The Lodge 693 Trestleboard June 2014

Transcription

1 The Lodge 693 Trestleboard June 2014 from the east Greetings Brethren: The month of May was a very busy month for me, as I had the honor and pleasure to travel with the Grand Master Most Worshipful John L. Cooper III to Austria and to Romania. Stated Mee(ng Tuesday July 1st at 7:30PM Dinner Served from 6:00PM Before I met the Grand Lodge Delegation in Austria I had the opportunity to take part in a triple 1 st Degree on April 29 th at the Paracelsus Lodge in my hometown, Villach, in Austria. Most Worshipful Cooper appointed me his personal representative to the Grand Lodge of Austria, so I had the honor of representing the MW as well as Palm Springs Lodge #693 also in Villach. The reception there was filled with brotherly love and I had the feeling that I d been a member of that Lodge for many years., That s how intense, friendly, and brotherly was my welcome. One of the candidates in the Triple Degree was a very good friend of mine. He did not know that I would be present, so he was greatly surprised and very happy to see me sitting in the East. The Degree was outstanding. It was performed according the Austrian Schröder Ritual, which is quite different from our Ritual here in California. It was performed with such a dedication and the accompanying classical music fit so perfectly into that ceremony that I felt it with my whole body and soul. Congratulations to you, Worshipful (Ehrwürdiger Meister) Dr. Peter Zdesar and to all your team. I am looking forward seeing you again this summer. Worshipful Master Imanuel Eisendle congratulates Worshipful Master (Meister vom Stuhl) Dr. Peter Zdesar on the outstanding degree work continued on page 5

2 from the west "Even if you are on the right track, you'll get run over of you just sit there." - Will Rogers - Freemason Brethren: I am pleased to inform you that our Lodge is active and growing by all measures. First, as many of you are aware, our Worshipful Master has recently returned from overseas where Palm Springs Lodge #693 was well represented at The 13th World Conference of Regular Masonic Grand Lodges. This event was hosted by The National Grand Lodge of Romania in Bucharest. I had the pleasure of speaking via Skype with our California Grand Lodge Officers, elected and appointed from the Palace in Bucharest, an amazing site!! Closer to home, I again personally congratulate Brother Aaron Gengarelly and Brother Randy Viscovich who were both Passed to the Degree of Fellow-Craft in May. Both Brothers returned excellent proficiencies in The Lecture of the Entered Apprentice. If you were in lodge you know exactly what I'm saying. I'd like to extend my "fraternal kudos" to Brother Mark Steiger who coaches Brother Viscovich and Brother Nathan Kazmer who coaches Brother Gengarelly. Their commitment to our Craft is evident in the work!! Our June calendar is a busy one. It includes our monthly Stated Meeting, and an Initiation of a new candidate. Brother David Mariner will return his proficiency in the Traditional Form as he is Passed to the Degree of Fellow-Craft. Masonic Education is on tap for June, too. Brother Nick Seneca will be sending notices as the dates approach. Also, you can always check in at our web site, PalmSpringsMasons.org for the most up to date calendar and information. I look forward to seeing all The Brethren at our upcoming Meetings, Degrees and Events! Remember, Tuesday Night is Lodge Night! Fraternally, Kurt Handshuh Junior Warden Know a good solar contractor? Lodge 693 Hall Association President Mark Steiger is in search of a solar contractor to install solar at our Lodge. If you can recommend someone, contact Brother Mark at marksteiger777@gmail.com 2

3 from the south Dear Brothers, What is the difference between a cowan and an eavesdropper? An eavesdropper is an intentional listener. A Cowan may therefore be classed as an unintentional listener in Speculative Masonry. It is a Scottish term of contempt. A dry-dyker. One who builds dykes or walls without mortar. So therefore according to Speculative Masonic thinking, Masonry has no place for anyone that builds their symbolic walls without the cement of brotherly love. Biblical reference to the cryptic meaning can be found in Ezekiel 13: I look forward to every Lodge meeting and the abundance of brotherly love. It is the cement that binds us. Fraternally, Broher Don Ryals Junior Warden 2014 Lodge 693 Officers Worshipful Master - Imanuel Eisendle - dreisendle@dc.rr.com Senior Warden (appointed) - Kurt Handshuh - kurtlends@gmail.com Junior Warden - Don Ryals - iparafly@gmail.com Treasurer - Dan Oates - doates818@aol.com Secretary - Oscar Rodriguez - osrocasusa@gmail.com Chaplain - Arman Ordian - aordian@verizon.net Senior Deacon - David Pucksoontorn - glck40boi@gmail.com Junior Deacon - Don Shore - masonicbruin@gmail.com Marshall - Robert Jacob - revbobpaul@aol.com Senior Steward - Brian Tremblay - brian.edward.tremblay@gmail.com Junior Steward - Victor DeSanVs - victor.desanvs@ucr.edu Tiler - Dave Berg - kingdave39@hotmail.com 3

