Once again Father’s Day has rolled around again like it does every year. The question comes to mind – Is this just another day to boost the greeting card and restaurant business? Or does it perhaps have some special significance to Freemasons?
Are we not one of the few social/charitable organizations that binds its membership with a strong moral message? Doesn’t that distinguish Freemasonry above and beyond what constitutes most groups and societies? Do we not tout ourselves, as Freemasons, that we make good men better? Perhaps then family values are also among the many virtues that Freemasons promote.
Will you take the FATHERHOOD PLEDGE then today?
Reprinted with permission from Dr. Brother Gerry L. White, LMSW, PHD author of The Pledge and additional words by Brother Douglas Evans.
Brothers, many times when we say that Masonry is a beautiful system of morality veiled in allegory and illustrated through signs and symbols…we forget the key word is Morality. I have grown so much since I was raised in 1994, that the teachings of this institution take a greater and deeper meaning in my life more and more. My lodge Brother is a licensed social worker and family therapist and he developed an Obligation for Fathers; Hope it helps you like it has me:
FATHERHOOD PLEDGE
OF CARING, COMMITMENT AND CONSISTENCY
Honoring
“YOU” A New Father
I ___________PLEDGE TO BE A CARING, COMMITTED AND CONSISTENT FATHER, GRANDFATHER, UNCLE, CO-PARENT OR ANY OTHER
“REAL MODEL”
IN THE LIFE OF MY CHILD(REN).
AS A CARING FATHER,
I _____________
PLEDGE TO SHOW UNCONDITIONAL LOVE TOWARDS MY CHILD(REN). TO ADMIT WHEN I’M WRONG OR MAKE MISTAKES, AND INSTILL DISCIPLINE AND REASONABLE CONSEQUENCES SHOULD MY CHILD(REN) BEGIN TO GO ASTRAY.
AS A COMMITTED FATHER,
I _______________
PLEDGE TO DEDICATE MYSELF TO THE WELL BEING, EMOTIONAL, EDUCATIONAL AND SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT OF MY FAMILY; TO AVOID, WHENEVER POSSIBLE, MAKING COMMITMENTS I CAN NOT KEEP, AND TO KEEP COMMITMENTS THAT I MAKE;
BE IT FINANCIAL, ATTENDING SCHOOL FUNCTIONS OR ANY OTHER CHILD RELATED ACTIVITY I’VE AGREED TO ATTEND; AND TO COMMIT MYSELF TO ESTABLISHING AND/OR MAINTAINING A POSITIVE WELL FOCUSED RELATIONSHIP WITH HIS/HER MOTHER.
AS A CONSISTENT FATHER,
I__________________________
PLEDGE TO BE A CONSTANT FIGURE IN THE LIFE OF MY CHILD(REN) REGARDLESS OF MY EMPLOYMENT STATUS, FINANCIAL STATUS OR RELATIONSHIP WITH THOSE AROUND THEM.
FOR I UNDERSTAND THAT CARING AND COMMITMENT IS MEANINGLESS WITHOUT CONSISTENCY.
I MAKE THIS PLEDGE FREELY AND WILLINGLY BEFORE THE
EYES OF GOD, GUEST WHO ARE IN ATTENDANCE TODAY,
AND MY FELLOW FATHERS WHO ARE DEDICATED TO A LIFETIME OF CARING, COMMITMENT AND CONSISTENCY.
Dr. Gerry L. White, LMSW, Ph.D.
W. C. Thomas Lodge #112 MWPHGL GA
