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Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Massachusetts
Volume 2 JANUARY 2001 Number 1
THE PRIDE IS BACK !!!!
GRAND CHAPTER CONVOCATION
M\ E\ Carmen D. Borgia, Grand High Priest, was elected and installed for his second term at the Annual Convocation of the Grand Royal Arch Chapter held at Westborough, Massachusetts on December 12, 2000. M.E. Borgia heads up one of the best teams of Royal Arch Masons ever assembled. Serving as Grand Officers are the following Companions:
Deputy Gr. High Priest-Vartkes A. Perperian Grand King÷Richard E. Watson Grand Scribe÷John G. Stanley Grand Treasurer÷Robert W. Whitehead Grand Secretary÷Markeith E. Host District Deputy Grand High Priest÷ #1÷Jeffrey L. Gardiner #2÷Donald M. Miller #3÷William R. Epp #4÷Richard McDonald #5÷Mark C. Mueller #6÷Paul A. Salvas #7÷Francis P. Mitrano #8÷Charles R. Blaisdell #9÷Loristan L. Barnes Jr. #10÷Robert W. Fellows
Also Honored was M\ E\ Bob Rudy Homberg who was elected Grand Secretary Emeritus as he retires from active duty. The Grand Priestâs address will be found inside. This Convocation was the first Annual ever to be held outside of Boston.
CANDIDATES ABOUND IN THE 10th CAPITULAR DISTRICT
The Royal Arch Chapters of the 10th Capitular District are at it again. This District covers Cape Cod and the Islands and consists of the following Chapters÷Sylvester Baxter in Orleans, Orient÷in Centerville, Isle of the Sea on Nantucket, and Vineyard on Oak Bluffs. Between them they are working on 36 new candidates in various stages of degree work. Sylvester Baxter Chapter exalted 9 candidates on January 18th and have 3 others for the One-day class in April. Orient Chapter read 7 applications and has one being worked. Isle of the Sea is presently working 10 candidates. Vineyard Chapter is working 1 candidate and has 5 applications to be read at their next regular Convocation. This small rural District can take pride in helping so many Brothers continue their Masonic education in the York Rite. WHY? How can this District be so successful in attracting candidates? A major factor is the people involved in these Chapters. From the new District Deputy Grand High Priest (Robert Fellows) to each of the Officers and members of the four Chapters, a lot of hard work is going into this membership campaign. The newly founded MASOINC ANGEL FUND is also attracting many of these new Companions. (Story on this inside)
MASONIC ANGEL FUND UPDATE
The Masonic Angel Fund is growing by leaps and bounds throughout the state of Massachusetts. They have also had interest from as far away as California and Nova Scotia. R.E. Robert Fellows, District Deputy Grand High Priest of the 10th Capitular District, working with Universal Lodge of Orleans and Sylvester Baxter Royal Arch Chapter, has created a Charity that has literally taken the Fraternity by storm.
Starting with the first MAF license granted to Universal Lodge on December 10th, 1998, they now have a total of 11 Lodges and Chapters that are working for and with the MAF foundation. The MAF recently stated that they recognized the outstanding support that the York Rite has shown them and "The Grand Royal Arch Chapterâs support is a prime example of the visionary leadership that has turned the Massachusetts York Rite into one of the best success stories over the past three years."
The MAF provides help and assistance to needy children in the local school districts. Recently Pilgrim Lodge of Harwich awarded ten grants totaling over $900.00. Most of these grants were given to assist with the purchase of winter clothing, eye exams, glasses, or Christmas gifts. This is an example of Masons at their best. They saw a need and filled it. The foundation now has covered Cape Cod and is expanding into the rest of the State with Licenses in Westborough and in Newtonville having been granted. They have a staff of volunteer speakers that are willing to travel anywhere in the state to bring the message of the foundation into your Masonic organization. They also have a web site which you are invited to visit. The address of the site is www.masonicangelfund.org. If you do not have a computer and are interested in the MAF you may call the Grand Lodge at 1-800-882-1020 ext. 220 and ask for Mike Kaulback and he will send out a packet of material.
GRAND HIGH PRIESTâS MESSAGE
I want to thank everyone who helped make this past year an enjoyable one. It is so wonderful to keep running into old friends and at the same time make new friends. I think there were only a couple of times when I could not accept an invitation to visit at some Chapter or York Rite functions. I did manage to visit fourteen different Chapters and I was very pleased to present seven Benjamin Hurd medals over the course of some of those visitations,
I am happy to say that I was able to visit six other jurisdictions for their annual meeting. I am sorry to say that I was only able to visit six jurisdictions. I really wish I could have done more, as it is always an enjoyable time, but my work schedule did not allow more.
