Lodge Jose Rizal’s 42nd Meeting on 04 July 2015

Excitement and jubilation was abundantly evident right from the onset of Lodge Jose Rizal’s forty second meeting, held at the Castle Hill Masonic Centre on Saturday evening the fourth of July, the first meeting after they had been awarded “Accreditation”, a “Lodge of Excellence” which was announced at the June Grand Lodge Communication.

Strong support was given from surrounding Lodges and Districts, who came to congratulate the members of the Lodge on their envied achievement to such an extent that tyling was delayed somewhat, whilst a search was made to find enough Entered Apprentice and Fellow Craft aprons to accommodate the vast numbers of visiting Brethren. Finally and with over fifty five signatures on the presence book and the Accreditation Certificate placed proudly for all to see on the Secretary’s table, the Lodge was opened, with no fewer than nine Entered Apprentices in the North East Corner and three Fellow Crafts in the South East Corner and the Lodge Room filled to near full capacity.

The Worshipful Master in the Chair, WBro Mario Baylon Jnr., immediately congratulated the members of Lodge Jose Rizal on their achievement of a “Lodge of Excellence” and the Lodge room immediately erupted in thunderous acclamation of both acknowledgement and approval.

The Worshipful Master then gave welcome to the many visitors and gave recognition to the attendance of the Assistant Grand Master- elect, RWBro Bill Driver, who will take up his role at the Grand Lodge Installation, to be held in the Sydney Town Hall on the Eighth of August.

 A very much appreciated Bro James Holdsworth, who has been “acting tyler” for the Lodge for many years, was then invited into the Lodge Room and warmly welcomed as an affiliate member of Lodge Jose Rizal, his membership being hailed with loud acclamation.

The Worshipful Master then called the Lodge from Labour to Refreshment and all visitors and ladies were invited into the Lodge Room which filled the room to total capacity, before introducing the presenter of the night, WBro Khris Albano, who gave a lengthy and very interesting talk on Dr Jose Rizal, the Man and the Mason. WBro Albano, being a very highly skilled presenter and speaker, with much interaction, held all in the Lodge Room’s undivided attention for almost an hour, whilst he told of what a great humanitarian Dr Jose’ Rizal really was and of the great good he did for his country, his fellow countrymen and the Masonic Fraternity and in closing, of his great persecution, torture and execution of this well-travelled, highly educated and much loved man.

The lecture completed and recognition given, all non-masons were then retired and The Worshipful Master called for a Caring Officers report. Respect and recognition was given to the late Lyn Quirk, who was affectionately known by all at the Castle Hill Masonic Centre as “Bro. Lyn”, reports were also given on several other sick and absent brethren.

Before the Lodge was closed, an invitation was extended by the Worshipful Master Elect of Lodge Merrylands, Bro Max Totaan, to attend his Installation, to be held at the Guildford Masonic Centre on Saturday the Eleventh of July. There being no further business the Worshipful Master closed the Lodge and all retired to the festive board to enjoy delicious food and the unsurpassed harmony of Lodge Jose’ Rizal.

After Grace was recited by Bro Julio Roson, the Worshipful Master proposed the Loyal Toast and after all had partaken in the delicious food and tasty sweets, as only the Ladies of Lodge Jose Rizal can prepare and present. RWBro Fidel Pamplona proposed a lengthy toast to his long-time friend, “The Presenter”, WBro Khris Albano. In his response, WBro Albano said it was his pleasure to speak about such a worthy man of such world renown.

In the absence of WBro Pritam Singh, Bro Tim Glanville gave a rousing and hearty welcome to the visitors and friends and in closing the toast, WBro Albano gave the Lodge Jose Rizal visitors honours which are:

“We hold you in our Hearts” “We embrace you as a Family” “We Honour your Friendship”

The first response was given by a prospective Mason, Mr Taregh Echesh, a friend of RWBro Bill Driver, who said how impressed he was with the evening and wished to become a Mason as soon as possible, the second response was from the Senior Deacon of Lodge Education No 814, Bro Kevin Lim Lo Suy who complimented Lodge Jose Rizal’s presenter in particular, on such an enjoyable evening and pledged to return as soon as possible.

The raffle was then organized and drawn by the Junior Warden Bro Paolo Beringuel before the final toast was proposed, thus ending another very pleasant evening shared with Lodge Jose Rizal, a Lodge of well deserved “Excellence”

“To Our Next Happy Meeting with Lodge Jose’ Rizal No 1045”

which will be on the Twelfth of September---Installation may be planned for the Seventh of November [back to the scheduled 2^nd Saturday, 14^th of November], to be held at the Castle Hill Bowling Club depending on the availability of the Grand Master. Hopefully the New Grand Master being in attendance.

