A Message from the Master

From the Masters' desk

The Minnesota Mason for Nov.- Dec. had an excellent column,  "Going Through The Chairs" by Ed Haulpaus.  The GLEO does a great job in advancing Masonic Education. The one, two and three step platforms of the officers,  represents their presumed elevated spiritual growth  over the general population. The Jr, Wardens'  one step platform  represents  control over his carnal nature. The Sr. Wardens' 2 step platform  represents in addition;  his control over the emotions and the Masters' 3 step platform represents in addition;  his mental control.  Containing our nature within due bounds is a basic Masonic teaching.  It should be apparent of all Masons and it should be especially compelling when masons gather in a closed Masonic meeting.

We have seen in the previous year indications of increasing  membership  and  other lodges  are showing the same. The recognition of values in country  and family is again a subject which is receiving renewed interest  in the general populace  and one which will work in reviving Masonry.  We have a great lodge which has activities and programs consistent  with our civic and moral obligations.  We want to stay on this path and  we have brothers with great ideas and  planning sense.  With these we will see growth.  It is our duty brothers to present a lodge  which is active and fun while keeping to our civic duty and moral education.   In this way we will grow. There is no solid definition of values shared by everyone, and not everyone will have the same interpretations.  Differences do arise  between members occasionally as well,  but the symbolism represented  by the 3 platforms of Jr. and Sr. Wardens and Worshipful Master  reminds  us to  give due respect to differing opinions and methods as we all  work toward the same thing,  which is Masonry.

Mike Sullivan

GREETINGS TO ALL BROTHERS OF MRV #6

 We have gotten off to a great start this year with a good first Steering Committee and Stated Communication.  Also, we had a wonderful table Lodge and again, a  Table Lodge Committee  which cannot be beat. Thank you all!

At the next Steering Committee,  we will be sifting through a great number of new committee ideas. The Steering Committee is open to all and you are strongly urged to attend the one on Jan 24. It is reminiscent of a primary.  Get in on the ground floor and make the opportunities happen.

Your presence at this meeting  will keep you abreast of what is happening, and your participation in it allows you to guide where the lodge goes this year and beyond.  I believe those who attend this next Steering Committee will find it exciting and discover a process at work which will cause you to come back for the next and follow the process further.

We are planning for the year: new lodge goals , new  fraternal activities, fundraising and much more.  There are a number of choices to drive the direction we go. That in itself makes it a really fun and exciting time. There is much to consider. I am hopeful we will all take stock in the future of our lodge.   When things change; and it is a simple fact that they do;  would you rather ask;  Why did things have to change? Or would you rather take pride and say " Look what we have accomplished this year?"

It is extremely important that we get a good representation at this meeting of  wise brothers who have given so much of themselves to Masonry over the years as well as those brothers who have newly become our brothers. If this meeting is not important than which one is?

NOTICE

The steering Committee is moved up one week to Jan. 24th this month because

of the West Metros' Masters and Wardens Meeting on our usual meeting date

of Jan. 31. It will begin at 6:30 and there will be food.  I see a great deal of promise for Minn River Valley Lodge # 6.

Come brothers and make it happen. 

IF WE HAVE A BIG ENOUGH BALL IT WILL TAKE MORE THAN ONE TO PUSH IT UP THE HILL..

Mike Sullivan

Worshipful Master

Brothers, our numbers continue to grow at MNRVL #6.

On January 7^th, the Master Mason degree was conferred on Brothers Gary Sankary, Joshua Boxx, and Lowell Weber (of Lebanon Lodge,) by our degree team and with the assistance of Brother Virgil Nieman of Lebanon Lodge. The work was well done, and followed by fellowship and a good meal produced by our Senior Steward, Brother Jeff Bican.

On December 17^th, Brother Sean Wigfield was raised, as a courtesy, by Lebanon Lodge, with two of their candidates, and we currently have four more candidates, whose petitions have been approved, to go through the “one day to Masonry” program on January 21^st.

Received into our ranks during 2005, through the auspices of the “one day to Masonry” program, were Brothers Tim Jacobs, Henry Schaefer, and Mark Treager. Brother Keith Donaldson, also, came to our lodge by transfer. With 6 newly raised Masons in the last year, something good is happening in our Lodge, and we need to take notice, and continue to introduce good men to our good society of friends and brothers. The members of our degree team are anxious to act on the next petitions!

Brother Mike Kottwitz-Degree Team Director

Minnesota River Valley Lodge #6

1101/2 First St.

Shakopee, MN  55379

Our recent Table Lodge was made even more meaningful with the presence of Brother Rice,  our Grand Master. His remarks are below-We were also honored with the presence of Brother Neetenbeek, CEO of Minnesota Masonic Charities. His comments will be in the next newsletter.

Good evening Worshipful Master, Officers and Brothers of Minnesota River Valley Lodge #6, Past Grand Master Neetenbeek, visiting brothers, ladies and guests. On behalf of the more than 18,000 Masons in the great state of Minnesota, I bring you warm and sincere greetings.

While 100-plus of us are dining together in this room this evening, over 1.400 residents are also dining at our two Masonic Homes locations. They are being attended to by hundreds of dedicated caregivers and volunteers. Our facilities are small cities that operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

While 100-plus of us are dining together this evening, at the University of Minnesota Masonic Cancer Center, one of the finest hospitals in the land, families are surrounding precious loved ones with a feeling of hope because of the pioneering work being done with the support from this great fraternity.

While 100-plus of us are dining together this evening, all around this great state of Minnesota numerous Lodges are gathering and contributing to all of our futures by helping fund young student’s education in the form of Minnesota Masonic Scholarships.

While 100-plus of us are dining together this evening, thousands of individual Freemasons all over this great state are giving parts of themselves and their time to their communities and neighbors.

Masonic charity has never been confined to the writing of a check (although checks help make some of the things we do so very meaningful). Masons are encouraged to improve the well being of a whole community or the life of an individual and we hope to encourage others to do the same.

I would like to conclude this wonderful evening’s celebration with a toast to Minnesota Masonic Charities and to founders and followers of the Ancient Craft Of Masonry.

Ladies and Gentlemen, please be upstanding.

Please join with me in a toast to the formation and success of Minnesota Masonic Charities.

Finally, as Grand Master let me say that I will do all in my power to maintain the integrity of our beloved Craft. We should always seek positive change, improvement and modernization, but we must strive never to compromise our tenets or principles.

Thank you for the courtesy you have shown my wife, Christine, and to the office that I am so privileged to hold, God bless you and your loved ones, and a very Good Evening to you all.