I did have to perform one merger ceremony this year but I am confident that we have created a strong Chapter and that everyone from both parties will benefit from the result.
You have heard the reports of several of the committees and I thank them for their efforts and continued support. Your work is an integral part of the functioning of Grand Chapter.
One of my goals this year was to produce a newsletter that would reach every Royal Arch Mason who is a member of our Grand Jurisdiction. This effort was successful with two editions of the Herald. This was not an inexpensive venture, but it was well received and we did receive some donations to help with the costs. I am happy to announce that Companion Michael Kaulback has agreed to take over as editor for future editions.
We have made great progress in the Grand Chapter office in record keeping and automating many of the functions. But there is still work to be done. I cannot stress enough that our Grand Chapter office can only assimilate, tabulate, collate and otherwise message the data that we receive from the individual Chapters. We cannot and do not invent data. We depend on the reports and communications from the Chapter GRAND ROYAL ARCH CHAPTER OF MASSACHUSETTS ANNUAL CHARITY EVENT
Display Advertiser and Patron Listing Form I wish to support the Grand Royal Arch Masons of Massachusetts charity program by purchasing a display advertisement in the charity program booklet: á Full-page ad for $100á Half-page ad for $60á Quarter-page ad for $35I do not wish to purchase a display advertisement in the book but would like to support the charity program with a listing in the ad booklet. á Patron Listing (bold print) for $20 Sponsor Listing (normal print) for $10My listing should read: ____________________________________________ (Example: Mr. & Mrs. John Quincy Adams) In the event of a question, and to send you a copy of the ad booklet, please provide the information requested below: Name: Company: Street: City: Zip: Phone: Email: ___ Make checks payable to Grand Royal Arch Charity Fund and return to: Charles A. OâWril, Jr. 15 Virginia, Ave. Lowell, MA 01852 Please enclose a camera-ready graphic (such as a business card) or printed text for display ads.
HISTORY OF THE ANCIENT KNIGHTS TEMPLAR
The Knights Templar or Poor Fellow Soldiers of Christ as they were then called, first formed in the year 1118 when nine Knights under the leadership of Hugh De Payens, a Knight of Burgundy, approached Baldwin II king of Jerusalem for permission to form an organization to guard the approaches to the city for pilgrims from Europe. Baldwin gave both his permission and a structure on Mount Moriah known as "Solomon's Temple" ( not the Biblical original) a Byzantine church that had been made over into the Mosque of Omer. It is from this location that the name "Knights of the Temple" originated. These nine Knights were very religious, and took the three vows of Poverty, Chastity and Obedience in the presence of the Patriarch of Jerusalem thus becoming the first "Warrior-Monks."
For a period of nine years these Knights performed their obligations. In the year 1127 four of the Knights, including Hugh De Payens were sent by Baldwin to meet with an eminent churchman, St. Bernard of Clairvaux. They carried with them a letter addressed to Pope Honorius (1124-1138) to be delivered to him at the Council of Troyes held in the year 1128. St. Bernard championed their cause and the Pope granted them official church sanction, thus becoming the "Fighting Arm" of the Catholic Church. The Pope also granted them the right to wear the Red Passion Cross on their chest as a sign that they were Knights of God.
Events moved swiftly and the nine original Knights were soon joined by others numbering in the thousands. The Order grew quickly and grew very wealthy. By the mid 1200s they were the richest and most powerful of the Monastic Warrior orders in the Holy Land. They owned property in most all of the Christian Kingdoms. It is said that they are responsible for the origin of our modern banking system. A traveler could deposit his fortune in the nearest Templar location in Europe for which he would receive a slip denoting the amount deposited. He would present this to the nearest Templar location in the Holy Land and would receive his money back in gold.
Gradually the wealth and military power that the Order held became so enorous throughout Europe, that it attracted the envy of both Philip IV (The Fait) of France and Pope Clement V. Philip owed the Order quite a large sum of money borrowed to keep his kingdom afloat, and not having the means to repay the loan decided to seize the Orderâs wealth. Philip sent word to the Grand Master of the Order, Jacques DeMolay, to come to Paris and meet to discuss the possibility of a new crusade. On October 13th (Friday the 13th) 1307 all the known Templar Knights in the Kingdom were arrested, DeMolay included.
