Brethren!
Greetings from the West! As the month of October is now upon us, I look forward to the change of time as well as the change of the season. Fall is my favorite time of year and October in particular is my favorite month.
I again congratulate Worshipful Chris Barnes on being the recipient of the 2005 Hiram Award of Burbank Lodge last month. It was a beautiful event, and he appreciated everybody in attendance. The Hiram Award is the highest award that can be awarded to a Master Mason, and I could not think of a more worthy candidate.
Another reason that I like October so much is because of Grand Lodge in San Francisco. I would like to thank my Lodge once again for the financial assistance that you have provided to offset my expenses. I am excited to be voting on resolutions that will determine how Masons will continue for years to come. I challenge all of the officers and their wives next year to make plans and attend Grand Lodge. It is an experience that you will never forget.
This year, October will also “kick start” the return of women‘s events back in the Lodge. Don‘t forget that there is an “All Welcome” dinner prior to stated meeting on October 6th. After this meal, the Ladies are encouraged to stick around and participate in an event just for them.
I am pleased to announce that preparation for the 2006 Masonic year is coming along great. The future officers had a planning meeting last month, along with their wives and significant others, and produced a very exciting and fun filled Masonic year. I am also very pleased to announce that, with the exception of a Musician, the Officers Line is completely filled! If there are any Brothers out there that can play the piano, please let me know! Is it true
that you can tune a piano but you cannot tuna fish?
All Fellowcrafts can recall in the second degree, “and have not charity, I am nothing.” In these troubled times with the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, thousands of troops still overseas (including our very own Burbank Masons and DeMolays), the daily threat of terror, and the Holidays right around the corner, are we giving all that we can? We are not just citizens, we are Masons! Most of us are much more fortunate than we really realize. If you
were in somebody else‘s shoes you would want the help. Lets all make an effort to give a little more! It is the greatest gift that you can ever give yourself!
“I find that the harder I work, the more luck I seem to have.”
— Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826)
Fraternally,
Kenneth L. Barnes
Senior Warden
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From the South
Brethren:
Are you aware of the Masonic Home for Children and what they do?
One of the finest residential programs of its kind in the United States, children who have been abandoned, abused, or neglected are nurtured in a loving, family-centered environment at the Masonic Home for Children.
Certified family specialists provide family-centered care for up to seven children in eight individual and attractive residential houses on the grounds of the Home surrounded by towering trees, blooming flowers, and a variety of playgrounds and recreational facilities.
A child living at the Masonic Home becomes an active participant in the home in which they live. They have a separate bedroom that they must keep clean, as well as complete a daily chore in their home.
Each child attends local public schools, and the Home will provide on-site tutoring or other academic assistance to help the child reach their academic potential. The Masonic Home celebrates all holidays and encourages the children to attend the house of worship of their choice. The Home also provides all clothing, health care needs, and extra-curricular activities without a cost to the family of the child.
The Masonic Home for Children opened its doors, and its heart, to children in need when California Masons founded an orphanage in Decoto, CA in 1898. In 1915, the Home was permanently moved to Southern California and today continues to serve as a haven for abused, neglected and economically disadvantaged children. More than 1,800 children have thrived in this caring environment. Masonic affiliation is not required. (Article taken from www.freemason.org)
For more information, visit the Masonic Home for Children website www.childrenhome.org
Fraternally,
John T. Brennan,
Junior Warden
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From the Secretary's Desk
Brethren:
The principal tenets of our profession are threefold, including the inculcation and practice of those truly commendable virtues, Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth.
By the exercise of Brotherly Love a Mason learns to regard the whole human race as one family, the high, the low, the rich, the poor who, being created by one Almighty Parent, and inhabitants of the same planet, ought to aid, support, and protect each other. On this principle Masonry unites men of every Country, sect, and opinion, and conciliates true friendship among those who might other wise have remained at a perpetual distance.
To Relieve the Distressed is a duty incumbent on all men, but particularly on Masons, who are linked together by an indissoluble chain of sincere affection.
To soothe the unhappy, to sympathize with them in their misfortunes, to compassionate their miseries, and to restore peace to their troubled minds is the great aim we have in view. On this basis we form our friendships and establish our connections.
