About Us
Royse City Lodge #663 has been a lodge since 1883. We started meeting in another building back then, but due to a fire ended up buying our current building in 1929. There is a rich history of our lodge members being local mayors, city council members, local business owners, etc. It is still that way today.
OUR VISION To be recognized as well-respected men and Masons within our communities and our fraternal organization. Thereby, placing ourselves in a position of positive action emulating the sanctity of our Brotherhood as being pillars in our communities by exemplifying the pillars of our fraternity: Faith, Hope, and Charity. Facilitating through exemplary ritual and service for the enjoyment of our membership and support of our communities.
OUR MISSION By embracing and harnessing our cultural and theological differences that shape Royse City Lodge, we are the Freemasons that support personal growth internally through educational rhetoric and fellowship. This will allow us to better serve our fellow man externally by fulfilling our vision. Therefore, protecting that precious commodity of time that we afford the Craft by creating a more valuable Masonic experience.
OUR DUTY
I. To God: When we consider our duty to God, we must embrace the three pillars of faith hope and charity. In Freemasonry we know that faith is not associated with religion. It is an opportunistic belief in what we are doing on earth is within the will of God. Therefore, we should not fear the unknown before us because God’s Will is realized and made perfect within our free will. Meaning that when we utilize the intellect given, charity no longer becomes the monetary measure of our worth. Charity becomes faith and hope in action in relation to Brotherly love and affection. What is Brotherly love and affection? That good will that we afford our brothers in all matters, because we know our beliefs and actions come with intent for the betterment of all. We cannot reach any goals without making this fundamental philosophy the reality of our lodge. This is in fact, the basis of peace and harmony. Because peace and harmony are not an end result, but the way in which we carry ourselves in all our many stations in life. This is the fundamental characteristic that separates us as Freemasons from the profane world outside.
II. Our Country: When we say country, we must remember that as a whole we are able to affect our country, but only in the reality, it begins with community. What are we doing to be the positive impact in our community. Are we following a balanced give and take? If we are asking the community for funds to support our lodge, we are failing our community. Even if those funds are also going to scholarships, we need to remember that it is the community’s gift to those recipients, not our own. We have only given a portion. In fact, this thought is further proven in the sense that half of the funds come from the Masonic Home and School matching of funds. Sure, we put in some work. However, our contributions are barely apparent in the big picture. We must challenge ourselves to not stand neutral in our efforts but to be the positive force our community needs. We can do this by volunteering our most prized asset of all. Our time. If we want to be a positive influence, we must tip the scales in that direction and determine how our lodge can realistically contribute to the good of our communities. Such as reading programs, adopt-a-highway, or volunteering to serve the city during Easter, Halloween, or Veteran Day events. Not all Brothers can afford the time but there are those who can, while others attend to other needs of the lodge. When all our lodges affect our communities, we will, as a fraternity, support our country.
III. Our Neighbors: This seems so obvious that it does not need attention. However, we have never in our history been as disconnected from our neighbors as we are today. Our technology-based culture has been a catastrophic wedge between people. Husbands and wives, fathers and sons, mothers and daughters, coworkers and even church members all feel the constant neglect from each other. However, this is our opportunity as Freemasons. Let’s look at our history as we shape our future. Consider this: It's interesting to look at what the culture was in the 1800’s, which really touches on the importance of what Freemasonry had to offer at the time. Consider the layers the ritual provides. Prior to the industrial revolution, men were home, on the farms, or close to them. The passing down of trades and skills were part of the Father Son bonding process. Which both men needed. We need those Rights of Passage. We need those in the form of the Apprentice; to build our Confidence and of the Master; to justify our accomplishments by being worthy and relevant enough to be handed down to the next generation. Then going on to consider the flood of immigrants to the country, we specifically needed the lodges and even the Scottish Rite lessons to learn it was okay to be different because we are, as a people, basically still the same with the same quests in our hearts and minds. Therefore, we should work toward the common good despite the prejudices we had at first. In order to turn them into admiration of each other’s strengths, that we may better work and agree. The allegory in the ritual causes, or at least should cause us to question our own identity as the complex creatures of this earth that we are. Who are we in relation to our maker and how do we get closer to the mysteries of our Grand Architect? Then there is a less spiritual note. Due to the competitive nature of business, we again, from not being with our families, lost the tenderness and compassion we once had that balanced out our temperament. We needed new sources to learn the virtues we once came into conclusion of naturally through living in a closer, "tribal" state, with our families and friends. It also came at a time when there was a lot of mistrust for the powerplays Religions were trying to take in the new world. So, people were turning from the pulpits and needed a place to fill that cup.... WOW, this requires some serious reflection..... They had very valid reasons for needing Freemasonry in their lives. Now, I ask you this: Do you think that maybe we need to consider harnessing those thoughts into a reimagined vision for the Craft going forward in today’s world? We are in a very different world though. Or are we? Today technology has taken men from their boys. It has become the religion of the masses within video games and social media. We are overloaded with a flood of information and ideals instead of immigrants. Our minds are being shaped by influencers and not clergy. Our tribal connection is virtual. What does all of this have in common with the late 1800’s? There is a growing need for interpersonal relationships from our young men. They are looking for a torch to carry that is real. They need real rites of passage that leveling up in a video game will never fulfill. They need true and trusted friends to be their mentors. They need support on how to become a man and function effectively and honorably in their several stations. What is interesting is that because of the information overload available to them, they already know what they are looking for because they read it in our history. So, if we do not offer them what has been handed down to us, they will walk away. Now the moment has come to expand on what it is we really have to offer today that is the same as the late 1800’s. Charity. Not the kind we tend to throw money at or use in a failed attempt to promote Freemasonry by our good deeds... Our time.
IV. Ourselves. Our attention to detail in the development of our membership as well as our strict adherence to only providing our best effort to assist our Brothers to lift them up, that they may bring honor to us and our Fraternity. What we used to offer before insurance companies and the welfare system. We have the opportunity and obligation to serve our Brothers first. To protect them and their families from harm. To inspire them to do the same for those around them. When not physically, then lift them up spiritually, intellectually, and morally. This is actually how we care for our neighbors and ourselves, but there is more to this journey. IV. Ourselves: Hard facts. We are no good to anyone if we do not help ourselves. Think of it in the concept of the airplane in distress. We cannot help our neighbors with their mask if we are passed out from not putting on our own. In fact, we then become the victim and need assistance from others. But this is not what Freemasonry represents. It never did and we should not allow this despotism that has plagued our fraternity to continue. This is not a cheap shot towards those who kept these doors open for us. It would be overwhelming for any organization to realize the loss we have had due to the baby boomer generation not joining in the same numbers as their fathers. However, it is time we take back the reins of this carriage together so that we may guide ourselves into a better future for us all. A legacy worth leaving.