In the years that followed, the Knights were tortured and forced to confess to all kinds of crimes, none of which had any basis in truth. In the year 1314 DeMolay and three others refuted their former confessions and paid the ultimate price÷death. They were burned alive at the stake on a small island in the middle of the Seine river in France. There is a legend that while burning DeMolay called out to the King and Pope Clement to meet him at the foot of the Supreme Judge within a year. Interestingly enough, both were dead within that year.
The last recorded incident that involved the Knights occurred in Scotland in 1314 on the battlefield of Bannockburn. During the battle and in a timely enough fashion to save it for Robert the Bruceâs forces, a small detatchment of armored Knights appeared. Their appearance and the banner they bore, known as the Beauceant, were well known as the mark of the Templar Knights. The English forces under Edward II fled the field and assured Robert the Victory. This was the last known appearance of the Knights of the Temple, from here they seemed to disappear.
authority of no Grand Body, but were recognized by the Columbian council of New York. The first Most Illustrious Grand Master of the Grand Council was Abraham A. Dame. After the second semi-annual communication, no records can be found until 1847 when the Grand Council voted to "Proceed to a reorganization by an election of Officers." The Grand Council also granted a charter to 19 Companions in Pawtucket Rhode Island to form a Council. They did not meet between 1847 and 1853 due to the Anti-Masonic period. The Grand Council was revived in 1853 and from that period we have a complete record of activity.
The Council degrees have become an indispensable part of the York Rite of Freemasonry. The degrees are among the most beautiful of all the degrees found in Masonry. Grand Council today has over 3500 members in subordinate Councils throughout Massachusetts.
At the Grand Council session held in March of 2000 the Grand Master was conducted into the banquet hall in a hand drawn chariot led by the Aleppo Shrine Oriental band, dressed in Royal Purple, the color of Grand Council. It was a magnificent and stirring event and was enjoyed by all in attendance. Council is York Rite at its finest and every York Rite Mason should be a Council member.
GRAND COUNCIL CELEBRATES ITâS 175TH ANNIVERSARY
June 9th, 2001 will be a very special day for the Grand Council of Royal and Select Master Masons in the state of Massachusetts. They will celebrate the 175th anniversary of its existence. There will be a grand banquet and other events held at the Masonic Home in Charlton Massachusetts on that date. This will be an open event and all are welcome to attend. For information and reservations, please call the Grand Council office and speak to Ray Fleck. The telephone number at the office is 1-781-551-8685.
MASSACHUSETTS CHAPTER OF RESEARCH
The Massachusetts Chapter of Research was chartered by M.E. Lane E. Wheaton on September 22, 1973 for the purpose of diffusing Masonic Light and Knowledge and to promote and encourage Capitular Masonic Research. It is the only research organization within the Commonwealth and presently exchanges correspondence with other research Chapters in Ohio, Virginia, the Netherlands, Australia and others.
The Chapter presently holds two stated Convocations each year in the spring and in the fall at different locations within the state. The meetings for 2001 are being planned for May 5th at the Masonic Home in Charlton and on the last Saturday of September (29th) at the Museum of Our National Heritage in Lexington. The meetings are open to all Royal Arch Masons in good standing with a Chapter subordinate to or recognized by the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Massachusetts. Your active capitular dues card is your admittance. Since a meal is generally served at these meetings, a reservation is strongly recommended and can be obtained through contacting E. Ted Fuller at the Grand Chapter Office (617-426-1079) at least one week before the meeting.
A ladies program is often presented while the Companions are at the Convocation, and may bear an additional expense. Be sure to ask for details and a "notice" when making your inquiries. Applications for membership are available through the Grand Chapter office. Every Royal Arch Mason should be a member of the Chapter of Research.
MEETING PLACES OF THE GRAND ROYAL ARCH CHAPTER OF MASSACHUSETTS
BY Ralph Bruce Duncan PGHP
On October 24, 1798 , members of St. Andrewâs and King Cyrus Chapters met at the Green Dragon Tavern in committee to plan for the organization of the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Massachusetts. The Green Dragon Tavern was located at the corner of Hanover and Union Streets. It had been purchased by the Lodge of St. Andrewâs in 1764 and was called at different times; "Masonâs Hall", "Masonic Arms", "Freemasonâs Hall", and "Freemasonâs Arms". The Grand Royal Arch Chapter was organized on March 13, 1798 and the Green Dragon Tavern became its first home.
