PROVIDENCE— As part of a hiking merit badge, Curtis Miller organized a group hike up New Hampshire's Mount Washington, New England's highest peak. This hike helped him to exercise his leadership skills, achieve a difficult goal, and spend time enjoying the beauty of God's creation.
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Scouting taught Miller, an Our Lady of Providence seminarian, many important values that are shared by the Catholic faith, such as serving others and striving to be a person of integrity. In faith-filled Scouting, these values are lifted up and affirmed by God's grace.
For more than 100 years, Scouting has prepared young men and women for a life of service by helping to build character and encourage a devotion to God in a supportive environment. Known for its ideals and values, Scouting is an effective way to help Catholic youths to do their duty to God and to their country.
For many, the Catholic Scouting experience strengthened a call to dedicate their lives to the priesthood or religious life.
“I truly believe that God used my many positive experiences in scouting to help me hear his call to discern a vocation to the priesthood,” Miller said. “Living and working in a community of other young men striving to live good, moral lives in service of others was also great preparation for living in this seminary community.”
During the Catholic Youth Ministry and Scout Awards celebrated last Sunday, Bishop Thomas J. Tobin encouraged hundreds of young scouts to be open to a call to vocations.
“You need church and the church also needs you,” the bishop shared. “We need your joy, your conviction, we need you to help rebuild the church. Pray seriously to give your lives to the church. We need so many young people to come forth. Listen and respond with generous hearts.”
Fifteen-year old Jared Defond of Manville, who has been a scout for 9 years, was presented with the Pope Pius XII medal, an award that encourages exploring vocations.
“Bishop Tobin asked us to consider where we fit our faith in our lives, and how we are called to serve,” he said. “He was encouraging us to take what we started and stay with it. Scouting is faith-filled. The 12th point of the Scout Law is: a Scout is Reverent. We pledge our duty to God in the Scout oath. We say grace before each meal. We help with his work in our community service and observe his work in the natural settings that we camp in. We make sure that God is included in all that we do.”
Jared’s older brother and parents have also been very active in Scouts. His mother, Suzette, was recently awarded the Bronze Pelican, a diocesan recognition given to adults who have made a significant and outstanding contribution to the spiritual development of Catholic youth in the Boy Scouts of America.
“Scouting is a family oriented program,” she explained. “It leads them to be someone who is able to give back to their community and pass those qualities on to their family and friends and help them be a balanced person as they go through life’s journey.
George Defond and his wife have taken the responsibility of facilitating the religious awards with their troops, a task that requires a great deal of commitment.
“We promise to do our best to do our duty to God, and I take that promise seriously,” he said. “I've always said that our religion is the basis for all moral decisions, making our understanding of our faith very important.”
Sixteen year-old Elizabeth Alberg, received the Spirit Alive Award, which assists young women in discovering how the Holy Spirit moves in their lives, calling them to greater participation in the church’s ministry. Alberg shared that receiving this award was one of her greatest accomplishments.
“I think one of the reasons why not many girls achieve this award is because you need to be fully committed to do this project and it is not something you can just do overnight,” she said. “I am glad that I had time for this project because this award helped me to open more of my heart to God and to keep an open mind that he will always be with me no matter where I am.”
The spiritual emblems earned by scouts promote spiritual growth and invite a deeper appreciation of the faith. The Edward A. McLaughlan, Jr. Award is presented to the Boy Scout Unit, which earns the highest number of spiritual emblems totaled. On behalf of Troup 711, of St. Ambrose Church, Albion, Janet Malenfant accepted the 2011 award. Malenfant explained that the recognition reminds the young Scouts of the spiritual aspect of the program and encourages them to keep the Catholic faith close to their hearts.
“It’s really important. It gives the boys a focus,” she said. “It’s not just about tying knots and camping. It’s about helping others. That is a big part of Scouts. It fits along with what we do in our faith.”
Bishop Tobin thanked the Scouts for their commitment to the church and invited them to renew their faith in Jesus Christ.
“Recognize and affirm your faith life,” he said. “Be a torch shining in the darkness. Scouts, I pray that you will become the torch, the flame of faith, share it courageously with the world.”
