Catholic Scouting Updates
Spring 2024 | Office of Evangelization & Catechesis
Local Scouts Earn Religious Emblems
As you may know, the Office of Evangelization & Catechesis has hosted an annual diocesan Catholic Scouting recognition ceremony in the past. More recently, the Office has shifted from recognizing scouts at a diocesan ceremony to awarding the emblem at the end of a weekend Mass at the scout’s parish. Families have really appreciated the personal attention and it is a wonderful way to educate the greater parish community about Catholic Scouting. Below are the names of scouts who have earned emblems and been recognized over the last several months. Congratulations!
John Schenker
Justin Colabufo
Caleb Esposito
Zachary Thiers
Antonette Volpe
Margaret Chamberlain
Marshall Harrison
Noah Quinto
Logan Schroeder
Anthony Morelle Jr.
Julietta Crowe
If there is interest in having a religious emblem presented at the end of a weekend Mass at the scout’s parish, please contact Mark here.
Ad Altare Dei Class Forming in Fall 2024
An Ad Altare Dei course is being organized to start in fall 2024! This is for all youth in BSA (including troops, venturing and sea scouts). Ideally, this is for youth ages 13-14, but any youth ages 11-17 who have completed 6th grade can work on this Religious Emblem. If youth are interested in attending or you are an adult who would like to help, please contact Colleen Trevisani here or at 585-672-5568.
Scouting Units Invited to Engage in Eucharistic Pilgrimage
From May 17 to July 16, 2024, Catholics across the country will be engaged in a Eucharistic Pilgrimage. Local Scouting units are invited to participate on the leg of the pilgrimage that makes sense for them - there are four main routes. Plan now – and find out if Scouts can assist local organizers to make the Eucharistic Pilgrimage a success. The pilgrimage culminates in a Eucharistic Congress that will take place from July 17-21, 2024 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, which all Catholic Scouts and their families are invited to attend.
Scouts Encouraged to Participate in Youth LEAD Weekend
Camp Stella Maris
(Livonia)
A weekend for high school youth (grades 9-12) to learn how to be leaders in their faith. Youth LEAD will share practical skills and a clear vision of leadership that will allow youth to follow the call of our Church to be the Body of Christ in the world. More information will be shared in the coming months.
Eucharistic Revival Award & Patch for Scouts
In support of the National Eucharistic Revival, the National Catholic Committee on Scouting has initiated a Eucharistic Revival Award. The goal of this award is to find a way for all Catholics, young and old, to revive their faith and love of Jesus through prayer and the sacraments, especially the Eucharist. This award has a main central patch and an opportunity to earn eight auxiliary patches, five of which can be worn surrounding the central patch. Hopefully, while earning the main patch and auxiliary patches, everyone will grow in knowledge of the Eucharist and, more importantly, grow in a desire to have a personal experience of Jesus in the Eucharist.
To earn the central patch and any of the auxiliary patches, there is only one requirement for each. For the main patch, the requirement is: Attend Sunday Mass and receive the Eucharist (if made First Communion and have no moral impediment) for 12 weeks, preferably consecutively. For more information, read the letter below.
Scouting in the Catholic Church Conference
July 14-20
Philmont Training Center
Cimarron, NM
This is a GREAT way to learn more about Catholic Scouting, meet fellow Scouters and families and enjoy the beauty of Philmont. See God’s handiwork in a sunset, watch the deer and antelope play and make new friends in this inspirational setting. Youth ministers, clergy, scout leaders, families – all are welcome to come for a faith-filled, informative and fun week. Mass is available daily and Philmont offers many additional activities for your enjoyment. Find out more and register by clicking the button below! Please contact Kathy Polowski with any questions at kpolo55@gmail.com.
Troop Affiliation Agreement
For all girl scout troops affiliated with a parish or school in the Diocese of Rochester. A Troop Affiliation Agreement must be completed. For a copy of the agreement, click the files below. For more information contact Mark Capellazzi at Mark.Capellazzi@dor.org.
Spring Blessings & Happy Easter!
Happy Easter! There is new life all around us. There are buds on trees, flowers springing from the ground, and grass growing. We find new life in our church as well as we continue to celebrate the joy of the Resurrection. I hope you will prayerfully consider how you may help bring new life to scouts' relationship with God. The Office of Evangelization & Catechesis and the National Eucharistic Revival continues to provide helpful resources for bringing faith into scouting. I encourage you to check out the resources available below. Please know I am always here to assist you in your work!
Mark R. Capellazzi
Project Coordinator for Youth & Young Adult Ministry
Diocesan Liaison for Catholic Scouting
About Us
The Rochester Diocesan Catholic Committee on Scouting (RDCCS) is a diocesan committee affiliated with the Youth Ministry Department of the Diocese of Rochester. The RDCCS consists of registered adult representatives within the Boy Scout and Girl Scout programs of the seven Boy Scout Councils and two Girl Scout Councils serving within our Diocese. The RDCCS meets throughout the year. We hope that through this we can help and assist you to find the data and information that will make your efforts easier and more fruitful.
Email: Mark.Capellazzi@dor.org
Website: https://oec.dor.org/youth-ministry/catholic-scouting/
Location: 1150 Buffalo Road, Rochester, NY, USA
Phone: (585) 328-3210