Truth is a divine attribute and the foundation of every virtue. To be good men and true is the first lesson we are taught in Freemasonry. On this theme we contemplate, and by its dictates endeavor to regulate our conduct. Hence, while influenced by this principle, hypocrisy and deceit are unknown among us, sincerity and plain-dealing distinguish us, and the heart and the tongue join in promoting each other's welfare and rejoicing in each other's prosperity.
“Author Unknown”
Fraternally,
Norm Furman, Secretary
y
e-mail: burbanklodge406@att.net
Dirt Roads
May the good Lord take a likin' to ya!!!
What's mainly wrong with society today is that too many Dirt Roads have been paved. There's not a problem in America today, crime, drugs, education, divorce, delinquency that wouldn't be remedied, if we just had more Dirt Roads, because Dirt Roads give character.
People that live at the end of Dirt Roads learn early on that life is a bumpy ride. That it can jar you right down to your teeth sometimes, but it's worth it, if at the end is home a loving spouse, happy kids and a dog.
We wouldn't have near the trouble with our educational system if our kids got their exercise walking a Dirt Road with other kids, from whom they learn how to get along.
There was less crime in our streets before they were paved. Criminals didn't walk two dusty miles to rob or rape, if they knew they'd be welcomed by 5 barking dogs and a double barrel shotgun. And there were no drive by shootings.
Our values were better when our roads were worse! People did not worship their cars more than their kids, and motorists were more courteous, they didn't tailgate by riding the bumper or the guy in front would choke you with dust & bust your windshield with rocks.
Dirt Roads taught patience.
Dirt Roads were environmentally friendly, you didn't hop in your car for a quart of milk you walked to the barn for your milk. For your mail, you walked to the mail box.
What if it rained and the Dirt Road got washed out? That was the best part, then you stayed home and had some family time, roasted marshmallows and popped popcorn and pony rode on Daddy's shoulders and learned how to make prettier quilts than anybody.
At the end of Dirt Roads, you soon learned that bad words tasted like soap. Most paved roads lead to trouble, Dirt Roads more likely lead to a fishing creek or a swimming hole.
At the end of a Dirt Road, the only time we even locked our car was in August, because if we didn't some neighbor would fill it with too much zucchini.
At the end of a Dirt Road, there was always extra springtime income, from when city dudes would get stuck, you'd have to hitch up a team and pull them out.
Usually you got a dollar. You always got a new friend - at the end of a Dirt Road!
Maybe you knew someone who was born and raised on a Dirt Road, that carried this philosophy with them until - - .
Proud to say that I was that fortunate.
— Paul Harvey
OPERATION PHONE HOME
Operation Phone Home is a campaign designed with the goal of providing prepaid international phone calling cards to as many military men and women serving overseas as can be reached. It will be an ongoing effort as long as American Military Personnel serve overseas, particularly in Iraq, Afghanistan, and the Balkans.
The Masonic Service Association, on behalf of the Masonic fraternity, has entered into an agreement with the USO to participate in this program. MSA has met all of the requirements necessary to have a web site presence and a link to the USO web page and to have a Masonic Logo on the phone card. The card will include the logo of the USO, the participating phone company (AT&T), and the American Flag. On the left side of the card will appear the Square and
Compasses and the words Compliments of America's Freemasons. (Image below)
Anyone wishing to participate in this program may send a donation marked Operation Phone Home to:
The Masonic Service Association
8120 Fenton Street
Silver Spring, MD 20910-4785.
All of the monies received will go to this program and an accounting will be made by MSA at the end of each calendar year.
Or go to http://freemasonry.org and follow the links.
Thank you very much for your help!
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Burbank Masonic Center
Youth Groups
Job’s Daughters Job’s Daughters
Bethel 97 Bethel 208
Trish Vossper Amanda Price
818 846-3042 818 500-8202
1st Friday & 3rd Saturday 1st Saturday & 3rd Friday
DeMolay
L.C. Kelley Chapter
Steve Jordan
818 729-0913
2nd & 4th Tuesday
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