February 8, 2023 at 4:37 p.m.
‘A SCOUT IS REVERENT’
‘A SCOUT IS REVERENT’
The BSA’s National Catholic Committee on Scouting (NCCS) seeks applications from qualified candidates for scholarships that will be awarded for the 2023-24 academic year.
“The committee recognizes the need for Scouts to begin their careers with a well-rounded college education,” noted Greg Szczesny, chair of the Albany Diocese’s Catholic Committee on Scouting. “These scholarships help pave the way for a successful youth in Scouting to become a successful adult who will give back to the Scouting program by supporting youth from the next generation.”
The NCCS was formed in response to the growing need for Catholic programming for Scouts throughout the U.S. In 1922, the first Diocesan Catholic Committee on Scouting was established in New York. Ten years later, the committee was expanded to include bishops from across the country and in 1933, the Bishop’s committee became part of the Bishop’s Conference, the forerunner to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB).
Today, many dioceses nationwide have robust Catholic Committees on Scouting that help promote the message that “A Scout is Reverent” — the 12th point of the Scout Law — through various activities and programs.
A total of $27,000 in scholarships is available each year to qualified Catholic Scouts who are service-oriented high school seniors in a BSA Program and plan to continue their education. Of that total, $20,000 is available through the Emmett J. Doerr Memorial Scholarship, offering seven separate scholarships ranging in levels from $5,000 to $2,000.
Since 2005, NCCS has awarded $218,000 in scholarships to 98 Scouts nationwide. Scouts who apply have demonstrated leadership and service in four areas: church, community, school and scouting; have earned the Eagle Badge, Summit, and/or Quartermaster Award and at least one of the following NCCS Religious Emblems: Ad Altare Dei, Pope Pius XII or Light is Life (Eastern Rite).
The 2023 scholarship application is available online. The application deadline is March 1. Additional information is available through www.catholicscouting.com/start-working-on-the-nccs-scholarship-requirements-now.
“We’re spreading the word to all Scouts and scouting units about this opportunity,” noted Szczesny. “There are many Scouts within the Albany Diocese who readily qualify for these scholarships.”
SCOUT SUNDAY
“A Scout is Reverent” — A Scout promises to “do my duty to God.” What does this mean?
It means a Scout is devoted to his or her religious beliefs while showing respect to others who have different beliefs.
The Boy Scouts of America (Scouting USA) celebrated the anniversary of its founding on Feb. 8, with Scout Sunday on Feb. 5, launching the start of Scout week. Due to scheduling conflicts some parishes and churches will celebrate Scout Sunday on Feb. 12, at the end of the week.
The Girl Scouts also have similar observances during Girl Scout Week each March, learning more about their faith and about other faiths, and thanking their faith partners for their support throughout the year. The Girl Scouts celebrate their Scout Sunday on March 12.
Here are some facts about Scouting:
• Eleven of the 12 men who eventually walked on the moon were former Scouts. The first lunar landing module was called the “Eagle.”... (“Mission control — the Eagle has landed.”) The pilot of the module was Neil Armstrong — an Eagle Scout.
• President Gerald R. Ford was an Eagle Scout.
• 85 percent of FBI agents were Scouts. Scouting teaches one to be resilient, investigative and agile by nature, all qualities that help applicants pass the rigorous examination process to be an FBI agent. Scout Sunday is a perfect time to recognize the contributions of the young people and adults to scouting
The Scouting program in the Albany Diocese is more than just an activity for our youth to learn about the outdoors. Scouting at all levels provides for fellowship and training to our youth. It emphasizes honesty, self-reliance and respect. Throughout this year-round program, Scouting helps our youth develop good character, citizenship and personal fitness. But the success of Scouting depends on the volunteers, who serve in a variety of leadership and behind-the-scenes roles, so that our youth may benefit from our Scouting ministry. Scouting is youth ministry!
We salute the splendid volunteers who serve as Cubmaster, Scoutmaster, or Venturing Advisor, and the many other positions required to keep our Scout units running. Scout units in our Diocese invite you and your family to be part of a Scout group in your community. Also, consider becoming part of the Albany Diocese Catholic Committee on Scouting. This committee works with Catholic Scouts throughout the Diocese, encouraging them to earn the Catholic emblems available to all Scouts. To find out more about Catholic Scouting and the programs available to Catholic Scouts visit the National
Catholic Committee on Scouting website or contact Szczesny at [email protected]. Patches commemorating Scout Sunday 2023 in the Albany Diocese are available through the Diocesan’s Catholic Committee on Scouting at [email protected].
ANNUAL RETREAT — SUNDAY, MARCH 18
The Diocesan’s Catholic Committee on Scouting will sponsor its annual retreat for Catholic Youth on Saturday, March 18, at St. Edward the Confessor Church in Clifton Park.
This full-day program, running from 1-9 p.m., features a number of sessions that help guide youth through their faith journeys. It also fulfills the retreat requirement for Confirmandi preparing to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation but who are unable to attend their own parish’s Faith Formation’s retreat program. Dinner and an evening DJ are part of the retreat program. Contact Szczesny at [email protected] for additional information and to register for the retreat.
RELIGIOUS EMBLEM AWARDS
Boy Scouts of America (Scouts BSA and Cub Scouts) and Girl Scouts of the USA of Catholic faith are encouraged to earn religious emblem awards sponsored by the NCCS and the local Catholic Committee on Scouting.
These programs encourage Scouts to grow stronger in faith within their denominations. The Diocese of Albany has the resources to help your Scout connect with the appropriate age-related program and help Scouts earn their awards. For more information, contact [email protected].
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