Annual meetings alternated between Boston and Newburyport with the last Annual outside of Boston being held on September 13, 1825 at Newburyport. Although in recent times, the Grand Chapter has held several Quarterly Convocations throughout the state., the remainder of this paper shall be devoted to meeting sites in Boston.
Our second meeting location was at Masonâs Hall on the north side of Market Street (later Ann street), now North Street. The reason for the change of location is not noted; but it is known that St. Andrewâs Chapter moved to this new location in 1805. The Hall was first lighted with lamps on March 6, 1811, previous to which only candles had furnished illumination. The building has long been demolished. The Grand Chapter then met at the Exchange Coffee House on Devonshire Street, which stood on the site of a late Hotel of the same name, and where the City Exchange later stood. The apartments were dedicated on July 22, 1817. This site was used only for a short time as the building was destroyed by fire on November 3, 1818.
Following the fire, one meeting of the Grand Chapter was held at the Commercial Coffee House located on the corner of Milk Street and Battery-March. This building was the site of the Exchange Club in 1933 when our Grand Lodge celebrated its Two Hundredth Anniversary.
Our fifth meeting place was Masonâs Hall on Ann Street, which we occupied until the end of 1820. During this period the Grand Lodge was located at another site for their communications. The difference was probably due to the financial situation of Grand Chapter and having a hall, which was affordable to them.
In 1824, together with Grand Lodge and other Masonic bodies in Boston, the hall and anterooms of the old State House were hired from the Town of Boston for ten years. The lease on this sixth meeting location was cancelled on June 9, 1830.
From 1830 to 1831, Washington Hall on Washington Street, opposite Franklin became our seventh meeting place.
On June 12, 1832, the Grand Chapter held its first meeting in the Masonic Temple at the corner of Tremont Street and Temple Place. The Grand Lodge had purchased this site adjoining St. Paulâs Chruch and was then known as Washington Gardens. The parcel of land was five thousand square feet in size and cost $13.393.50. The cornerstone was laid on October 14, 1832. The Temple was later sold to the U.S. Government in 1858 for use as a Federal Courthouse. It was later demolished to make way for a business building to be occupied by the R.H. Stearns Company. Grand Chapter then moved to Nassau Hall, at the corner of Washington and Common Streets.
Our tenth meeting site was in Thorndike (Freemasonâs) Hall at 10 Summer Street. In April 1864, fire destroyed Winthrop House were the Grand Lodge was meeting. Grand Chapter occupied this site, where the present Fileneâs Store at Downtown Crossing is, until they joined the Grand Lodge at the second Masonic Temple. On October 14, 1864, the cornerstone was laid for the second Masonic Temple which occupied the site of the present Masonic Building at the corner of Tremont and Boylston Streets. While the Grand Lodge delegates assembled at Thorndike Hall on Summer Street for the occasion, Chapters assembled on Boston Common. Sutton and Washington Chapters preceded the Grand High Priest, M.E. Solon Thornton, in the three-mile long march to the site. The Temple was dedicated with much ceremony on June 24, 1867. At that event, President and Brother Andrew Johnson was present. There were thirteen thousand Masons in the procession. The majority of Royal Arch Masons appeared as Knights Templar to provide the escort for the occasion. There were sixteen Commanderies with one thousand two hundred forty five Sir Knights in the line of march. M.E. Richard Briggs, Grand High Priest, led the Grand Chapter Officers, nineteen in attendance including three Grand Chaplains and one Grand Lecturer. Once the building was opened, Chapter degrees, and meetings were held in Egyptian Hall on the third floor until the building burned on September 7, 1895.
Following the destruction of the second Masonic Temple, Grand Chapter held two meetings at the Masonic Hall located at 2307 Washington Street in Roxbury.
In 1896 we occupied temporary quarters with those of Grand Lodge at our thirteenth meeting site, Masonâs Hall at 18 Boylston Street. This location was later occupied by the Burdett Business College.
On June 8, 1898 the cornerstone of the present Masonic Building (186 Tremont Street) was laid and the dedication occurred on December 27th, 1899. This, our present location, is the fourteenth site occupied by the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Massachusetts in the Boston area during its history.
