Scouting Is YOUTH MINISTRY
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Scouting is Youth Ministry It is this concept that has brought together members of the clergy, Scouters, Knights of Columbus, Serrans, and the Catholic laity to form the Grand Rapids Catholic Committee on Scouting. Together the collective desire is to bring Catholic Scouts in the Diocese of Grand Rapids a better understanding of their religion, a closer relationship with God, and information about vocations through the programming offered by the National Catholic Committee on Scouting and the Boy Scouts of America. This goal can be realized through the many components that comprise the Grand Rapids Catholic Committee. Scouting is Youth Ministry The membership component works toward fulfilling this concept in many ways. Not only by growing the GRCCS itself, but by working with Boy Scout leadership and the Diocese to bring new charter partners into the fold. Membership also works with our current charter partners toward the goal of making the full scouting family (pack, troop, and crew) available to their youth. There are also national initiatives with the Knights of Columbus and Serra International aimed at making the program and information about vocations accessible to all Catholic youth. Scouting is Youth Ministry Training is essential for a quality program. The Boy Scouts of America says that "every youth deserves a trained volunteer". The same applies to the Catholic Committee program. The training component of the program assures that all adult volunteers have the necessary tools to provide a quality program to the youth participants. It is this group that does Scouter Development, a program that explores and deepens the faith of the volunteers, giving them a basis to work with the youth. Emblems counselor training is also an important part of this group's duties. Assuring that every youth that desires to earn their religious emblem, has a trained counselor to mentor them along the journey. Scouting is Youth Ministry Religious emblems are one of tangible ways to recognize the faith journey taken by the youth and adults participating in the program. For the youth, from Cub Scouts to Venture Scouts, there are emblems to strengthen their faith, bring them closer to God, and teach them about vocations. The Light of Christ, Parvuli Dei, Ad Altare Dei, and Pope Pius XII emblems programs are aimed at specific age groups to accomplish this mission. The Bronze Pelican and St George Award are a way of recognizing the efforts of our adult volunteers. Both of these emblems awarded for service to Catholic youth. Scouting is Youth Ministry The activities component takes on many forms to achieve this concept. Celebrating Scout Sunday at St. Andrew's Cathedral with the Bishop is one of the highlights of this program. Days of service, religious retreats, and 10 Commandment hikes are only just a few of the activities that are in the planning stages. Through these activities and many others like them, the goal is to give the youth the opportunity to gain a better understanding of their relationship to God, to do Christian service, and to deepen their faith. Scouting is Youth Ministry Spreading the good news is essential for the success of the program. This is accomplished through communication. Communication with Boy Scout leadership, the Diocese, our charter partners, the units, and the volunteers and youth is the only way the committee's mission can be accomplished. Though newsletters, such as this, articles in Scout and Diocese publications, and direct mailings the communications component of the committee is spreading the good word about Catholic Scouting in the Diocese of Grand Rapids. Scouting is Youth Ministry The members of the Grand Rapids Catholic Committee on Scouting have taken up this mission, to bring the youth ministry that is Boy Scouting to the youth of the Diocese of Grand Rapids and the Gerald R. Ford Council. If this article and newsletter has caused your heart to stir and your spirit to be touched by the Holy Spirit, join us. Make our mission, your mission. Be a part of the faith formation of our Catholic youth. All are welcome. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Scouting Is Youth Ministry !!!
Yours in Catholic Scouting, Tom Magnifico Chairman, Grand Rapids Catholic Committee on Scouting tmagnifico@aol.com |