Catholic Scouting
Overview
The National Catholic Committee on Scouting
...celebrating 75 years of service to our Catholic Scouting population.
2012 Diocese of Raleigh Catholic Camporee
March 23-25, 2012
Camp Tuscarora, Bentonville, NC
For information contact:
Herb McGrail
On this page:
Organization
Chaplain: Fr. Scott McCue
Email: Frscottmccue@aol.com
Phone: 919-942-1040
Chairman: Mr. John Leighton
Email: jleighton@suddenlink.net
Phone: 252-939-9553
Vice-Chair: Dr. Pete Anderson
Email: pete@andersoncrew.com
Phone: 910-692-4204
Recording Secretary: Mrs. Deborah Wiggins
Email: deborah.wiggins@us.army.mil
Phone: 910-424-6703
Religious Emblems Chair: Mr. Jim Cichetti
Email: jimcichetti@hotmail.com
Phone: (919) 782-3834
Treasurer & Communications Chair: Mr. Frank Jackson
Email: Frank.Jackson.Sr@hotmail.com
Phone: 919-303-2399
Cub Program Chair: Mrs. Stacey Larkins
Email: thelarkins6@yahoo.com
Phone: 910-717-0947
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Boy Scout Council Representatives
Occoneechee Council - Mr. Jim Cichetti, email: jimcichetti@hotmail.com
Tuscarora Council - Mr. Gary Fornecker, email: fbo@mindspring.com
East Carolina Council - Herb McGrail, mcgrailh@whitlock.com
Cape Fear Council - Mr. Bob Kain, email: kain3656@bellsouth.net
Tidewater Council - Mr. Rusty Waldrop, email: r.waldrop@mchsi.com
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Membership
The Raleigh Diocese CCOS is open to all Catholic Scouters working with Catholic and non-Catholic sponsored Scouting Units in the Diocese. This includes Cub Pack, Webelos, Boy Scout Troops, Venture Crews, Girl Scout and Brownie Troops.
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Objectives and Mission
- Foster Scouting as an integral part of Total Youth Ministry in the Raleigh Diocese
- Assist Catholic Parishes and other Catholic Organization such as the Knights of Columbus and Parish/Pastoral Councils in the process of sponsoring and Chartering new Scouting Units
- Promote the Religious Emblems Program for Scouts of all faiths
- Provide training and approval for Catholic Religious Emblems Counselors
- Support the Raleigh Diocese Safe Environment program, and provide adult training for all scout leaders.
- Convene Boards of Reviews for Ad Altare Dei and Pope Pius XII Emblem candidates
- Process Emblems applications
- Promote the Pope Paul VI National Catholic Quality Unit Award, as the Raleigh Diocese Quality Award
- Provide opportunities for Catholic Scouts to come together at an annual retreat and camporee
- Promote Scout Sunday Observances
- Provide opportunities for fellowship and service among Catholic Scouters in the Diocese
- Promote recognition of Catholic adult Scouters who devote their time and talents to Scouting in Eastern NC
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Religious Emblems for Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts
Boy Scouts
- Light of Christ:
A registered Tiger or Wolf Cub Scout of Catholic Faith may earn this emblem. The Scout must complete the requirements before starting third grade.
- The purpose is to help the Cub develop a personal relationship with Jesus. With the parents' active assistance and participation in this program, it is hoped that the Cub will come to see Jesus as a real person and his friend.
- Parvuli Dei:
A Registered Bear or Webelos of Catholic faith that has completed the 2nd grade may earn this emblem. 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.
- Ad Altare Dei:
Eligibility: Before work on the workbook begins, the approval form must be signed by the applicant, parent, counselor, Unit leader, and pastor.
- A Boy Scout of Catholic faith.
- The content is designed for 13 and 14 year olds.
- Older Scouts may also work on the program.
- Active member of the Troop for six months.
- Completed sixth grade before starting the program.
- The purpose of the Ad Altare Dei (to the altar of God) program is to help Catholic Scouts of the Roman Rite develop a fully Christian way of life in the faith community. The program is organized in chapters based on the seven Sacraments. The seven Sacraments are a primary means toward spiritual growth.
- Pope Pius XII:
Eligibility: A registered youth member of the Boy Scouts of America of the Catholic faith.
