Saint George Trek builds character

Transcription

1 NATIONAL CATHOLIC COMMITTEE ON SCOUTING VOLUME 10 NUMBER 4 DECEMBER 2002 Saint George Trek builds character By Father Kevin Smith On July 13, 2002, 58 Scouts, 1 bishop, 10 priests, 2 seminarians, and 3 lay people met for the first time at the Madonna Retreat Center in Albuquerque, N.M. to begin the 2002 St. George Trek. Together, they made it one of the most successful treks ever. The St. George Trek is a national program gathering Catholic youth from around the country for a spiritual, leadership training, and high adventure experience in the beautiful Philmont Scout Ranch high in the Sangre De Christo mountain range of northern New Mexico. The trek is under the guidance of the National Catholic Committee on Scouting and has been since its inception with the first trek in Since 1995, NCCS has had the very generous sponsorship of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order Of St. George, The United States Delegation. The Knights of St. George not only contribute a large financial gift but they send a delegation of knights for the last two days of the trek to meet with the Delegation from the Sacred Military Constantinian Order Of St. George. Participants eager to hike on the 2002 St. George Trek participants and to experience firsthand what the trek is all about. A heartfelt thanks goes out to Mr. David Garrison, Mr. Charles Scholz, and Mr. Samuel Reggie from the Order for their constant support and dedication to the trek. Without them there would be no St. George Trek. The 2002 Trek brought together 50 young men and 8 young women to form six crews. This was the most participants we have had since the first trek. The six crews became six small Christian communities. Priests and seminarians led the five male crews and the female crew was led by two dedicated laywomen. They came from 28 different dioceses (the most ever), from Alaska to New Hampshire, from California to Florida. For the first time ever, our Episcopal Liaison to the NCCS, Bishop Gerald Gettelfinger from the Diocese of Evansville Indiana, who has hiked the trek in 1998, 2000, and now in 2002 was able to spend a couple of days hiking with each crew. This was a great way for each participant to see a bishop in a whole new light. The 2002 Trek was under the leadership of Father Kevin M. Smith, who has been a part of every trek since its planning stages back in He hiked as an advisor in 1992 and since then has been part of the program staff. Father Gerard Gentleman, an Eagle Scout and past Philmont Chaplain, was the Program Director and it was his job to coordinate the retreat aspect of the trek and to facilitate the leadership training and group dynamics of our newly formed crews. Getting everyone to Madonna Retreat Center on time then to Philmont and back again and keeping them well fed was the responsibility of the Logistics Director, Mr. Austin Cannon. Austin (Continued on page 2) Also in this issue Membership initiative begins on a high note Bishops Dinner Hosted by NCCS NCCS asks for help in locating past minutes New Religious emblems video available from P.R.A.Y. From the desk of the chairman SPOTLIGHTS Catholic Scouting is alive and well NCCS Welcomes Don York to BSA Relationship Division MEMPHIS

