FEB 2010 meetings and schedule information 
Freemason Masonic Lodge Miami Shores Village Lodge 315
Freemason Masonic Lodge Miami Shores Village Lodge 315
Freemason Masonic Lodge Miami Shores Village Lodge 315
VILLAGE LODGE № 315
(District 34)
Meets at Village Lodge Building
9855 NE 2 Avenue-Miami Shores Meetings at 7:30pm
All mail to the Secretary
3511 N.W. 20 Street, Miami, Fl.33142-6803 (305) 799-9589
E-mail: markgrayafi@yahoo.com
29 NW 106 Street, Miami Shores, FL 33150 (305) 758-9206
E-mail: robertdrose@bellsouth.net
Meetings and Work: (You may include the first meeting of the following month)
Tues. Feb. 2 Stated Communication 7:30 PM. Dinner at 6:30 PM
Tues. Feb. 9 Entered Apprentice Degree, 6:30 P.M..
Tues Feb 16 Village at Hurricane Lodge No. 401 for D.D.G.M. Official visit. 6:30 P.M..
Tues Feb.23 Study Group at Village Lodge, 6:30 P.M.
Sat. Feb 27 Fellowship breakfast at Village Lodge. 7:30 AM to 10.30 AM
Tues Mar 2 Stated Communication at 6:30 PM. Official visit of R.W. John Hardisson, D.D.G.M.
R:.W:. ROBERT D. ROSE, PDDGM-Secretary
W:. MARK GRAY-Master
http://www.mastermason.com/VillageLodge315
About Our Lodge
Our Lodge was chartered on April 22, 1953 and it was named Village for the village of Miami Shores in Dade County, Florida where it is located.
The Lodge is on the main road of a beautiful residential area and close to a number of universities among them Barry University, FIU Biscayne Bay Campus, Johnson & Wales, as well as to Miami Beach and the Design District
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Freemasonry
A society of men concerned with moral and spiritual values. Members are taught it's precepts by a series of ritual dramas, following ancient forms and usages of stonemasons' customs and tools as allegorical guides.
Who founded Freemasonry?
There is no recognizable "Founder". Freemasonry is considered by many as originating, or developing from a professional guild of Operative Masons (practical builders). The building practices and professional traditions, were universal, and not the product of any one people or time.
Why Free Masons?
Operative Masons, particularly Master Masons, were legally free to travel in foreign countries and work in various construction sites, as their profession required. Highly unusual in ancient times, when travel was either forbidden, extremely costly or highly dangerous. Consequently, they were usually not subject to the laws, rules, and taxes of any one particular country, king, or prince for whom they worked.
How old is Freemasonry?
This depends on what is meant by "age". According to the oldest Masonic document available, the Regius Poem, it is implied that some form of organization of builders existed as early as 926 CE, chartered by Athelstan, the legendary King of England. If similar traditions and initiation rituals are considered, Freemasonry can be traced back to ancient Egypt, Greece or Rome. If a formal, legal establishment is meant by "age", complete with a recognized set of rules, laws and regulations, the first modern (Speculative) Grand Lodge came into existence in 1717, in England.
Why Speculative?
Speculative Freemasonry is a descendant of the Operative Freemasonry. It began by admitting to membership in Operative Lodges men who were not necessarily builders, but were interested in the moral, ethical, and philosophical teachings of the Masonic Fraternity. The Freemasonry of today does not involve practical construction of buildings, but in a pursuit of moral knowledge and self improvement.
What are the Ancient Landmarks?
Though theoretically Landmarks are fundamental laws, which no Grand Lodge should be able to make or unmake, adopt or repeal, over time and due to historical or social circumstances, different Grand Lodges around the world developed various lists of Ancient Landmarks. The Landmarks of each Grand Lodge are unalterable by any individual or group except in due process by the local Grand Lodge. Every Freemason should ascertain what his own Grand Lodge has adopted (or not adopted) as Landmarks and govern himself accordingly.
Most Grand Lodges will agree that at least seven Masonic fundamentals are considered Landmarks:
- Belief in God (monotheism) is the sole dogma of Freemasonry.
- Immortality of the soul is the ultimate lesson of Masonic philosophy.
- The Volume of the Sacred Law (Tanach, Bible, and/or Koran) is indispensable on the altar of a Lodge.
- The legend of Hiram, involved in the construction of the Temple of Jerusalem (the first edifice built for G-d by Solomon, King of Israel).
- The modes of recognition of the Fraternity.
- Symbolism of the operative art by way of the professional construction tools.
- A Freemason must be a freeborn male adult.
Is there any reading required?
"Nullius in Verba" (in Latin: On the words of no one). Masonry does not have any "required" books or readings except the Masonic Education Booklets and the Masonic Digest, both isseud by the Grand Lodge of Florida and explain, respectively, the rituals of the Degrees and the rules and regulations that govern the Fraternity. There are also the Lodge By-laws that spell the rules under which the Village Lodge operates.
Once a Mason, you will find your own path among the thousands of books and articles based on your own choices. However, to help you start your quest for "light" in Masonry here are a few websites you may find useful:
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freemasonry
A good summary of Freemasonry and a starting point for more in-depth research.
- http://www.quatuorcoronati.com
Ars Quatour Coronatorum is one of the best, and most prestigious Masonic research lodges. Many in-depth, academic level works by eminent scholars both Masons and laypersons.
- http://freemasonry.bcy.ca
Very comprehensive website with many details on famous Masons. Here you can also find copies of the "Regius Manuscript" and the "Cooke Manuscript".
- http://memory.loc.gov
Excellent resource for documents about George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and other founding fathers of our nation, all available online.
- http://www.calodge.org/ncrl
This is the site of the Northern Carolina Research Lodge. It includes a collection of articles on Latin American Freemasonry and mystical aspects of our fraternity.
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Ask one to become one!
Essential qualifications for acceptance are a belief in a Supreme Being, being 18 years of age or older and of good repute, moral character and with no criminal record of any kind.
Step 1 - Petition and Endorsement
To become a Freemason, you must first submit a "Petition" (an application). However, you are encouraged to attend a few meetings before doing so. Attend our dinners and open events listed on our calendar and make sure we are the kind of people you would want to have as Brothers.
Once you decide to fill out your Petition, hand it, along with the applicable fee to the Lodge Secretary. You will also need to have at that time three Brothers, who deem you a worthy individual, endorse your Petition.
Step 2 - Investigation & Balloting
Before we can vote on your admittance into the Lodge, we must conduct a Masonic investigation. Upon submission of your Petition, the Lodge will assign three Brothers who will contact you and setup a time to meet you at your home and further discuss your interest in Freemasonry and the Village Lodge; this will also be an opportunity for you to ask any further questions you may have regarding Freemasonry, our Lodge or the process of initiation.
After your investigation, these Brothers will report their findings to the Lodge and a secret ballot on your Petition will be taken. The secret ballot is an ancient Masonic custom and the vote must be unanimous.
Step 3 - Initiation & Instruction
If you are elected to join our Lodge, you will be notified by the Lodge Secretary and informed of the time and day of your initiation. Your attendance on this assigned date is required. You are to arrive alone and dressed in a suit and tie. You will not need to prepare for this ceremony or bring anything with you.
Once initiated and becoming an Entered Apprentice, you will be assigned a mentor and a coach who will assist you throughout the rest of your journey.
