Many people think of Freemasonry as a mysterious and secretive society with members holding enigmatic meetings under the cover of darkness and using secret signs and symbols to communicate.
But in reality, Freemasonry is an ancient and very honorable fraternity pledged to the purpose of making good men better.
Far from being secret, the meetings are held at advertised times in well-marked buildings. Though men must undergo a pledge process to obtain membership, men from all walks of life, all creeds, races and religions are encouraged to petition a lodge.
Like all fraternities, Freemasonry does have its secrets – but there are no sinister motives or dark meaning behind any Masonic teachings which are all focused on truth & brotherly love.
Most towns have at least one Masonic lodge nearby and a quick look at www.mdmasons.org will help you find the one nearest you.
Bel Air is home to one of Maryland’s most active Masonic Lodges – Mt. Ararat #44 on Gordon Street. The Lodge has been a part of Harford County history for nearly 200 years and boasts over 400 members. It is home Lodge to The Right Worshipful Grand Master of All Masons in Maryland, Brother Jerry Piepiora (who is the first Mason from Harford County to hold that title).
In an effort to garner greater community awareness this year and to continue the tradition of service in Harford County, Mt Ararat lodge will be hosting a family community service day at the Humane Society of Harford County on February 16th.
From 8am-12pm, the brothers of Mt. Ararat Lodge #44 and their families will be on-site helping out at the Humane Society by getting the dogs out of their kennels and letting them run in the open spaces. There will be food, music and in honor of the Lodge’s first community service day, the Humane Society will be honoring an adoption cost of $44 per animal. If you have room in your heart and home for a pet, or you’re just looking for a family fun morning, please think about stopping by the Humane Society of MD on Saturday at 228 Connolly Road in Fallston.
If you’re interested in Masonry or the Humane Society event this Saturday contact maynardedwards@verizon.net or call 410-580-6800 for more information or online at www.mtararatlodge.org and www.harfordshelter.org
the author of this article must be a free mason.
Maybe that this is just a journalist who did his research and found the correct facts and printed them without the bias that you allude to.
Steve is correct I am proudly a Freemason. As for the rest his post, I will simply state that he is uninformed and that the Masons in Maryland particularly the ones at my home Lodge in Bel Air are the best and most selfless men I have ever known. I am honored and proud to call the all my Brothers.
this one . . .
As the daughter, sister, aunt, great niece and mother of those involved in some form of Freemasonry, I can attest to the goodness that comes from this organization. At present, there are 14 members of my family who are members of either the Shriners, Eastern Star, DeMolay or Job’s Daughters. I know what it means to be a part of this organization as I too, am Eastern Star. Yes, there have been some bad people and bad things in this organization as there has been in every other one. But the good outweighs the bad, and the works they do only adds credibility to them. Check out how many of our founding fathers were Masons…George Washington, Benjamin Franklin just to name a few. Know what you are talking about, facts, before spreading hate about something of which you know nothing.
Maybe Steve Carder should have looked here as well.
Hey Steve Carder, why can’t you think of your own words to use. What a troll…
“Though men must undergo a pledge process to obtain membership, men from all walks of life, all creeds, races and religions are encouraged to petition a lodge.”
What about men who used to be women? Since women are forbidden, does that mean “all walks of life” truly – or only in the eyes of particular board members.
You forgot to add the part about “you won’t be a member until you pay”! Gotta keep the bars at the lodge stocked up somehow, eh?