Brethren,
A few short weeks from now, Catlin
Masonic Lodge #285 will celebrate its 150th Anniversary and
Rededication. The Lodge is planning a full week of activities
leading up to the Rededication on September 13th.
The celebration will kick off on Monday
September 8th with a full evening of activities. The program will
begin at 6:30PM with a Spaghetti Dinner being served, followed by a
free 30 minute concert by the Catlin Community Chior, which is
comprised of members from two local Churchs. The group will
entertain the crowd by honoring America with several patriotic
songs. The concert will be begin with the presentation of the
American Flag by members of the Catlin American Legion. Following
the Chior, the program will continue with a "Rite Stuff" Rendezvous,
presented by the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, Valley of
Danville. The "Rite Stuff" Rendezvous is a Masonic information and
membership generating tool, which was developed by the Valley for
the Blue Lodges. The Rendezvous will feature brief presentations on
Masonic history and famous Masons, but more impotantly, what the
Masons do and who we are. You will hear first hand accounts from
several Brethren on what Masonry means to them and how it has
impacted their life. You will laugh, find inspiration, and possibly
even shed a tear at some of the stories. If you know anyone who
would make a good Mason, but you don't know how to ask or have not
been able to perk their interest, this is the event you need to
bring them to. The "Rite Stuff" Rendezvous is open to
ANYONE, including ladies and children. Bring a perspective
member for your Lodge and show them the good fun and fraternal
fellowship the Masonic fraternity has to offer.
A Stated Meeting of Catlin Lodge will be
held on Tuesday September 9 at 7:00PM. We would like to invite the
members of any Lodge to attend. Feel free to come as a group with
the officers of your Lodge and join with us. We have a goal of
filling the Lodge room that evening. Would'nt that be great to see
a Lodge room completely full! I understand that one of the nearby
Lodges is already making plans to join us that evening. We will
serve light refreshments.
The celebration will conclude on
Saturday September 13th with a Rededication Ceremony performed by
Most Worshipful Grand Master, Daniel C. Yandel, and the other
officers of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and
Accepted Masons of the State of Illinois. Lunch will be served at
Noon, followed by the Rededication Ceremony at 1:00PM. Everyone is
invited to attend a Cook-Out and Afterglow at the residence of W.B.
Jack Kimball and his lovely wife, Gail. The Kimball house is
located SouthWest of Danville, out in the sticks on Old Bristle
Ridge. Please e-mail me for directions.
The officers and members of Catlin Lodge
are very excited to celebrate 150 years of Masonry in Catlin. Over
the course of the last several months, a considerable amount of work
has been done to the building to restore the original Opera House on
the first floor. The building was completed in 1898 and housed the
Lodge room upstairs and an Opera House downstairs. The Opera had
been closed for many decades and a wall was built in front of the
stage abd a suspended celing installed in the 1970s. We have taken
down the wall and suspended celing, and have refinished the original
hardwood floors and stage and have installed ligths and sound, along
with many other cosmetic improvements. Please come out and see it!
We look forward to welcoming each of you
to our 150th Anniversary Celebration.
Fraternally,
Sean McBride, Secretary
Catlin Lodge #285