From the East
Welcome to the month of March my Brothers and friends.
First, a congratulations to our newest Entered Apprentice, Jake Morrison. We are pleased to have you officially with us Jake and we look forward to seeing your Masonic journey unfold.
As a reminder for all brothers and friends, we will be attending the last Hockey game of this season. Join us on April 19th to see the San Diego Gulls play the Coachella Valley Firebirds. Tickets are $48 per person and participation is not limited to only the brothers, friends and family are more than welcome to join. If you are interested, please contact Wor. Bill Graham ASAP.
This month we celebrate the global holiday of St. Patrick’s day, but why? St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated annually on March 17, the anniversary of his death in the fifth century. The Irish have observed this day as a religious holiday for over 1,000 years. On St. Patrick’s Day, which falls during the Christian season of Lent, Irish families would traditionally attend church in the morning and celebrate in the afternoon. Lenten prohibitions against the consumption of meat were waived and people would dance, drink and feast–on the traditional meal of Irish bacon and cabbage.
Saint Patrick, who lived during the fifth century, is the patron saint of Ireland and its national apostle. Born in Roman Britain, he was kidnapped and brought to Ireland as a slave at the age of 16. He later escaped, but returned to Ireland and was credited with bringing Christianity to its people.
In the centuries following Patrick’s death (believed to have been on March 17, 461), the mythology surrounding his life became ever more ingrained in the Irish culture: Perhaps the most well-known legend of St. Patrick is that he explained the Holy Trinity (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) using the three leaves of a native Irish clover, the shamrock.
As always brothers and friends, be safe and aware if you travel to celebrate this holiday. Drivers may not be on their A-game when making their way home, even if you are.
Fraternally,
Chase Murray, PM. - Worshipful Master
From the West
Welcome to March Brothers and Sisters,
March is named for Mars, the Roman god of war, because this was the time of year to resume military campaigns that had been interrupted by winter.
In the early Roman calendar, March (or Martius) was the first month of the calendar year. As March brought the first day of spring with the vernal equinox, it was the start of new beginnings.
March became the third month when January and February which were added to the end of the Roman calendar around 700 BCE instead became the first and second months around 450 BCE.
Please let me know of any brothers, family members or friends who need prayers.
God Bless you all, and God Bless this Lodge and Fraternity.
Pete Johnson, Sr. Warden.
From the South
Dear brothers, families, and friends:
How long is your "want" list? How many "If Only's" have you wished for in the past? If only I had a better job, if only I had a different spouse, if only I did not have a spouse, if only I had a better car, if only I had a different and better home, vacation...Over the years I have come to realize that contentment is a choice. Contentment doesn't come from things, it comes from within.
The fact is if we are not content with what we have, we will not be content with what we wish for. Free will and want are a double-edged sword, be very careful of what you wish for.
Your servant , Don Ruch, PM, Junior Warden.
Secretary’s Corner
Here comes March and we are moving right along! We made our first new Mason of the year and have several more promising prospects in the wings. Congratulations to our new Brother, Jake Morrison! We are meeting at 0800 on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of the month at the Lodge for coffee and then breakfast. Our candidates and new Brothers are often there. Come join us and get to know these fine men that are joining our Fraternity.
Please go to member.freemason.org and check your information. If you have not created this account, PLEASE get with me and I will walk you through creating the account and entering your information.
Dues Invoices are out and I have started to receive payments. Thank you! Remember, you have an obligation to pay your dues in a timely manner, by December 31, 2024. If you have not already made your payment you are overdue. The dues for 2025 are $129.00. Per our By-Laws, the calculation is $60.00 + per capita rounded up to the nearest dollar. Per capita is $68.50 this year, which gives us our total of $129.00. This is also your time to catch up on last year dues if you have not paid. If you are 2 or more years in arrears, you may be suspended for non-payment of dues as per the California Masonic Code, Section 809.370. Suspension for Non Payment of Dues. Neither the Master, I, nor any other Brother in Lodge wishes this to happen!
