THE COMPASS
The Communication of the MWPHGL of KY (4th Edition)
2025 Grand Session Registration Form
2025 Grand Session: July 28th through July 31st, 2025
Location: Holiday Inn University Plaza, 1021 Wilkinson Trace, Bowling Green, KY 42103
Phone: (270)745-0088
HOTEL ROOM RATE: $125.00 STANDARD / SUITE RATE $147.00
HOTEL RESERVATION DEADLINE JUNE 30th
2025 REGISTRATION DEADLINE JULY 11th, 2025
***NO ONSITE REGISTRATION*** ***LATE REGISTRATIONS ADD $50.00***
From the Desk of the Most Worshipful Grand Master
Brothers and Sisters,
We have been busy doing the great works of this order! Our chapters and lodges have been working diligently to provide and participate in community activities and events. Our chapters and lodges have been working diligently to support the efforts of our Grand Lodge. Our chapters and lodges have been traveling and supporting the Grand Cabinet and myself, as we travel to support the activities of other jurisdictions.
Our order traveled to Frankfort, KY for Black History Month recognitions with the KY Senate Black Caucus. During this recognition, Governor Brashear invited our members to his chamber. During this chamber visit with the Governor, I made him and honorary Prince Hall Affiliated Mason. We were then invited to be recognized on the floor of the Senate.
I want to thank all of those who traveled with me to the Midwest Conference of Grand Masters in Cincinnati, OH. We had over 53 members from our jurisdiction represented at the conference.
Thanks to all of my District Deputies for their hard-work and dedication to the order! District meetings have been productive and informative. Please remember the combined South Central and Eastern District meeting that will occur on April 26th in Frankfort, KY.
Finally, please remember to support our Raffle, The Tiger Foundation, and our efforts for the Crusade for Children.
Let's All Remember to Keep Our Lights Shining! In these great times of difficulty we need to stand out and be present in our communities!
Johnny L. Ware, MWGM
The Pink J. Garner College Assistance Award: 2025
Students are encouraged to apply for an award if they meet the following criteria:
1. The applicant is a 2025 graduate of a public high school.
2. The applicant must:
3. Have a minimum 2.5 cumulative high school G.P.A.
4. Provide a copy of your most recent ACT/SAT score
5. Provide at least two letters of recommendation Note: To be considered for the award, the applicant must provide official documentation (transcripts, ACT/SAT score, letters of recommendation, etc.) from their high school.
For consideration, please mail the completed application along with a copy of your most recent official transcript (high school or college) by June 15, 2025 to the address below:
Return Application To:
The T.I.G.E.R. Foundation Scholarship Committee P.O. Box 11839 Louisville, Kentucky, 40251-0839
Commitment to the TIGER Foundation and Crusade for Children
Your TIGER Foundations continues to work in the name of the Prince Hall Masonic Family of Kentucky. Your Foundation continues to support Down Syndrome of Louisville, the Crusade for Children, Christmas Activities and Back to School Activities throughout the Commonwealth, and other community groups that support the welfare of children and families. The Foundation also continues to provide after school tutoring for 10 students 3 days per week. Currently, the foundations is preparing for our Summer Success League Program. This year we will host 30 students for 3 weeks for full days of math, reading and SEL instruction.
Please remember that your $100 donation to the TIGER Foundation and the Crusade provides much need community support and visibility for our great order.
Your donations can be mailed to the following address:
The T.I.G.E.R. Foundation
P.O. Box 11839 Louisville, Kentucky, 40251-0839
From the Desk of the Grand Worthy Matron
Cecelia Dunlap Grand Chapter
Order of Eastern Star of Kentucky, Inc.
Prince Hall Affiliation
I bring you greetings on the behalf of Cecelia Dunlap Grand Chapter of the Order Eastern Star, of Kentucky, Inc. PHA!
Our OES Chapters continue to work diligently in moving the work of our great order forward. Our chapters are continuing to be visible in our communities and providing activities and support to ensure the well-being of all.
I want to thank all of you that traveled to Cincinnati for the 52nd Mid-West Regional Conference of Grand Masters and Masons and the 37th Annual Midwest Regional Conference of Grand Chapters and Eastern Star. Thank you for your attendance and continued support of Kentucky's Prince Hall Masonic Family.
Let us be reminded that our work is never done, and we should all strive to make our communities better places to live and grow!
By God’s grace and for Gods glory,
Carla D. Goode Thomas
Grand Worthy Matron
“Let all that you do be done in love”
Central District Palm Sunday Service
The Central District Palm Sunday Service was held at Greater First Timothy Missionary Baptist Church in Louisville Kentucky
South Central District Palm Sunday Service
South Central District Palm Sunday Service was held on April 13, 2025 at Shiloh Baptist Church in Lexington Kentucky.
