Introducing The 2018 - 2019
Grand Master of Masons in Arizona
Most Worshipful Grand Master,
Craig L. Gross
Craig L. Gross
The Grand Master's pin for 2018-2019
ARIZONA MASONS STANDING TALL
It is my great privilege and honor to be elected to serve as the 137th Grand Master of Masons of Arizona. I am truly humbled by everything that has happened to me in Masonry. I owe so much to so many for their love, friendship, and support during this incredible journey.
I joined Freemasonry to become a better person; to provide help to those in need; to be involved and assist in my community; and to be a part of a Fraternity that was so rooted in its landmarks, traditions, and customs. A Craft that has stood fast and projected positive images to the world for hundreds of years, through its teachings and principals that remain constant and vital to men’s lives today. An image that is projected to the world in which good men wanted to participate. I am a traditionalist, but I also have an open mind for change. Our path is based upon the suggestions of the Craft and we each have an obligation to be certain that any change we make will be of benefit to the Craft or more importantly at least not a detriment.
Brothers, we need to remember the values and ways of yesteryear. Back when a man’s word was his bond and a deal could be settled with a handshake. When men strived for perfection, not mediocracy. When we took care of our Brothers and their families. For those Lodges that do have outreach programs for their members in need, I sincerely applaud you. We need to reach out to our Brothers, who are now homebound, in assisted living, need a ride to Lodge, or simply just haven’t been around for a while. It is essential that we stay in touch and encourage them, letting them and their families know they have not been forgotten.
Most Worshipful Grand Master,
Craig L. Gross
Have we heard and do we remember the words, “I am my Brother’s Keeper,” and “we will take care of our own?” Brothers, as we advance this Fraternity of Freemasons, we need to preserve the best of our past to promote a bright and glorious future. If we continue to change from what it was which made us great, we reduce the chance to retain that greatness.
I have chosen as the theme for my year “Arizona Masons Standing Tall.” I ask all Masons, from the youngest Entered Apprentices who stand in the northeast corner of the Lodge, to the Worshipful Masters who preside in the East, Stand Tall at all times, wear the love of the Fraternity on your sleeve, and be proud of who you are and what you belong to. Share openly with all those around us the true meaning of the Craft.
My vision is to find a way to better communicate, assist and educate one another (within the Fraternity and outside in the world). Communicate openly with all. Assist our Brothers and their families in need and educate the Craft, with the purpose of uniting our Great Jurisdiction. This shall be our goal! Ours is an organization which embraces high ideals and principals, seeking great men and seeking to make men great. Simply because some of society lowers its standards does not mean we must do the same to attract new members. We cannot hope to grow or even remain the same by lowering our standards, we must place emphasis on the quality of our membership. We must be careful in the admission of candidates and improve the admission procedure. By the necessary changes through communication and education, we will strive to make Masonry relevant for each generation in preparation for tomorrow. The world belongs to those who plan for it! Your Grand Lodge has encouraged participation in the proficiency of Lodges and members through several programs. I personally believe these are valuable programs. Through these programs our Brethren have received educational instruction on the methods by which our Grand Lodge and Lodges operate and the obligations that we as Masons have sworn to uphold. These programs assist us in promoting skilled Lodges, Lodges that provide quality floor and ritual work, promote good business ethics and provide our members with the education and Further Light in Masonry that so many Brethren are seeking. I firmly believe in order for our Craft to take good men and make them better, we need to supply all our Brothers with the tools and knowledge needed to succeed as skilled, passionate, and proud Masons.
Freemasons have always been supporters of the youth, recognizing the rare and precious opportunity given to responsible adults to attempt to lead and mentor them in paths of good citizenship. We have heard many times before that the youth are our future; however, I believe that we are also the future of our youth. Each of us must become mentors and teach the lessons of this great Fraternity to those already within the walls of our Lodges and to those yet to come. Our youth will exceed our expectations if we teach them well. If you expect nothing, you will receive nothing. We hope to assist and support these young people in ways that will benefit everyone’s future.
