Masonic Priest walks To Rome For Special Plea

From Agence France-Presse:

A French priest arrived in St Peter's Square on Wednesday after a 39-day pilgrimage, telling AFP he wanted to be reinstated in his parish despite being a Freemason.
Father Pascal Vesin, a 43-year-old parish priest in the town of Megeve, was forced to resign from his public duties in May because of his Masonic link.
A thickly-bearded Vesin, his face tanned by the summer walking and with a large rucksack on his back, was moved to tears as he told his emotional story.
Vesin, who set off from Megeve on July 14, said he had been "wounded by the injustice" and had written to Pope Francis asking for his punishment to be lifted.
"I hope I am received by Pope Francis or one of his secretaries," he said, adding that he would stay in Rome until September 6 hoping for a papal audience.
Vesin's diocese said he could no longer carry out his pastoral duties because he had chosen to be a member of both the Catholic Church and a Masonic order.
The Church and the Freemasons have been at odds for centuries but Vesin said the two were compatible.He said he had received wide support for his voyage.
"I feel my initiative is in synch with what this new pope is preaching and seems to be starting," he said.His local diocese has said that "no door is closed" and the injunction against Vesin "could be lifted" but only if Vesin renounces Freemasonry.

Scottish Rite: Call For Papers Deadline 9/3

The Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library announces a call for papers for its symposium, “Perspectives on American Freemasonry and Fraternalism,” to be held on Friday, April 11, 2014, at the Museum in Lexington, Massachusetts.

The Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library is an American history museum founded and supported by Scottish Rite Freemasons in the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction of the United States. As the repository of one of the largest collections of American Masonic and fraternal objects, books and manuscripts in the United States, the Museum aims to foster new research on American fraternalism and to encourage the use of its scholarly resources.

The symposium seeks to present the newest research on American fraternal groups from the past through the present day. By 1900, over 250 American fraternal groups existed, numbering six million members. The study of their activities and influence in the United States, past and present, offers the potential for new interpretations of American society and culture. Diverse perspectives on this topic are sought; proposals are invited from a broad range of research areas, including history, material and visual culture, anthropology, sociology, literary studies and criticism, gender studies, political science, African American studies, art history, economics, or any combination of disciplines. Perspectives on and interpretations of all time periods are welcome.

Possible topics include:

• Comparative studies of American fraternalism and European or other international forms of fraternalism

• Prince Hall Freemasonry and other African-American fraternal groups

• Ethnically- and religiously-based fraternal groups

• Fraternal groups for women or teens

• Role of fraternal groups in social movements

• The material culture of Freemasonry and fraternalism

• Anti-Masonry and anti-fraternal movements, issues and groups

• Fraternal symbolism and ritual

• The expression of Freemasonry and fraternalism through art, music, and literature

• Approaches to Freemasonry – from disciplinary, interdisciplinary, or transnational perspectives; the historiography and methodology of the study of American fraternalism

Proposals should be for 30 minute research papers; the day’s schedule will allow for audience questions and feedback.

Proposal Format: Submit an abstract of 400 words or less with a resume or c.v. that is no more than two pages. Be sure to include name, address, email, phone and affiliation.

Send proposals to: Aimee E. Newell, Ph.D., Director of Collections, Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library, by email at anewell@monh.org or by mail to 33 Marrett Road, Lexington, MA 02421.

Deadline for proposals to be received is September 3, 2013. For information about the Museum, see www.nationalheritagemuseum.org. For questions, contact Aimee E. Newell as above, or call 781-457-4144.

Quarry Project Deadline

If you are registered for the Quarry Project and have yet to make your hotel reservations, the cutoff date for securing the conference rate of $139/night at the Hilton Old Town Alexandria is drawing nearer. August 27 is the final day to secure that rate. This is a great price for an extremely nice hotel that is also very close to the George Washington Masonic Memorial. Only twelve rooms remain for Thursday night, September 26. 

What? You're not registered for The Quarry Project yet? There is still time. 

