The Soapbox - September 2008 Issue
Message from the Grand First Principal
M.Ex.Comp. Roland A. Paddle
My Companions:
Greetings to you and best wishes for success in your
activities. We have had one of the most productive summers as far as gardens and
grass is concerned and no break from the mower. May this reflect vibrant Chapter
activities in the coming months. Thank you for recognizing the 150th
Anniversary Celebrations by your attendance at Grand Chapter and your respective
Chapters, a memory to be proud of. Since the Grand Chapter Convocation, your
Grand First Principal has led a busy schedule in and around this part of Canada,
and the United States. My appreciation goes to my wife Marjorie for her
patience either by attendance or support. These are just some of the highlights
of official duties and visitations made since April 5th.
April 15 The Installation of Officers of The St.
Patrick's Chapter No. 145 in Newmarket
April 16 The Installation of Officers of Carleton Chapter
No. 16 in Ottawa
April 23 Amalgamation of Alberton Chapter No. 152 and
Golden Chapter No. 90 in
Kenora as Golden Chapter No. 90
April 25 -26 Grand Chapter of Manitoba in Winnipeg (5 Provinces
represented)
May 3 -5 The Grand Chapter of Nova Scotia in Truro
May 20 The Joint Installation of the Officers of Georgian
Chapter No. 56 and Amabel
Chapter No. 131 in Owen Sound
May 20 Investiture and Installation of R.Ex.Comp. Charles
Stewart, Grand Superintendent
of District 4 in Owen Sound
May 22 Grand Chapter of Newfoundland in Comer Brook
May 29 Grand Court of the Amaranth in Burlington
May 31 150th Anniversary dinner and presentation of 60 yr
Past Principal jewel to
V.Ex.Comp. Mervyn S. Tripp of Dochert Chapter No. 248 held in
Fitzroy Harbour
June 9-10 Grand Chapter of Vermont in Colchester
June 21 Grand Lodge ceremony of laying the comer stone at
the Lodge building at Upper
Canada Village near Morrisburg and Divine Church service at St.
John's Church
June 22 Fish Fry at Oshawa
July 15 -17 One Hundred and Fifty-third Annual Grand Lodge
Communication
Aug 7 -9 Grand Chapter of Iowa in Cedar Rapids
Aug 10 Chapter Picnic at Tillsonburg
Aug 14 District 9 Steak Fry and Com Boil at Midland
Aug 22 Grand Imperial Conclave Assembly in Toronto
Aug 24 -25 Sovereign Great Priory Assembly in Toronto
The itinerary
of future visits once confirmed will be listed on the web site.
Several visits held some special significance which in some
cases were unexpected. The one recommendation from this experience is, if ever
in Cedar Rapids, make a tour of the Grand Lodge AF and AM of Iowa. The museum
there is something to behold and the building itself leaves a lasting
impression. The white marble exterior, interior memorial rooms, stained glass
windows and polished brass railings catch the eye. The visit to Manitoba which
at one time was part of the Grand Chapter in Ontario, was welcomed as a long
time since any Grand First Principal from Ontario paid a visit to the Grand
Chapter there. The travelling triangle was displayed for all to see and reported
it visited the Prince Rupert Chapter in Winnipeg in the early 1900's.
September is the beginning of official visits and a busy
time for the Grand Superintendents. Lets get back to Royal Arch business in our
own jurisdiction and show your support. Don't forget the Ploughing Match
September 16 to 20 at Teeswater, invite a friend to see the activities of the
craft. The Meet and Greet is Wednesday, September 17. We have a dedication to be
conducted at Ravenswood as soon as the Grand Lodge dedication is complete and
the amalgamation at Kingston is still in progress between Ancient Frontenac and
Cataraqui Chapter No. 1 and Mt. Sinai No. 44. The Chairmen and appointed
representatives are working diligently to conduct the process of each event.
Although in general, Chapters are showing a healthy growth in candidates there
are still concerns about the loss through demits and suspensions. We need to
keep the interest to maintain the members we have. With this comes a reminder
that support of your craft lodge is the foundation and most important that your
membership there is maintained in good standing to hold membership in any
concordant body.
Focus is urged on the standard logo of the keystone
illustrated under Section 5 of the Constitution for the authorized use. A number
of Districts are now using the logo for letterhead and more are switching from
unauthorized versions used in the past. The 150th Anniversary place
mats illustrated the correct design for both logos of Grand Lodge and Grand
Chapter. The book of the Work explains the correct use of the triple tau on
summons of importance. To accompany and support the former, the authorized
manuals such as Etiquette and Protocol, Installation of Officers, and 2008
Constitutions, are now available at Grand Chapter Office. The Chapters need a
supply on hand for the education of new companions and updating officers. The
2008 proceedings are now printed and available through the Scribe Ezras. If more
copies are needed place your order through the Grand Chapter Office.
