, it affords you a second opportunity to learn the principles of Masonry. Lastly, Consuelo Lodge lacks the participation of Past Masters. It’s a bitter truth, but very few return after serving their year in the East. All who have sat in the Oriental chair have a lot of experience and wisdom that needs to be passed on to others making their way through the line, as well as on the sidelines. I ask you Brothers, to come back and support the Lodge you once led and see the affects of your presence in the Lodge. 

     I wish everyone health and prosperity in the last quarter of the year. Keep each other in your thoughts and consider picking up the phone to call that Brother that you haven’t heard from in some time. Take care of eachother and lend a helping hand when it is needed. Please be safe, and we will see you at the next meeting, god willing.

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     Brothers, my topic for this month was going to be about procrastination, but I will probably write about that topic at some other time. Instead there is another topic that I would like to cover, and that is the Masonic Landmarks. I am not talking about physical landmarks, such as Temples and other Masonic buildings, but a set of principles known as the Masonic landmarks. Rarely do I hear of these landmarks being discussed. I first recall reading about these landmarks in a book, and was later reminded of their existence during a car ride to Covina Masonic Homes with the late Wor. Sak and Wor. Reynolds. These landmarks were also broken down in a series a few years ago by Wor. Douglas. I am bringing them up again now because there are probably newer Masons who may not know that these landmarks exist. There have been several revisions of these landmarks throughout the years, but probably the most famous version are the 25 Masonic Landmarks by Albert Mackey, who has authored many Masonic books. 

Mackey’s 25 Landmarks are:

1. The fraternal modes of recognition
2. The division of Masonry into 3 symbolic degrees
3. The symbolic legend of Hiram Abiff
4. The government of the fraternity by a Grand Master
5. The prerogative of the Grand Master to preside over every assembly of the craft
6. The prerogative of the Grand Master to issue dispensations for conferring degrees at irregular times
7. The prerogative of the Grand Master to issue dispensations for opening and holding Lodges otherwise not established
8. The prerogative of the Grand Master to make Masons at Sight
9. The necessity for Masons to congregate in Lodges
10. The government of Lodges to be by a Master and two Wardens
11. The necessity that every Lodge when congregated be duly tiled
12. The right of every Mason to be represented in all general meetings of the Craft
13. The right of every Mason to appeal from his Lodge’s decisions to the Grand Lodge
14. The right of every Mason to sit in every regular Lodge
15. That no unknown visitor be allowed to sit in Lodge without being examined and found to be a Freemason
16. That no Lodge can interfere in the business of another Lodge
17. That every Freemason be amenable to the laws and regulations of the Jurisdiction in which he resides
18. That candidates for Freemasonry be required to meet certain qualifications; namely: being of mature age, not a cripple, and free born.
19. That a belief in the existence of God be a requirement for membership
20. That belief in a resurrection to a future life be a requirement for membership
21. That a “Book of the Law” shall constitute an indispensable part of the furniture of every Lodge
22. The equality of Masons
23. The secrecy of the Institution
24. The foundation of a speculative science upon an operative art, and the symbolic use and explanation of the terms of that art for purposes of moral teaching
25. That none of these landmarks can be changed

To me, these all seem like very sound principles. The last one, number 25, is worth noting, however, since these landmarks do change and have been changed, or at least the way they are interpreted. Different Grand Lodges have their own version of these. I have listed these 25 mainly for historical purposes, and encourage any Mason to become familiar with these and do further research on their own.

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My Brothers, autumn is upon us! While we likely won’t have too many trees transitioning through a beautiful array of colors; there is hope on the horizon that cooler weather and even some rain is not too far off. Around this time of year, I personally always look forward to Halloween, an annual trip to ​​Bates Nut Farm, and a visit to the Haunted HayRide held at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. Of course to have a good hayride, you need a great wagon, which leads me to my next topic…

     Are you ready to jump on the BAND wagon? If you haven’t heard already, many of the lodges in North San Diego County are using a new mobile app called BAND which has been championed by the Inspectors of the 911th & 941st Masonic Districts, Worshipful Gabe & Worshipful Mark.

     If you had used and enjoyed our previous (and now discontinued) lodge specific mobile app, there are a number of similar features and many new features that I think we’ll get excellent use of! Below are a small handful of screenshots from the North County Masonic Lodges’ & Consuelo’s specific BANDs.

You should have received an invite for the BAND app from our lodge Secretary via email on Sept 23rd. The subject of the email being “Band of Brothers!”. If you have trouble locating that email or need assistance getting the app setup on your phone, please reach out to me at [email protected] and I’d be happy to help!

     Much like our old mobile app I believe BAND will serve as an excellent communication tool and allow our members to share content with one another in a fun, interactive, and private way.

     Finally, I’d like to ask everyone to RSVP for our upcoming Stated Dinner which can be done on our website by visiting: www.consuelo325.org/dinner Please try and have your reservations made no later than this Friday October 8th to allow ample time for the necessary shopping and preparations.

     I very much hope to see you at one of the many events we have coming up and should you need any assistance in getting to or from any activity or event please reach out!