Rite Words Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry

V alley of Tucson ~ Orient of Arizona

160 S. Scott Avenue - Tucson, AZ, - 520.622.8364 - www.TucsonScottishRite.org

Volume 50, Issue 3 May / June 2012

2012 Scottish Rite

Leadership Conference By Brother Gilbert A. Schlierer, 32º

T he Scottish Rite Leadership Conference held in San Diego on March 9th and 10th, was one of three held around the country this Spring. The opening session focused on a suggested strategic plan for the future of Scottish Rite—

things needed for the growth and health of Scottish Rite. Things like: Masonic education, training for Scottish Rite officers in each Valley, fostering a better positive public image, effective leadership within each Valley with organiza-tional charts, outlines of duties and responsibilities for officers, and a financial process for stability in our Valleys with budgets prepared and circulated to all Members.

Day two featured “breakout sessions”. There were four separate sessions on different subjects: Financial Manage-ment, Public Relations, Social Media and Effective Web Strategies. Conference delegates were to choose two of the four to attend. I selected Public Relations and Web Strategies.

Perhaps it was my 45-year career in broadcasting which influenced me, but I was especially impressed by the session on Public Relations. To me, it pointed out the real need for Scottish Rite to be far more “public” than ever before. In talking with members of the public, I find they may recognize the Square and Compass when they see it, but that comprises virtually all they know about the Masonic Fraternity. When it comes to the Scottish Rite, they haven’t a clue what it is. Many have lived in Tucson all their lives and walk by our Cathedral every day and have no idea what it is, who we are or what we do.

In the Membership Update, early on the second day of the Conference, Illustrious Ronald A. Seale, 33º, Sovereign Grand Commander, outlined the worrisome decline in membership in the Scottish Rite. We are losing people at a rate which will, for all intents and purposes, put the Scottish Rite out of business in not that many years if something is not done. We cannot attract new members if the public remains ignorant about Masonry and about the Scottish Rite. We must get out and, if not “sell ourselves”, at least we must educate people about who we are, what we do, what we stand for and what we offer.

The breakout session on Social Media pointed out that younger members of society most frequently use Facebook, Twitter and similar internet sites as some of their main sources of information and knowledge about the world. If we want to communicate with them, we need to become a presence there also. In addition to having a Valley website, we need to have pages on Facebook and Twitter where younger men can and will find us and see what we’re doing.

I know there may be some Brothers who may say we never did things that way before. They may say such changes will make the Scottish Rite something it has never been - an entirely different organization in their minds. They may not like the idea of such changes but as it was pointed out, in no uncertain terms, if we do not embrace these very sorts of changes, in a shorter time than we may realize, the Scottish Rite may not be around to change at all.

RRiittee WWoorrddss Valley of Tucson ~ Orient of Arizona

All Scottish Rite members whose names appear in the Rite Words are of the thirty-second degree, unless otherwise indicated. Articles appearing in this publication express only the private opinion or assertions of the writer and are not necessarily those of the Scottish Rite Bodies. Articles submitted must be informative and relate to Masonry and/or be of general public interest. Articles must be limited to 750 words and are subject to editing. When possible, photographs illustrating these articles should accompany the submission. The Rite Words is published six times annually, in January, March, May, July, September and November. Deadline for submission of articles for the next publication is June 5, 2012.

EDITOR Peggy Atchley

ASSISTANT EDITOR Ill.∙. Bro.·. Charles R. Bollenberg, 33°

PHOTOGRAPHERS Bro.∙. Al Camacho, 32°, K.∙.C.∙.C.∙.H.∙.

Bro.·. Carlos Tolsa, 32º

Send articles, comments or suggestions to: patchley@TucsonScottishRite.org

Fax No. 520-269-7704

Mail Change of Address To:

Rite Words P.O. Box 391—Tucson, AZ 85702-0391

Scottish Rite Office Hours:

Mon. — Thur. 9:00am—1:00pm Office Phone Number: 520-622-8364

Office Fax Number: 520-622-8660

Illustrious Brother Robert F. Hannon, 33°, is the Sovereign Grand Inspector General of the Supreme Council of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry for the Southern Jurisdic-tion, U.S.A. in the Orient of Arizona. Illustrious Brother J. Michael Atchley, 33°, G.·. C.·., is the Personal Representative of the Sovereign Grand Inspector General in Arizona for the Valley of Tucson and Chairman of the Advisory Conference. Illustrious Brother James W. Sebastian, 33°, is the Assistant Personal Repre-sentative of the Sovereign Grand Inspector General in Arizona.