In conclusion the email summons are now allowed as soon as
the Grand Lodge workshop conducted by Brian Bond is attended. This will
authorize the Chapter to use this means of communication so start building a
library of email addresses but also maintain a regular up to date mailing list.
Message from the Grand Second Principal
R.Ex.Comp. Roland Mandeville
My Companions:
Thank you for your confidence in
electing me to this high and important office. I look forward to fulfilling the
duties of this job to the best of my ability. I congratulate the elected and
appointed officers of Grand Chapter and wish them a successful and rewarding
year.
Each current First Principal should have a current copy of
the Constitution (2008), the Ritual Book, and the Book of Protocol and
Etiquette. They indicate that visits by the Grand Council and official visits
of the Grand Superintendents should be performed at every opportunity with pomp
and protocol. The Companion should be well recognized and given grand honours.
Remember they are the representatives of the Grand First Principal. First
Principals should ensure that a delegation from each Chapter attend the Course
of Instruction. Many Chapters indicate a modest influx of masons joining the
Holy Royal Arch. Let us keep the new Companions busy and interested.
The Grand First Principal has
established a Long Range Planning committee, who will consider changes in
convocation locations, officer development, education booklets, current policies
and procedures. This will help in the smooth running of the Chapters and
generate initiatives to assist Grand Chapter in attaining its objective. He has
also encouraged the Chapters to use the Standard Logo of Grand Chapter (Section
5 of the 2008 Constitution) on all correspondence of present and past Grand
Chapter Officers.
The Grand Master in his Annual (2008) report has encouraged
all masons to support the Youth of Ontario and promote the Child ID program.
One of the well known Royal Arch
symbols, the Triple Tau is the 19th letter of the Greek alphabet and is an
English letter "T'. A short note on this symbol can be found in the July 2008
Newsletter (Triple Tau) of the Grand Chapter RAM of Michigan by Louis C. McCray.
This symbol is not used indiscriminately, only when urgency and expediency are
required as noted in our book of the Work.
The Fall Grand Executive Meeting
will be held in Kingston on October 25th, 2008. The Ambassador Hotel
(Kingston) is offering rooms at a modest rate for any Royal Arch Mason
attending. R.Ex.Comp. Edward Toogood (ted.toogood@sympatico.ca) is the RAM
co-ordinator.
For your information the 2008 Ploughing Match takes place
from September 16th - 20th in Teeswater Bruce County. The
web site is (ipm2008@wightman). Visit the masonic booth and meet the Companions.
I thank the Companions for their continued support and
diligence in recording and reporting the events and conditions of Capitular
masonry in this jurisdiction. I look forward to greeting and meeting with you
during my travels.
R.Ex.Comp.
Roland P. Mandeville
Grand Second Principal
Message from the Grand Third Principal
R.Ex.Comp. Michael Jon Bowman
My Companions:
Well summer is drawing to a close,
I don't know where it went, but the last long weekend of the summer has come and
gone and you know what that means!
I want to begin by saying
"Thank You" to all who supported and elected me to the office of Grand
Third Principal. I look forward to working with the Grand Council over the next
few years and I am certain that with their guidance and support we can continue
to make a difference.
With our 150th
Anniversary ceremonies behind us, let us not forget our Royal Arch Charities
-Scholarship & Bursary, Release a Miracle Research and Benevolence. Please keep
these precious charities in mind and close to your heart as you go over your
yearly contribution list. Remember that through your generous donations it
doesn't matter if you area student going to college or university, a Companion
who is sick or in distress or a medical research team searching for the cures of
tomorrow, Grand Chapter will continue to have programs that can help. Ask your
district chairman for information on how to donate or apply for these programs
If your district has not appointed
a Public Relations Representative to the Grand Chapter Public Relations
Committee please, I encourage you to follow up on this as soon as possible by
contacting your Grand Superintendent with the name of a worthy companion. Keep
in mind it is to your advantage to have a representative from each district on
this Grand Chapter Committee, it will enable us to more effectively promote
Royal Arch Masonry by utilizing someone who is familiar with and can represent
his own district. Also if your Chapter or District is having a special event,
celebration or presentation let the Grand Chapter Public Relations Committee and
webmaster know so they can help you with promotion, we can't promote what we
don't know about. Also at these events take pictures and send them to the Grand
Chapter Public Relations Committee and webmaster so you can show everyone else
the good time that they missed.
Finally, I just want to encourage all companions all to do
GOOD degree work in your Chapters and MEMORIZE your
parts to the best of your ability. All indications show we have a number of new
candidates eagerly anticipating the mysteries that Royal Arch Masonry has to
offer. Remember, as we welcome new members into Royal Arch Masonry, that being a
candidate only happens once. The ceremonies of advancement, reception and
exaltation will become life long Masonic memories and will leave candidates with
a lasting impression of our abilities, so let's make it a good one!
I wish everyone all the best and will see you in my travels!
R.Ex.Comp. Michael J. Bowman
Grand Third Principal
