Square

1
Square Compasses DayOctober 13, 2007

• Mount Holyoke Lodge A.F. A.M.

2
Mount Holyoke Lodge of A.F. A.M.

• The Wor. Paul A. Cataldo, Master welcomes you to
  the Mount Holyoke Lodge for the annual
  celebration of the Square Compasses Day.
• The Square Compasses Day was established to
  provide information and education to potential
  members.
• The Mount Holyoke Lodge of Ancient Free and
  Accepted Masons was instituted in 1869.
• Mount Holyoke Lodge Holds its Regular
  Communication meetings on the first Thursday of
  each month between January May.

3
Mount Holyoke Lodge of A.F. A.M.

• What is Freemasonry
• There is no simple, one-line answer that
  satisfactorily defines what Freemasonry is. It
  is, however, a philosophy and a system of
  morality and ethics. Some of the main points are
• Freemasonry is a fraternity of men, bound
  together by oaths, based on the medieval
  stonemason craft guild.
• Freemasonry teaches lessons of social and moral
  virtues based on symbolism of the tools and
  language of the ancient building trade.
• Freemasonry does have some secret methods of
  recognizing each other, such as handshakes,
  signs, and passwords, but we are far from being a
  secret society.

4
Mount Holyoke Lodge of A.F. A.M.

• What is Freemasonry
• Freemasons or Masons are obligated to practice
  brotherly love. Mutual assistance, equality,
  secrecy, and trust between each other.
• Freemasons meet in lodges that are governed by a
  Master and assisted by Wardens, Deacons and
  Stewards, where petitioners who are found morally
  and mentally qualified are admitted using secret
  ritual ceremonies.
• Freemasonry is NOT a religion, and it has no
  religious dogma that it forces on its members to
  accept. Masons must simply believe in the
  existence of a Supreme being.
• Freemasonry is NOT a science, but it does teach
  the value of learning and experience. It
  encourages its members to think, but not what to
  think.
• Freemasonry Teaches Masons to be tolerant of the
  beliefs of others and regard each man as their
  equal.

5
Mount Holyoke Lodge of A.F. A.M.

• What do Freemasons do
• Lodges have regular meetings throughout the year.
  Mount Holyoke meets on the first Thursday of each
  month.
• The monthly meeting is typically proceeded by a
  dinner. The dinner is an opportunity to meet with
  old friends or make some new ones.
• The monthly meetings are typically where the
  business matters of the lodge are conducted.
  These matters include reading communications,
  paying bills, voting on new members or to listen
  to guest speakers.
• Other special meetings are held to initiate new
  members and perform the various ceremonies to
  advance them to full membership.
• It is the mission of the Masonic lodge to make
  new masons, and that is done by conferring
  degrees.

6
Mount Holyoke Lodge of A.F. A.M.

• The Three Degrees
• All Freemasons must complete three degree
  ceremonies.
• The three degrees are as follows Entered
  Apprentice, Fellow Craft, and Master Mason. These
  degrees are based upon the levels of membership
  in the old medieval craft guilds.
• The degree ceremonies are based on rituals that
  are centuries old. Modern Freemasonry have
  retained much of the original ceremonies,
  including some of the old English language.
• The degree ceremonies share a similar set of
  characteristics. They are as follows

7
Mount Holyoke Lodge of A.F. A.M.

• The Three Degrees
• The degree ceremonies are based on the story of
  the building of King Solomons Temple.
• The degrees are progressive and must be taken in
  order. Each degree building on the previous one.
• Each candidate takes an Obligation (oath) for
  each degree where he promises to keep the secrets
  he is told and to obey the rules of the
  fraternity.
• A member must prove proficiency in his degree
  before moving up. Proving proficiency is usually
  determined by each individual lodge.
• Depending on the lodge, advancing from one
  degree to the next can take days, weeks, months
  or even years.

8
Mount Holyoke Lodge of A.F. A.M.

• Masonry is as diverse as its members, and so it
  can seem like something very different depending
  on who you talk to or the lodge you visit.
• Some Masons focus on the many charities the
  fraternity sponsors. Some are focused on the
  history or the philosophy, or the symbolism of
  the fraternity.
• Others consider it to be primarily a place to go
  to play cards, meet new friends or simply to
  partake of a home cooked meal.
• Still others enjoy performing the ritual
  ceremonies and make it a lifelong passion.
  Freemasonry offers something for everyone,
  whatever his interests may be.

9
Mount Holyoke Lodge of A.F. A.M.

• How Do I Join?
• Stuff from Paul.
• Additional information
• Additional information can be found on the can
  be found on the Massachusetts Freemasons web site
  (Grand Lodge)
• http//www.massfreemasonry.org/
• Or at the Mount Holyoke Lodges web site
• http//www.mountholyokelodge.org/

10
Mount Holyoke Lodge of A.F. A.M.

• Mystery creates wonder, and wonder is the basis
  of mans desire to understand
• - Neil Armstrong
• To be one, ask one