Our goal and vision is to put Masonry Back into the Masons. In other words lets get back to the basics. We realize this will not be a simple task, but neither will it be impossible. Many positive things are happening. When we start doing good things, good results will follow. Through out our world, many changes are being made that will make our Fraternity relevant in today's world. Masonry is made of builders, and when we build Men, we build our Fraternity.

Masonry is a house of many rooms; in this house there is room for every part of Masonry. We must remember that basically the same thing goes on in every room. The lessons are the same in every body of Masonry; they are just presented in a different manner. One might call this house the University for the real needs of life.

Putting the Masonry back into the Masons means to putting the real spirit of Masonry into the lives of Men: Members and non-members alike. It means bringing relief and help through the real art of Masonry. It means gaining and holding their friendship and confidence. It means first having confidence in our orders. It means exhibiting these principles by example. It means each and every one of us must display the real spirit of Masonry.

The York Rite leadership is providing through the Regional Conferences, an opportunity for the leaders and future leaders of the York Rite bodies, to develop the skills needed to bring effective leadership to our different jurisdictions. These conferences will enable all of us to share our successes and develop ways to make our meetings interesting and worthwhile enough to attract the members we have been loosing. Pooling the efforts of many we are able to accentuate our strong points and work together on strengthening our weak ones.

We urge each of you as leaders to be sure you and your officers attend these conferences. We plan for them to be the same in each Region, so if time constraints prohibit your attending one, you may visit another. Some times your neighboring regions will be more convenient to attend. The basic content will be the same in each region. You will be able to leave with a plan of action. These conferences are very important and will help you very much in your planning. As in all of Masonry we need each other for all the help we can get.

I will end with this, I do not know who wrote it:

Masonic Force

Every man who has taken the degrees of Masonry and then gone on to apply those principles to his life knows that there is a Masonic Force. He knows because he has experienced it. We know that the force of Masonry is real because we see and feel its effects on the lives of Masons and non-masons. We know it is real, but how can we describe it in plain words?

The ancient Greek philosophers defined the four cardinal virtues, temperance, fortitude, prudence, and justice.

These are discussed at length in our ritual. To these we have added a fifth Masonic virtue, tolerance. We become so concerned about keeping the organization alive that we forget the ideas and ideals that gave it birth. We begin by having a great idea forcing our thinking and acting into new channels and we end by serving the organization.

Freemasonry is not the formal procedures that we see in our rituals, ceremonies, constitutions, by-laws, regulations, edicts, meeting agendas, training programs, application forms, organizational structures, etc.

True Freemasonry resides in the hearts and minds of those that love it and practice its ideals. Freemasonry must be a Force to be used and Not a Form to be served.

MP Perry Anderson sent this article to the MASONIC FORUM Magazine on the occasion of the tenth anniversary from the Rekindling of the Masonic Light in Romania

NEBRASKA YORK RITE ANNUAL SESSION 2006

Nebraska Grand York Rite Annual Session will be held on April 5th, 6th, 7th, & 8th, 2006, at the New World Inn, Columbus, Nebraska. On Wednesday, April 5th, 2006, All Past Grand High Priests plan on attending the Grand High Priests' Dinner at 6:30 P.M. In the evening, a meeting of Sir Galahad Priory K.Y.C.H. will also be held.

On Thursday, April 6th, 2006, the "Nails" Breakfast will begin at 7:00 A.M. and Grand Council will open at 8:00 A.M. Grand Chapter, Grand Council, And Grand Commandery Officers Elect dinner will commence at 6:30 P.M.

On Friday, April 7th, 2006, Grand Chapter will open at 8:00 A.M. and the Formal Grand York Rite Banquet will begin at 6:30 P.M.

On Saturday, April 8th, 2006, the Red Cross of Constantine Breakfast will begin at 7:00 A.M. The Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of Nebraska will open at 8:00 A.M. and at 6:30 P.M. the Past Commanders' Banquet will commence at 6:30 P.M.

 Contact the New World Inn in Columbus, Nebraska, (402-564-1492) for reservations.

The Grand York Rite in Nebraska