Click here for details.

Mike Brumback PGM at Dwight L. Smith Lodge of Research 8/31

Past Grand Master Mike Brumback will be making a presentation to the Dwight L. Smith Lodge of Research U.D., F.&A.M. of Indiana at the next scheduled meeting of that Lodge. This will be held Saturday, August 31, 2013 at 1:00pm. We will be meeting in the Truman Room on the Mezzanine level in the Scottish Rite Cathedral in Indianapolis, Indiana

Judy Fletcher at MSA is Retiring

From Brother Michael Gillard:

Brothers, Companions & Sir Knights ~ for nearly as long as I have been a member of the Masonic fraternity the "go to" person at the Masonic Service Association of North America was Judy Fletcher. Her husband Richard was, for many years, the Executive Secretary for the MSA and wife Judy was the liason person with the V.A. Medical Center Representatives, Deputy Reps. and Coordinators. Actually, Judy seemed to be the "go to" person for nearly everything associated with the MSA. I recall some twenty years ago contacting her about brochures, videos and some other materials that I wanted to see about using at my home Lodge. Judy didn't tell me "that's not my department," or "you will have to talk to ----- about that" she just took down the information I was providing and saw to it that I got what was needed. Much later I found out that it really wasn't her job to take care of such requests ~ she just took care of any Mason that called seekingassistance whether it was "her job" or not.

Well, today's mail (August 1, 2013,) brought a letter from Judy announcing that after 24 years with the MSA it was time for her to retire. Her final date with our Masonic Service Association of North America will be on Friday, August 9th. Her letter expressed her "appreciation, respect and love," to each of the VAMC Reps., Deputy Reps., and State Coordinators - and thanked US for what we do for our Veterans. To say that Judy Fletcher will be missed is truly an understatement. For many of us she was the lifeblood of the MSA program... Yes ~ she most assuredly will be missed.

If you have ever had any 'doings' with the MSA, Please let Mrs. Judith Fletcher; 8708 First Avenue, Apt. 503; Silver Spring, MD 20910 know how much she has been appreciated and how much she will be missed. God bless you Judy - you certainly have been a blessing to many of us and to the Masonic Service Association of North America.

Robert L. D. Cooper, Truman Lecturer 9/24/2013

This year's Truman Lecturer for the Missouri Lodge of Research will be Robert L. D. Cooper, Curator of the Grand Lodge of Scotland Museum and Library. His presentation will be "Scottish Freemasonry's contribution to the formation of the United States."

The lecture will be on September 24, 2013 at the Holiday Inn Executive Center in Columbia, Missouri. Tickets are $20 and include breakfast and the lecture. Master Masons, ladies and guests are welcome. Tickets are available at http://www.MOLOR.org/

Brother Cooper is currently serving as the Master of Quatuor Coronati Lodge No. 2076, the oldest lodge of research in the world. He is the author or editor of more than a dozen books, most recently The Red Triangle about anti-Freemasonry.

H/T Aaron Shoemaker

Fraud Alert

From Brother John Bridegroom:

MASONIC FRAUD ALERT: Umer Junjuajunjua and his company UHA Embroidery, have contracted with me on a project which I wired him $350. Another associate of mine did as well at the same time for $200. The items never arrived, and we have been getting the runaround for several weeks. He refuses to offer a solution, and it appears as if we were cheated. 

ALL MASONS SHOULD BE AWARE OF THIS, AND DO NOT DO BUSINESS WITH THIS MAN OR HIS COMPANY. 

The Company, UHA Embroidery, is located at P.O. Box. 971, Neka Pura, Allama Iqbal Street No. 1, Punjab, Sialkot 51310, Pakistan. 

Also known as Umer Shehroze, he is associated with Maqsood Ahmed. Other name variations are also likely, BEWARE of PAKISTAN MASONIC EMBROIDERY.

Again, I URGE ALL MEMBERS OF THE CRAFT TO CEASE RELATIONS WITH THESE INDIVIDUALS.