A Word About Bro. Tommy Warren
Bro. Tommy Warren passed away on 5/5/07 after a courageous
battle with cancer. Bro. Tommy was one of the most generous, unselfish
Masons I ever knew. When a brother came down with Parkinson’s disease,
it was Tommy who picked him up; made sure he got to lodge and returned
safely home. When the lodge needed chairs it was Tommy who donated $1,000
to purchase padded chairs even though he could have purchased a perpetual
membership for the same price. At the May 9th meeting the lodge passed
a motion to purchase a perpetual memorial membership for Bro Tommy. He
will be missed by all who knew him. He was a Master Mason for 26 years,
one month and 3 days. Well done thou good and faithful servant. kkueck
Bro. Harry on Radio Show
You can now listen to Bro. Harry Ravaine on his own radio show, “The
New Orleans Rhythm and Food Show” - noon to two every Sunday
on WIST – 690 am, the old WTIX. Bro. Harry is the drummer with
“The Benny Grunch Bunch” and you can catch him and the
band all over town making people smile and groove to their distinctive
New Orleans sounds.
Congratulations to Bro. Michael Williams -
College of General Studies - University of Lafayette
Juggling and clowning of the professional kind were what Michael Williams
Jr. was accustomed to before beginning his career at the University of
Louisiana at Lafayette. A graduate of the Dell Arte' International School
of Physical Theatre with a concentration in Clown Theatre, Williams came
to UL Lafayette in 2004 for a clean start after an injury hindered his
clowning career.
This Outstanding Graduate from the College of General Studies will graduate
with a 3.65 GPA. He founded and is a two-term president for the UL Lafayette
Juggling Association, and under his leadership and guidance, the club
has grown to about 12 members. This year they were invited to perform
as part of Festival Internationale. “ It will be a big learning
curve for the members of the club, but it will be my return to street
performing after 5 years,” he said.
Williams has earned the Frank S. Land Scholarship, Oran Robert Perry Burke
Memorial Scholarship as well as the General Studies Foundation Scholarship
and takes pride in the fact that he has finished his degree without being
on the T.O.P.S. program or having to take out student loans. “ It
was odd coming back to school at this age,” he said. “I have
been able to use my performance abilities through my academics, and in
the end, I will end up using academics to channel performance.”
Several programs in the New Orleans area, William's hometown, have hosted
him as an instructor where he could hone in on his teaching and directing
skills. He has served as Movement Instructor for the New Orleans Center
for Creative Arts, Advanced Clown Instructor for Circus Smirkus in Vermont,
and Clown Instructor for The New Orleans School of Circus Arts.
His motivation to finish his degree was formed by his friend and mentor,
Daniel Mehn, who passed away last October. “ He taught me that you
can have a Jeckel and Hyde life and career,” Williams said. “I
have trained as a performer, but since I can no longer do that I will
end up in education teaching the craft.” Williams said he has found
friendship in his instructors and will miss that most about UL Lafayette
upon his graduation. “ UL Lafayette gave me a chance to start over
after 10 years,” he said. “I needed something to give me a
renaissance.”
After graduation, Williams plans to enter graduate school and eventually
earn a Master of Fine Arts degree or a Ph.D. He would like to one day
direct. He is the husband of Vitka Williams. ULL publication
MASONIC FUNERALS: UNDERSTANDING OUR
DUTY by W:. Tim Bryce, PM,
Early last year I lost my father, a 57 year Mason. I had the pleasure
of calling him "Brother," as he raised me to the sublime
degree of Master Mason many years ago. He was a loyal Mason and
we gave him a Masonic Memorial Service that was well attended
by Brothers from Florida's Districts 20 & 21. His home lodge,
Lodge of the Ancient Landmarks No. 441 F.& A.M. of Buffalo,
New York was also represented. This was certainly appreciated
by my family and I know my father would have liked it.
Having said this, my thoughts turn to Masonic funeral services
in general. I have attended many such services over the years
and I have found them to be greatly appreciated by the families
of the deceased. Many are overwhelmed by the love and support
the Masons express during the service. As far as I'm concerned,
attending a Masonic service is the very least we can do for a
Brother, regardless if he is a local member or from a distant
jurisdiction. I am always amazed how some Brothers are unwilling
to attend such a service. Many mistakenly believe they have to
belong to an Acacia/funeral committee in order to participate.
In reality, it is our duty as a Mason to attend such a service
whether we know the Brother or not. I realize some services are
performed during the day when many of us are working and unable
to attend. But aside from this, if there is a Masonic service
to be performed, and our cable-tow permits us, we should be in
attendance.
Many claim they simply are unaware of the passing of Brothers.
All you need to do is browse the obituaries of the local newspapers,
either the printed form or on the Internet. As for me, I have
bookmarked the obituary sections of the local newspapers and regularly
scan them using keywords such as "Mason" and "Lodge."
When I come upon a Brother from a northern jurisdiction, I e-mail
the obit to his Grand Lodge and, if I can find it, his home Lodge.
As a past Secretary myself, I know this is very much appreciated.
Regardless if you scan the obits on the Internet or in the printed
version, there should be at least one person in your Lodge charged
with monitoring the passing of Masons. Although the Worshipful
Master should be made aware of the passing of a Brother, the responsibility
is typically delegated to the Secretary, the Chaplain, or the
chairman of your funeral committee.
Also Brothers, please dress properly for a funeral. In Florida,
for example, it is customary to wear a dark suit and tie; a tuxedo
is not considered appropriate, nor are dungarees and shorts. Plain
white aprons are the norm, not Lodge officer or Past Master aprons.
Funeral committees usually make aprons available to Masons attending
the service, but you may also want to bring your own in case they
run short of aprons. Prior to the funeral, the Brother's Masonic
background should be verified by his home jurisdiction, so that
we might know more about the Brother and assure he is in good
standing with his Lodge.
If you become involved with a committee charged with performing
a Masonic funeral service, be sure you know your responsibilities,
your lines (if any) and how to deport yourself during the service.
Rehearsals are invaluable to assure the service comes off polished
and dignified. Further, talk with the clergy or funeral directors
involved prior to the service to assure the ceremony is well organized
and runs like clockwork.
Attending or performing a Masonic service is not complicated,
nor is it time consuming. And I can tell you this, a little dignity,
a little polish, and a little sympathy is very much appreciated
by the family of our departed Brother _____
If you desire a Masonic funeral you Must let your family know.
As Bro. Marc Conrad stated at our last meeting if you want it
to be mandatory you should put it in you will that you desire
one.
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