GRAND CHAPTER WEB SITE
The Grand Chapter Web Site will soon be moving to itâs own domain: GRACMA.org. Many new features are planned, so keep checking the site. This will make it easier for others to find us as well as to keep it up to date.
GRAND COMMANDERY OF KNIGHTS TEMPALR AND THE APPENDENT ORDERS OF MASSACHUSETTS AND RHODE ISLAND GRAND COMMANDERY NEWS
S. K. Charles Rogers Austin was elected and installed as Right Eminent Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery at the Grand Conclave held in the Wyndham Hotel in Westborough Massachusetts on October 20-22, 2000. Serving with S.K. Austin will be ö
S.K. Ronald Wolf- Deputy Grand Commander S.K. Duncan Watson÷Grand Generalissamo S.K.William Eltzroth-Grand Captain General S.K. Robert Jingozian- Grand Senior Warden S.K. Richard Picard÷Grand Junior Warden S.K. Richard Sleeper÷Grand Recorder S.K. Clark Loth÷Grand Treasurer We look forward to working with this fine group of Sir Knights and wish them well in their term of office.
INSPECTIONS AND REVIEWS
Feb. 5÷2001St. Johnâs #1÷Cranston RI Feb. 20÷South Shore #15÷E. Weymouth Mar. 14÷Athol/Orange #37÷Athol Mar. 16÷Cape Cod #54÷Centerville Mar. 20÷Calvary #13÷E. Providence RI Mar. 26÷Beausceant #41÷Malden Apr. 2÷Trinity/Natick #32÷Natick Apr. 5÷Worcester #5÷Worcester Apr. 11÷Narragansett #27÷Westerly RI Apr. 16÷Bay State #38÷Brockton Apr. 17÷Newburyport #3÷Newburyport Apr. 18÷Boston #2÷Boston Apr. 24÷United #21÷Norwood Apr. 25÷Godfrey De Bouillon÷Somerset Apr. 26÷Gethsemane #7÷Newtonville Apr 28÷Berkshire #22÷Pittsfield
ROYAL AND SELECT MASTER MASONS OF MASSACHUSETTS
GRAND COUNCIL NEWS
Rev. William Irving Monroe Jr. Scholarship Fund
On September 21, 1999, William Irving Monroe Jr. was called to lay his working tools down and enter the Celestial Lodge above. Brother (and Companion) Monroe was an active York Rite Mason serving both the Grand Chapter and the Grand Council of Massachusetts for over 50 years as Grand Chaplain. He also served the Grand Chapter as a Deputy Grand High Priest in 1955. He loved the York Rite and passed on his affection to his son Richard Elwin Monroe who now serves as the Most Illustrious Grand Master of the Grand Council of Royal and Select Master Masons of the state of Massachusetts.
Most Illustrious Monroe is the third generation of Monroes that have been active in the various bodies of Masonry. His Grandfather William Irving Monroe Sr., known as "Wee Willie" was an active Mason, serving as Tyler in many Chapters and Councils throughout the state. Masonry runs deep in the Monroe clan.
In commemoration of the contribution of Rev. Monroe to the York Rite during his life, a scholarship fund has been set up in his memory. This scholarship will be given to deserving students of Theology with special consideration given to students from Andover-Newton Theological School, Rev. Monroeâs Alma mater. Contributions for the fund can be sent to:
Richard E. Monroe 37 Deering St. Reading, Ma. 01867
Let us all join together to pay tribute to a most worthy Brother and Companion. Our gifts can serve deserving students and Most Illustrious Monroe, who is going out of office in March of 2001, will be grateful for the honor that we give in his fatherâs memory. The fund was started with a specific goal in mind and we are very close to attaining that goal. Let us as York Rite members give of ourselves to help this most worthy charity grow.
Also keep in mind the date for the next Grand Council Annual session which is March 31st, 2001. The meeting will be held at the Andover Rolling Green, in Andover, Massachusetts. As much fun as last yearâs session was, this coming yearâs will prove to be more so. Come out and join the Grand Council and enjoy the friendship and fun for which the York Rite is known.
HISTORY OF THE CRYPTIC RITE OF FREEMASONRY
The Cryptic Rite of Freemasonry, better known as the Royal and Select Council of Master Masons dates back to the early 1800s in America. The degrees of Royal Master, Select Master and Super Excellent Master make up one of the most beautiful and significant parts of Freemasonry there is. Unlike Royal Arch and Knight Templar, Council seems to have its early history in the early 1800s, not the 1700s. The main theme of the three degrees is the loss and recovery of the Masterâs word through the death of Hiram Abiff. The degrees of Royal Master and Select Master were first given in this country by traveling Scottish Rite Masons, who later turned control of them over to Grand Chapter.
