Roman Catholic 
Diocese of Ogdensburg

Light of Christ

Eligibility

  • Registered Tiger or Wolf Cub Scout of Catholic Faith.
  • The Scout must complete the requirements before starting third grade.

Purpose

  • The purpose is to help the Cub develop a personal relationship with Jesus. With the parents' active assistance and participation in this program, it is hoped that the Cub will come to see Jesus as a real person and his friend.

Program Objectives

  • To support the role of the parents as the primary catechists of their children.
  • To have the Scout identify Jesus as a real person and as his friend.
  • To foster early family religious involvement.
  • To be a stepping stone toward Parvuli Dei and the other religious emblems, when the parents are involved.
  • To serve as a catalyst to draw the parents into a deeper involvement with the church, through the child.

Requirements

  • Each Cub have his own Activity Book.
  • The book is designed for the Cub and his parent or guardian to work together.

Program Completion

  • When the Cub completes all steps, he is presents the book to his parish priest or the priest's representative and the book is reviewed with the Cub.
  • After the priest or representative signs the book, it is sent to the diocesan chaplain for final approval.

Presentation

  • The emblem and knot may be presented at a diocesan or parish ceremony.

Scout's Role

  • Actively work on the activities with his parents or guardians.
  • Keep the Religious Emblems Counselor informed of his progress.

Parents' Role

  • Actively work on the activities with their son. He may need your help with Bible readings and getting information.
  • Keep the Religious Emblems Counselor informed of the Cub's progress.

Suggested Time Requirements

  • One to ninety day(s).
  • Although the book could be completed in four to six hours, the goal of earning a religious emblem is to help the Cub develop a personal relationship with Jesus, so it is suggested that steps be spread over several weeks. This will help the Cub understand that this is a long-term commitment, not a one-time project.

Steps

  • Step 1 - Families
  • Step 2 - God's Call
  • Step 3 - Eucharist
  • Step 4 - Forgiveness
  • Step 5 - Family of God

Parvuli Dei

Eligibility

  • A Registered Bear or Webelos of Catholic faith.
  • Completed second grade.

Purpose

  • The purpose of the Parvuli Dei (Children of God) emblem is to help young boys explore a wide range of activities in order to discover the presence of God in their daily lives as members of their families and parishes, and also to develop a good, positive self-image through the contributions they can make to the group or community.

Program Objectives

  • To help the Scout of his age develop an awareness of God's love for each one of His special, unique created beings.
  • To help the Scout become aware and understand his identity as an important member of his family, his community, and as a member of the Family of God.
  • To continue to develop an awareness as members of the parish and the Body of Christ.
  • To aid the Scout in his awareness of the responsibilities that grow out of God's love for us.

Requirements

  • Each Cub must have his own Activity Book.
  • The book is designed for the Cub and his parent or guardian to work together.
  • The Cub will be required to make a banner as part of the requirements.

Program Completion

  • When the Cub completes all steps, he presents the book to his parish priest or the priest's representative. The Cub and parent or guardian meet with the priest to review the book.
  • After the priest or representative signs the book, it is sent to the diocesan chaplain for final approval.

Presentation

  • The emblem, knot, and card are presented at a diocesan or parish ceremony.

Scout's Role

  • Actively work on the activities with his parents or guardians.
  • Keep the Religious Emblems Counselor informed of his progress.

Parents' Role

  • Actively work on the activities with their son. He may need your help with Bible readings and getting information.
  • Keep the Religious Emblems Counselor informed of the Cub's progress.

Suggested Time Requirements

  • Thirty to ninety days.
  • The goal of earning a religious emblem is to help the Cub develop a personal relationship with Jesus, so it is suggested that steps be spread over several weeks. This will help the Cub understand that this is a long-term commitment, not a one-time project.

