What is Freemasonry?
Freemasonry is a fraternal organization that arose from obscure origins in the late 16th to early 17th centuries probably in the stonemason guilds of Scotland. Freemasonry exists in various forms all over the world, with a membership estimated at around three million. At its heart, Freemasonry is a self-improvement organization. Through three initiation rituals, lectures and other ceremonies, combined with social and charitable activities, Freemasons seek to improve themselves as they improve the communities in which they live. To join, one must believe in a Supreme Being, be upright, moral and honest in character, and be recommended by a Mason.
Freemasonry employs the tools and instruments of stone masons to teach a system of morality, friendship and brotherly love, hence, the standard emblem of Freemasonry is the square and compasses. In Ontario Freemasonry is organized locally into lodges and supervised by the Grand Lodge of Canada in the Province of Ontario. There are numerous appendant and affiliate Masonic organizations such as the Order of the Eastern Star, Scottish Rite, York Rite and the Shrine. Each of these organizations has its own leadership.
Freemasonry is kindness in the home; honesty in business; courtesy toward others; dependability in ones work; compassion for the unfortunate; resistance to evil; help for the weak; concern for good government; support for education; and above all, a reverence for God and love of fellow man. Through the influence of good men Freemasonry and its ideals continue to thrive around the world.
Many people wonder why men join an organization like the Masons. What, in a modern age such as ours, can an ancient order like Masonry offer men?
Men today have a barrage of responsibilities pulling at them from all directions: work, family and friends just to name a few. They try to balance these obligations while still developing themselves physically, mentally and socially. More often than not, we manage our external tasks at the cost of our personal development. So how does Masonry help us with this problem?
The question can be answered on multiple levels. At the simplest level, Masonry provides a healthy social forum for men to meet and enjoy the company of others. Simply put; we like to have fun, and in having fun, make others happy. Freemasons come from all walks of life (Presidents, Police, Teachers, Mechanics, etc.) and represented from all countries and cultures. Each man is considered an equal to his brother and respects him implicitly so the opportunity to learn from each other is abundant.
This respect and trust might seem strange. Masons are deeply committed to living a moral life with specific focus on the principles of Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth. These general and universal moral guidelines are shared by all brethren. Tangibly, you will notice that Freemasons take ideas like honour, trust and responsibility very seriously.
In using terms like morals and truth, Masonry may seem to possess elements of a philosophy or a religion. In truth, it is neither.
Simply put, it is a fraternity of men. At our highest level of understanding Masons share a belief in a Supreme Being and feel the purpose of life as revealed is to do good for which all people should strive. Regardless of who you are we believe that everyone has the ability to change the world for the better. At our very core of our fundamentals, we strive to make good men better.
Masonic membership is open to men age twenty one (21) years or older who meet the qualifications and standards of character and reputation and who believe in a Supreme Being. Men of all ethnic and religious backgrounds are welcome.
Our Lodge meets once per month; holding meetings on the fourth Wednesday of each month. With the exception of the December and June meetings, which are held on the second Wednesday. We do not have meetings during the summer months of July and August.
Freemasonry is the oldest fraternal organization in the world. It is the goal of Freemasonry to take good men and make them better by generating fraternal fellowship and building strong moral character in its members.
Freemasonry is the oldest, largest Fraternity in the world and Masonry is always ready to welcome good men into the Fraternity. It's ready to welcome YOU, if in your heart you can answer "yes" to a few questions.
A man in your family has become a Mason. Congratulations You are now connected to a worldwide brotherhood which takes as it's creed: Friendship, Morality and Brotherly Love. We welcome your family to our Masonic family.
If your father is a Mason, he may not have talked much about the Fraternity. Many fathers are not sure what they can say. If you ask, you will probably find that not only your father but also your grandfather and your uncles are or were Freemasons. So why didn't they ask you to join?
The history of a lodge is not a documented series of events but rather a series of ideas and exchange of dreams between forward looking Masons. The formation of West Gate Lodge was no different; it was born from the heart of a group of masons who believed that the growth of our gentle craft was not only possible but necessary for Streetsville, Mississauga. They put their hearts and their heads together, they met, they talked, they asked questions, they drew up plans, they invited input and participation and then they waited. Some dismissed the idea as a foolish dream, some thought it would be too much work and couldn't see making such a commitment of time and effort, but those who believed would not be discouraged for the enthusiasm they shared helped their spirits rise high above any thoughts of failure. Yes others believed in the dream, they worked tirelessly in an effort to build the lodge of tomorrow In a city where multiculturalism was a growing part of the community so too it was to become the face of the lodge including masons from many walks of life and many cultures within our society, all masons and all brothers. Listed here is a brief snippet of the history that saw the formation of this great lodge where brother has met brother; where masons have been made, where friendships have been nurtured and where memories have been born.
While attending an installation at River Park Lodge 356 in 1977 the idea of a new Lodge was born. V. W.. Bro. Morrison along with W. Bro. Kelman of King Hiram Lodge 566, and V W. Bro. Taylor of Bedford Lodge 638 spent the next year between Toronto and Grand Lodge in Hamilton making the idea of a new lodge become a reality. There were meetings which were failures where only two potential members showed up; and some might be discouraged. But the foundation of the lodge was not built in huge strides but rather one member at a time. This is a lesson that the founders took to heart and have tried to pass on year by year to each member of the lodge as we have grown. A lodge is a family with all of its strengths and all of its imperfections but it takes every member of the family to make us whole. The dream became a reality in when on March 26,1980 Most Worshipful Bro. Richards granted West Gate Lodge our charter 734 G.R.C.
The name of West Gate Lodge was chosen for two reasons, one because it is the most westerly Lodge in the District. Secondly there was already an East Gate, South Gate, and a North Gate Lodge. It was hoped that once West Gate Lodge was up and running that the brethren of all the Gate Lodges would exchange fraternal visits with each other.
There have been five District Deputy Grand Masters elected to represent Toronto West District. Also appointed have been a Grand Senior Warden, Grand Senior Deacon, and four Grand Stewards. Over the years West Gate has been very fortunate to have members from every walk of life who have brought to the Lodge their culture and traditions which have given us depth and unique character. At the end of the day every success or every failure is a direct reflection of each of the members who make us West Gate Lodge. It is a lucky man who can turn to the mason beside him and call him a true brother, and that is where West Gate gets its strength.
The years have passed very quickly and has left fond memories. We now look forward to the future and the creation of new memories; I invite you to join with us as we march into the future and enjoy West Gate Lodge.