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Questions - 2007
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Who are the Shriners?
brotherhood of
men...dedicated to fun and fellowship...but with a serious
purpose.
 hriners are distinguished
by an enjoyment of life and a commitment to philanthropy. They enjoy parades, trips dances, dinners, sporting events and
other social occasions. They support what has been called the
"World's Greatest Philanthropy." Shriners Hospitals for
Children is a network of 22 pediatric specialty hospitals,
operated and maintained by the Shrine. All children, up to 18
years old , may be eligible for treatment at Shriners
Hospitals if they, in the opinion of the hospital's chief of
staff, could benefit from the specialized care available at
Shriners Hospitals. Eligibility is not based on financial need
or relationship to a Shriner.
What is Masonry and what is its connection
to the Shrine?
In order to become a
Shriner, a man must first be a Mason. The fraternity of
Freemasonry is the oldest, largest and most widely known
fraternity in the world. It dates back hundreds of years to
the time when stonemasons and other craftsmen gathered in
shelter houses or lodges. Over the years, formal Masonic
lodges emerged, with members bound together not by trade,
but by their own desire to be fraternal brothers.
The basic unit of Masonry
is the Blue Lodge, where members earn the first three
Masonic Degrees known as the Entered Apprentice, Fellow
Craft and Master Mason. There is no higher degree than that
of Master Mason (the Third Degree).
fter
he becomes a Master Mason, he can belong to many other
organizations which have their roots in Masonry and which
have Blue Lodge Masonry as a prerequisite. Only when a man
has achieved the status of Master Mason can he petition to
become a Noble of the Shrine of North America.
Other affiliated Masonic
organizations include the Ancient and Accepted Rite of
Freemasonry (Southern
Jurisdiction, U.S.A.,
Northern
Jurisdiction, U.S.A and
Canada)
and the York Rite.
In a unique interdependent
relationship, the Shriners and Shriners Hospitals are separate
but inseparable.
The Shriners of North America supports Shriners Hospitals in
many ways: Shrine Temples and Clubs often help arrange and pay
for transportation for children and parents to the hospitals,
and thousands of Shriners spend many hours of their own time
driving families to the hospitals and entertaining the
patients.
In addition, Shriners helps
support the hospitals financially, with each Shriner paying an
annual $5 hospital assessment. Temples and Clubs also hold
many fundraisers, some of which benefit Shriners Hospitals for
Children.
What are the benefits of becoming a Shriner?
-
Membership in a well-known
fraternal organization recognized for its social and
philanthropic activities.
-
Opportunity to develop
lasting friendships with others from all walks of life
-
A variety of social
activities available for the entire family and many
special-interest groups to meet individual interests
-
The privilege of being
part of the "Worlds Greatest Philanthropy," offering
Shriners many opportunities to find personal fulfillment and
satisfaction through supporting Shriners Hospitals for
Children.
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