4 june at our lodge 450 s. avenida caballeros, palm springs Tuesday June 10 at 7:30PM 1st Degree: Mr. Hamilton Philippe Allman Dinner served from 6:00PM Tuesday June 17th at 7:30PM 2nd Degree: Candidate TBA Dinner served from 6:00PM Tuesday June 24th at 7:30PM 2nd Degree: Candidate TBA Dinner served from 6:00PM Thursday June 26th at 6:30PM Lodge 693 Hall Associa(on Mee(ng. Open to all Master Masons of Lodge 693 Saturday June 28th at 6:00PM Murder at the Haunted Tiki Hut Mystery Dinner Theatre to benefit the Valley of Palm Springs Sco[sh Rite Language and Learning Center. Reserve by June 15th. For info, see below or call

5 On May 5 th I flew to Vienna to meet with all the participants of the Austrian Adventure, perfectly organized by our Grand Master Most Worshipful John L. Cooper III and his lovely wife, Lady Heather Cooper. Deputy Grand Master Right Worshipful Russ Charvonia also came along on the journey. We were a nice and cheerful group of 21 with12 Masons from California and their Ladies. Friendships which will last forever were created. With Most Worshipful Cooper and his wife Heather at the world famous Hotel Sacher in Vienna enjoying delicious pastries and coffee. I arranged a private tour through the inner city of Vienna in a Wiener Fiacker - A typical Viennese carriage 5

6 The excursions started on May 7 th with a panoramic orientation bus tour of Vienna, exploring the most significant historic sights of the city. We began at Rechte Wienzeile, the Right Vienna Row, traveled towards the central Ringstrasse, passing en route the Vienna State Opera, Museum of Fine Arts, Natural History Museum, Hofburg Palace, Austrian Parliament Building, Vienna City Hall and Burgtheater. We continued to the Prater area to view the Giant Ferris Wheel, Vienna International Center and the Millenium Tower, a feature of the new Vienna skyline along the Danube River. The tour was completed at the famous colorful Hundertwasser house and the Belvedere Palace, with its pristine English gardens. Belvedere Palace Vienna The next day we took a morning drive to the picturesque Danube Valley to Krems an der Donau, one of the most beautiful parts of the valley located at the eastern gateway to the Wachau Valley, We passed the charming double-town Krems-Stein, more than 1,000 years old with rich cultural and historical features. We then continued to Rosenau, location of Austria's most important Freemason Museum. Austrian Museum of Freemasonry in Rosenau, An original Lodge room from the 18 th century 6

7 Most Worshipful Cooper in the East The Austrian Adventure Group in front of Schloß Rosenau 7

8 Saturday May 10 th the group went to Burgenland. Right Worshipful Brother Russ and I did not take part in this excursion. Instead, we drove to Carinthia to Villach my hometown. I arranged a Masonic meeting with Dr. Hans Kummerer from the Villach Lodge Paracelsus. He is the historian of that lodge and a Past Master of the Lodge Quatuor Coronati in Vienna. He gave us an excellent lecture on the history of Freemasonry in Austria from the beginning of the 18th century until today. It was a very educational, joyful and fraternal meeting. He took us also on a tour of the Lodge Paracelsus. Dr. Kummerer, PM and Right Worshipful Charvonia in front of the Paracelsus Lodge in Villach (Photo by Russ Charvonia) I also invited Right Worshipful Russ to visit my Lavender store Punto Viola in Villach. With Right Worshipful Brother Russ and the two pearls of my store, Mrs. Mary and Mrs. Anitta 8

9 After that we met with my wife Ulli in our home and had a pleasant afternoon and evening. In my home in Carinthia with my wife Ulli and Right Worshipful Brother Russ Next morning on May 11 th we drove to Salzburg to meet the group there to spend the day in the city of Salzburg, a perfectly preserved Baroque city with spacious squares and gardens, tiny shops, antiques and crafts, fashions, a vibrant Old Town, and of course Mozart, synonymous with Salzburg. We enjoyed a walking tour with our specialized and charming tour guide Gerti, visiting Mozart's birthplace, now a museum, and the Mozart residence, destroyed during World War II, and opened to the public in House of Birth of Mozart 9

10 On Monday May 12 th in the morning we visited the Schönbrunn Palace, the Summer Residence of the Austrian Emperors. Schönbrunn Palace Vienna (above and below) The Grand Tour of the palace took us through 40 magnificent interiors. It began in the west wing of the palace and took us through the apartments of Emperor Franz Joseph and Empress Elisabeth, the central wing with its imposing state rooms and finally into the east wing of the palace, where highlights include the magnificent audience chamber used by Emperor Franz Stephan and Empress Maria Theresa. 10