The Ritual for these three degrees came from Prussia in 1788 and was deposited in the archives of the Grand Council of Princes established by the Scottish Rite in Charleston, South Carolina. The first Grand Council was formed in Connecticut in 1818, New York was the second in 1823 and Massachusetts was formed on June 15, 1826. At the time Grand Council was formed in Massachusetts there were Councils in Boston (1817), Springfield (1817), Salem (1818), Medfield, Brimfield, Princeton, Sheffield, Greenwich, Sutton and Newburyport.
Boston Council had formed in 1817 and only performed the Royal Masterâs degree and added the Select and Super Excellent degrees at later dates. When formed they were under the SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT
Gethsamene/ DeMolay Commandery #7 voted at their stated Conclave to give a donation of $10,000 to Fraternity Fuller Lodge to be used for their Masonic Angel fund. This is York rite at its best÷helping children in a local community. Our sincere thanks go out to the Eminent Commander, Officers and Sir Knights who made this happen.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Saturday April 7th, 2001--One Day Class 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. Springfield Masonic Temple Call the Grand Chapter Office÷617-426-1079, the Grand Commandery Office---617-426-1973 or Mike Kaulback÷1-800-882-1020 ext. 220 for details and reservations.
March 31st, 2001 Grand Council Session Andover Rolling Green Call the Grand Council Office ö781-551-8685 for details and information.
March 24, 2001 Tri-State Council meeting Connecticut, Massachusetts and New York will meet in New York for details call Bill Richards at the Springfield Masonic temple.
April 21st. 2001 Grand Chapter Mystery Dinner Theatre at the Masonic Home in Charlton Mass. Festivities begin at 6:00 P.M. Tickets are $25.00 per person Contact your District Deputy Grand High Priest or the High Priest of your Chapter.
M.E. Bob Rudy Homberg with R.E. and Mrs. Jack Watson of Monument Chapterâs 125th Anniversary dinner in Great Barrington.
CAN YOU IDENTIFY THE PERSON IN THIS PICTURE?
THE FIRST FIVE CALLERS TO THE GRAND CHAPTER OFFICE THAT CAN CORRECTLY IDENTIFY THE COMPANION ABOVE WILL RECEIVE A FREE GRAND CHAPTER COFFEE MUG. CALL NOW!!!!! 617-426-1079 (Hint---he also looks good in purple.)
SYLVESTER BAXTER CHAPTER
Pictured above, left to right÷back row÷R.E. Bruce Stanford, E.C. Donald Haden, Comp. Jim St. Pierre, R.E. Peter Ham, Comp. Mark Finley, E.C. Southard Lippincott, and Comp. Darin Krum. Second Row÷Comp. Mario Mere, Comp. Paul Sweetser, Comp. Herbert Bell, Comp. Andrew Howes,Comp. Scott Alden and Comp. Benjamin Bailey Foreground÷R.E. Varykes (Al) Perperian÷Deputy Grand High Priest and R.E. Robert Fellows÷district Deputy Grand High Priest of the 10th Capitular District. Taken at Sylvester Baxter Chapter÷January 18th, 2001 KING CYRUS CHAPTER
Secretaries. It disturbs me that as of this meeting there are ten Chapters that have not sent in their Annual Report as required by our Grand Constitution.
One of the projects for the coming year will be the publication of a Secretaries manual as well as a series of meetings of Chapter Secretaries with myself and the Grand Secretary.
Earlier you heard our Grand secretaryâs report of a net loss in membership for the year 2000 of 93 members. While this is not a good thing it is an improvement over last yearâs loss of 303 members. I am sure one factor here is the one-day class we held last April. When a candidate responds to a flier for the one-day class one has to wonder why he was never asked to join in the first place. I also wonder why some Chapters can find fifteen or twenty candidates and others have not had any for more than a year. We have many good people working with our Grand Chapter who can help, people who do have the answers; all they need and want is a chance to help. Call us and we will come. We can show you the path but you must make the trip yourself. Working together we will succeed.
Once again I thank you for your support and I look forward to serving you in any way I can next year.