Steps

  • Step 1 - God and His Creation
  • Step 2 - God Our Father, His Son Jesus Christ, and I
  • Step 3 - Jesus, Our Church, and I
  • Step 4 - Jesus, His People, and I
  • Step 5 - Children of God, Other Cub Scouts, and I

Counselor's Role

  • The Counselor needs to be approved in accord with local (Arch)diocesan guidelines and follow all Church and/or BSA youth protection guidelines.
  • All religious Emblem Counselors and Facilitators must have current BSA Youth Protection Training, unless the local diocese (Eparchy) requires other specific youth protection training or certification.
  • Use the AAD Counselor Guide.
  • Counsel the participants when required, and in general facilitate (keep moving and on track) the general discussion.
  • Hold weekly meetings lasting 60-90 minutes.
  • Guide the Scout through the religious emblems program by:Helping the Scouts experience Christ's deep love for them as individuals.
  • Helping the Scout go beyond the surface answers of childhood.
  • Showing them that your caring for them is not dependent on their behavior, but rather because you accept them as Christ accepts each of us.
  • Encourage greater participation of Catholic Scouts in the religious programs of the Church.
  • Promote the Spiritual component of Scouting within the parish and unit. (A Scout is Reverent).
  • Help create an atmosphere with the unit conductive to the development of religious vocations.
  • Provide guidance and assistance to non-Catholic boys in the unit and in the neighboring units, urging them to participate in the religious emblem program of their own church or synagogue.

Scout's Roles and Responsibilities

  • Attend weekly meetings. If a Scout misses more than 2 meetings, it should be determined if the Scout should continue with the program.
  • Work through the Ad Altare Dei Scout Manual with your counselor using a Bible where appropriate.
  • Be prepared to share experiences at the Board of Review.
  • Attend a retreat or Day of Recollection while working on the AAD program.

Parents' Role

  • Support the Religious Emblems Counselor in his/her role.
  • Support your son as he shares lessons with the family.

Suggested Time Requirements

  • The program is designed to be completed in 6-8 months.

Steps

Section 1: Introduction
     Chapter 1: Sacraments and Sacramental in Our Daily Life

Section 2: The Sacraments of Initiation
    Chapter 2: Baptism
    Chapter 3: Confirmation
    Chapter 4: Eucharist

Section 3: Sacraments of Healing
    Chapter 5: Reconciliation
    Chapter 6: Anointing of the Sick

Section 4: Sacraments of Service (Commitment)
    Chapter 7: Holy Orders
    Chapter 8: Marriage

Pope Pius XII

Eligibility

  • A registered youth member of the Boy Scouts of America of the Catholic faith.
  • Has started ninth grade.
  • Designed for age 15-16 year old, but all registered Venturers (male or female before their 21stbirthday) and all registered Boy Scouts (in high school, before their 18th birthday) are eligible.

Purpose

  • Pope Pius XII is Catholic Scouting's church-related ministries and vocation program.
  • The program deals with different life choices (single, married, religious, ordained), occupations and ministries in the church as calls from God.
  • It includes youth led discussions on current issues facing the church and society, which are normally included as part of a Pius XII retreat or day of recollection

Requirements

  • Ideal group size is 4-12, but the course may be run with smaller groups.
  • The program should be run by the candidates themselves, the adult serves as a facilitator.
  • A number of interviews and an investigation of a controversial issue facing the church or society are integral to the program.
  • A retreat experience, ideally centered on the Pius XII program itself and a ministries service project are required.

Program Completion

  • Complete requirements for all units in Pope Pius XII Religious Emblem Scout Manual.
  • Pass a Pope Pius XII Board of Review
  • Pope Pius XII Board of Review is made up of former Pope Pius XII recipients with adult leaders acting in an advisory and supervisory capacity.

Presentation

  • Ideally, the religious emblem will be presented to the Scout at the annual Youth Recognition Ceremony held in the (arch) diocese/eparchy each year.
  • The religious knot should be presented at a unit ceremony.

Facilitator's Role

  • A facilitator should have the same attributes as those of a facilitator described in the Ad Altare Emblem.
  • A facilitator needs to be approved according to guidelines established by the (Arch) diocesan/ eparchial Catholic Committee on Scouting.
  • Facilitators must have current BSA Youth Protection Training, unless the local diocese (Eparchy) requires other specific youth protection training or certification.
  • Use the Moderator Guide.
  • Form the group.
  • Act as facilitator, not group leaders
  • Help the candidate focus on essential elements and important issues.

Scout's Role

  • As an older Scout/Venturer, the candidate is expected to actively share in group discussions and complete all interviews and activities.

Parents' Role

  • Support and encourage their youth’s participation in the program.

Suggested Time Requirements

  • It is suggested that the group meet for nine to twelve sessions. As the youth are older, two hour sessions seem to work well, and flexibility is often required in scheduling sessions and interview feedback.

