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Ventura County
York Rite Bulletin
March—April 2019
Ventura Chapter #50, Royal Arch Masons
Oxnard Chapter #86, Royal Arch Masons
Ventura Council #15, Cryptic Masons
Ventura Commandery #18, Knights Templar
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CALENDAR
March 2019 Monday, March 4 Ventura No. 50, R.A.M.
Stated Convocation – 7:00 p.m.
Ventura Masonic Center
Sunday, March 20 First Day of Spring
Monday, March 21 Ventura Council No. 15, C.M.
Catered Dinner – 6:00 p.m.
Stated Assembly - 7:00 p.m.
Ventura Masonic Center
April 2019 Monday, April 1 Ventura No. 50, R.A.M.
Stated Convocation – 7:00 p.m.
Ventura Masonic Center
Oxnard Chapter No. 86, R.A.M.
Stated Convocation – 7:00 p.m.
Oxnard Masonic Center
Monday, April 15 Ventura Commandery No. 18, K.T.
Stated Conclave – 7:00 p.m.
Ventura Masonic Center Saturday, April 20 Passover Sunday, April 21 Easter
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VENTURA COUNTY YORK RITE BODIES
VENTURA CHAPTER NO. 50, R.A.M.
High Priest David W. Hopkins 805-647-9303
Secretary Daniel C. Kaffka, Jr. 805-482-1589
Inspector Lynn Wallingford 805-492-8375
OXNARD CHAPTER NO. 86, R.A.M.
High Priest Frederick W. Ervast 805-492-8375
Secretary Robert V. Wright, Jr. 805-524-1271
Inspector Lynn Wallingford 805-492-8375
VENTURA COUNCIL NO. 15, C.M.
Illustrious Master Frederick W. Ervast 805-389-0787
Recorder Andrew B. Pippin 805-886-5916
Inspector Raymond A. Broomfield 805-482-6756
VENTURA COMMANDERY NO. 18, K.T.
Commander Andrew B. Pippin 805-886-5916
Recorder Ron Robinson 805-855-1027
Inspector (vacant)
Adjutant Raymond A. Broomfield (see above)
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International Order of the Rainbow for Girls
Assembly107
Rainbow Assembly No. 107 had a wonderful pancake breakfast on February 10th at the
Oxnard Masonic Center. The food was plentiful and tasted delicious! Thank you so much for
your service.
Ventura Commandery is the Sponsoring Masonic body for Rainbow Assembly No. 107
The smiling faces of Cris Addy
Cornell (left) and Amelie
Vandevyver (right) greeted eve-
ry one at the food service table.
Sir Knight Fred
Ervast Jr., Ventura
Commandery No. 18
was in attendance,
and enjoying the
food and comradery
of the breakfast.
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VENTURA CHAPTER NO. 50, ROYAL ARCH MASONS
Companions: Companions:
The leadership of Ventura Chapter No. 50 is looking forward to an active Capitular year in
2019. The Chapter Officers include E.C. Floyd Griffin as King, E.C. Charles Rodey as Scribe,
Jedidiah Smith as Captain of the Host, Mark Beck as Principal Sojourner, and Ron Robinson as
Royal Arch Captain. Of course, we have E.C. Daniel Kaffka as Secretary and E.C. Ray
Broomfield as Treasurer, keeping the Chapter on a steady course.
First, I will be asking a Companion to present a paper about Royal Arch Masonry at the
Stated Convocation in March 2019. This will be part of the Chapter’s continuing goal of in-
cluding Masonic Education at its Stated Convocation. The knowledge provided is intended to
include a question and answer response from the Companions present.
The next goal is to support the efforts in having the Degrees of the Royal Arch conferred in
early summer at a location suitable for Chapters from San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and
Oxnard to participate. Of course, this means getting petitions from Masons in the local Blue
Lodges to become Royal Arch Masons. We need your support in this effort, i.e., attending
your Lodge to ask that Brother to consider Royal Arch Masonry.
See you on the first Monday of March and April.
HOLINESS TO THE LORD!
David Hopkins PHP
High Priest
IN MEMORIAM
THOMAS BUTLER – passed away January 3, 2017
A member of Ventura Chapter No. 50, R.A.M.
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OXNARD CHAPTER NO. 86, ROYAL ARCH MASONS
Companions:
Thanks to the fantastic leadership that took place during the last previous Capitular Year,
the transition to 2019 has been “smooth and steady.” Thank you, E.C. Lynn Wallingford, for
your “labors in the vineyards” in keeping Oxnard Chapter No. 86 vibrant and active in the last
two years.
My “numero uno” goal this year is to work with the High Priests of Ventura Chapter No.