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Brother Jay R. Allen, 32°, for having successfully completed the Master Craftsman Correspondence Program, Part I.

2012 Dues

Reminder notices were recently mailed

from Supreme Council to those members

who have not yet paid their 2012 dues.

Please remember to remit your dues

directly to the Tucson Scottish Rite. You

may call the office at 520-622-8364 and pay with any credit or debit card.

Tucson Scottish Rite

2012 Calendar of Events May 4-5, 2012

Tucson Spring Reunion

May 24, 2012 Scottish Rite 211th Birthday Celebration

June 28, 2012

Pot Luck Dinner / Game Night

July 26, 2012 Pot Luck Dinner / Ice Cream Social

August 23, 2012

Pot Luck Dinner / Game Night

September 27, 2012 Past Venerable Masters’ Night

October 25, 2012

Feast of Tishri

November 2-3, 2012 Tucson Fall Reunion

November 8, 2012 Election of Officers

December 13, 2012 Holiday Celebration

Rite Words2 May / June 2012

Personal Rep’s Message By Illustrious J. Michael Atchley, 33º, G.·.C.·.

Personal Representative, Valley of Tucson

T he greatest asset in all of Masonry is its membership. What are we doing about it? This past year we must

have been doing something right, for the Valley of Tucson ended the year in the positive.

Now we are into the New Year and Reunions are upon us, there are three areas we all need to concentrate on:

1. Recruitment of new members. In the State of Arizona, there are five Master Masons for every one member of the Scottish Rite. Are we doing a good job of selling the continued education available in the Scottish Rite? Are we showing the new Master Mason he can be active in his Blue Lodge as well as the Scottish Rite? Are we willing to share our ideas, our experiences and our expertise with the new Master Mason? If the answer to any of these questions is NO, then we are not doing our part to help the Fraternity grow.

2. Retention. Are we doing everything we can to keep our members interested in the Scottish Rite? Do we keep in touch with our Brothers? Make an occasional telephone call or submit an interesting article in the Rite Words, which all Brothers would enjoy.

3. Participation. Do we take an active part in our Valley? Do we take part in one of the various commit-tees? Do we help with the degrees during the Reunions? Do we serve as an officer in the different bodies? Do we attend meetings? Do we share in the brotherhood and fellowship? (The two most important qualities in a Mason.)

If each of us would take these questions and answer them with an open mind and then pledge ourselves to do something about turning all the NO’s around, the entire fraternity of Freemasonry would grow.

DO YOUR PART

ATTEND ~ PARTICIPATE

AND

SHARE YOUR LOVE OF FREEMASONRY!

Are You Like a Rusty Nail?

You don’t attend Lodge any more because you don’t want to take

the chance of being embarrassed because you’re not sure of the

“word” or a “sign”?

We Have

A Remedy!

Join Us!

Saturday, May 12th at the Tucson Scottish Rite Cathedral 160 S. Scott Avenue in Tucson

when Aaron Lodge #49 exemplifies the RUSTY NAIL DEGREE!

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WWee wwiillll wwoorrkk iinn aallll DDeeggrreeeess •• YYoouu wwiillll nnoott bbee ppuutt oonn tthhee ssppoott

LLuunncchh wwiillll bbee aatt 1111::3300aamm wwiitthh tthhee ddeeggrreeee ssttaarrttiinngg aatt 11 ppmm •• $$2255..0000 iinncclluuddeess lluunncchh aanndd tthhee ddeeggrreeee (($$1155..0000 iiff nnoo lluunncchh))

RReesseerrvvaattiioonnss ffoorr lluunncchh aanndd ddeeggrreeee MMUUSSTT bbee mmaaddee bbyy MMaayy 11sstt..

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RReesseerrvvaattiioonnss rreecceeiivveedd aafftteerr MMaayy 11sstt wwiillll rreecceeiivvee ppiinn aanndd cceerrttiiffiiccaattee aatt aa llaatteerr ddaattee..