11 In the afternoon we had a special visit to the Grand Lodge of Austria including a personal meeting with the Grand Master of Austria Most Worshipful (Ehrwürdigster Großmeister) Mag. Dr. Nikolaus Schwärzler. It was a greatly inspiring meeting and confirmed that the common spirit of Freemasonry knows neither borders nor fences. After this meeting we toured the different Temples of the Grand Lodge Building. Next, we had the occasion to attend a 1 st Degree of the English speaking Lodge Sarastro in the Grand Temple of the Austrian Grand Lodge Building. It was an Emulation Degree, quite similar to our California Ritual. It was performed in an outstanding manner. Congratulations Worshipful Michael Leroy and your team. I also thank you, Brother Secretary Ian Cunliffe, for organizing all the meetings, the tour through the Grand Lodge of Austria and for that special evening we all had together in the Augustiner Keller. Grand Temple of The Grand Lodge of Austria 11 At the main entrance of the Grand Lodge of Austria (photo by Russ Charvonia)

12 In the lobby of the Grand Lodge of Austria (photo by Russ Charvonia) The next morning we took an excursion to the Vienna Woods for visits to the Cistercian Heiligenkreuz Abbey and the former Mayerling hunting lodge, where Crown Prince Rudolph and Baronessse Vetsera tragically died in We stopped at the Roman city of Baden, famous for its thermal springs, where Beethoven lived for a few years. That evening the Austrian Adventure with our Grand Master Most Worshipful John Cooper III came to an end with a private Farewell Dinner at the Restaurant Holly Molly located on a stationed ship on the Danube River. It was such a wonderful time with the Brothers and their wives. We became good friends and the friendships will continue. On May 14 th the Grand Master Most Worshipful John Cooper III, his wife Heather, the Deputy Grand Master Right Worshipful Russ Charvonia and I flew to Bucharest to the 13 th World Conference of Regular Masonic Grand Lodges hosted by the National Grand Lodge of Romania. Already present were the Grand Senior Warden Right Worshipful David Perry with his wife Jeanette, Grand Junior Warden Right Worshipful John Heisner with his wife Margo and our Grand Secretary Very Worshipful Allan Casalou. This Conference was a meeting of the superlative. About 104 Grand Lodges from all over the world were represented by their Grand Masters, Grand Secretaries, Grand Senior and Grand Junior Wardens. I had the honor and pleasure to represent our little blue Lodge Palm Springs # 693 among the Grand Officers. It was a great time! In a short time, many Brethren and I developed friendships which I am sure will last forever because we ll stay in touch. 12

13 With Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Austria Dr. Nikolaus Schwärzler at the World Conference Delegations of the Grand Lodges of Brazil at the Palace of Parliament in Bucharest 13

14 Many of the Grand Masters and Grand Lodge Officers now know where Palm Springs is, and they received with great interest our web address: The Conference was organized by the National Grand Lodge of Romania, by the Grand Master Most Worshipful Radu Bălănescu who was also elected the Executive Secretary of the World Conferences of Grand Lodges. With Grand Master of the National Grand Lodge of Romania Most Worshipful Brother Radu Bălănescu An Excerpt from his speech: One of the fundamental qualifications for being admitted into Freemasonry is to be recognized as a freeman of good report. Freedom and Morals are values without which inner and outer Peace cannot exist. Freedom is the one that helps us to make the right decisions and to assume them, as individuals, as well as an Order. The Universal Spirit is the one that connects us and guides our actions Dear Brethren, our mission, making good men better, guides our steps from a good world to a better world. This world is possible only if we try to achieve what Immanuel Kant used to define as Eternal Peace. Peace is a goal that we assume when we are initiated into the Craft; we all together aim for this goal, within the Universal Chain of Freemasonry Our common future, put under the sign of Universal Chain, depends on our Judgment, on our Discipline and on the Unity that we will have to make proof of Therefore, let us unite in the Universal Bond, bearing in mind and in spirit the desideratum to let Peace embosom us and our fellows Beings. 14

15 There were 6 different workshops, which were very interesting: 1. Freemasonry as a social commitment. How the values of the Craft can change a Mason s life and how a Mason can change the society. Chairman: M.W. Bro. Rüdiger Templin, Grand Master of the United Grand Lodges of Germany 2. The Brotherhood of Freemasons the place where loyalty and morality acquire new values. The Masonic experience and the guiding role of the Lodge. Chairman: M.W. Bro. Oscar de Alfonso Artega, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Spain. A.F.& A.M. 3. Equality and tolerance. The Masonic values that many fundamentally define the 21 st century, a century of dramatic changes. Chairman: M.W. Bro. Roggy Kossi, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Togo 4. Freemasonry and the challenges of the media. The manner in which we communicate. What we communicate. Adapting to the new reality of lectronic media. Chairman: M.W. Bro. Jean-Michel Mascherpa, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge Alpina of Switzerland 5. Masonic altruism. Specific ways to get involved in the life of the community. Chairman: M.W.Bro. Iraci Da Silva Borges, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Paraná (Brazil) & M.W. Bro. Rafael Aragon Guevara, Past Grand Master of Grand Lodge of Guatemala. 6. How the ancient principles and experiences of Freemasonry can contribute to the making of a better world. Chairman: M.W. Bro. John L. Cooper III, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of California, USA. Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of California Most Worshipful John L. Cooper and Grand Secretary Very Worshipful Allan Casalou 15