Entering March we currently have 24 Brothers that owe dues. Of these 7 Brothers are 2 years overdue and 4 Brothers now 3 years overdue. If you are one of these 24 PLEASE catch up on your dues. Remember, your Brothers in the Lodge carry you when you do not pay your dues. The Grand Lodge still requires your Per Capita cost whether you pay or not.
If you are in arrears for your dues, you need to pay all that is owed to be brought back in to good standing. As an example, if you pay for 2025 only, and owe for 2024, I cannot send you your 2025 dues card. You are still in arrears and will need to bring your dues up to date first.
Please go to member.freemason.org and check your information. If you have not yet created your account, PLEASE get with me and I will walk you through creating the account and entering your information.
If you are interested in becoming a Life Member, please use the following information from the
CMC 2022
§809.320.B LIFE MEMBERSHIP
A sum of money equal to the Lodge’s annual dues at the time of purchase of the Life Membership multiplied by the factor indicated opposite the member’s age in the following schedule:
Age 49 and under, a factor equal to or greater than 24 times annual dues;
50 to 54 inclusive, a factor equal to or greater than 20 times annual dues;
55 to 59 inclusive, a factor equal to or greater than 18 times annual dues;
60 to 64 inclusive, a factor equal to or greater than 16 times annual dues;
65 to 71 inclusive, a factor equal to or greater than 14 times annual dues; and
Age 72 and over, a factor equal to or greater than 12 times annual dues.
Our current dues are $129.00. Use the chart above to calculate the amount needed. As an example, I am in the 55-59 bracket. For me to purchase a Life Membership, the cost would be 18 x $129.00 for a total of $2,322.00. Please contact me if you wish to pursue this.
If you are financially unable to pay your dues, please contact the Master to discuss.
You can mail your dues to:
Santa Maria Lodge No. 580,
PO Box 68, Ramona, CA 92065.
You can also go to our website, http://www.santamaria580.org, and pay online. If you have paid and have not received your card in a reasonable amount of time, please contact me at 951-970-4294 or secretary@santamaria580.org and I will take care of it.
S/F
Bill Graham, PM
Reminder!! Have you moved? Changed your phone number? Changed your e-mail address? Have you notified the Lodge if you have done any of these things?? In an ongoing effort to ensure that all member get due and timely notice of all Lodge information, it is important that you keep your information updated with us.
I would greatly appreciate it if all of you would log in to member.freemason.org, go to the My Profile section and ensure that all of your address/phone number/e-mail is up to date. This will automatically update the i-member section that I use as the Secretary to for your mailings and other contacts.
Calendar of Events
Lodge Officer Directory
Master - Chase Murray
Senior Warden - Pete Johnson
Junior Warden - Don Ruch, PM (Vicki)
Treasurer - Bob Weldon, PM (Brenda)
Secretary - Bill Graham, PM (Teri)
Chaplain - Mark Lantz (Kim)
Marshal - Bruce Smith, PM (Beverly)
Senior Deacon - Ken Bychak II, PM (Laura)
Junior Deacon - Rex McCray
Senior Steward - Elijah Descoteaux
Junior Steward - Wade Hendry (Marianne)
Tiler - Dave Murray, PM (Catheren)
(619) 607-2935
(858) 943-1079
(619) 787-3858
(760) 807-2883
(951) 970-4294
(858) 231-4646
(760) 788-9475
(707) 328-9617
(760) 788-4957
(619) 987-1004
(760) 535-3176
(619) 302-1223
Santa Maria Masonic Building
Association (SMMBA) Directory
President - Don Ruch, PM
Vice President - Chase Murray
Treasurer/Secretary - Elijah Descoteaux
Member - Ken Bychak II, PM
Member - Bob Weldon, PM
Member - Wade Hendry
Member - Bruce Smith, PM
Member - Pete Johnson
(619) 787-3858
(619) 607-2935
(619) 987-1004
(707) 328-9617
(760) 807-2883
(760) 535-3176
(760) 788-9475
(858) 943-1079