Enlightenment
is what makes a Freemason. It is the result of our search for light. It is the
process by which we divine those truths that shape our very soul as Freemasons.
Historically,
“The Enlightenment” was our beginning. Today, Enlightenment is how we make
daily progress in our Masonic art. Enlightenment is the process by which we
make better, more rational decisions for the advancement of our interests, our
society, even of humanity.
Enlightenment,
reaching the innermost recesses of the heart, can be a soul-changing
experience. And that is the gift of our Craft. That’s why my theme for next
year is —
“Enlightenment:
The Soul of Freemasonry”
Modern
historical research has linked Freemasonry with one of the greatest social
movements in history — The Enlightenment — which began in the late
sixteen hundreds and resulted in scientific enquiry and socio-political change.
Isaac Newton and others changed how we saw the physical world. Others created
new political and social realities that resulted in the kind of society we
enjoy today.
Margaret
Jacob, Distinguished Professor of History at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) is one of the leaders in this new field of Masonic study. She has spoken
around the world on the importance of Freemasonry and other movements in the
development of Western society. Peg will bring us the historical context to our
beginnings and our impact on society.
Peg,
as she prefers to be called, started out as a Catholic girl who aspired to be a
Nun but has become one of the world’s most knowledgeable people on the subject
of Freemasonry. When contacted about joining us next year as speaker, she commented,
“Alas, I am neither a Nun nor a Freemason!”
Instead,
she is a much sought after speaker, and we expect her to set us on an important
discussion about Enlightenment itself, and about how we can use the principles that
founded us to assess our current lives and the state of our Fraternity. Nothing
should be exempt from this process of enquiry.
The
strength of Freemasonry comes from within us — individuals who have developed an
enlightened soul through their own individual endeavours, but who have banded together in
common purpose.
“Enlightenment” raises many queries in our science of
Freemasonry, and I see this as a great kick start to many future themes and sessions at
the Masonic Spring Workshop.
Bus and Limo services are being planned.
Open to all Masons and their spouses.
Once again it will be possible to take a
Limousine from Edmonton on Friday
to the
Masonic Spring
Workshop
in Kanasaskis, returning on Sunday.
We will soon have information on pricing and reservations.
We are also planning for a bus service from
Al Azhar Temple (free parking) to Kananaskis.
Reservations must be paid upon booking and bookings will be possible on-line.
Fees will be fully refundable if too few reservations are made to secure the service and it is cancelled.
Check here for information as we develop it.
Stay tuned to these spaces as we will
have much more to tell you about this exciting weekend.
BTW, just in case you wondered, our 2008
Keynote Speaker, Christopher Hodapp, was impressed with the Premier Masonic Conference for Rank and File Masons. You can read about it here.
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