As Grand Master, there will be decisions made that may be controversial but I must assure each of you that I will do what I feel is necessary for the betterment of the Craft. As members of your Lodge, you are asked to do the same. Through communication we must get to know our Brothers, their strengths, their weaknesses, and their goals. It will be necessary at times for each of us to step out of our comfort zone and identify issues we have simply lived with instead of addressing them. The management and growth of our Lodges and the future of our Craft should be our main focus and responsibility.
As we enter this new Masonic year, may each of us deepen our sense of caring for each other so that we may truly become Freemasons united together under our ritual and our ethics. We pride ourselves on doing what is right, treating others as we ourselves would like to be treated, and striving for excellence in all we say and do. Bring the values of Masonry into our everyday life. The prestige of Freemasonry lies squarely on the shoulders of each of us. The world needs what Freemasonry has to offer today more than ever before.
I would like to offer my sincerest appreciation and deepest thanks to each of you for what you are going to do this year in support of moving this Grand Lodge forward. I must ask you to remember, it is YOU who are the Grand Lodge and your Grand Master and other Grand Lodge Officers are here primarily to support and assist you. As I have stated: I am truly honored by the trust you have bestowed upon me, and will do my best to exceed your expectations.
Thank you Brethren for providing me the opportunity to serve you!
Grand Lodge
Events
Info
2018 Grand Lodge Holiday Party
Let’s Stand Tall and Celebrate the Season
Saturday, December 1, 2018
MWGM Craig Gross invites you and your family to the 2018 Annual Grand Lodge Christmas Party for a evening of Masonic fellowship, good food and entertainment.
6-7 pm No Host Reception followed by 7pm Dinner
6-7 pm No Host Reception followed by 7pm Dinner
REGISTER NOW!
Registrations accetpted until Saturday, November 24, 2018
ARIZONA MASONRY MAGAZINE
MISSION, VISION, VALUES, GOALS & OBJECTIVES
The Grand Line Officers have been working to establish a Mission and Vision Statement and identifying Goals and Objectives for the current Masonic year
The Grand Line Officers have been working to establish a Mission and Vision Statement and identifying Goals and Objectives for the current Masonic year
Every well-run lodge has or should have a written Mission and Vision Statement as well as a written set of Goals and Objectives for the current Masonic year to serve as a guide of what is expected to be accomplished and in what direction the lodge wants to move.
[ Click here for more information ]
[ Click here for more information ]
WHAT IS FREEMASONRY?
The Mission of Freemasonry
The Mission of Freemasonry
The mission of Freemasonry is to promote a way of life that binds like minded men in a worldwide brotherhood that transcends all religious, ethnic, cultural, social and educational differences; by teaching the great principles of Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth: and, by the outward expression of these, through its fellowship, its compassion and its concern, to find ways in which to serve God, family, country, neighbors and self.
[ Click here for more information ]
[ Click here for more information ]
FROM THE GRAND SECRETARY
A LETTER FROM THE GRAND SECRETARY
A LETTER FROM THE GRAND SECRETARY
Worshipful Masters, Brother Secretaries,
Effective immediately, the Grand Secretary’s office will be
closed on Friday, and the hours of operation will be from
8:00 am until 4:00 pm, Monday through Thursday.
Also, please take note of
the change of address. All correspondence is to be addressed to:
Grand Lodge of Arizona
P. O. Box 35692
Phoenix, AZ. 85069-5692
The address change is being made as our mail box is outside, not visible to office personnel, and when delivered on the weekend, is available to anyone who would happen to open the mailbox. If you have any questions regarding these changes, please don’t hesitate to call this office.
Sincerely and fraternally,
Jim Rowan, PGM
Grand Secretary
Grand Lodge F&AM of Arizona
(602) 252-1924
Grand Secretary
Grand Lodge F&AM of Arizona
(602) 252-1924
FROM THE GRAND LECTURER
LODGES OF INSTRUCTION
LODGES OF INSTRUCTION
We have an exciting year ahead of us! We will be conducting Schools of Instruction, and we will have a Grand Lodge Ritual Competition. We will continue to award Master Ritualist and Certified Lecturer designations.
