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Fitzpatrick receives Mason of the Year award

A special ceremony took place at the Saginaw Masonic Lodge #77, 2655 N. Center, Tuesday, February 23, to present the lodge's Mason of the Year award to Jim Fitzpatrick of Saginaw. As an added surprise, Grand Master David Flucke was there to also present Fitzpatrick with the District Mason of the Year award. This puts Fitzpatrick in contention to become the State of Michigan Mason of the Year.

Fitzpatrick, age 37, works as an assembler at Glastender, Inc. in Saginaw, and joined the Masons four years ago. "I was seeking to become a better man, and serve the community," Fitzpatrick said. "Everyone here is equal, and not regarded by his wealth."

Members chose Fitzpatrick for Mason of the Year because of his dedication and hard work on behalf of the lodge, for his diligence in putting together programs, bringing prospective new members to the lodge, bringing new business, and getting out into the community to talk about the lodge.

Fitzpatrick was praised as a man willing to work, and who won't take no for an answer. His commitment to the lodge and its members is made evident by his participation in programs and special events such as the Michigan Child ID Program, and the Flag Raising Ceremony held on Veteran's Day.

During his speech, Fitzpatrick was quick to pass credit on to many other members of the lodge, and also gave special thanks to his wife, Shannon, along with the rest of his family for their support.

The Saginaw Masonic Temple dates back to 1856, and the local building has been in the Township since the early 1970's. Masons (Freemasons) are members of the largest and oldest fraternity in the world, but many people aren't quite sure who Masons are.

A Mason is a member of a fraternity known as Masonry. A fraternity is a group of men (just as a sorority is a group of women) who join together because there are things they want to do in the world, there are things they want to do “inside their own minds,” and because they enjoy being together with men they like and respect.

No one really knows just how old Masonry is, but it is thought to have started with the guilds of stonemasons who built the castles and cathedrals of the Middle Ages. It's also possible they were influenced by the Knights Templar, a group of Christian warrior monks.

In addition to Benjamin Franklin, many of our Founding Fathers such as George Washington, Paul Revere, Joseph Warren, and John Hancock were Masons. Masons and Masonry played an important part in the Revolutionary War.

Masonry teaches that each person has a responsibility to make things better in the world, and they are deeply involved with helping people. It allows men to associate with other men of honor and integrity who believe that things like honesty and compassion and love and trust are important. It is, in some ways, like a support group for men who are trying to make the right decisions, and it’s easier to practice these virtues when you know that those around you think they are important, too.

"Masonry is a great fraternity," said Bill Kehrer, Saginaw Lodge #77 Treasurer, and member of the board of directors of the Temple. "It's a little like the Marine Corps. We're looking for a few good men to help make them better."

To be a Mason, ask a Mason. There's no trick or highly-kept secret to joining the Masons, it's simply a matter of asking a Mason for a petition or application, or if you don't know any Masons, visit a local lodge. For hundreds of years, Masons have been forbidden to ask others to join the fraternity. They don't believe in pressuring anyone to join, and it isn't because they're trying to be exclusive, but because it involves a permanent life commitment to live certain ways, and no one should be "talked into" making that kind of decision.

To read more about the history of Masons, what it means to be a Mason, and learn how to become a member, visit their website at www.SaginawMasonicLodge77.com.

Mason of the Year Award
From left to right: David Flucke, Grand Master, Jim Fitzpatrick holding both the lodge and the district Mason of the Year awards, and Worshipful Master of the Lodge, John Carstensen III. “Worshipful” is an Old English term of respect which means the same thing as “Honorable,” much like being called “President” of an organization.

 

 

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