REPORT OF THE BOARD OF CUSTODIANS
To the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Minnesota:
“I am always ready to learn although I do not always like being taught.” Winston Churchill.
“Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice and most of all, love of what you are doing or learning to do.” Pele, Great Brazilian and international soccer star.
We lost the great Pele to the Sable Curtain and gracious home that awaits all who faithfully serve this past year. He left a legacy of greatness for the world’s soccer fans, and some beautiful observations on life for those who observe. I especially like this one, because of its obvious application to Masonic ritual.
Indeed, hard work, perseverance, studying, sacrifice, and LOVE of what you are doing are the great foundation of understanding and presenting the many lessons of our order. Remember, every day is an opportunity, every sunrise a gift, and every contact with a brother a blessing! Our daily tasks will come and go, but the great truths of our gentle craft will forever be here. And it is up to us to see them passed along to the next generation. Following this path will help us to do so. And we at the Board of Custodians are here to help!
WE were able to return to do schools of instructions and a number of schools were performed. A total of 18 schools were held throughout the state. There were 5 schools in ME with 93 brothers from 16 lodges attending, 3 schools in MW with 80 brothers from 20 lodges attending they have 1 more school coming up before the Annual Communication, 2 schools in SW with 27 brothers from 9 lodges attending, 3 schools in NW with appx. 75 brothers from 11 lodges attending, 2 schools in NE with appx 45 brothers from 12 lodges attending, and 3 schools in SE with 88 brothers from 16 lodges attending.
There are numerous candidates that need to be both initiated and progressed through the beautiful degrees of Masonry. The Board is committed to assisting our constituent lodges, Districts and Areas in making this happen. We encourage all Lodges to contact your DRs and get your custodian out for a school, practice, or even get a district or area degree going. Working together we can revitalize our lodges and bring the great lessons of our degrees to these many deserving men.
The One Day to Masonry was held at The Minneapolis Scottish Rite 1/21/23. The yearly event was held in the wonderful Minneapolis Temple. It was really great for Minnesota Masons to be able to gather together again and be able to perform the ritual. We had a very large class of candidates with a raising of 41 new Minnesota Master Masons. This was a very exciting experience for everyone involved in the degrees as well as for those who attended the event. We are very fortunate to be able to perform ritual work in such a magnificent space.
Annual Monitor Exams were held at The Minnesota Masonic Heritage Center 2/3/23-2/4/23.
Custodians Present: WB Al Golder (#30), WB Pete Van Osdol (#176), WB Grant Lillevold (#48, #96), MW Rolf Widstrand (#293), WB Paul Himmler (#18), WB Ted Martz, (#19, #346, #351), MW Dave Olson, (#344), WB Al Peterson (#97)
Monitors Present: WB Clay Anderson, WB Clint Christiansen, WB Ty Schmidt, WB Doug Beach, WB Jason LaVoi, WB David Graham, and WB Tim Boche
Sideline Observers: WB Joel Friedman, Bro. Mitch Born, Bro. Cody Loe
Bro. Chris Farzad (67) was tested and declared proficient on the 1st degree and qualified as a 3rd grade Monitor.
WB Arun Natarajan (2) was tested and declared proficient on the 1st degree and qualified as a 3rd grade Monitor.
Bro. Markus Mueller (#306) was tested and declared proficient on the 2nd degree and qualified as a 3rd grade Monitor.
Bro. Chris Farzad (67) was examined on the all the lectures on 1/31/23 and declared proficient and qualified as a 1st grade lecturer.
Bro Farzad (67) Also was tested on 2/8/23 by a tribunal of Custodians and declared proficient on the 2nd degree and qualified as a 2nd grade Monitor.
Congratulations to all our new Monitors and Lecturers! As witnessed by Bro Chris, if you can qualify to be examined, but can’t be present at the Monitor exams contact your local Custodian and we will work with you to get you qualified!
The following Monitors have passed their recertification exams: WB Clay Anderson, WB Jason LaVoi, WB Ty Schmidt, WB Clint Christensen, WB Tim Boche, WB Doug Beach, and WB David Graham.
The members of the Board of Custodians for the upcoming year are as follows:
NW Area: WB Shane Granzow, SW Area: WB Allen Peterson, SE Area: WB Paul Himmler, NE Area: MWB Rolf Widstrand, MW Area: WB Doug Beach, ME Area: WB Pete VanOsdol, At Large: WB Grant Lillevold, RWB Keith Reierson, MWB Brian Beermann, WB Ted Martz, and serving as Chairman of the Board of Custodians WB Al Golder
“Service is what prayer looks like when it gets up off its knees and walks around in the world.” Michael J. Graham, S.J.
“A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle.” James Keller
I leave you with a couple of my favorite quotes about service and serving our fellow creatures. Masonry is SERVICE. It is action, and not just idle words. The ritual of our order should ignite this passion and continue to internally encourage it in all its votaries. It has been my honor to have served you as the Chairman of this Board, and I know I speak for all of the board when I say we are here to serve. Call us when you are ready for our help!!
As always, we are at your service,
Submitted on behalf of the Board of Custodians,
Brian Beermann, PGM, chair