CCaallll WWMM DDoonn MMooyyeerr aatt 552200--882200--00667766 oorr eemmaaiill dd..mm..mmooyyeerr@@ccoommccaasstt..nneett ffoorr rreesseerrvvaattiioonnss

Rite WordsMay / June 2012 3

Spring Reunion Schedule

Friday, May 4, 2012 Schedule of Events

7:15 a.m. Class enrollment—Main Lobby

7:40 a.m. Class Roll Call

7:45 a.m. Opening Processional Knights of St. Andrew

7:55 a.m. Opening of all Bodies

8:00 a.m. Opening Address Ill.·. Robert F. Hannon, 33° Sovereign Grand Inspector General Of the Supreme Council in Arizona

8:15 a.m. Reunion Prologue Ill.·. J. Michael Atchley, 33°, G.·.C.·. Personal Representative of the Sovereign Grand Inspector General— Valley of Tucson

8:25 a.m. 4° - Secret Master Northern Arizona Scottish Rite Club

9:25 a.m. 6° - Intimate Secretary Marion McDaniel Lodge #56, Tucson

10:15 a.m. 8° - Intendant of the Building Cochise County Scottish Rite Club

11:00 a.m. 11° - Elu of the Twelve Northern Arizona Scottish Rite Club

12:00 p.m. Lunch ~ Atchley Hall

1:00 p.m. 12° - Master Architect Cochise County Scottish Rite Club

1:50 p.m. 14° - Perfect Elu Northern Arizona Scottish Rite Club

3:00 p.m. 17° - Knight of the East and West Cochise County Scottish Rite Club

4:00 p.m. K.·.C.·.C.·.H.·. Meeting in Phillips Room

Spring Reunion Schedule

Saturday, May 5, 2012 Schedule of Events

7:30 a.m. Class Formation (Pictures and Election of Officers)

8:00a.m. 18° - Knight Of The Rose Croix Northern Arizona Scottish Rite Club

9:45 a.m. 22º - Knight Royal Axe or Prince of Libanus Sabbar Shrine Degree Team

10:30 a.m. 29° - Scottish Knight of Saint Andrew Knights of St. Andrew, Tucson

11:15 p.m. Lunch ~ Atchley Hall

12:15 p.m. 30° - Knight Kadosh or Knight of the White and Black Eagle Northern Arizona Scottish Rite Club

2:00 p.m. 32° - Master of the Royal Secret Valley of Tucson

4:00 p.m. Cap and Ring Investiture

4:30 p.m. Closing Processional

Masonic Traveling Begins

with the 4th Degree

There is no higher degree than that of a Master Mason (3°), but the 29 degrees of the Scottish Rite serve to enrich the philosophy of the Symbolic Lodge. A Mason who chooses to further his Masonic experience by becoming a 32° Scottish Rite Mason will be expanding upon the fundamental principles of Freemasonry.

• Join Us • 2012 Spring Reunion

May 4th & 5th

Tucson Scottish Rite Cathedral

Rite Words4 May / June 2012

HHoouussee ooff tthhee TTeemmppllee WWeebb--aa--tthhoonn!! Help the Supreme Council hit their goal of $1 MILLION by donating to the Rebuilding the Temple Campaign to restore and preserve the House of the Temple in Washington, DC.

THE SOVEREIGN GRAND COMMANDER HAS JUST ANNOUNCED THAT ONE HALF OF ALL MONIES RAISED

WILL BE DISTRIBUTED TO THE ORIENTS FOR THEIR OWN TEMPLE RESTORATION EFFORTS.

So, if you decide to donate to the House of the Temple’s rebuilding efforts during the web-a-thon, half of what you give will return to Tucson to benefit our own beautiful Temple. The web-a-thon will include six hours of music, comedy and entertainment! You’ll see a variety of celebrity Scottish Rite Masons and hear their stories.

Broadcast LIVE from the House of the Temple! To watch, go to www.ScottishRite.org.

Make a donation to the Rebuilding the Temple Campaign online, by phone, or on Facebook!

MMaarrkk YYoouurr CCaalleennddaarr!!

