Grand Rapids Catholic Committee

GRAND RAPIDS CATHOLIC COMMITTEE ON SCOUTING

HOSTS FIRST

CATHOLIC SCOUT RETREAT IN TWENTY FIVE YEARS

Let the vision of the youth of today come true, the vision of a world united in genuine brotherhood, governed by true justice and guided by lasting peace. A world characterized by "a deep trust in man and a deep trust in the grandeur of the human vocation". An unfailing hope sustained by realism and responsibility, optimism and hard work will certainly lead to that goal. - Archbishop Stanislaw Rylko

Driving into the peaceful and serene setting of the Franciscan Life Process Center quaintly nested in the countryside of Lowell, Michigan; the excitement was building as the Grand Rapids Catholic Committee on Scouting hosted the first Catholic Scout Retreat in nearly a quarter of a century in the Diocese of Grand Rapids and the Gerald R. Ford Council. Held August 7-9, this retreat would also make history as the first Catholic Scout Retreat ever to incorporate both the Girl and Boy Scout programs, with the goal of providing Catholic Scouts an opportunity to live their faith with Scouting.

As a scatter of light rain fell and the sun set across the grove, the weather did not dampened spirits as more than 110 campers arrived at the 230-acre farm for the weekend’s festivities. Matt Galloway of Aquinas College and his team, the Life Force Team of West Catholic High School were inspirational, reaching all ages with moving and spiritual testimonies, music, prayer, and fellowship.

As a means to further develop their Catholic faith retreatants were offered a number of different workshops and trainings. Scouts participated in several faith building activities, a session teaching them how to pray the Rosary, and thus earning a Rosary Patch, and a presentation allowing them to earn one of the Footsteps of American Saints patches.  Adult Scouters were able to participate in training sessions for Catholic Religious Emblems Counselor, Youth Ministry, and Scouter Development offered by GRCCS Training Chairman, Deacon Leo Ferguson of St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Grand Rapids.

The weekend retreat also included several service projects with the Franciscan Sisters; bailing of hay, repair and maintenance of several farm buildings, shoveling wood chips and weeding allowed Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, parents and leaders to come together and offer their help. On Saturday evening, Father Andy Thomson, C.Ss.R of St. Alphonsus Parish in Grand Rapids was on hand to celebrate Mass and administer the Sacrament of Reconciliation during the evening Eucharistic Adoration.  The Knights of Columbus of Bishop Kevin Britt Council 13526 of Belmont and Martin H. Carmody Council 389 of Grand Rapids also offered their support with the preparation of meals for the retreat.

In a moment of reflection, Tom Magnifico, GRCCS Chairman, remarked, “We do have much to be proud of, it was an excellent retreat.  “Awaken” was a wonderful selection for the retreat, hopefully through the efforts and hard work of those from Life Force Team, and our team, we truly did awaken our Catholic faith in all the Scouts, both Boy and Girl, who attended.  I was very inspired just witnessing the faith shown by Matt and his team. We are truly blessed.”

2010 Catholic Scout Retreat is scheduled at the Franciscan Life Process Center on August 6, 7, 8. Please join us.

Cub Scout Pack 3283, finalist of the 2007 and 2008 of the Gold Medallion, of Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Belmont will be hosting its' annual Rosary Hike. The hike will begin at  the entrance to John Ball Zoo in Grand Rapids, MI beginning at 12:00 noon, hiking 3 miles while praying the rosary. (This will give participants plenty time to attend the Scout Recognition Mass at St. Adalbert Church.) For more information, please contact Daina or Pete Luczyk at the following email: luczyks@hotmail.com.

As we begin to celebrate 100 years of Scouting in the United States, it is important to know that 100 years ago our country was still a mission country in the eyes of the Roman Catholic Church. Bishop Fredrick Baraga was the Missionary Priest that established the mission church on the west side of the Grand River in what is now Grand Rapids for the Ottawa in 1832.   He spent the next 36 years ministering to Native Americans and settlers from Europe.  Missionary priests brought the Roman Catholic Church to America and continue to bring our faith to all corners of the World.  To celebrate 100 years of Scouting, the Grand Rapids Catholic Committee on Scouting is offering the opportunity for Scouts to earn the Bishop Baraga Missionary Trails Award.

Complete all of the following:

1.     Give a brief history of a Missionary Priest that served the Catholic Church in your Diocese.  Bishop Baraga must be used for this requirement for the Grand Rapids Diocese.

2.     Explain the difference between a Missionary Priest and a Diocesan Priest.

3.     Visit a Catholic shrine and give a brief history of the shrine.

4.     Pray the Stations of the Cross at the Shrine and describe the Crosses that a Missionary Priest may encounter as they spread our Catholic Faith throughout the World.

5.     Attend a Mass at a church that was operating when the Boy Scouts of America was founded in 1910.

6.     Explain how you as a Catholic Scout in the United States in 2010 can be like a missionary.

7.     Prepare a map that shows the locations that the Missionary you choose preached the Word of God and Evangelized the native people.

The above requirements have been completed by ______________________________________ Date______ Approved by _______________________________(Parent, Scout Leader or Pastor)

Mail the completed form along with $15.00 for each medal and $3.00 shipping and handling to:

 Grand Rapids Catholic Committee on Scouting

 6550 Belmont Ave NE

 Belmont, MI 49306.

Please send the Baraga Award(s) to:

Name:________________________________________ Address: ________________________________________

City, State & Zip: ________________________________________

Please contact Scott Harvey at 616 364 9086 or by e-mail scottharvey@prodigy.net with any questions.

Dear Catholic Friends,

Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts throughout the Diocese of Grand Rapids that have attained their religious emblems, Rosary patch, and/or International Awareness emblems in 2009, shall be recognized for their efforts to strengthen their moral character and virtue at the annual Scout Recognition Mass on Feb. 28, 2:00 PM Basilica of St. Adalbert, 701 4th Street, NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504.

In addition, exemplary Catholic leaders who have been nominated and selected for the Bronze Pelican and for units that have attained Catholic Quality Unit or Gold Medallion will also be recognized for their contributions to the spiritual development of Catholic youth through Scouting. A reception will be held after mass at the church.

Please RSVP by 2/26: Scott Harvey (616) 364-9086 or via email: scottharvey@ prodigy.net. 

One clear goal of the Grand Rapids Catholic Committee on Scouting as members gathered to implement their plans was to finance two Boy Scouts or Venturers for full scholarships to the Saint George Trek held at Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimarron, New Mexico, July 21-August 5, 2009. Many applications arrived for consideration and the committee delivered on its promise, announcing Charlie Reader of Troop 1190 and Patrick Byars of Hudsonville Troop 146 as the recipients of the St. George Trek scholarships for 2009.

As sixty-four Scouts around the country arrived at the Madonna Retreat House in Albuquerque, New Mexico on July 21, Roman Catholic Diocese of Grand Rapids was among the 48 arch/dioceses from twenty-six states represented on the trek. Crew Advisors included Bishop Dan Conlon of Steubenville, Ohio, and six priests from California to New York as well as an Air Force Chaplain. By the beginning of the eleventh day, crews had hiked 50 plus miles of the Sangre de Cristo Range of the Rocky Mountains. The program not only included horseback riding, mountain climbing, blacksmithing, black powder rifles, prospecting for gold, and conservation projects but also added a spiritual dimension by celebrating Mass on top of the 12,000 foot Mount Baldy, praying daily on the trail, and sharing faith and fellowship.

Launching the 100 Years of Scouting, the Grand Rapids Catholic Committee on Scouting is looking forward to sponsoring two more Catholic Scouts on the St. George Trek in 2011.