Member Spotlight Archives

The 2023 Conference of Grand Masters and George Washington Masonic National Memorial Centennial

A Special Member Spotlight Edition

MCSA representatives attended the 2023 Conference of Grand Masters and George Washington Masonic National Memorial Centennial held in Arlington, Virginia, from February 17-21. MCSA served as a registered sponsor for the event, providing an excellent opportunity to create awareness with representatives from Grand Lodges across the United States, Canada, Mexico, and around the world.

With the wonderful turnout and in an exciting nod to the past GWMNM, the Grand Masters were able to recreate the LIFE magazine photo from 1956 – just look at how we’ve grown! We were also able to, in uniform, join the festivities with a few member jurisdictions from Ohio, Oregon, Washington, and Pennsylvania participating in the parade! If you’re interested in viewing the recordings of the parade and Cornerstone Rededication Ceremony at the GWMNM, click here!

1956 Grand Masters

2023 Grand Masters

MCSA’s Informational and Expansion Opportunities

In addition to hosting an evening reception – an event that we owe to the support of the Masonic Home of Missouri and the Grand Lodge of Missouri – MCSA had an informational table in the Masonic Marketplace exhibit hall to make our mark and take part with active participation that drew the attention of those in attendance. The event provided terrific opportunities to introduce and emphasize the benefits of a MCSA membership, speak with prospective members individually, and answer any questions that anyone might have had.

Barbara Ramsay Speaking at the 2023 Conference of Grand Masters and George Washington Masonic National Memorial Centennial

Barbara Ramsey, Executive Director of the Masonic Home of Missouri and Past Chair of MCSA, presented at a general session that was well-attended by many jurisdictions. In addition to sharing what MCSA is and what we do, she described how the Masonic Home of Missouri has transitioned from a “brick and mortar” community to an outreach-based organization, extending its mission in a practical, valuable way.

The MCSA board will meet for a strategic planning session later this month, during which we will continue developing a plan for the implantation of initiatives to grow our membership and add value to our current members. Look for updates soon!

What’s Next for MCSA?

To keep up to date with our upcoming events, stay tuned into our Events Page on our website! For now, we look forward to our annual MCSA conference taking place from June 11-13 in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. Get ready to enjoy targeted education sessions, entertainment for all, and a tour of our host, Three Pillars’, beautiful community.

If you haven’t registered, do so today by clicking here!

2023 Conference of Grand Masters and George Washington Masonic National Memorial Centennial Photo Gallery

Parade at the 2023 Conference of Grand Masters and George Washington Masonic National Memorial Centennial

Staff photo by James Cullum: The City of Alexandria Pipes and Drums marches in the George Washington Birthday Parade in Old Town on Presidents Day Feb. 20, 2023

Learn more about the programs at the Masonic Home of Missouri!

Behind The Programs at the Masonic Home of Missouri!

Our member spotlight is one that prides themselves on the impact that they make on their communities. Learn more about the fundamental programs at the Masonic Home of Missouri!

Creating-A-Partnership (CAP)

Beyond helping Masonic individuals and families, the inception of the Creating-A-Partnership Program (CAP) 20 years ago allows the Masonic Home of Missouri to assist Missouri Masons and Order of the Eastern Star members make a positive impact for children in their own communities. The CAP Program has been a significant win for many communities throughout Missouri! It is not enough for communities to survive, it is necessary for them to thrive for generations to come, and the Missouri Lodges and Chapters are doing the work to ensure this happens. Last fiscal year (FY22), 34,662 children were helped through the program and 113 Lodges and Chapters provided over $777,500 for their communities.

This is a milestone to be truly celebrated! Follow our Facebook page for more success stories.

Veteran Flag Presentations

As we arrive into a new “normal” post pandemic, the public recognition of Veterans in Lodges and Chapters is revitalized. As a Fraternity, it has always recognized the importance of Veterans, and the programs at the Masonic Home of Missouri ensure this is upheld with a unique and personal Masonic Flag Presentation.

Presenting the Flag is an honored tradition and program at the Masonic Home of Missouri

Harry S. Truman reminds us that, “our debt to the heroic men and valiant women in the service of our country can never be repaid.” The Masonic Home of Missouri is living by these words to repay this debt.

This meaningful ceremony brings in Masonic elements and provides a permanent reminder of that recognition in the presentation of a flag, pin and certificate. This past year there have been over 300 ceremonies across the state.