50, Corinthian Chapter No. 51, and San Luis Chapter No. 62 in San Luis Obispo, to determine
if we can collectively confer the four degrees of the Royal Arch in 2019. At this point in time,
we are considering the early summer time period, possibly at the Santa Barbara Masonic Cen-
ter, it being the geographic “mid-point” of the four Chapters. As soon as a date (or dates) and
location are determined, we will get the announcement out immediately.
Obviously, to have a Class of Royal Arch Degrees, we need candidates. Please continue to
visit your Blue Lodges and tell that Master Mason who has been attending Lodge to consider
being a Royal Arch Mason and why he should become one. “Suitable assistance will be pro-
vided you.”
At each Stated Convocation we will continue with having a program on Masonic Educa-
tion. The presentations given will be “short and sweet,” but with plenty of knowledge to di-
gest.
See you on Monday, April 1st, at the Oxnard Masonic Center – “no fooling!”
HOLINESS TO THE LORD!
Frederick W. Ervast PHP
High Priest
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VENTURA COUNCIL NO. 15, CRYPTIC MASONS
Companions:
Ventura Council No. 15 is off to an excellent start, given that the Officers’ chairs have all
been filled. The Installation of Officers in January 2019 went very well, and a big THANK
YOU goes to R.E.C. Edurado Estrada, the Deputy Grand Master, for being the Installing Of-
ficer.
The Council will continue to serve catered dinners in the dining hall of the Ventura Masonic
Center prior to the Stated Assemblies. Typical starting time will be 5:45 p.m., but if you are
late due to your job or traffic, not to worry. We will continue to serve until 6:30 p.m. Dessert
and other refreshments will be served after the meetings.
We will continue to conduct talks on Masonic Education at the Stated Assemblies. The for-
mat will be presenting a short paper on a subject relative to Cryptic Masonry and its ritual, but
with a question-and-answer period to follow. We believe you will find them “intellectually in-
triguing.”
Our goal again this year is to confer the Cryptic Degrees at the Ventura Masonic Center,
sometime in the late summer-early fall time period. As soon as a date is set, immediate notifi-
cation will be sent out.
Fraternally,
Frederick W. Ervast IPM
Illustrious Master
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Sir Knights
At the Stated Conclave on April 15th, Ventura Commandery No. 18 will conduct its Easter
Observance program. A dinner is being planned prior to the Observance, served in the dining
hall at the Ventura Masonic Center. We have not decided upon the menu yet, but as soon as we
know, the Commandery membership will be notified. Dinner will be served at 6:00 p.m., with
the Observance to follow. Ladies, family members, and Masonic friends are most cordially in-
vited to partake in the meal with the Sir Knights. The Stated Conclave will follow immediately
after the Observance.
Good news to report: the petition of Companion Robert Sturgeon, a member of Oxnard
Chapter No. 86, R.A.M., and Ventura Council No. 15, C.M., was read, and he was elected to
receive the Commandery Orders. Ventura Commandery, if all goes well, will be bringing two
candidates to receive the Templar Orders from Los Angeles Commandery No. 9, at the Van
Nuys Masonic Center, on Saturday, March 30, 2019. The candidates are Companions Jesse Ja-
cobs and Robert Sturgeon. The members of Ventura Commandery are most cordially invited to
attend the conferral as well, starting at 8:30 a.m.
IN HOC SIGNO VINCES
Fraternally,
Frederick Ervast PC
Bulletin Editor
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York Rite in 1948 CHANNEL COUNTIES YORK RITE BODIES
TRESTLE BOARD FOR JANUARY
St. Omer Commandery No. 30, Wednesday, 7 – Stated Conclave. Wednesday, 21 – Practice. Corinthian Chapter No. 51 Monday, 5 – Stated Meeting. Monday, 12 – Practice. Monday, 19 – Joint Installation, Ventura Monday, 26 – Practice. Fidelity Chapter No. 96 Friday, 9 – Stated Meeting. [Fidelity Chapter was in Santa Maria. Publisher]
TRESTLE BOARD FOR JANUARY
Ventura Commandery No. 50 Friday, 2 – Stated Conclave. Practice Red
Cross. Friday, 16 – Illustrious Order of Red Cross. Friday, 30 – Open Ventura Chapter No. 50 Monday, 5 Past and Most Excellent Degree
Practice. Monday, 12 – Stated Meeting. Monday, 19 – Joint Installation of Officers of
Ventura, Corinthian and Oxnard Chapters, preceded by 7 o’clock dinner.
Monday, 26 – Royal Arch Degree practice. Oxnard Chapter 86 Friday, 9 - Stated Meeting and 7 o’clock din-
ner.
December 1947
St. Omer Commandery No 30
St. Omer Commandery held their Christmas breakfast in the Masonic Temple on Christmas morning. Several Sir Knights from Ventura Commandery were present to enjoy the festive oc-casion. The wives of the Sir Knights were also at the breakfast and enjoyed the Christmas
spirit.