May 19, 2012

6 pm to Midnight

For more information, contact the Development Office at

(866) 448-3773 or webathon@scottishrite.org.

Meet the Grand Commander and learn more about the Rebuilding the Temple Campaign.

One half of your donation will benefit the House of the Temple with the balance returning to the Orient of Arizona.

Contributions are tax-deductible as allowed by law.

Knights of St. Andrew By Sir Knight Brian A. Pilz, 32º

Venerable Master

Brethren, the Tucson Knights of St. Andrew is alive and well. Our Robert Burns Night was enjoyed by all who attended. If you missed it this year, we hope you will plan on attending next year.

The Spring Reunion is next on our agenda and it should be a great event. This is a time for us to get together and remember why we joined the Scottish Rite. I heartily encourage all members to try and attend. You will have a chance to see old friends and meet the newest members.

A comment was made to me the other day that our KSA members were all young members. This Brother said the impression is this

is what we are looking for. Nothing could be farther from the truth. The Knights of St. Andrew is open to all 32nd degree mem-bers. Anyone who is looking for a place to contribute to the Valley of Tucson is welcome and very much wanted. We are looking for mem-bers who want to contribute in some way to the Valley. It can be in degree work, stage crew, makeup, etc. All we expect is for our members to be there for what-ever the Valley needs. The pur-chase of a Kilt is purely optional. We have fun and are always look-ing for ways to assist the Personal Rep, in whatever he needs.

Applications are available on the Scottish Rite website or by talking to any of the Knights or Squires. Just look for those of us with the Glengarries and we will be glad to talk with you.

Yours in Knighthood!

Cochise Scottish Rite Club By Bro.·. Tom Jones, 32º

The last regular meeting of the Cochise Scottish Rite Club was held on April 7, 2012. Breakfast was served by the Cochise High Twelve Club. Was nice to have Bro.·. Matthew Reidmiller, a candidate for the May Reunion, in attendance. It was a pleasure to see Ill.·. J. Michael Atchley, 33º, G.·.C.·. join us for breakfast and bring us up-to-date on the good things taking place at the Temple.

The Club is preparing for degree work for the Spring Reunion with practices being held on April 15th and April 29th at 1:00pm. Help is always needed—actors, make-up, stage props, lighting and sound. The candidates and actors always appreciate sideliners. If you are interested in becoming a Scottish Rite Mason, please contact Bro.·. Bruce Wood, 32º, Ill.·. Andy Anderson, 33º or Bro.·. Tom Jones, 32º.

The next regular meeting will be held July 7th at 8:00am. Please join us and bring a guest. All Masons are welcome.

Rite WordsMay / June 2012 5

Knights

1

Beg

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A M

I Am Freemasonry

By Ray Vaughn Denslow (1885-1960)

Grand Master of Missouri, 1931

I was born in antiquity, in the ancient days when men first dreamed of God.

I have been tried through the ages, and found true.

The crossroads of the world bear the implant of my fee, and the cathedrals of all nations mark the skill of my hands.

I strive for beauty and for symmetry.

In my heart is wisdom and strength and courage for those who ask.

Upon my altars is the Book of Holy Writ, and my prayers are to the One Omnipotent God.

My sons work and pray together, without rank or discord, in the public mart and in the inner chamber.

By signs and symbols I teach the lessons of life and of death and the relationship of man with God and of man with man.

My arms are widespread to receive those of lawful age and good report who seek me of their own free will.

I accept them and teach them to use my tools in the building of men, and thereafter, find directions in their own quest for perfection so much desired and so difficult to attain.

I lift up the fallen and shelter the sick.

I hark to the orphans’ cry, the widow’s tears, the pain of the old and destitute.

I am not church, nor party, nor school, yet my sons bear a full share of responsibility to God, to country, to neighbor, and themselves.

They are free men, tenacious of their liberties and alert to lurking dangers.

At the end I commit them as each one undertakes the journey beyond the vale into the glory of everlasting life.

I ponder the sand within the glass and think how small is a single life in the eternal universe.

Always have I taught immortality and even as I raise men from darkness to light, I am a way of life.

Planning An Event?

