Maine Masonic College

The Maine Masonic College invites you to a lecture on the Entered Apprentice Degree. This class will look to explore the origins of the Entered Apprentice and the history of where the apprentice in Masonry might have come from. This is open to the public both masons and non-masons. We would love to have you join us for some insight and respectful discussion.

This class will take place on Saturday, June 8th from 10:30 - 12:00 pm at the Phillips Public Library.

I wanted to thank all the brethren who came to our Maine Masonic College Convocation on Saturday. This was our 13th year of this event and like the previous ones this was filled with rich conversation and discussion.
The talking about virtues leads us to a spectrum of opinions and thoughts and that is always the reward when creating a convocation like the college has.
A special thank you to our guest speakers, PJ Roup and Richard Phillips who traveled from afar to speak that morning and we appreciate taking the time to do so.
The Maine Masonic College is already working on the next convocation for October 2024 and before that our Arts and Science, which will take place in April 2024. We look forward to seeing you there again as we continue to bring more light to Masonry.

Fraternally,
The Maine Masonic College

Introducing our second Guest Speaker: Brother Paul J. Roup, who goes by PJ, was initiated into Plum Creek Lodge No. 799 in Pittsburgh, PA in 1997. He served as Worshipful Master in 2002. He is also a Warrant Member of Lodge Ad Lucem No. 812, a Traditional Observance lodge he helped to found in 2007. In the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, he served as District Deputy Grand Master from 2007-2016 and is currently the Right Worshipful Junior Grand Warden. In the Scottish Rite, he served as Thrice Potent Master and Treasurer of the Gourgas Lodge of Perfection in Pittsburgh. He was crowned an Active Member of the Supreme Council in 2018 and has served on the Ritual Committee of the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction since that time. In 2019, he was named editor of The Northern Light, the official magazine of the Northern
Masonic Jurisdiction, a position he continues to hold.

His presentation entitled Whom Virtue Unites, will explore the Scottish Rite Core Values and virtues along with an in-depth discussion of values espoused in the 4th and 14th degrees.

Introducing our first guest speaker for the upcoming MMC Convocation on October 21st: Richard J. Phillips, Right Eminent Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery of Maine. S.K. Richard J. Phillips joined the York Rites in Mount Moriah Chapter #6 in 2004, Bangor Council #5, and St. John’s Commandery in 2005. Richard was elected to High Priest of Mount Moriah #6 in 2017. In Bangor Council #5 as Ill Master in 2018 after serving as Eminent Commander of St. John’s Commandery #3, from 2010 to 2014. Richard Was invited to join the York Rites Sovereign College of North America, Katahdin College #187 in 2011. He was elected as Governor of Katahdin College in 2015. Companion Knight Richard J. Phillips was elected to receive the Order of the Purple Cross in 2017 from the York Rites Sovereign College of North America. SK. Richard J. Phillips was elected as Junior Grand Warden of the Grand Commandery of Maine in 2018. He progressed up the line as Senior Grand Warden in 2019, Grand Captain General in 2020, Grand Generalissimo in 2021, Deputy Grand Commander in 2022 and Right Eminent Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery of Maine this past April of 2023. Companion Knight Richard J. Phillips was appointed as Grand Governor of the York Rites Sovereign College of North America in 2022 for the State of Maine and is serving this roll until 2024.

When a Mason starts his journey in the York Rites, he will find that the York Rite Degrees of Freemasonry form an integral part of the Masonic journey. He will see symbolism in rich and ancient lessons of the craft. Lessons in virtue are crafty inserted throughout the Ritual. “Through their dedication to the principles of Freemasonry, initiates in the York Rite carry forward the sacred traditions of this time-honored fraternity, ensuring that its legacy endures for generations to come”. (templarhistory.com)

Webster’s dictionary defines virtue as a “conformity to a standard of right.” The words morality, valor, and merit. These words are used as a measure of how one should behave for a greater good of a community. This community is believed to have virtues so the traditions can be upheld for future generations and the better for all who are apart of it. This however lies the question: Are virtues for the good alone? Are virtues equal to all people within a community? And will the virtues believed by some push the limits of their own integrity?
We will explore these questions and dive into the realm of virtues on the Maine Masonic Convocation on Saturday, October 21st at the Anah Shrine Temple beginning at 9 am. Come join us and see if we explore your virtues and do they measure up to the community you reside.