Sections/Goals

  • Unit I – "In the beginning": To examine the individual’s I have chosen to associate with, and to explain the implications of those choices.
  • Unit II – "God and You" : To explore what it means to be called by God through the Sacraments of Initiation, and how these calls continue to affect my life.
  • Unit III – "Life Choices": To examine and discover various "life states" to which God may be calling me.
  • Unit IV – "9 to 5": To examine various professions or occupations, and seek to discover the ones to which God may be calling me.
  • Unit V "Here I am": To examine various ministries, and seek to discover ones to which God might be calling me.
  • Unit VI - "A melting Pot": To examine the Church’s definition of vocation and how it and God’s call intertwine in an individual’s daily life through life state, occupation and ministry.
  • Unit VII – "Putting it all together": To aid the participants in a realization that our faith and call from God affect our daily life and how our daily life affects our faith and call from God.

Family of God

Description

The Family of God program is an activity series developed to complement the catechetical efforts of the parish and families with girls in 1st through 3rd grades (ages 7-9). The program helps children discover the presence of God in their daily lives as members of their family and parish. Parents and guardians play a large role in assisting the young person in completing this program. The program book includes a guide for adults.

I Live My Faith

Description

The I Live My Faith program is designed to help Girl Scouts, in 4th through 6th grades (ages 10-12), appreciate more deeply the place that God and religion occupy in their daily life. The action-oriented program activities focus on developing awareness within the individual of his/her potential as growing person, friend, family member, citizen, and a participant in the community of faith. The program is divided into three chapters, Stretching, Seeking, and Finding each of which blends the dimensions of discovery, prayer, service, and Sacrament into a unified whole. To assist adults working with groups of participants, an adult guide is included in the program book.

St. Kateri Tekakwitha

Description

The candidate must be a Campfire Girl or Junior Girl Scout in the fifth grade.The candidate must attend a Catholic school or parish religious instruction.The candidate must talk over with her Moderator and also record the information of the 12 requirements into her logbook.

Logbook and Application Form

Marian Medal

Description

The Marian Medal - Mary, the First Disciple program is written for young Catholics Girl Scouts in 7th through 10th grades (ages 13-16), to grow in appreciation of Mary and in understanding themselves. They will meet Mary in Scripture as a young teenager and follow her journey, as she becomes a woman and the Mother of God. Through various projects, discussions, and liturgical celebrations over a period of months, the participants are provided with a unique opportunity to develop new insights into their personalities, friends, parents, and the world around them. The Marian Medal program book demonstrates the importance of Mary for all generations and cultures. A separate leader’s guide for adults is available.

Spirit Alive

Description

The Spirit Alive is a program designed for Catholic youth in 9th through 12th grades. It assists them in discovering how the Holy Spirit moves in their lives, calling them to greater participation in the Church’s ministry. A separate guide book is available for adult advisors.

Paul VI

Eligibility

Unit must be chartered by a Catholic institution (parish, Knights of Columbus).

Purpose

Cooperation, development, and program are the key words in the recognition of Catholic chartered units in earning the Pope Paul VI unit recognition award. The adult leadership responds to training not only in Scouting lores, but in training in the Catholic Scouter Development, and religious counseling. The Scouts in each Pack, Troop, Team, and Post respond by participating in the religious emblems program respective of their status in Scouting.

Requirements

  pdf Registration form
(must have adobe acrobat reader to view this link)

Presentation

The presentation is made at the Youth Awards Ceremony or other appropriate ceremony.

Suggested Time Requirements

The award covers one calendar year.

Seton Medal

Description

The St. Elizabeth Ann Seton recognition was inaugurated in 1980 to recognize the meritorious contributions of adults who serve Catholic youth through Girl Scouts and Camp Fire. This medal affirms the work of those who help youth develop their spiritual lives within the context of these organizations. It will ordinarily be received before the St. Anne Medal is earned, but is not a requirement for receiving the St. Anne Medal.

St. Anne Medal

Description

The St. Anne Medal is the highest national recognition for adults who serve Catholic youth through Girl Scouts and Camp Fire. The recognition was inaugurated in 1957 and redesigned in 1980.

