Masonic Mentor and Fraternal Friend

Published On: March 27th, 2020Categories: Meaningful Masonic Moments, News

By Ronald B. Carson, District Deputy Grand Master, 1st Masonic District

“Shortly after becoming a Master Mason, I was introduced to a Past Master of our lodge, Lamberton Lodge No. 476, Brother Paul E. Sirbak. Brother Paul immediately became my mentor. He introduced me to the members, explained the Craft and invited me to get involved with the lodge. He continued mentoring me and suggested that I start to learn the guide work and the ritual. After a few months, and a lot of Brother Paul’s time, I was able to confer the First Degree at an Extra Meeting. Afterwards, Brother Paul congratulated me and put me on the task of learning the Second Degree.

During the time we spent together, I started to learn more about Brother Paul and became acquainted with many other brethren through him. One of the brethren who Brother Paul brought with him was Brother Reno Constanza. Brother Reno transferred his membership due to relocating from Philadelphia to Lancaster. Brother Reno, nearly blind and with no immediate family, became a good friend of Brother Paul’s. At first, I thought the two brothers were related, later finding out that they were friends through lodge. Brother Paul took care of the maintenance on Brother Reno’s home, took him to doctor’s appointments and haircuts, invited him to holiday meals and made sure he never missed a Masonic function.

Besides being a well-respected Mason in the district and a friend to many, Brother Paul is a Vietnam veteran with a Purple Heart, an electrician, plumber, sailor, husband, father, grandfather and just a good man. Not knowing very much about the fraternity before I joined, I am very happy to have had the opportunity to learn from Brother Paul.

Most importantly Brother Paul, through actions, not words, taught me the values of our Craft: honor, integrity, honesty, compassion, charity and knowledge … all of which I found through Brother Paul and his love for his family, friends, country and fraternity.”

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