So as some of you may, or may not know, I am a Freemason. Our lodge, Pentalpha Lodge #564 F&AM here in Indianapolis had it’s annual elections last night. We have all new officers, me included as the Senior Deacon.

I am very excited about being in line and at the same time, really nervous! The Fraternity has a lot to offer me and I hope I have a lot to give back.

Being a Freemason and a Roman Catholic has it’s own set of issues. Unfortunately there is a stigma upon the Brotherhood. We are cast in a dark light along with Pagans, Satanists and other baddies. Surprisingly, most people have been more curious about the Craft than negative. What intrigued me and still impresses me about Freemasons is the fact that we will not answer to anyone no matter how darkly we are portrayed.

There is a wave of renewed interest in Freemasons especially with Dan Brown’s new book, The Lost Symbol. The Grand Lodge of Indiana has started a statewide marketing campaign aimed at gaining new members and feeding off of this renewed interest with rabid intensity. Some older members are opposed and even the newer members (myself included) think we should still stick to our traditions but this publicity and marketing should not hurt the Craft unless it gets out of hand.

We aren’t necessarily a dying breed, but we’re getting long in the tooth and we need new, younger members to keep the Craft moving forward. Youth does bring renewed energy to a somewhat stuffy group of old codgers who mumble between themselves when a younger man walks by. Some of the members who aren’t yet senior citizens find themselves missing stated meetings more and more often until they no longer attend unless asked by an active member. Joining Freemasonry is so much more than joining a networking group (though networking can certainly be a benefit I guess.)

Being a relative newcomer with only 2 years in the blue lodge, I really have so much more to experience and learn. There is so much I would like to do and hopefully this new year in the lodge will get me motivated to ask for that knowledge.

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