Unforgettable: The Masonic Connection to the Forget-Me-Not
Masonry is often described as a system of morality taught through allegory—and certainly there is no shortage of Masonic symbols to decipher. But one that strikes a particular chord with Masons around the world is the forget-me-not. While not, strictly speaking, a Masonic symbol like the square or plumb, the forget-me-not—often worn as a lapel pin—continues to […]
Paying Homage to a Masonic Hero at Rizal No. 882
In Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare famously asked, “What’s in a name?” Back then, the suggestion was: not much. It’s the quality of the thing that counts. (“A rose by any other name would smell as sweet.”) Don’t tell that to the founding members of Gat José Rizal Lodge № 882 in Menifee. Because for them, their lodge moniker […]
How a Filipino Lodge of Prince Hall Masons Was Nearly Forgotten
Above: Members of Jerusalem Lodge № 72 at Hannibal Hall in San Francisco, 1954. The lodge was one of several Filipino Prince Hall lodges in California until it disbanded in 1971. Even among the thousands of photographs, papers, and news clippings that make up the Royal E. Towns Prince Hall archive at the African American Museum and Library […]
Masonic Outreach Services: The “Magic Wand” of Masonic Relief
The first thing David Goldstein noticed when he arrived at Michael’s door was the smell of gas. Michael was in his eighties and living alone in a small apartment in New England that was paid for through a Veterans Affairs housing voucher. He’d shown up on Goldstein’s radar because someone from his old Masonic lodge […]
More than Retirement Homes: The Wide World of Masonic Relief
Ask most Masons what the Masonic Homes of California is, and they’ll probably tell you about the century-old retirement homes in Union City and Covina. But that’s hardly a complete answer. In fact, only about 15 percent of the Masonic Homes’ overall clientele live on campus. The vast majority of people who receive its services never set […]
Donor Profile: Ernest Salcido Jr.
California Freemason: You’ve worked at the Masonic Homes for more than a decade. What is it about this work that you connect to? Ernest Salcido Jr.: To me, I have the greatest job ever. I have the pleasure of working with an amazing team of people. My wife, Diana, who is also a nurse at the […]
New Masonic Homes CEO Terry Quigley: “We’re Standing On A Lot of History Here”
“This is my happy place,” says Terry Quigley as she enters the dining room of the Masonic Homes of California in Union City. It’s lunchtime, and the glass-walled hall is quickly filling with groups deep into the pleasantries of small talk. Quigley, who took over as chief executive officer and president of the Masonic Homes on July 1, is […]
THE JEWEL KEEPS SHINING
As the Masonic Homes of California turns 125, it remains the pride of our fraternity. The year seems to have gone by faster than I anticipated. This is the last message I will write for this magazine as your grand master. So I want to sneak in a big thank-you to all of you for the good […]