DeMolay Majority Service & Legion of Honor Investiture, November 29, Tuesday

On November 29, Tuesday, Winnipeg Chapter, Order of DeMolay conducted an excellent Majority Service for RWB Dave English, who was Initiated into Winnipeg Chapter in 1955 and Bro Justin Lapiña, who was Initiated into Winnipeg Chapter 50 years later, in 2005. It was very special that Bro Jared Lapiña, Master Councilor, presided over the Majority Service for his older biological, DeMolay, Masonic and Shrine Brother.

Before the Chapter Meeting, RWB Dave English, LOH, who is on the right in the picture, is seen conferring with MWB Jack Fergusson, LOH. It was great to learn that RWB Dave joined Winnipeg Chapter in 1956 and MWB Jack joined the same in 1945.

Here are some of the Chapter Members before the start of the Meeting.

After Majority Service, MC Jared Lapiña turned over the gavel to RWB Dave English, who presieded over the Investiture of the Legion of Honor on Past EO Richard Rosin and MWB Chibu Uson. The Designates are shown here taking their Obligation as Legionnaires.

The new Legion of Honor Awardees after receiving their Cordon and Medallion. A red Cordon is for an LOH Member who is a Senior DeMolay while a white Cordon is for one who is not a Senior DeMolay.

L to R: RWB Dave English, LOH, Active,who presided over the Preceptory and who was a recipient of the Majority Service; Past EO Richard Rosin, newly Invested LOH, Active; Bro/PMC Justin Lapiña, recipient of the Majority Service; MC/Bro Jared Lapiña; MWB Chibu Uson, newly Invested LOH, Honorary; and MWB Jack Fergusson, LOH, Active.


A picture with a Masonically active family, the Lapiñas. L to R: PHQ Jasmin Lapiña, PMC/Bro Justin Lapiña, MWB Chibu Uson, Sis Mae Uson, Sis Espie Lapiña, MC/Bro Jared Lapiña and PHQ Jachin Lapiña. The Lapiña missing in the picture is RWB Neil Lapiña, who is working in Calgary.

After the Meeting, there was a Refreshment Hour.
Receiving the LOH was a very humbling experience. Rest assured that I will proudly wear the LOH Cordon as I do my Masonic Apron and will continue to do my best to make a positive difference.

All in all, it was an excellent evening.

Bethel No 9, 50th Anniversary Celebration, November 19, Saturday

In the afternoon of November 19, Bethel No 9 held a Majority Service as part of the celebration of their 50th Anniversary. Honored Queen Heather Beach presided the Meeting.

The Senior Officers of the Supreme Council were in town for the celebration, From R to L: Supreme Guardian Bobbie Hoglund (Maryland), Associate Supreme Guardian Randy Hansen (Utah), the Grand Master, Supreme Bethel Guardian Pat Pelham (Maryland), Supreme Bethel Honoured Queen Kristi Frazer (Oregon) and Miss International Job's Daughter Brianna Richards (Alberta).

Also in attendance were Past Honored Queens of Bethel No 9 and other Manitoba Bethels and representatives of the Manitoba Masonic Family.

A Majority Service was held for six (6) Daughters. In this picture, they are at the Altar for prayer.

HQ Heather present her gift to the six (6) Daughters becoming Majority Member.









We had a presentation by one acting as Mother Ethel T Mead Wick, the founder of the International Order of Job's Daughters. She gave a wonderful narration about founding of the Order in 1920.

The GM gives his talk.

The Daughters doing the wonderful and very moving Cross Ceremony.

HQ Heather with the Officers right after the Bethel Meeting. They all did excellent work.








The Grand Master in the Jobies-prescribed position for a Grand Master posing with Bethel Officers, Members and Guardians and Supreme Officers.

That evening, there was a Banquet ...

 And dancing ...

And the DeMolays joined in dancing ...

Associate Supreme Guardian Randy Hansen in a serious discussion with Provincial Guardian Val Webster and Associate Provincial Guardian and Grand Lodge of Manitoba Senior Grand Warden Doug Webster.

Bro Cory White (L) was the Music Man and Bro Dan Freeman was the Photographer.

More dancing ...

Still more dancing ...

And more dancing ...

Undoubtedly, the young ladies and young men all had an excellent time. And the adults did, too. It was an excellent evening and celebration.
Happy 50th Birthday, Bethel No 9!
Wishing you another 50 years!

Selkirk Parade of Lights, November 18, Friday

The Manitoba Masonic Family again participated in this year's Selkirk Parade of Lights. The Masonic Family Float was beautifully decorated by Lady Val Webster, Lady Carol Hadley and Junior Past Queen Debbie Clairmont of Sphinx Temple No 116 of the Daughters of the Nile. I believe that MWB Ted Jones and RWB Doug Webster also assisted in decorating the truck and trailer.
This year, the temperature was a lot warmer than last year and we also had a heater on board the float. Thanks to Noble Gerry Zoppa for arranging for the truck and the flatbed trailer and giving us a very smooth ride. And, for the first time, we had beautiful Christmas music, thanks to SGW RWB Doug Webster.
There was a good number of participants from the various Masonic Bodies.

 

All dressed up for the snow and cold.

Here's our Music Man (in the red jacket), SGW RWB Doug Webster, playing wonderful Christmas music, which was enjoyed by those on the float and those watching. In the gray jacket is RWB Bruce Burke, Worthy Grand Patron of the Grand Chapter of Manitoba, OES. In the middle is Lady Grace Burke, Past Worthy Grand Matron of the Grand Chapter of Manitoba, OES, who was trying to keep warm.

Lady Mae waving to the people watching from the side of the road.
After the Parade, we headed back to the Selkirk Masonic Hall for a bowl of hot soup, bread and hot coffee or chocolate or other beverage. Thanks to the Brethren of Lisgar Lodge No 2 for arranging for the warm refreshments.
The drive from Winnipeg to Selkirk and back was slow due to the snow.

Despite the snow and the temperature, it was a wonderful evening.

Official Visit to Corinthian Lodge No 178, November 16, Wednesday

On November 16, I visited Corinthian Lodge No 178.

I presented the appointment of RWB Norm Wolk as the Grand Representative of Ohio to the Grand Lodge of Manitoba.

I also presented RWB Nico Velthuys with his Certificate of Honorary Past Grand Treasurer from the Grand Lodge of Saskatchewan.








The biggest surprise was the presentation by WB Grand Jago of my Honorary Membership to Corinthian Lodge No 178. I was at a loss for words. All I could say was Holy Cow!"

Here is a picture with the Lodge Officers with the Grand Lodge Officers who visited the Lodge.

Official Visit to Seven Stars Lodge No 180, November 15, Tuesday

On November 15, Tuesday, I visited Seven Stars Lodge No 180, one of the first Lodges I visited when I arrived in Winnipeg in 1997. Since then, most of the Lodge Brethren and I have become friends.
Thanks to WM Keith Moody for the pictures.

RWB Doug Smith tested the water being served at the bar, while WB Darell Friesen observed.

Chow time! The food was excellent - roast beef and fixins.

JGW RWB Stano Spina making his point.

Our hosts were very gracious and the fellowship was very warm. It was an excellent evening.