16 Grand Lodge Delegations of 104 Grand Lodges from all over the world at the Palace of Parliament On Saturday May 17 th in the evening we attended The Ball of the World Conference at the Palace of the Parliament. It was again a great evening where I had many nice conversations with Brethren from all over the world. It is something special to discuss Masonry with brethren of so many different mentalities from so many different countries knowing that this bond of Freemasonry unites us in the Spirit. This is one more reason to be thankful to be a Mason. At the Ball of the World Conference at the Palace of the Parliament. 16

17 The Grand Couple of California Most Worshipful John L. Cooper III and his lovely wife Lady Heather Palace of Parliament in Bucharest (above and below) 18

18 On Sunday May 18 th we attended the Annual Communication of the National Grand Lodge of Romania. This took place at the Palace of the Parliament in Bucharest. The comment of many of the participants was right: this was like a Royal event! Annual Communication of the National Grand Lodge of Romania at the Palace of Parliament in Bucharest With Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of the State of Israel Most Worshipful Albert-Avi Baranes With Grand Junior Warden of the Grand Lodge of California Right Worshipful John Heisner and Grand Master of the Grand Lodge Cosmos of the State of Chihuahua, Mexico 18

19 RW John Heisner JGW, VW Shay Maghame GSec. of Grand Lodge of Iran in Exile, RW Russ Charvonia DGM, MW John L. Cooper III GM, W Imanuel Eisendle WM, RW David Perry SGW, RW Hamid Shooshani GJW of GAnd Lodge of Iran in Exile, VW Allan Casalou GSec. Of Grand Lodge of California With Delegation of Regular Grand Lodge of Tahiti 19

20 With Brother Matei Beloiu, Chaplain of Evening Star Lodge #186 in Etna, California I also had the honor and pleasure in Romania to meet the Most Eminent Grand Master of the Grand Encampment of Knights Templar David Dixon Goodwin. We had a wonderful conversation. With Most Eminent Grand Master of the Grand Encampment of Knights Templar David Dixon Goodwin, USA 20

21 I will post some of my recordings taken in Romania on YouTube - Look on YouTube for Imanuel Eisendle. You can see all the photos I took on within the next week. (registration is required if you send me an to: i.eisendle@gmail.com subject: COOPER, I will send you an invitation) Back home in Palm Springs and very tired from jet lag, I was looking forward having a double second Degree on May 27 th. Thank you all my Officers for your great Ritual. Congratulations Brother Junior Warden Don Ryals for your outstanding Middle Chamber lecture. It was a great Degree for Brother Randal Viscovich and Brother Aaron Gengarelly. I congratulate both of you to your Passing to the Degree of Fellow Craft Mason and am sure that you will have a great Masonic journey as a result of your commitment and enthusiasm to the Craft. I am looking forward Raising you to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason. The month of June will be very busy again as we will have one First Degree and two Second Degrees coming up. The dates are posted in the Calendar of the Trestleboard. Brothers of Palm Springs Lodge 693 with Brother Randal Viscovich and Brother Aaron Gengarelli who have been passed to the Degree of Fellowcraft 21

22 The new Fellowcrafts Brother Viscovich and Brother Gengarelly with Worshipful Master Imanuel Eisendle This article is longer than usual. I feel I owe you the information about the time I spent in Europe representing Palm Springs Lodge #693. As you may have noticed in the Grand Lodge s Freemason Magazine this month, that there is a page dedicated the upcoming tour of Israel with our current Deputy Grand Master Right Worshipful Russ Charvonia and his lovely wife Linda. I encourage all of you to consider taking part in this extraordinary trip to Israel in May 2015 to some of the roots of Freemasonry regarding the Temple of King Solomon. Let s put our Shekels aside! Every piece of marble has a statue in it waiting to be released by a man of sufficient skill chipping away the unnecessary parts. As the sculptor is to the marble, so is education to the soul. It releases it. For only educated men are free men. You cannot create a statue by smashing the marble with a hammer, and you cannot, by force of arms, release the spirit or the soul of man. - Confucius Sincerely and Fraternally With Brotherly Love Imanuel Eisendle Worshipful Master (760) i.eisendle@gmail.com