BOB RUDY HOMBERG RETIRES
M.E. Bob Rudy Homberg was the guest of honor at a retirement dinner held on Saturday January 13th, 2001 at the Crown Plaza Hotel in Woburn. Over 120 Companions and their ladies were present to honor M.E. Bob and recognize his 27 years of service to our Grand Chapter as Grand Secretary. It was noted by many speakers that he has also served many years as Grand Lecturer, a member of the Grand Chapter Degree Team and also Grand Recorder for the Grand Council of Royal and Select Master Masons of Massachusetts.
M.E. William Paterson served as master of ceremonies for the afternoon, introducing speakers and organizing the presentations. Among those present who shared some of their favorite "Bob Homberg stories" were Dr. Carl Mores from the Cotting School in Lexington, Rt.Em. Charles Austin, M.I. Richard Monroe, R.W. Paul Rolston, and M.E. Carmen D. Borgia, as well as members of Belmont Chapter and the Grand Chapter Degree Team. Those serving on the committee for the event included M\ E \ C. Edward Estes, Mrs. Maureen Estes, and E. Ted Fuller.
M.E. Bob was elected Grand Secretary Emeritus at our December Convocation and was presented a certificate proclaiming such. He was also presented a Global Positioning System for his latest Suburban. M.E. Bob has contributed immeasurably to the success of our Grand Chapter and we wish him well.
VIDEO AND MUSIC TAPES AVAILABLE FROM GRAND CHAPTER OFFICE
A little known and used service for Chapters in this state is the music and videotapes available at the Grand Chapter office. The music tapes can be used at the conferring of degrees and at regular convocations to add something we do not usually have, due to the lack of organists available in the Fraternity. They make a nice touch. Videos can be used to interest our Blue Lodge Brethren in receiving further light by joining the Royal Arch. They are great for candidateâs nights and other special events of your Chapter. The music tapes can be obtained for $15.00 by contacting our Grand Chapter office and requesting them. The video tapes can be borrowed from the office.
RECYCLE THIS PAPER Why not take this paper down to your Blue Lodge after you are done reading it and share it with your Brothers.
Grand Royal Arch Chapter Scholarship Fund
Dear applicant, This application is to be personally completed by you, submitted and postmarked no later than April 30, 2001 Any applications received after that date cannot be considered for this academic year. Please print or type application. Name ____________________________________M__¬ F_¬ Date of Birth ___ / ___ / ___ Home Address ________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ Telephone ( _____) ____________________ I am a member of ___________________________Royal Arch Chapter of Massachusetts. My__¬ Father__¬ Grandfather is a member of ______________________________Royal Arch Chapter of Massachusetts. My father's/grandfather's name is _________________________________________. If totally self supporting skip to number 3. 1. Father's Name _____________________________ Occupation _______________________ 2. Mother's Name ____________________________ Occupation _______________________ 3. I am a member of _______________________ Assembly Order of Rainbow for Girls. 4. I am a member of _______________________ Chapter Order of DeMolay. 5. To what other non-school related groups do you belong? 6. State briefly your extracurricular school-related interest and activities__________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ 7. Name of accredited school to be attended _________________________________________ 8. Address of School ___________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ 9. Alternate accredited school, if any ______________________________________________ 10. Address of alternate school ___________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ 11. What school are you currently attending? Please submit College Entrance Examination Board and/or Graduate Record Examination scores or other measurements, A transcript of academic record should be provided. 12. Please submit one letter or recommendation from a school instructor, counselor, or board member of your Rainbow Assembly or DeMolay Chapter. 13. Present source of income for school? ___________________________________________ 14. Total family income as reported to the IRS? _____________________________________ 15. Amount of aid anticipated from sources other than family __________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ 16. What are your estimated yearly financial needs? Tuition $ Room and Board $ Other $ __________ Total $ 17. Other financial circumstances you would like us to take into consideration ____________ ____________________________________________________________________________ 18. For what career are you planning? _____________________________________________ 19. If undecided, indicate possible choices __________________________________________ 20. Additional information you wish to have considered _______________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ I believe the foregoing statements to be accurate ____________________________________________ Date ___ / ___ / ___ (Applicant's Signature) This Scholarship is a gift, not a loan, and can be based on academic achievement, participation in worthwhile activities, financial need and self help. Check will be issued on June 2001 to the successful applicant drawn payable to the college, university or other institution of higher learning designated for the applicant school account.
Trustees use only
Received ______________________ Amount Granted _________________ Payable to: ____________________________________________________________________
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