Check into the facilities available at the

Tucson Scottish Rite Cathedral

Since the beginning of the year, the Scottish Rite Cathedral has been host to several special events, such as:

University of Arizona (School of Theatre, Film and Television)

U of A students filming their Theses

Desert Voices Concert

Two Wedding Rehearsal Dinner Parties

Wedding Reception

Wedding Ceremony and Reception

BASIS School Concert

Future special event bookings include:

Catalina High School ROTC Prom

U of A— Pike Fraternity

Arizona Military Women’s Annual Conference

60th Birthday Party

U of A— THETA Chi Fraternity

40th Anniversary of the Tucson Synchro Swim Team Awards

Desert Voices Concert

Two Quincerra’s

Eight Weddings with Receptions

New Year’s Eve Party

Now is the time companies and groups are looking for that perfect venue for use in their training programs, trade shows and leadership retreats. Don’t wait until it’s too late to book the Cathedral for your special event. As a member in good standing, you will receive a discount for your special event.

Call the Scottish Rite office at 520-622-8364, ask to speak with Peggy to discuss how we can help make your event a smashing success. You can also e-mail her at: patchley@TucsonScottishRite.org. Please remember to pass her contact information along to your friends and neighbors.

Ch e c k o u t o u r we d d i n g we b s i t e a t : www.SouthernArizonaWeddings.com and “Like” us on Facebook.

Rite Words6 May / June 2012

Am I A Builder?

I watched them tearing a building down, a gang of men in a busy town.

With a ho-heave-ho and a lusty yell, they swung a beam and the sides fell.

I asked the foreman, “Are these men skilled and the kind you would hire, if you had to build?”

He gave me a laugh and said, “No indeed, just common labor is all I need.

I can easily wreck in a day or two, what other builders have taken a year to do.”

I thought to myself as I went my way, “which of these roles have I tried to play?”

Am I a builder who works with care, measuring life by the rule and square.

Am I shaping my deeds to a well made plan, patiently doing the best I can?

Or, am I a wrecker who walks the town, content with the labor of tearing down.

The true title and author of this piece are unknown. However, this verse was quoted by Grand Master Dean C. Mabry, Grand Lodge of Colorado, in his ad-dress to the 111th Annual Communication on January 24th and 25th, 1972.

Culture and Civility

By Illustrious Michael T. Bishop, 33º

I recall a Three Stooges episode when the three were in tuxedos, seated at a formal dinner table with several other ladies and gentlemen. They were the object of a wager between two professors, one who claimed civility was a

product of one’s breeding, the other who thought it was a result of one’s environment. If these three nincompoops could demonstrate culture and refinement, the proponent of “the environment argument” would win the wager.

Amid the sounds of a peaceful and dignified dinner, Curly turns to Moe and asks, “Bye the bye, how is the countess?” He then turns to another and asks, “Hey, you ain’t got a toothpick on you, do you bud?” Then, of course, pies are later thrown about with great purpose and reckless abandon. The “environment argument” is quickly lost.

I believe the greatest symbol of culture and civility is the cup and saucer. I like the clinking sound. It sounds soothing and proper. Coffee should always be served in a cup and saucer, and the coffee should be served from a silver service, always with real cream and a sugar bowl, whether requested or not.

I see Freemasonry as one of the last organizations to promote culture and civility. Our task is to insist upon the use of the cup and saucer, if not literally, then figuratively. We are to be genuinely interested in the condition of the countess and reach out to help her. Our most important mission is to demonstrate, unapologetically, belief and trust in God.

Rite WordsMay / June 2012 7

Tucson Lodge of Perfection Tucson Scottish Rite

Valley of Tucson Orient of Arizona

P.O. Box 391

Tucson, Arizona 85702-0391

Cathedral Location: 160 S. Scott Avenue

Tucson, Arizona 520-622-8364

NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION

U.S. Postage

PPaaiidd Tucson, Arizona Permit No. 658

Sail with the Scottish Rite November 11—18, 2012

Aboard the Ruby Princess

Eastern Caribbean Cruise sailing roundtrip from Ft. Lauderdale to St. Maarten, St. Thomas, and Princes Cays

Friends and family are welcome to join our group.

For complete details, contact:

Melody Watts AAA Arizona

8204 E. Broadway Tucson, AZ 85710

520-258-0501 mwatts@arizona.aaa.com

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