"The genius of Freemasonry is not our Masonic buildings and temples or the trappings of our organizations. It is not our great charities or community activities. It is not our beautiful rituals or their teachings! It is the 'practice of Freemasonry' by the Freemasons. Yet we cannot practice that which we do not know or understand. Thus Masonic education is the foundation for our Fraternity."

Carl H. Claudy

Looking for something to do this Saturday? Come visit us for our Celebration of the Arts and Sciences! This event is free and open to the public.

Our Critical Thinking class is starting soon. We hope to see you online!

It's time to meet another Regent of the Maine Masonic College. Today, let's look at Doug Taft.

Douglas Taft joined Delta Lodge in 2007 and worked his way thru the chairs in Delta becoming Master in 2012-2013. He affiliated with Oriental Lodge in 2011. Below are positions/organizations that he is a member of:

16 District CHIP Co Ordinator2013-2015
District Education Rep 2015-2016
DDGM 16th District 2016-2018
Committee Member: On Dispensation and Charters 2016-Present
Committee Member: Maine Masonic College 2018-Present
Chancellor Maine Masonic College 2018-Present
Assistant Grand Lecturer for Districts 16, 17,18,19 2018-2020
Senior Grand Warden 2019-2020
Committee Member : Directors of the Maine Charitable Foundation
Committee Member: On the Condition of the Fraternity
Secretary of Delta #153 Lodge 2016-Present to Present
Historian of Delta Lodge #153 2019-Present
Web Master Delta Lodge #153 2020-Present
Maine Masonic Lodge of Research 2020-Present
New Hampshire Lodge of Research 2020-Present

This year, Hanukkah starts tonight at sunset and ends on December 6th.

Meet a Regent: Brian Ellis

Brian Ellis was raised to the degree of a Master Mason on June 14, 2017 at Blue Mt. Lodge #67 in Phillips, Maine. In his blue lodge, Brian is the Junior Deacon as well as the Historian. During his time as a mason, Brian has had the honor of being appointed as the Grand Sword Bearer and Grand Steward of the Grand Lodge of Maine. Brian is a very into the craft as he is involved with numerous branches of Freemasonry. Brian serves as the Scottish Rite COD Liaison for the state of Maine in the Scottish Rite as well as a member of the Androscoggin Valley in Auburn. He is a member of the Chapter, Council, and Commandery York Rite bodies out of Franklin Chapter in Wilton and is a Legion of Honor member at the KORA Shrine Temple out of Lewiston. Brian also enjoys the search for history and knowledge as he is a member of the Maine Masonic Research Team #9000, where he is the Junior Deacon. He also is a member of Anniversary Research Lodge #175 with the Brothers out of New Hampshire. For years, Brian has been an active member in the Maine Masonic College. Just recently he was selected to become a member on the Board of Regents. Brian is blessed to be with a group of such intelligent individuals and hopes to continue spreading the rich knowledge to his brothers that this wonderful state of Maine has.

On October 16th, the Maine Masonic College will welcome our first international presenter in 2021. Below is just a glimpse into the Masonic career of RW Brother Bharat V Epur.

He was Initiated into Freemasonry on 28th April 1998 in Lodge Srinivasa Gopala No.190 (under the Grand Lodge of India), Chennai when he was 41 years old by the (Late) W.Bro. Subbarayan Arunagiri on a proposition by V.W.Bro. Susheel Bhalla seconded by R.W.Bro. Kartik Madhubhai Patel. He was then Passed to the Degree of a Fellow Craft Freemason on 7th August 1998 and subsequently Raised to the Sublime Degree of a Master Mason on 22nd November 1998 – both in the same Lodge.

A very committed and sincere Mason, his inquisitive mind drove him in pursuit of Masonic knowledge – to understand Masonic history, its traditions, interpretation of the Rituals, its usefulness to society at large and, more especially the esoteric nature of its teachings, that he came to be a well-known quizmaster in Masonic circles.

