by Gary W. Arseneau,
Deputy Grand Master
The path to the Master’s chair can be a confusing journey. Last year’s Masonic forums told us that officers said that as they progressed, they didn’t feel really prepared for the obligations that come with the various officer positions. This was especially true of the elected positions, Junior Warden, Senior Warden, and Worshipful Master. The Master’s Path courses are a response to those comments.

The courses start with the Senior Deacon to prepare him for the responsibilities of the Junior Warden. They progress through the Junior Warden and Senior Warden to add to their knowledge and abilities of the important positions they will hold when elected to higher office.

The Master’s Path is designed to replace the current qualifications and put educational requirements into a course that the Senior Deacon, Junior Warden, and Senior Warden will need to complete before being installed in their next offi ce. The courses remove the need to remember what each Grand Master might have declared as a qualification.

All the courses will consist of two parts: educational and ritual. The education sections will begin to aquaint each officer with the Rules and Regulations, Policy and Procedures, as well as the degree work necessary to be able to open and close a Masonic lodge.

The respective courses will be delivered to Senior Deacons, Junior Wardens, and Senior Wardens via email by the Dean of the Master’s Path. This part of the course will contain instructions on what the material in the Rules and Regulations, Policy and Procedures and ritual pertains to the course. It will also contain three quizzes for each subject.

Masonic Lodge of Research will confer upon Bro. Chris Hodapp of Indiana the James Royal Case Fellowship in public ceremonies in New Haven on March 31. All Masons and those interested in Masonry are invited to attend.

Bro. Hodapp is the author of the amazingly successful Freemasons for Dummies, one of the biggest sellers in the 1,000+ title series. Now the author of several other Masonicrelated books, some in collaboration with his wife, Alice Von Kannon, Bro. Chris also writes a popular Masonic blog and edits The Journal of the Masonic Society, the quarterly publication of The Masonic Society.

Chris will make his first visit to Connecticut since his visit to a District 5 Blue Lodge Council meeting in 2008. Then Unity Lodge No. 148 Worshipful Master Harry E. Needham, III arranged for him to speak, and details of his appearance were reported in Connecticut Freemasons, November 2008 issue. On that evening, Bro. Chris brought a van filled with his books, which he happily autographed while talking with the brothers before and after the Council dinner and meeting.

During Chris Hodapp’s visit to Connecticut in 2008, he was greeted by Brothers Tom Accuosti, left, and Charles Tirrell, fellow Masonic bloggers.

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A Connecticut Freemason says:

Masonry leads to self improvement by accepting the teachings of the craft.

One should not join for mercenary reasons or self gratification.

The Masonic teachings are a goal toward the “perfect ashlar.”

Masonry provides answers to life’s questions.

The lodge is more important than the individual egos of the members.

The fraternity is more important than the individual Masons and the lodges.

Masonry is more important than the lodges and districts.

Masonry provides fundamental principles for living a good and beneficial life.

Our understanding and application of these Masonic lessons lead to personal improvement, internally and externally.

Masonry provides an internal compass for our words and deeds.