- Has started ninth grade.
- Designed for age 15-16 year 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.
- Pope Pius XII is Catholic Scouting's church-related ministries and vocation program.
- The 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, which are normally included as part of a Pius XII retreat or day of recollection.
- Light is Life:
- A member of an Eastern Catholic church
- A registered member of the Boy Scouts of America, active in your troop for at least six months, and completed sixth grade before beginning the program
- Designed for the 12-13 year old. Other Scouts, older or younger may use the program.
- This program is to be used as an alternate to the Ad Altare Dei program. It is not appropriate to work on both programs.
- Complete the program before your 18th birthday to receive the recognition. For Scouts who are mentally or physically handicapped, the program may be made more flexible.
- The "Light is Life" is a program developed by the National Catholic Committee on Scouting (NCCS) for Boy Scouts of the Eastern Catholic churches. Light is Life respects the cultural and ritual differences among the various Eastern Catholic Churches.
- The overall goal of the Light is Life religious emblem program is to bring about in the Scout, through his Eastern Christian Scouting experience, a deeper awareness of his share in faith-life. Then going forth, he will witness this life through maturity in communal worship and in Christian formation of his world.
Please note that all Light of Christ and Parvuli Dei applications can be sent directly to the following address once they have been signed by the pastor or pastoral administrator. Cub Scout applications do not need to be processed through the RCCOS.
Send the completed application to:
Andrea Stone
The Catholic Center
715 Nazareth Street
Raleigh, NC 27606.
The emblem and invoice will be mailed back to the person who sent it. Once you have received the emblem, work out a time for the presentation with your pastor or pastoral administrator.
All Boy Scout applications (Ad Altare Dei and Pope Pius XII) are first processed through the RCCOS due to the fact that a board of review is required. Contact Mr. Jim Cichetti, jimcichetti@hotmail.com, (919) 782-3834, for information about AAD and Pope Pius XII boards of review.
Girl Scouts
Family of God is the official religious recognition program of the Roman Catholic Church for children in grades 2-3 who are enrolled in the Girl Scouts, Camp Fire, and other Catholic youth organizations.
Family of God is a bilingual activity series developed to complement the catechetical efforts of the parish and families with children in the second and third grades. Revised and transliterated into Spanish in July 2004, the program helps children discover the presence of God in their daily lives as members of their family and parish. The six chapters cover:
- I am special to my family
- I am special to God's family
- I belong to my family
- I belong to God's family
- I can help my family
- I can help God's family
The I Live My Faith program is designed to help Girl Scouts and Camp Fire members, grades 4-6, appreciate more deeply the place that God and religion occupy in their daily life. The action-oriented activities focus on developing awareness within the individual of his/her potential as a growing person, friend, family member, citizen, and a participant in the community of faith.
The program is divided into three chapters:
- Stretching
- Seeking
- Finding
Each of which blends the dimensions of discovery, prayer, service, and sacrament into a unified whole. I Live My Faith complements and supports the more formal religious education provided in Catholic schools and parish programs.
The Marian Medal program is written for young Catholics, grades ages 7-10, to enable them to "proclaim the greatness of the Lord." This is accomplished by actively involving the participants in an understanding of Mary as a model of openness and spirituality—a woman of the church.
Through various projects, discussions, and liturgical celebrations over a period of months, the participants are provided with a unique opportunity to develop new insights into their personalities, friends, parents, and the world around them.
The Spirit Alive program is designed for Catholic youth in high school who are in the senior level of Girl Scouts or Horizon Club members of Camp Fire. It assists them in discovering how the Holy Spirit moves in their lives, calling them to greater participation in the church's ministry. The four chapters cover:
- The Holy Spirit Alive in Scripture
- The Holy Spirit Alive in the Catholic Church
- The Holy Spirit Alive in Prayer
- The Holy Spirit Alive in Your Life
Activities are an integral part of The Spirit Alive process. Because different people have different learning styles, there are four categories of activities to choose from for chapters 1-3:
- written
- artistic
- interactive
- digital
The activity in Chapter 4 is the service component of the process.
St. Agnes Patch
As the Patron Saint of Girl Scouting, Saint Agnes is a model for all Girl Scouts. The Diocese of Raleigh created a special patch so that girls can learn about her virtuous life to follow her example, have fun while doing so, and earn religious recognition in the process. The link below provides the requirements, answers, and order form.
