HOBART – Young people from throughout the Diocese of Gary gathered at St. Bridget on March 1 to receive awards at the annual Gary Diocese Catholic Committee on Scout Religious Emblems Mass celebrated by Bishop Robert J. McClory and Father Benjamin Ross, pastor scout chaplain for the diocese.
Bishop McClory not only congratulated the boys and girls from Scouting America (formerly Boy Scouts of America) and American Heritage Girls for earning their medals and certificates, but likened them to the disciples in the day’s Gospel, (Matt. 17:1-9), which told the story of Jesus’ Transfiguration.
As “Jesus took Peter, James and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves,” the bishop spoke of the award recipients as having “a mountaintop experience that can impact us for the rest of our lives.”
He noted that Peter offered to pitch tents for Jesus and his companions, Moses and Elijah. Scouts also pitch tents on camping trips and learn other useful skills. After their “special moment of glory” with Jesus, the disciples had to return to the real world and learned the importance of their mountaintop trip only after the resurrection of Christ.
“We can use our special skills and moments we have in the future,” Bishop McClory said. “It stays with us; the Lord wants us to hold on to those special moments … the awards you receive today are something you can take with you.”
The bishop shared that Father Ross, an Eagle Scout, uses skills he learned in Scout Troop 533 in Munster to spend his vacations backpacking in national parks. “Do you pitch a tent?” the bishop asked the priest. “Yes, sometimes in bear country,” replied Father Ross.
The purpose of the Light of Christ emblem program is to help the Cub Scout develop a personal relationship with Jesus. With the parent’s active assistance and participation in this program, it is hoped that the Cub will come to see Jesus as a real person and friend.
Receiving the Light of Christ on March 1 were: Liam Kwilosz of St. Michael the Archangel Pack 504; Carlos I. Ayala, Aria W. Cano, Philomena Delgado, Jamison Jasso and Jack Gregory Stosich of Our Lady of Guadalupe, St. John the Baptist and Sacred Heart Pack 773; Simon Arnold and Jayden Greiss of Queen of All Saints Pack 876; and Alexander Aschenbach, Grant Burrows, Logan Ebben, Samuel Kozmel, Thomas Perezchica and Damon Shaffer of St. Thomas More Pack 936.
The purpose of the Parvuli Dei (Children of God) emblem program is to help Cub Scouts explore a wide range of activities, discover the presence of God in their daily lives as members of their families and parishes, and to develop a good positive self-image through the contributions they can make to their family, Cub Scout Pack and community.
Recipients of the Parvuli Dei Award are: Joey Osman of St. Michael the Archangel Pack 504; Samuel Popiela of St. Mary (Griffith) Pack 525; and Christian Arnold, Claire Martenies and Matthew Meyer of Queen of All Saints Pack 876.
The Ad Altare Dei Religious Emblem for service by Scouts BSA to their parish, originally established for altar servers, was earned by: Leticia Romero of Sacred Heart Troop 219; Juan Diego Ayla, Thomas DeLaRosa, Charles Stosich and James Stosich of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Our Lady of Nazareth and Our Lady Immaculate Troop 276; and Alexander Admave, Benjamin Admave and Brooklynn Butler of St. James the Less Troop 623.
Pope Pius XII Religious Emblems went to Jacob Devon of St. Matthias Troop 48 and Marty Jarvis and John Rybicki of St. Thomas More Troop 542.
The Pillars of Faith – Duty to God Pin, awarded to Scouts who earned all four previous awards, was presented to Jacob Devo and Marty Jarvis.
Joey Lucas, of Crown Point, an adult Scouting volunteer who grew up as a member of Crown Point Boy Scout Troop 45, was surprised with the coveted Bronze Pelican Award for charity, fortitude and self-sacrifice.
A graduate of Valparaiso University in chemistry and secondary education, he taught at St. John Bosco School in Hammond last year and is likely headed to graduate school before returning to teaching at the high school level.
As a Boy Scout, Lucas, 24, earned the Pillars of Faith – Duty to God Pin and an international award, and now assists with religious emblem awards, retreats and Eagle Scout Boards of Review.
American Heritage Girls, a relatively new Christian program whose aim is “building women of integrity” offers not only religious awards, but badges in skills such as World Studies, archery and cooking.
The Diocese of Gary sponsors Catholic American Heritage Girls Troop IN2020, and has joined the diocesan religious emblems recognition program.
American Heritage Girls offers four levels of its awards, and those presented on March 1 were the God and My Family and God and My Country awards. A third award is the God and My Community award.
God and My Family guides Catholic Tenderhearts through an awareness of who they are as children of God in the family of the Catholic Church. Girls will learn about the Holy Mass, sacraments, traditions, and history of the Catholic Church with fun, hands-on activities. Tenderhearts are encouraged to explore and perform works of charity for their families and neighbors.
This award was presented to Abigail Carmona at Level 2.
God and My Country allows Catholic Explorers to learn about various saints representing the United States of America. Explorers enrich their faith by exploring Catholic elements that are most important to those saints, including the Eucharist, Corporal Works of Mercy, and missionary work. Also known as Deus et Patria Mea, it is thought-provoking, hands-on, and will foster a desire in Explorers to serve Jesus Christ through His Holy Church.
Receiving the God and My Country emblem was: Eva Carmona at Level 1 and Eulala Carmona, Mary Keenan and Jane Swift at Level 2.
“Part of this Catholic religious emblem program is parallel to faith formation, which synergizes with the values of Scouting,” said Father Ross. “These awards can help Scouts learn and better practice their faith.”
For more information about Catholic Scouting Religious Emblems, contact Father Benjamin Ross at 942-6441 or frbenjaminross@gmail.com, or Sue Kresich at 384-5755 or smjkresich@att.net. For more information on American Heritage Girl Catholic Faith Awards or Troop IN2020, which meets from 6-8 p.m. on the second and fourth Friday every month at St. Joseph in Dyer, contact Emily Hackett, troop shepherd, at 776-2454 or ehackett@stm-school.com.
Caption: Scouts and American Heritage Girls are congratulated by (back row center) Diocese of Gary scout chaplain Father Benjamin Ross and Bishop Robert J. McClory after receiving their religious emblems during the Gary Diocese Catholic Committee on Scouting Mass hosted by St. Bridget in Hobart on March 1. Families were invited to a reception after the annual Mass. (Marlene A. Zloza photo)