What follows are the requirements for both.
Dates and Locations for the first three Lodges of Instruction are:
July 14, 2018 (Sa) Flagstaff #7: 9:00 a.m. meet and greet, 10:00 a.m. start
July 26, 2018 (Th) Glendale #23: 6:00 dinner, 7:00 p.m. start
August 6, 2018 (Monday) at Marion McDaniel #56 6:00 meet and greet, 7:00 p.m. start.
September 26, 2018 (Wednesday) at Builders #60. 7:00 p.m. start.
October 13, 2018 (Sa) Central Arizona #14 10:00 - 12 Noon (This will be part of a longer program planned).
November 10, 2018 (Sa) Yuma #17: 9:00 meet and greet, 10:00 a.m. start
More dates and locations to come. Instruction intended for Arizona Master Masons in good
standing (call if you have an EA or FC who wants to attend). The program will run between sixty
and ninety minutes.
standing (call if you have an EA or FC who wants to attend). The program will run between sixty
and ninety minutes.
Sincerely and Fraternally,
Ron Allen SW
San Pedro #55,
Benson AZ
PUBLIC SCHOOLS ESSAY CONTEST
PUBLIC SCHOOLS PROGRAM
PUBLIC SCHOOLS PROGRAM
The Grand Lodge School Essay contest and Classroom Grant program are an
excellent opportunity to become involved with your local Schools and show our support and commitment to furthering education.
excellent opportunity to become involved with your local Schools and show our support and commitment to furthering education.
Your involvement in these programs will be rewarding and give you an insight into the thoughts, ideas, and needs of the Students, Teachers, and Schools.
Reading the Essays is fun, entertaining and inspiring and is time well spent.
Jim Baker, JGD
Chairman, GL Public Schools
ATTENTION! A MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT ABOUT ARIZONA FREEMASONRY
Governor Douglas Ducey Proclaims June 24th Freemasonry Day
Governor Douglas Ducey Proclaims June 24th Freemasonry Day
A significant day in our Masonic history is upon us this June 24th, 2017, as it will be the 300th anniversary of modern Freemasonry. On behalf of the Grand Lodge of Arizona, I have requested and received a Proclamation from Governor Douglas Ducey that this day will be proclaimed Freemasonry Day in the State of Arizona. We should as Masons, all be proud of our Fraternity because we will have the benefit of this public recognition in our community to commemorate this anniversary.
Freemasonry has a basic philosophy of life that places the individual worth of each man high on its pedestal and incorporates the great teachings of many ages to provide a way for individual study and thought. It has great respect for religion and promotes toleration and equal esteem for the religious opinions and beliefs of others. It provides a real working plan for making good men to be better men. It is a social organization and has many important charitable projects. There exists a rich worldwide history that includes the bedrock of ideals and beliefs that formed this country as many of its Founding Fathers were Masons.
Freemasonry has a basic philosophy of life that places the individual worth of each man high on its pedestal and incorporates the great teachings of many ages to provide a way for individual study and thought. It has great respect for religion and promotes toleration and equal esteem for the religious opinions and beliefs of others. It provides a real working plan for making good men to be better men. It is a social organization and has many important charitable projects. There exists a rich worldwide history that includes the bedrock of ideals and beliefs that formed this country as many of its Founding Fathers were Masons.
I hope you will celebrate this milestone not only on Freemasonry Day but also by attending
some of the local Lodge celebrations planned throughout the jurisdiction this Masonic year.
Fraternally,
Scott A. Thomas
Grand Master
some of the local Lodge celebrations planned throughout the jurisdiction this Masonic year.
Fraternally,
Scott A. Thomas
Grand Master
CALENDAR
APPENDANT AND CONCORDANT BODIES
Masonic Organizations - Local, National, and International
Masonic Organizations - Local, National, and International
The Masonic bodies that comprise the fraternity of Freemasonry are many, and not all are for men alone. Each of the bodies, or orders, uses it's own set of symbology and allegory to illustrate to it's members important societal lessons. Follow the links below to learn more about the numberous orders.
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