As 2023 gets underway, the core mission of the Masonic Home of Missouri resides in its ability, not only to serve those in need with a multitude of wrap around services, but to ensure the charity is protected for generations to come. Having a membership and communities who care, not only about today, but respect the past and are planning for the future ensures there will be a Masonic Home of Missouri (while not of brick and mortar) when needed most.

Learn more about the upcoming events on our page!

There’s No Place Like Home – We Are Where You Are!

The Masonic Home of Missouri has evolved beyond a physical home. The Masonic Home offers multiple programs to help Missouri Masons, their wives or widows, Eastern Star ladies, and children, wherever they live. Since 1991, the Masonic Home of Missouri’s shift into Programs has allowed the organization to grow beyond a building into an organization with unlimited potential. And this past year proves that!

This past fiscal year, (FY21-22) has been an exceptional year for the Masonic Home of Missouri. For the first time since the inception of the Outreach Programs, over $2 million of direct assistance was provided to clients. This does not include operational costs, meaning every donor dollar went directly to help someone in need. With an estimated 44,042 lives impacted in one year, these numbers are the highest since the Masonic Home came into existence, and far surpasses the number of people that could have been helped in a facility.

For more stories and information, visit our publications online, or our website.

The Programs categorize into three areas. Financial, Partnership, and Resource & Recognition Programs. With a total of 10 programs ranging from Long –Term to Short –Term Financial Assistance, Children’s Outreach, Creating-A-Partnership, Social Services, Widows and Veterans Recognition, Masonic Family Cares, Partnering to Honor, and Financial Education Programs. The Masonic Home of Missouri truly is where our members are, whenever they need us.

Click here to learn more, and access our directory here.

The cost of living for the MCSA villagers. How much to live in a retirement community?

Cost Essentials of Continuing Care Retirement Communities

Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRC) offer multiple levels of active retirement and health care options – retirement living (independent living), personal care, and skilled nursing on the same campus. How the cost of health care is covered depends on the plan offered. Upon moving into a CCRC, residents select one of these plans:

Type A – Lifecare

Under a Lifecare contract, offered at Masonic Village at Sewickley, residents pay an upfront entrance fee and an ongoing monthly fee that bundles most of the cost for day-to-day living. Residents who transfer from retirement living to health care pay essentially the same monthly fee in place at time of transfer. Most communities will adjust the monthly fee for the additional meals provided in personal care and skilled nursing.

Entrance fees are higher because you’re covering a full range of future possible health challenges.
The monthly fee remains virtually the same if your health needs increase.
Most residents qualify for tax advantages.
Preferred by residents looking for cost certainty and financial protection of their savings/assets.

Type C – Fee for Service

Under a fee for service contract, residents pay an upfront entrance fee and an ongoing monthly fee that bundles most of the cost for day-to-day living. Entry fees and monthly fees are lower upon entry into active retirement living, but residents pay the full cost of personal care or skilled nursing for as long as needed at market rates.

The entrance fee allows the community to charge a lower monthly fee than Lifecare communities.
This plan does not provide for tax write-off since heath care services are not pre-funded.
Savings and assets are potentially depleted paying for health care.

Some CCRCs offer a  rental option without an entrance fee requirement. Residents who choose this type of contract pay a higher monthly fee and assume the full risk of the cost and self-coordination of their future care.

Visit our cost page for more information on retirement living fees.

How residents raised 60K in scholarships for their servers at the MCSA restaurants

Residents Raise $60K for Staff Scholarships

Thanks to the generosity of Masonic Village residents, 11 dining room servers received $4,000 college scholarships.

Faced with staff shortages affecting the food services industry as a whole, Masonic Village had to pause table service in its restaurant. Residents wanted to help with the situation, and being aware of scholarship programs at local schools, formed a Dining Services Scholarship Committee, which includes four residents and Eric Gross, executive director. Their aim was to help recruit servers, many of whom are high school and college age, by offering them assistance with their future education through scholarships made possible through donations from residents.

“With the scholarship program, we thought it might encourage people to work here and put in more time and be rewarded,” committee co-chair Mike Glenn said. “We were so successful, we were able to increase our initial offer from $1,500-$2,000 scholarships to $4,000 scholarships. These kids are really great people. They’re good students and going into interesting areas of study.”

