Scouts: Earn Your Catholic Religious Emblems!
The Winnebago Catholic Committee on Scouting would like to encourage every registered scout of the Catholic Faith to earn a religious emblem. The Catholic Religious Emblems programs help a Scout to strengthen their relationship with God. In addition to receiving a medal upon completion, a Scout is also entitled to wear a BSA Religious Knot over their left pocket. There are four religious emblems available for Scouts to earn based on their age. A Scout may choose to earn one or more.
Light of Christ is designed for 6 and 7 year old Cub Scouts (Tiger or Wolf) of the Catholic Faith. The purpose of this program is to help the Cub Scout develop a personal relationship with Jesus and come to see Jesus as a real person and friend. This religious emblem supports the role of parents as the primary catechists of their children.
A program to introduce Scouts and their parents to the Light of Christ and help get them started is scheduled for the evening of September 19th at the St. Mary’s Center in Gilbertville. For more information or to register, please contact Paula Even at 319.231.7317 or [email protected] (please put “Scouts” in subject). Registration due September 10th.
Parvuli Dei is open to registered 8 to 10 year old Cub Scouts (Bear or Webelos) of the Catholic Faith. The purpose of the Parvuli Dei (Children of God) emblem is to help young boys explore a wide range of activities in order to discover the presence of God in their daily lives as members of their families and parishes, and also to develop a good, positive self-image through the contributions they can make to the group or community.
A Parvuli Dei program is scheduled for the evenings of September 19th and October 17th at the St. Mary’s Center in Gilbertville. For more information or to register, please contact Paula Even at 319-231-7317 or [email protected] (please put “Scouts” in subject). Registration due September 10th.
Ad Atare Dei is designed for youth 13-14 years old (6th grade completed), though older boys may use this program. The purpose of the Ad Altare Dei (to the altar of God) program is to help Catholic Boy Scouts develop a fully Christian way of life in their faith community. The program is organized in chapters based on the seven Sacraments. The seven Sacraments are a primary means toward spiritual growth.
This fall there are two opportunities from adjoining councils to participate in an Ad Atare Dei program. The first is scheduled for Sunday afternoons September 23 – November 11 from 4:00-5:15 p.m. at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church in Hiawatha. Please contact Steve Serrot at 319-378-3992 or via email at [email protected] for further information or to register.
The other is an Ad Atare Dei Retreat scheduled October 20th at Divine Word in Epworth. A follow up day after the retreat at Divine Word would be scheduled in November in two locations, Waterloo and Decorah, so Scouts can choose the closest location to attend. To register for the October 20th retreat, please contact Paula Even at 319-231-7317 or [email protected] (please put “Scouts” in the subject). Deadline is October 12th. Limit 40 Scouts.
Pope Pius XII is designed for age 15-16 years old, but all registered Venturers (male or female before their 21st birthday) and all registered Boy Scouts (in high school, before their 18th birthday) are eligible. This program deals with different life choices (single, married, religious, ordained), occupations and ministries in the church as calls from God. It includes youth led discussions on current issues facing the church and society.
A program is scheduled for Sunday afternoons September 23 – November 11 from 4:00-5:15 p.m. at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church in Hiawatha. Please contact Mike Beke at (319) 447-4214 or via email at [email protected] for further information or to register.
A scout, who has submitted the signed paperwork and appropriate money for Light of Christ, Parvuli Dei, Ad Atare Dei, and Pope Pius XII awards to Deacon Michael Klappholz by January 4th, is invited to the Archdiocesan Mass to receive their medal. The Archdiocesan Mass is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. on January 20, 2013 at St. Raphael Cathedral in Dubuque.
Lastly, Units chartered by a Catholic institution (parish, Knights of Columbus, etc.) are eligible for the Catholic Quality Unit Award, the Pope Paul VI Award. For an application and a list of requirements, please go to the National Catholic Committee on scouting website at http://www.nccs-bsa.org/ScoutUnits/CatholicQualityUnitAward.php.
If you have any questions about Catholic Scouting or religious emblems, please contact the Winnebago Catholic Committee on Scouting Chair Bill Schmid at 319-236-1049 or [email protected].
