LODGE NEWS

OUR NEWSLETTER
I’m not naive enough to believe that everyone reads our newsletter but I do get enough positive feed back to make it a very rewarding endeavor. It seems that the widows and brothers that can no longer make the meetings enjoy it the most. I suppose that if you are attending lodge you already know what is going on. I also know that some won’t read this article because the paper will go directly in the circular file or the delete key upon receipt. Such is life, one of our widows told me that she reads it front and back, then saves it and reads it again later! That alone makes it worth while for me regardless of the time it takes to put it together every month.
If you would like to have something published in it please send it in, especially a short account about a departed brother or an account of something past that would interest present members. Sometimes I have too much material and sometimes not enough.
We send out roughly 100 newsletters monthly and the cost is about $50.00 each mailing. If you would like to sponsor and/or support it for a month send in $50 or a roll of stamps. We promise to get your name up in lights….. Well at least mentioned in the letter.
Klaus “Joe” Kueck, Secretary

PLANTS AND CURTAINS
Two things that were noticed by the ladies at the Endymion Parade. Thinning that garden out for spring? If you end up with some extra very hearty plants please bring them to the lodge for the garden in the front of our building. There used to be holly bushes which were almost indestructible but even they couldn’t stand up to the fumigation for termites. It’s been an empty garden since then. If you can’t get to the lodge give us a call and we’ll pick them up. Also in the front, the kitchen and storage room needs curtains, two windows each approximately 6’ tall 6’wide. Anything is better than what is there now.

GRAND LODGE PASSES RESOLUTIONS

• The 2006 session will be held in Alexandria, Louisiana, February 6-7, 2006
• The per capita dues assessment for Grand Lodge is now $13.50, a $5.00 increase.
• The WM of a Lodge can permit, at his option, examinations on the catechisms done privately by a committee of 3 master masons appointed by the WM. Committee must report and make recommendation in open Lodge. Recommendation will be voted upon by the Lodge members in attendance.
• Gambling was removed from the list of Masonic offenses and un-Masonic conduct.
• Specific language was added to the Petition for Degrees in Masonry to add to its solemnity and purpose. The petition was also edited to bring it up to date with current Masonic law.
• Men who work on or operate slot machines are now not disqualified to receive the degrees.
• The residency requirement for plural membership was removed.
• The time limitations for Master Masons to apply for the degrees of other Masonic Orders were abolished.
• A rule was amended to provide that aprons do not have to be worn during refreshment while preparing or consuming food.
• "Coded memory aids" will be prepared by the Permanent Committee on Work, to be loaned to each candidate to aid their learning of each catechism. Use restricted from ritual.
• A quorum is now five members present.

TRESTLE BOARD

• Wed. March 10, 7:00 p.m. regular meeting - Official visit of DDGM. Discussion of Grand Masters plans for 2004. Balloting on petitions.
• Wed. March 24, 7:00 p.m. regular meeting – double E.A. degree. Two Tulane students, one an Army Cadet. Support our troops!
• Monday, March 29, 7:30 p.m.16th district meeting at Etoile Polaire #1.
• Saturday, April 3, Germania hosts Louisiana Research Lodge, time to be announced.
• Saturday, May 1, Crawfish boil, time to be announced.
• Wednesday, July 14, 7:30 p.m., dual meeting with Indivisible Friends #404 in Gretna.
• Wednesday, July 28, 7:00 p.m. dual meeting with Indivisible Friends #404 at Germania.
  

Congratulations
WARREN HAWTHORNE
At the January 7 meeting of the New Orleans Scottish Rite, the oldest Scottish Rite Valley in the World, W. Bro. Warren “Buster” Hawthorne was honored with 50 years of Scottish Rite Masonry. W. Bro. Hawthorne is the main strength and support of our lodge and an admired architect of brotherly love and affection.

ENDYMION
It must have been the year off that changed people’s habits because there weren’t nearly as many people as in years past but for those that were it was a great time. The real parade passes right in front of the lodge! – That being the many people going to and leaving Endymion. We set up the barbeque right in front of the building and had a good time with many of the passer-bys and actually caught as many beads as some of us who did go to the parade. As usual the food was outstanding and bountiful! We also got to meet many of our neighbors and even a woman from Hamburg Germany, my father and grandfathers home. We had the American and German flag out front and she and her friends stopped to ask about the “German House”. She said she owned a small hotel in Hamburg and would take care of us if we visited!

Subject: A Different Kind of Prayer (sent in by Bro. Ric Bell)

Heavenly Father, Help us remember that the jerk who cut us off in traffic last night is a single mother who worked nine hours that day and is rushing home to cook dinner, help with homework, do the laundry and spend a few precious moments with her children.

Help us to remember that the pierced, tattooed, disinterested young man who can't make change correctly is a worried 19-year-old college student, balancing his apprehension over final exams with his fear of not getting his student loans for next semester.

Remind us, Lord, that the scary looking bum, begging for money in the same spot every day (who really ought to get a job!) is a slave to addictions that we can only imagine in our worst nightmares.

Help us to remember that the old couple walking annoyingly slow through the store aisles and blocking our shopping progress are savoring this moment, knowing that, based on the biopsy report she got back last week, this will be the last year that they go shopping together.

Heavenly Father, remind us each day that, of all the gifts you give us, the greatest gift is love. It is not enough to share that love with those we hold dear.

Open our hearts not to just those who are close to us, but to all humanity. Let us be slow to judge and quick to forgive, show patience, empathy and love.

Peace!

Germania Lodge No. 46, F. & A. M.
4415 Bienville Street New Orleans, Louisiana 70119
Chartered: April 18, 1844
Lodge Phone 504-482-4080
Meets: 2nd & 4th Wednesdays 7:00 P.M.

Worshipful Master Ion Lazar (504)894-8750

Senior Warden Reed Holmes (504) 454-6666 • Junior Warden Henry Thibodaux (504) 279-8162

Secretary Klaus J. Kueck, P.M. (504) 737-6767 • Treasurer Ric Bell, P.M. (504) 828-2574