To qualify, servers must have worked at least 312 hours, submitted a short essay and application and already be attending or accepted to college. In total, more than $63,000 was contributed during what will become an annual campaign. The additional funds collected will be used for next year’s scholarships.

“Masonic Village feels like family,” said scholarship recipient David Binley (shown above right with residents Marlene and Bill Moisey), who has worked as a server since 2019 and is an economics major at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown. “I appreciate going to work every day. I enjoy bringing in new people, training them and helping them see it’s a great place to work. I thank everyone who contributed. It was very, very generous.”

Recipients, in addition to David, include: Hunter Brace, studying business at Slippery Rock University; Mia Burens, studying biology/pre-med at University of Pittsburgh; Natalie Grillo, studying accounting at Penn State University; Miranda Johns (shown above left with residents Janet Maier and Randy Glass), studying forensic science/law at Duquesne University; Megan Meng, studying biology/pre-med at Duquesne University; Dylan Palmer, studying exercise science at Chatham University; Mary Pangburn, studying psychology/pre-med at Boston College; Zoe Staley, studying nursing at Beaver County Community College; Samuel Veleke, studying chemistry at University of Central Florida; and Jennifer Weiss, studying nursing at Carlow University.

The program is already having a positive impact on the recruitment of new servers. In the first three months of 2022, Masonic Village hired one server. In the following three months, after publicizing the scholarship program, Masonic Village hired five new servers, increasing the average total number from 24 to 30.

If you know someone interested in job opportunities at Masonic Village at Sewickley, visit our Careers page!

Leaving A Legacy

After 45 years of servant leadership to the Masonic Villages of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, Brother Joseph E. Murphy retired Dec. 1, 2019, leaving behind a legacy of compassion for others and a selfless commitment to quality care and services.

Joe joined the Masonic Homes of Elizabethtown in 1974. A licensed Nursing Home Administrator, Joe earned his bachelor of business administration from Penn State University. He served as Executive Director/CEO for the Masonic Homes from 1983 to 1997, as Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) from 1997 to 2000, and as CEO since 2000 of the renamed Masonic Villages’ operations at Dallas, Elizabethtown, Lafayette Hill, Sewickley and Warminster, Pennsylvania. Under Joe’s leadership, the Masonic Villages expanded its home and community-based services, outreach services and management and consulting services. In 2013, he also became CEO of Ashlar Creative Solutions, a subsidiary of the organization, and through this, became part of the Masonic Village at Burlington, New Jersey, team.

A lifelong advocate for long-term care, Joe was appointed by the Governor and served on the Intra-Governmental Council on Long Term Care from 1998 – 2005. He was again appointed by the Governor to serve on the Pennsylvania Senior Care and Services Study Commission from 2008 – 2010. A past president of MCSA, Joe also served as a member of the House of Delegates for LeadingAge, is a past president of the Board of Directors for LeadingAgePA and was a member of the American College of Health Care Administrators for many years.

“It’s a blessing to be part of an organization that cares for so many people who otherwise would have no place else to go to receive the quality care and services they need and deserve,” Joe said. “It’s the mission that has kept me here all these years.”

Understanding that the Masonic Villages’ Mission of Love is only possible through the efforts of devoted staff, Joe requested the establishment of the Helping Hands Fund to assist Masonic Villages’ employees across Pennsylvania when they have a need. The fund is intended to alleviate the burden of unforeseen challenges, such the loss of a loved one; health issues; caregiving responsibilities; or financial pressures, such as the inability to afford food, utilities or rent. On Nov. 15, MCSA presented Joe $500 for the fund in honor of his retirement. (Pictured with Joe are Carl Anderson, President, along with board members Adrienne Staudenmayer and Ginny Migrala.)

An active Pennsylvania Mason, Joe is a member of Abraham C. Treichler Lodge No. 682, Elizabethtown, and several appendant bodies, having also served on the advisory board for the local DeMolay chapter. Joe received the 33rd degree in Freemasonry in August 1996; the Pennsylvania Franklin Medal in December 2005; and the Chapel of Four Chaplains Humanitarian Award in 1988. In 2007, he received the LeadingAgePA Paul P. Hass Lifetime Achievement Award. He is an active member of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church and honorary member of the Elizabethtown Rotary Club.

Best wishes to Joe Murphy and his wife, Barb, for the greatest of health, happiness, love and blessings as they embark on a well-deserved retirement filled with plans for travel and quality time with family.