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FORTHCOMING EVENTS
On Saturday, March 23, 2019, Signet Chapter No. 57 will be conferring the four Degrees of
the Royal Arch at the Van Nuys Masonic Center, 14750 Sherman Way. The Chapter will open
at 8:30 a.m. Royal Arch Masons “whithersoever dispersed” are cordially invited to witness the
work. Please bring your current Royal Arch dues card.
On Saturday, March 30th, Los Angeles Commandery No. 9, Knights Templar, will be con-
ferring the Templar Orders at the Van Nuys Masonic Center. Two candidates from Ventura
Commandery No. 18, K.T., are expected to be present to receive the Orders at the conferral.
Sir Knights from Ventura Commandery will be participating, along with Sir Knights from other
Commanderies in the Southern California area. Opening will start at 8:30 a.m. Sideliners will
not be required to wear a Commandery uniform. Lunch will be served at noontime.
On Friday evening, April 19th (Good Friday), St. Omer Commandery No. 30, K.T., Santa
Barbara, will conduct its Easter Observance program. All Sir Knights are welcome to attend
along with guests and ladies. The Observance is open to the public. The Sir Knights will con-
vene for dinner at the IHOP restaurant on 1701 State Street, Santa Barbara, at 5:30 p.m., for
dinner. The Observance will then begin at 7:00 p.m., at the Santa Barbara Masonic
Center, 16 E. Carrillo Street. Non-participating Sir Knights in attendance do not need to be in
uniform.
The Companions and Sir Knights of the Ventura County York Rite bodies are reminded
that the Grand York Rite of California Sessions are coming up on May 19th through the 22nd
in Visalia. The Grand Royal Arch Session is on Monday, May 20th, Grand Council of Cryptic
Masons is on Tuesday, May 21st, with Grand Commandery Session on Wednesday, May 22nd.
More information will follow with additional e-mail correspondence.
The Grand York Rite Reception will be taking place on Saturday, June 15, 2019, at the
Oxnard Masonic Center. Social hour will start at 5:00 p.m., dinner at 6:00 p.m., and the Recep-
tion at 7:00 p.m. Additional details will be forthcoming in future correspondence.
* * *
“ON THE MEND”
Illustrious Companion David Del Dosso just completed a successful knee operation and
will be “kicking around” in the near future.
Excellent Companion Rees Padfield underwent stent work on his heart and is “out and
around.”
Wonderful to report that both are in full recovery.
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THE NEED FOR MASONIC EDUCATION
by
Nigel Gallimore PM & Frederick Ervast PM
The making of a Freemason does not consist entirely of his passage through the various
Degrees, including Symbolic (Blue) Lodge, York Rite, and Scottish Rite. Receiving the vari-
ous degrees is in itself only the “Passport to Knowledge. “ This can be described as the key to
a continuing course of Masonic education.
Ritual is fundamental to the Craft, and its preservation in its purest is the life’s blood of our
Fraternity, but it is not to be confused with Masonic education. Freemasonry may be divided
into many phases. Its tenets, history, traditions, landmarks, customs, symbolism and its allego-
ries – even its Constitution and its laws – just to mention a few. If these subjects are studied
and mastered, they can provide a most interesting course for a Brother seeking the opportunity
to gain Masonic knowledge, being quite apart from his rightful ambition to become a good rit-
ualist. An educated Freemason needs to accomplish both!
One fundamental issue is that it is not essential to any concept of Masonic education that
its possessor be a good ritualist. Masonic ritual has its own reward, and many find those re-
wards great. Masonic bodies are full of Brethren and Companions who excel at the ritual.
Masonic Education is not limited to the Symbolic (Blue) Lodge. It needs to be included in
Royal Arch Chapters, Councils of Cryptic Masons, and Commanderies of Knights.
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Need we be bold enough to state that it should be included in the Valleys of Scottish Rite?
What can be taught, discussed, or learned that is unique in a Chapter or Council, for in-
stance? How about the philosophical aspects that are taught exclusively in the Chapter ritual,
or the Cryptic Rite, or a specific degree in the Blue Lodge? Masonic bodies, no matter the Ju-
risdiction or Rite, can have its unique forum for members to discuss and stimulate a culture of
learning and advancement. It can take the form of a “formal” talk, question-and-answer format,
or an interaction amongst its membership.
Another avenue of study – how has Freemasonry impacted governmental institutions, pro-
fessional societies, the relationship of a Freemason to his religious beliefs? Why has Masonry
been able to resurrect itself after nearly complete destruction of the institution after the fall of a
totalitarian government?
To suggest that a satisfactory explanation of the Craft is complete with a study of the lec-
tures of each degree is to bury one’s head in Masonic sand. A popular expression in the teach-
ing profession proclaims that there can be no dedication without education. The search for
knowledge goes on day after day. If we ask whether we need a Masonic education program, be
assured, that if any of the circumstances apply – then the answer must be “YES!”