Most Worshipful Bro Sheila Norden – Grand Master But to begin at the beginning, both my parents were freemasons and as a child I soon became used to the sight of my father going to his Lodge meetings and studying his ritual book. Indeed I met my future husband at my father’s Ladies Night when he was the Master of his Lodge. But I also took it for granted that women could become freemasons.
In the early years of my marriage and following the birth of my children l became aware of needing an outside interest, particularly as my husband spent a lot of time away from home on business.
My mother proposed me into Doric Lodge no 11 and within a few years I had taken Office and achieved the Chair of King Solomon (an expression used by freemasons when they become Master of their Lodge), in 1966. At that time our Lodge had more than 150 members.
Freemasonry has given me a wonderful interest in life and has brought me numerous friends from all walks of life, whom otherwise I might never have met. After the war many women became interested in joining freemasonry and they were busy times for our fraternity. I found myself greatly inspired by the wonderful ritual and excellent teachings I received.
Freemasonry is based on three great principles, Brotherly love, Relief and Truth. To practise ‘Brotherly love’ we must maintain harmony and mutual respect between individuals, no matter what their station in life; ‘Relief’ is about giving to those whom society has failed or who have been victims of disaster, not just financially but also personally; and ‘Truth’ the need to recognise the Divine quality which underpins all life and which is to be found in the ‘centre’. Freemasonry is about self-knowledge and when we are Initiated we can all be empowered to begin this great spiritual journey towards the ‘centre’.
Freemasonry is not a religion but it requires a personal belief in a Supreme Being on the part of every candidate. Whether we be Christian, Jew, Muslim, Hindu or Buddhist we are all taught respect for others, to practise charity and to live our lives by good moral standards. Housewives, doctors, secretaries or solicitors we can all be united in our striving towards these great ideals.
The brethren in our fraternity come from all walks of life and we are always happy to welcome new members. We meet in various parts of the country and in 1989 we consecrated a lodge in Gibraltar and in 2005 two lodges in mainland Spain in the Costa del Sol and Costa Blanca areas.
As well as lodge meetings our members also hold social events to raise money for our charity through which we are able to support many worthwhile causes such as Teenage Cancer Trust, Hospices and Air Ambulances.
Of course not everyone aspires to the Chair of the Lodge and many brethren are equally happy just to witness our impressive ceremonies.
When we pass through the entrance to our beautiful temple, we are overwhelmed by a feeling of peace and tranquility. For a few hours the cares and employments of the busy world are forgotten, as we concentrate on the task in hand the promulgation of our beautiful ritual in ceremonies which have evolved over the centuries.
Most Worshipful Bro Sheila Norden – Grand Master
June 2007
Fuente: http://www.hfaf.org/
