We meet upon the level and part upon the square
Freemasonry is one of the world’s oldest secular fraternal societies. Freemasonry instills in its members a moral and ethical approach to life: it seeks to reinforce thoughtfulness for others, kindness in the community, honesty in business, courtesy in society and fairness in all things. Members are urged to regard the interests of the family as paramount but, importantly, Freemasonry also teaches and practices concern for people, care for the less fortunate and help for those in need. In essence it is a beautiful system of morality, veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols.
For many years Freemasons have followed three great principles and believe that these principles represent a way of achieving higher standards in life. They are:
Brotherly Love – Every true Freemason will show tolerance and respect for the opinions of others and behave with kindness and understanding to his fellow creatures.
Relief – Freemasons are taught to practice charity and to care – not only for their own – but also for the community as a whole, both by charitable giving and by voluntary efforts and works as individuals.
Truth – Freemasons strive for truth, requiring high moral standards and aiming to achieve them in their own lives.
It is a place in which Freemasons meet. In this sense the words more generally used are Lodge Room.
The assembly or organized body of Freemasons duly congregated for labour or for business.
The Grand Lodge of Alberta, Ancient, Free and Accepted masons was constituted and consecrated on October 12, 1905 and confirmed under an Act of the Province of Alberta in 1908. The Grand Lodge of Alberta has Masonic Jurisdiction throughout the Province of Alberta, and that part of the Northwest Territories lying west of the Fourth Meridian.
Basic Principles. Freemasonry is not a religion, nor is it a substitute for religion. It requires of its members a belief in God as part of the obligation of every responsible adult, but advocates no sectarian faith or practice. Masonic ceremonies include prayers, both traditional and extempore, to reaffirm each individual’s dependence on God and to seek divine guidance. Freemasonry is open to men of any faith, but religion may not be discussed at Masonic meetings.
Freemasonry Supports Religion. Freemasonry is far from indifferent toward religion. Without interfering in religious practice, it expects each member to follow his own faith and to place his Duty to God above all other duties. Its moral teachings are acceptable to all religions.
Masonic Higher Education Bursary Fund
www.mhebf.com
The Masonic Higher Education Bursary Fund recognizes, promotes and supports excellence in education for the benefit of humanity.
Instituted by the Grand Lodge of Alberta, A.F. & A.M. at its Annual Communication in June of 1957. The intent was and is to provide assistance to those students wishing to receive a higher education but lacking the ever increasing funds to do so.
Today, the MHEBF Bursaries are awarded to students at the post-secondary level of Education in Alberta and the Northwest Territories. Bursaries are awarded on a basis of need and proven scholastic ability. The application deadline is February 1st. annually. Each year the Bursaries are provided in a threefold manner as follows:
- Thirty $5000.00 Bursaries are awarded across Alberta and the Northwest Territories (Excluding the Peace River Regional District) courtesy of the MHEBF.
- Eight $5000.00 Bursaries are awarded within the Peace River Regional District courtesy of The Mathews Konschak Trust Masonic Bursary.
- Two $7000.00 Bursaries are awarded across Alberta and the Northwest Territories to Pharmacy and Medicine students courtesy of The Lauraine Douchet Masonic Bursary.
*The amount of Bursaries awarded each year may be increased or decreased in amounts of bursaries provided and amount of financial assistance provided. For example, in 2014 The Lauraine Douchet Masonic Bursary was able to award four Bursaries at $7,200.00 each.
The Grand Lodge of Alberta, Ancient Free & Accepted Masons, Masonic Higher Education Bursary Fund obtains its funding through donations from individual Freemasons, Masonic Clubs and Concordant Bodies, Memorial Donations and Bequests placed in Wills. The Fund is a Registered Charitable Fund and receipts for Income Tax purposes are issued. Registration Number 107447153RR0001.
To donate, simply follow these three steps below to donate online:
- Visit www.MHEBF.com
- Select DONATE, learn and link to CanadaHelps.
- Fill out ONLINE form and Donate.
OR, if you wish to fill out a form and send it along with a cheque or credit card number to the Grand Lodge Office click here to access the form.
DO THE GOOD ACT, not for yourself, but the cause of good.
Masonic Foundation of Alberta
www.masonicfoundationofalberta.ca
The Masonic Foundation of Alberta is a Charitable Foundation established to assist Alberta’s Freemasons’ with their charitable endeavours and to enhance the profile of Freemasonry in their local communities. In addition the Foundation directly assists youth-serving organizations in their efforts to serve and protect at-risk youth in our communities.
The Foundation has provided assistance to more than 70 Registered Charities and since 2006 has donated more than $500,000 to various worthy causes. This assistance is only possible through the generous donations from Alberta’s Masonic Lodges and individual Freemasons.
Instructions on how to make donations to the Foundation, as well as the process and forms required to request assistance from the Foundation, for Lodge projects, can be found on the Foundations website on the “Donations” and “Request Assistance” pages.
To become a Freemason you must:
- Be a man; [We are a fraternal organisation.]
- Have a firm belief in a Supreme Being, however designated;
- Seek admission of your own free will;
- Be mentally and morally worthy of admission; [You must be of good moral character, and good repute.]
- Be at least 21 years of age at the time you sign your petition;
- Have resided in the Jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Alberta for one year immediately previous to the date of your petition;
- Be able to meet the financial obligations of membership.
The applicant must be a man (Freemasonry is a fraternal organization) and be at least 21 years of age. He must be of good moral character and demonstrate responsibility in his family and work. To join a Lodge, a man needs to be sponsored by two Masons who belong to that Lodge. This necessitates a potential candidate’s application and then subsequent investigation by 2 members of the lodge.
The applicant should be financially able to become (and remain) a Mason without it being a burden to himself or to his family.
The Petition
You will be given a “Letter of Information” which you need to sign. Once signed the Secretary will send you an application form or “Petition,” which needs to be completed by you and signed by two members of the Lodge. If you are interested in becoming a member of Patricia Lodge, and you don’t know any of the members of our Lodge, two members will be appointed.
The Investigation
Once the petition is presented in open Lodge, the Worshipful Master calls an “Investigation Committee” consisting of two or three members who will arrange to meet with you. Though called an “Investigation Committee,” this is really an informal get-together that allows you and your significant other to ask questions about the fraternity, and assure the Lodge that you are eligible to join and haven’t been invited or coerced to join. (They’ll make sure that you’re over the age of 21, ask if you believe in a Supreme Being, ask if you’re economically solvent, and find out why you want to join a Lodge.) It’s an opportunity for you to meet a few more members of our Lodge, and ask some questions. Typically this meeting is held in your home at a time that is convenient for all concerned.
The Ballot
The next step is for the “Investigating Committee” to report their findings at the next Lodge meeting. In response to a positive report, a ballot is held at the same meeting. Given a positive ballot, the Master asks the Secretary to advise you of the same, and ask you to present yourself at the Lodge at a particular date and time.
The Initiation
This date / time is at the call of the Worshipful Master and will be the date of your initiation into the fraternity, and into Patricia Lodge, in particular. A member of Patricia Lodge will contact you before your initiation to prepare you for it.
How Long Will it Take?
A candidate can complete the three degrees (Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft, and Master Mason) in six or three months respectively but it is common for candidates to take their time and complete the degrees on their schedule.