By: RWBro Bruce Quirk, PAGM

From The Region 2 & District 25 Newsletter

LJR's Regular Meeting - 9 May 2015

Numbers exceeding fifty, including the Brethren, their Ladies, family and friends, not forgetting

the “tiny tots”, were in attendance at the Castle Hill Masonic Centre on Saturday night the

Ninth of May for Lodge Jose Rizal’s Forty First meeting, where, in a very impressive manner,

Bro Timothy Glanville was passed to the second degree. 

With Worshipful Bro. Mario Baylon Jnr. “In the Chair”, WBro Manuel Santos as I. P. M., WBro

Vince Flores as Director of Ceremonies and WBro Fred Sese as Tyler, the Lodge tyled at little

after six o’clock and the minutes and correspondence were quickly presented by the Lodge

Secretary, RWBro Fidel Pamplona and accepted by the Brethren. Likewise the accounts and

money matters were presented by the Lodge Treasurer, WBro Manuel Santos and passed

for payment without comment. 

All visitors were then admitted and in view of three Installations taking place within the area on

the same night, the Worshipful Master thanked all for their unswerving support and attendance.

With Lodge Jose Rizal being almost certain to be awarded Accreditation at the June Grand

Lodge Communication [June 10], RWBro Pamplona urged all members of the Lodge to be in

attendance to show acknowledgement and appreciation on the night. 

The Worshipful Master, WBro Mario Baylon, Jnr announced the Affiliation Acceptance of Bro.

Gerardo  Musa, Jnr., who, after all formalities were successfully completed, was duly admitted

into the Lodge Room and made most welcome with loud acclamation. 

The work of the evening, which was to pass Bro Glanville to the second degree, then commenced

with the Junior Deacon, Bro Roberto Urqueza, presenting the candidate to the Worshipful

Master for the Preliminary Examination. Bro Glanville, obviously being well tutored by

his mentors, Bro Rajeev Kalra and Bro Myles Eusebio, had no problems with the examination

and spoke in a loud and confident voice, the examination over and after all Entered Apprentices

were retired, the Worshipful Master gave Bro Glanville further instruction before he was

retired under the capable hand of the Senior Deacon, Bro Roderick Buenavista and the Lodge

was opened in the Second Degree. 

An alarm was then sounded and the candidate was re admitted and duly passed to the second

degree. The work conducted at Lodge Jose Rizal is without exception, always a joy to watch

and a pleasure to listen to and the evening of May the Ninth 2015 was no exception, with all

the work, with exception of the signs and secrets, carried out by Master Masons and on completion

of the ceremony, showing much wisdom, the Worshipful Master asked the Candidate's

Mentors to come forward and congratulate Bro Glanville, which they did with much enthusiasm.

With the newly passed Brother taking his seat in the South East Corner, the Lodge was returned

to the First Degree and further business was discussed and announcements made.

It was agreed that the June meeting should be an informal evening in the form of a social

gathering with no regalia in the Lodge Room and inquiries were to be made to acquire an interesting speaker for the night, the next main meeting scheduled is on the fourth of July. 

There being no further business, the Worshipful Master closed the Lodge and all retired to the

South to join the Ladies, family and friends at the festive board. 

After Grace was recited by the Lodge Chaplain, Bro Julio Roson, the Worshipful Master proposed

The Loyal Toast before all totally enjoyed a delicious food, for which Lodge Jose Rizal is renowned,
 prepared and presented as only the “Ladies of the Lodge” can do.  

Bro Myles Eusebio then proposed a toast to The Newly Passed Brother and in his response, Bro Glanville, with much sincerity, thanked all, his sponsors in particular, for their support and encouragement he had received along the way in his Masonic Journey thus far. 

Bro Roderick Buenavista then proposed a toast to “Our Ladies and Our Visitors”, concluding

the toast with the “Lodge Jose Rizal” Visitors Honours which are always given with much sincerity

and meaning:

                             “We Hold You in Our Hearts”

                                "We Embrace as a Family”

                                  "We Honour Your Friendship"

The toast was responded to by the Worshipful Master elect of Lodge Woronora, Bro Emmanuel Konitopoulos who, in congratulating the Candidate and thanking Lodge Jose Rizal for such and enjoyable evening, invited all to his forth coming Installation on 27th of June. 2015. 

The Raffle was then drawn with the usual fun, frivolity and good will always associated with

Lodge Jose Rizal, before Bro Paolo Beringuel proposed the Junior Warden’s toast and whilst

some, with long distance to travel, ventured out into the cold Autumn night and made their way

to their respective homes, others stayed on and partied well into the night in the true festive

spirit of Lodge Jose Rizal. 

Such was the May meeting of one of the most progressive Lodges in the Fraternity and definitely

the most hospitable. We wish them well in their quest for accreditation which will set a

standard that will remain for many, many, years to come, for other Lodges to pursue.

              "To our Next Happy Meeting at lodge Jose Rizal No 1045”

From The Region 2 & District 25 Newsletter: 

By RWBro Bruce Quirk, PAGM