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Becoming a Certified Religious Emblems Counselor
Those working with Boy Scouts on either Ad Altare Dei or Pope Pius XII must be a certified Religious Emblems Counselor. The following are the requirements for becoming a certified counselor:
- Complete the Religious Emblem Counselor Application (PDF)
- Attend an initial training session (held twice annually)
- Be a registered member of the Boy Scouts of America
- Complete Diocesan Safe Environment Training
Emmett J. Doerr Memorial Distinguished Scout College Scholarship (PDF)
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Adult Recognition
Although adult scouters cannot earn a religious emblem, they can be recognized for their service and dedication to Catholic Scouting. Adults can be recognized through a variety of diocesan, Boy Scout and Girl Scout medals.
- Download Adult Recognition Nominee Form (to be used for all adult recognition awards below): PDF | Word
Jan Malkiewicz Distinguished Award of Merit: The Jan Malkiewicz Distinguished Award of Merit is a diocesan award which recognizes adult service within the diocese, local scouting, or the substantial promotion of religious emblems within their local area. It should be used when an adult has not quite fulfilled the requirements for Bronze Pelican, but nonetheless deserves recognition as a spiritual youth leader among their peers. This award is named in honor of the late Jan Malkiewicz who dedicated his life’s work and service in support of all Catholic youth through Scouting programs, the Knights of Columbus, and in scholarship throughout the Diocese of Raleigh.
Bronze Pelican: The Bronze Pelican is a diocesan award which recognizes the outstanding service the nominee has given to the spiritual development of Catholic youth through the Scouting apostolate in the Diocese of Raleigh.
St. George: The St. George Award is a national honor which recognizes the outstanding service the nominee has given to the spiritual development of Catholic youth through the Scouting apostolate in general. Please note that in the Diocese of Raleigh a person must receive the Bronze Pelican before they are honored with the St. George Award.
The Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Award is for adults who have made contributions of a notable nature to the spiritual development of youth. They may have made this contribution through any church sponsored program serving youth, including Girl Scouts. It is available to both lay and religious leaders.
The Saint Anne Medal is a national award for adults who have made outstanding contributions in any program that serves youth. In the Diocese of Raleigh, a recipient of this medal must have previously received the Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Award.
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Resources for Catholic Girl Scouts and Campfire Participants
Below is a link from the National Catholic Committee for Girl Scouts and Campfire. It is a "training manual" for teaching adults how to develop the Catholic Recognition Awards for Girl Scouts.
RCCOS Girl Scout contact: Tia De Maria, tiademaria@gmail.com
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Unit Awards
Pope Paul VI National Quality Unit Award (PDF)
Events
RCCOS Upcoming General Meetings
- 2/25/12- 10am at Our Lady of Guadalupe in Newton Grove, NC
- 5/19/12-10am at Our Lady of Guadalupe in Newton Grove, NC
RCCOS Upcoming Events
Religious Emblems Counselor Training: March 24, 2012; 10:00 am at Camp Tuscarora, Bentonville, NC
Raleigh Diocese Catholic Camporee: March 23-25, 2012 - Camp Tuscarora, Bentonville, NC
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Additional Information
Eagle Scouts & Gold Award Recipients
If you have an Eagle Scout or Girl Scout Gold Award recipient that would like to receive a congratulatory letter from the Catholic Committee on Scouting, please send an email to Fr. Scott McCue at frscottmccue@aol.com.
Arrow of Light Recognition Card
If your son has earned his Arrow of Light award in Cub Scouts and you would like to congratulate him in a special way, this card is the answer. The card is sponsored by the Raleigh CCOS and signed by the Bishop of Raleigh. Please contact Fr. Scott McCue at frscottmccue@aol.com with your request for a card. Please provide your scout’s name and mailing address in the text of your email.
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Links
National Catholic Committee on Scouting: http://www.nccs-bsa.org
Occoneechee Council: http://www.ocscouts.org
Tuscarora Council: http://www.bsanc.org
East Carolina Council: http://www.eccbsa.org
Cape Fear Council: http://www.capefearcouncilbsa.org
Tidewater Council: http://www.tidewaterbsa.com