Published: September 05, 2008 09:28 am      

Catlin lodge to mark 150th anniversary

CATLIN — The Catlin Masonic Lodge is gearing up to celebrate its 150th anniversary.

The week-long celebration, which culminates in the rededication of the building Sept. 13, begins at 6:30 p.m. Monday with a spaghetti dinner, a concert by the Catlin Community Choir and the "Rite Stuff" Rendezvous.

Sean McBride, secretary of the lodge, has worked with numerous other lodge members — the most active of whom might be Roy Patten, a member of the fraternal order for more than 65 years — for the past year to put together the event.

While the planning has been ongoing, the bulk of it took place in the last few months. They hope for a large turnout and make it clear that, despite it being a fraternal organization, everyone is welcome to take part in the festivities.

"I would like to see the downstairs full on Sept. 8 when we have the spaghetti dinner, concert and ‘Rite Stuff’ Rendezvous,” McBride said. “Anyone is welcome, Masons, non-Masons, ladies, kids, the entire family."

Indeed, the "Rite Stuff" Rendezvous is a chance for the uninitiated to learn more about the Masonic order. It will include presentations about Masonic history, famous Mason, and an explanation of what the Masons are and what they do through the words of several Brethren.

According to McBride, attendees can expect to "laugh, find inspiration and possibly even shed a tear at some of the stories."

Furthermore, McBride encourages lodge members to bring prospective members to this event as a way for them to learn more in a fun and informal environment.

The celebration continues at 7 p.m. Tuesday with a meeting at the Catlin lodge. Members from any lodge are welcome to come to this meeting and the hope, once again, is to fill the lodge room. Refreshments will be served.

The Rededication Ceremony, beginning with lunch at noon Sept. 13, concludes the anniversary festivities. Lunch will be followed by the Rededication Ceremony at 1 p.m. The ceremony will be performed by Most Worshipful Grand Master Daniel C. Yandel and the other officers of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of the State of Illinois. The rededication comes after extensive work to restore the building, most notably the Opera House on the first floor, which has been closed for decades.

After the ceremony, all are welcome to attend a cook-out and Afterglow at the home of W.B. Jack and Gail Kimball. Contact McBride for the address and directions.

After many months of planning and renovations, the Lodge members are eager to show the community what their hard work has amounted to, and, most importantly, what the organization does.

"This is an opportunity for everyone to see what we are about,” McBride said.