His involvement and pursuit of Masonic knowledge is best exemplified by his active membership in several Masonic study societies, including:

**‘ACACIA – The Madras Masonic Study Circle’, Chennai (since 7th June 2000)
**‘Quatuor Coronati Correspondence Circle’, London, UK (since 2001)
**‘United Masters Lodge No. 167’, New Zealand (since 2005)
**‘The Masonic Study Society’, Hampshire, UK (since 16th May 2007)
**‘The Masonic Society’, Indianapolis, USA (Founder Member) (since 3rd June 2008)
**‘Bristol Masonic Society’, Bristol, UK (since 2010)

He has presented several papers on diverse Masonic subjects in various fora, both national and international. He holds the unique distinction of having been invited to present a Masonic paper by The Masonic Study Society, London – one of the, if not the, oldest Masonic study societies in the world, which he did in November 2010, thus becoming the very first Indian to do so! The paper he presented was entitled “Exploring some parallels in Masonry and Indian Philosophy”. He was also tasked with conceiving and conducting Masonic educational workshops and presentations across the Eastern Region for the benefit of the Brethren there, which he did with his customary zeal. He also conceived of and organised the Annual Bhagyanagar Masters Lodge No.326 Masonic Lectures from 2011 onwards till date. He has also been closely involved with an annual Masonic Seminar conducted by The Millennium Lodge No.327 known as “MIME: Millennium Informatorium on Masonic Education”, which has been held annually since 2011, the tenth anniversary of the founding of this Lodge. He has presented several Masonic papers at Acacia – The Madras Masonic Study Circle, of which he is currently serving as the Research Fellow. His Masonic papers have been published in various scholarly journals all over the world.

A highly dedicated and committed Mason, his hallmark has been his total involvement in anything Masonic not only in his ‘home’ Region but in all the other Regions as well. He is a member of several Craft Lodges, Mark Lodges, Royal Ark Mariner Lodges and Royal Arch Chapters not only in his ‘home’ Region (the Southern Region), but also in all the other three Regions, namely, Eastern, Western and Northern Regions under the Grand Lodge of India. He has the unique distinction of holding Regional Grand Ranks in the Craft as well as in all these higher Degrees in all the four Regions of the Grand Lodge of India.

The Maine Masonic College would like to extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends of beloved Brother Karl Furtado. Since 2019, Brother Furtado had served as an active member on the MMC Board of Regents, bringing his energy and enthusiasm to the organization. Full of laughter and always ready to lend a helping hand, he was appreciated for his dedication to the Craft and selfless service to the college. He will be sorely missed, and fondly remembered.

With sympathy,

VW Daniel Gaucher, Chair of the Board of Regents
Maine Masonic College

Just a reminder that we'll be having our Introduction to the World's Greatest Sites - Part Three. We hope you can join us!

It's time we talk about another person who helps the Maine Masonic College!

Luke Shorty currently serves as the Dean of the Maine Masonic College, and has been an instructor for the College for the last two years. He is the past Junior Warden of Limestone Lodge #214 in Limestone, Maine. He holds a BA and MS in Mathematical Sciences from the University of Maine at Farmington and Montana State University, respectively. His career has been in education for the last thirteen years and he currently is the Executive Director of Lee Academy in Lee, Maine and its campuses in Shanghai, China, and Daegu South Korea.

Our next course is Archaeology: An Introduction to the World's Greatest Sites - Part Three. This series has been presented by one of our Regents, George Macdougall.

George currently serves on the Board of Regents, as well as having managed it as a former Chair. In addition, he has been an active faculty member for the Maine Masonic College since its inception. He has completed a MMC Journey that earned him a Diploma in Critical Thinking. Brother Macdougall is a past Senior Grand Warden, and has been on numerous committees such as the Masonic Education and Lodge Services committee (MEALS) for Grand Lodge. He is Past Master and Past Secretary of his lodge, where he held that office for 15 years. In his professional life he is a Professional Engineer and is employed by the Maine Department of Transportation as a Contracts and Specifications Engineer. George and his wife Donalyn live in Fairfield Center.

We'll be staring our Talents 101 class in just ONE HOUR! We hope you'll join us. This class is open to all!

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