Aurora Chapter #96 and Mt. Moriah #1 Pre-Derby Dance
Aurora Chapter No. 96 and Mt. Moriah Lodge No. 1 Pre-Derby Dance Date: Friday, May 2, 2025
Time: 10pm - 2am
Location: Prince Hall Masonic Temple (1304 S. 28th Street)
Tickets: $30
For Tickets Contact:
For Tickets Contact:
Nikki Brown-Young: 502-718 0800
Tycie Watson-Carter: 502-712 1831
Glenn Brown: 502-744-4099
Charles King: 502-303-0855
Damascus Temple #58 Annual Boat Ride
Damascus Temple #58 Annual Boat Ride on the Belle of Louisville Date: Sunday, May 4
Boarding Time: 5:15pm
Cruise: 6-9pm
Tickets: $40 Reserved Tables for 6: $300
For Tickets Contact:
Noble Tony Long: 502- 655 1390 HPP Robert C. Newton: 502 472-1611 or Any Noble
TIGER Foundation Learning Hub Summer Success Program
The Tiger Foundation will host its Summer Success Program (collaboration between JCPS, Evolve502, and Louisville Community Organizations) from June 16, 2025 to July 11, 2025.
Location: Prince Hall Masonic Temple (1304 S. 28th Street)
Days: Monday - Friday
Hours: 8:30 - 2:30pm
Number of Students: 30
Activities:
1. 90 Minutes Math Instruction
2. 90 Minutes Literacy Instruction
3. Social Emotional Learning
4. Choice Physical Activities
If you are interested in assisting, please reach out to Dwayne Roberts (502-609-5307). You will need to complete a background check, prior to assisting.
Prince Hall St. John's Day Celebration
Why do masons celebrate St. John's Day?
June 24th is St. John the Baptist Day, a day meant to celebrate the life and death of St. John the Baptist. Revered as one of Freemasonry's Patron Saints, John the Baptist has deep ties to the early beginnings of Freemasonry and has influenced our fraternity for generations.
Let's Remember the Importance of Prince Hall Masonry
Prince Hall's legacy as a Freemason and a leader has survived with the lodges; Hall is considered the "father of African-American Freemasonry". As a Georgia Mason noted, the original local lodge rules written by Prince Hall and his followers in the late 18th century were the first set of regulations drafted by colored men for self-government in the United States, and Masonry ever since has striven to teach its members 'the fundamentals of central government' which is the basis of American life."[4]: 74 [13]
After nearly two centuries of controversy, the Grand Lodge of England was asked by a US "mainstream" Grand Lodge to decide the matter of Prince Hall Masonic legitimacy.
While no Grand Lodge of any kind is universally recognized, at present, Prince Hall Masonry is recognized by some UGLE-recognized Grand Lodges and not by others, but it is working its way toward further recognition.[25]
When two Grand Lodges recognize and are in Masonic communication with each other, they are said to be in amity, and the brethren of each may visit each other's lodges and interact Masonically. When two Grand Lodges are not in amity, inter-visitation is not allowed.[26] Exclusive Jurisdiction can be waived when the two over-lapping Grand Lodges are themselves in Amity and agree to share jurisdiction (for example, since the Grand Lodge of Connecticut is in Amity with the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Connecticut, the principle of Exclusive Jurisdiction does not apply, and other Grand Lodges may recognize both).[27]
After carefully studying the records, the Grand Lodge of England concluded that the original Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Massachusetts was indeed entitled to Masonic recognition, despite the general tradition of "exclusive jurisdiction", which meant that only one recognized Masonic body could exist in each state.
According to data compiled in 2021, 46 out of the 51 mainstream U.S. Grand Lodges recognize Prince Hall Grand Lodges. The few mainstream state Grand Lodges that currently do not recognize Prince Hall Grand Lodges are located in southern states, an area with an estimated 50% of Prince Hall Freemasons:[28] Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas, South Carolina and West Virginia.[29][30] While African-Americans can join any lodge in North America, Prince Hall Masonry remains a vital part of American tradition.[31]
Submit Articles to Publish in the COMPASS
The COMPASS is designed to share the work that our chapters and lodges are doing in our communities throughout the Commonwealth of Kentucky. We all want to hear about what is going on with Masonry from the Far Eastern District to the Far Western District. If you don't let us know, we won't know.......
Please submit information regarding your events and activities to share with the entire craft. You can submit your articles in the following ways:
1. Send Article and Pictures to robertsdwayne502@gmail.com (attach article as a word document and pictures as a jpeg)
2. Use the link below to access the online submission form and complete all of the sections that apply.
3. Mail pictures and article to:
The TIGER Foundation
c/o Dwayne Roberts
P.O. Box 11839
Louisville, KY 40251-0893
From the desk of the Right Worshipful Grand Lecturer
Just a Thought
When you began your masonic journey as a Mason, the first working tools you received were the 24 inch gage and the common gavel. Why are these 2 working tools given first, out of all the other tools?
Something about these tools make them so special that they had to be first. The operative Mason uses the 24 inch gage to measure and lay out his work. An entered apprentice should use this working tool to divide his time. The working tool is not time nor time is the working tool. But, the 24 inch gage should be working, not time. One shouldn't say I don't have time unless he has truly measured whether or not if the task can be properly performed. This is an example of working. Measuring is working. Looking or viewing is guessing. In order to measure you need a device or apparatus to specifically prove a point or position of a distance exactly every time. My question is, how can you say I can't if you never measured if I can. To me, it's about what are you willing to sacrifice or do to give you the results of what you are due. This is why and how the 24 inch gage is the first working tool that you receive. Measuring determines the start and the end. So constantly using the 24 inch gage is working to make time for those things that matter in life to accomplish a certain goal at the particular time. Always measure twice and cut once!
Brother Terrence Howard P.M. No. 145
Right Worshipful Grand Lecturer 4-13-25