Purpose

  • to honor the outstanding services of adults who contribute to the spiritual development of Catholic young people in these organizations
  • to further Catholic adult leadership in youth ministry through these national youth-serving organizations

Bronze Pelican

General Information

The Bronze Pelican Emblem is a recognition given by the Diocesan Catholic Committee on Scouting, to the men and women who have made notable contributions to the development of Catholic youth in the Boy Scout programs. The emblem may be presented to any adult who is working in the Scouting program under Catholic auspices or Catholic adults working with Scout units not under Catholic auspices. It may also be presented to Catholic lay people, priests, religious, or even non-Catholics, who have made a significant contribution to Catholic Scouting.Recipients must be exemplary adults, and those who are Catholic must have the approval of their pastors. Units or parishes may recommend candidates for the emblem. Also recommendations can be made by the parish Scout committee, by the pastor, or by individuals or groups who are familiar with the candidate's accomplishments.Nominations should be submitted on the "Bronze Pelican Emblem Nomination form," available from the Diocesan Catholic Committee on Scouting in Ogdensburg. Recommendations should carefully detail how the candidate meets the selection guidelines.Recipients are selected by the Diocesan Catholic Committee on Scouting and emblems are presented by the Bishop at the Diocesan Catholic Scout Gathering.The Bronze Pelican Emblem is a diocesan recognition which is normally presented several years before the national St. George Emblem.

Nomination Form

St. George

General Information

The National Catholic Committee on Scouting, acting through the local diocese or eparchy, may award the St. George emblem to members of the laity and clergy, Scouters and non-Scouters alike, who have made significant and outstanding contributions to the spiritual development of Catholic youths through Scouting.

The recipients of the emblem are to be sought after and selected by an active committee of the (arch)diocese/eparchy. This committee is to be newly-appointed each year by the diocesan Scout chaplain or chairperson.

Nomination forms should give a detailed description of how the nominee provides outstanding contribution to the spiritual development of Catholic youths through Scouting in the Catholic Church. It is improper to nominate oneself or one’s spouse.

General Scouting achievements do not qualify a person to receive the St. George emblem. The Boy Scouts of America has district, council, regional and national awards for such recognition.

Eligibility

  • Any adult who is working in the Scouting Program.
  • May be given to clergy, religious, laity, or Scouters of other faiths.
  • A Scouter does not earn the St. George emblem but is recommended by application to a board of review by another person.

Purpose

  • The St. George Emblem is the National Catholic Committee on Scouting ® emblem awarded by a(n) (arch)diocese/eparchy.
  • The purpose of the St. George Emblem is to recognize the recipient's outstanding contribution to the spiritual development of Catholic youth in the program of the Boy Scouts of America.

Guidelines for Nomination and Selection

  • Promoting the religious emblems programs for Catholic youths or serving as a counselor, moderator or coordinator. Encouraging non-Catholic youths to participate in the religious emblems programs of their own faiths.
  • Giving notable service in promoting Catholic activities and service projects for the church and being willing to serve on committees for those purposes.
  • Actively participating in and promoting Scout retreats and days of recollection.
  • Giving notable service in organizing and maintaining Catholic-chartered Scouting units including multiple units where needed.
  • Giving notable service in bringing the Catholic program to those youths not in Catholic-chartered Scouting units.
  • Using fully one’s general Scouter training as well as “Scouter Development” to provide an outstanding Catholic Scouting program for youths.
  • Arranging opportunities for Mass and other Catholic worship services at camporees and summer camps. These must be consistent with the documents of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops. Providing also for the spiritual needs of non-Catholic Scouts.
  • Encouraging appropriate ecumenism and Catholic leadership within the various Catholic-chartered Scouting units.
  • Using the Catholic press and other communications media to create a better understanding of the aims and ideals of Scouting as an apostolate to youths.
  • Educating clergy and laity about Scouting as a youth apostolate in the Catholic Church.
  • Giving leadership in promoting Scouting for all youths regardless of race or creed. Helping organize Scouting units for minority and disadvantaged youths.

Requirements

  • Completed nomination form returned to the nomination committee.
  • A new nomination form must be submitted each year.
  • A limited number of emblems can be issued each year.
Nomination Form

Number of Awards Available

  • Each (arch)diocese/eparchy can award one emblem annually plus one additional emblem for every 20 Catholic-chartered units or fractions thereof within the diocese.
  • The total number of units is based on the records at the national office on Dec. 31 of the year preceding the nomination.
  • An (arch)diocese/eparchy is not required to present the full quota of emblems each year, but cannot carry over to a following year. Selectivity is important.
  • No posthumous or honorary recognitions are to be made.

Presentation

The emblem is usually presented at an Adult Recognition Dinner or Bishop's Dinner.