August 2012
Aloha Brethren,
The preceding month went by fast and has been one of our busiest months. In July, we participated in the Kailua 4th of July parade, awarded at our stated meeting a total of $10,000 in scholarships to ten academically and financially deserving university students, held our annual summer picnic, conducted the Layman’s Night, launched the “School Kits for Keiki” Project, and undertook the Clean Up Drive at Aiea Elementary School, our adopted school. The results of these activities are multi-pronged, although related. They created social spaces for the brethren to come together, work together, know more about and learn more from one another, and have fun together. And while achieving these, we promoted a positive image of Freemasonry in the community -- one that is not just shrouded with “secrecy” and “mystery” but a connected, relevant, and productive component of society. We can call this “value-added fellowship.”
It is often said that the primary purpose of the Blue Lodge is the development of good character. This is true. It is also true that such character development does not happen in a vacuum. It takes place in a social environment, including that beyond our fraternal organization -- the community or society. We can learn about human principles and virtues through our rituals, but it is in practice that we internalize them. It is an impressive beauty and a great delight to witness an impeccable degree conferral. Let us keep it that way. But it is the highest realization of Freemasonry to truly live the tenets and teachings imbedded in the rituals, lectures and charges, and demonstrate them in our societal lives.
Social relevance is that aura that makes every group sustain its existence. An organization that is viewed socially irrelevant gets gradually detached from society, becomes unappealing, and with some of its members either deserting or defecting, is left to insignificance and decay. And while Freemasonry is founded on a much deeper and wider footing, we cannot ignore the fact that it is part of a much larger supra-structure -- the Society.
I thank the committee chairs, brethren and officers who have supported and participated in our activities, projects and programs. You are the backbone of and the force in every achievement in the Lodge.
In this month’s issue, I have invited the newly elected Master of LuzViMinda Lodge # 317, our “sister Lodge”, to give his message to the Hawaiian Lodge brethren. For this month, we will have second and first degree conferrals (see Trestle Board on page 4). It will also be the qualification demonstration for our incoming Senior and Junior Wardens, respectively. Please be there to support our brother officers and the candidates.
May brotherly love prevail and every moral
and social virtue cement us.
Fraternally,
Brother Raymund Liongson
Worshipful Master, Hawaiian Lodge