2 (Continued from page 1) is a member of the NCCS and has been a part of the last two treks. It is a monumental task to move people from place to place safely and keep everyone happy and well fed. July 15 began the Philmont portion of the trek and all were excited to be there. Each crew picked up a ranger who would guide them through check in and their first two days on the trail. Mass, celebrated by Philmont Catholic Chaplain and our National Chaplain, Father Don Hummel highlighted the first day. He is also a veteran of several past treks. In the middle of the ten-day trek all the crews met in Cimmaroncito rock climbing camp for a day and a half continuation of the retreat experience culminating in an all night vigil in front of the Blessed Sacrament. Bishop Gettelfinger prepares to embark on the St. George Trek in New Mexico Confession was available for all. Many of the crew members said that experiencing God in nature was the highlight of their trek. All of the participants are asked to reflect on their call in life, maybe to the priesthood or religious life or to participation in the lay church as a married or single person. When the evaluations were returned at the end of the trek, many scouts indicated that because of their experience of hiking with priests and religious and being able to see them in a different light they would be open to the possibility of a vocation to the priesthood or the religious life. On July 26 after 50 plus miles of hiking the Rocky Mountains, full participation in the Philmont program experience and the Saint George Mass in Albuquerque Spiritual program, the crews returned to base camp and were met by the delegation from the St. George Knights. They checked back in to base camp, celebrated Mass and went to the closing campfire to receive their arrowhead patches for a job well done. The following day the group returned to Madonna Retreat Center for a Mass celebrated by Bishop Rene Henry Gracida, who was part of the American Delegation of the St. George Knights and is the retired Bishop of Corpus Christi Texas. He has always traveled with the Knights to Philmont and is an ardent supporter of the St. George Trek. Each participant received a special medal created by the Constantinian to commemorate their efforts. On Sunday morning, members of the Santa Fe Archdiocesan Catholic Committee under the guidance of Mr. Gerry Quilian transported the participants to the airport, train station, or bus depot for their trip home. Many of the participants have continued the friendships begun at the 2002 Saint George Trek by writing and ing. It is not too soon to make plans to have Scouts from your diocese join us at Philmont for the 2004 St. George Trek. Contact Barb Nestel at nccs@netbsa.org. In Memoriam Father Terrence Tully passed on November 17, He had recently celebrated 60 years as a priest and nearly that many in service of Catholic Scouting. Membership Initiative begins on a high note by John Ribar The Membership Initiative packets were sent by the beginning of September to all executive board members and all diocesan chairs and chaplains. Since that time, there has been a flurry of activity at the NCCS office in Irving, Texas filling many orders for literature and answering questions about the program. As a result of the huge onslaught of ordering, a different system was initiated which combined the NCCS website and warehouse to facilitate the entire process. The new system will eliminate many handling and shipping problems to speed up the whole process. All literature, as shown in the new instruction, is available on the website, Since some of it is complex and in color, please be patient when downloading. Please follow the instructions on how to order exactly as shown. This will make shipping faster and more accurate. While many of you are in the process of planning and organizing your committee, others have already reaped the benefits of new sponsors of units by using our techniques in the Fall Roundup program. For instance, Las Vegas, Peoria, Ind., Cleveland, Trenton, N.J., Louisville, Ky., Birmingham, Ala., Philadelphia, Chicago and Salt Lake City have started new Packs, Troops and Crews in Catholic sponsored institutions and increased the number of new youth. This is but a small number of actual successes we have seen or heard about. There will be more details in the next issue of The Bridge. Let's hope YOUR committee has some success stories to add. On February 5, 2003, a national video conference will be presented by the Boy Scouts of America to every council in our country. Plans for organizing this project have been going on since October. Some of you are actively involved. If, for some reason, you have not committed to this project, do so now as it is not too (Continued on page 4)

3 Bishops Dinner hosted by NCCS by Bray Barnes On Sunday, November 10, 2002, the National Catholic Committee on Scouting hosted a dinner in recognition of the bishops and cardinals who have provided noteworthy support of Catholic Scouting, at the John F. Kennedy Center of the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. The evening began with a reception on the Box Tier of the Opera House and, by special permission from The White House, guests were treated to the opportunity of access to the Presidential Box and photographs with the Presidential Seal. Guests also viewed the gifts donated to The Kennedy Center by various countries such as Henri Matisse tapestries from France and an ancient statue of Poseidon from Greece. This was followed by dinner in the private Circles Lounge under the Waterford Crystal Chandelier which measured over ten feet in diameter and was a gift from the Country of Ireland. After dinner, Bishop Gerald Gettelfinger, Episcopal Liaison to NCCS, along with Father Don Hummel, National Chaplain and Ed Gargiulo, National Chair, recognized those bishops in attendance. His Eminence Cardinal William Keeler of Baltimore, Archbishop Michael Sheehan of Santa Fe, Bishop George Fitzsimons of Salina, Kansas, and Bishop James Tamayo of Laredo, Texas received tokens of appreciation from NCCS. Ambassador Thomas Melady, the former United States Ambassador to the Vatican, presented Bishop Gettelfinger with a St George Chalice from the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St. George for his outstanding contributions to Catholic Scouting. Commissioner Edward Reilly, who was appointed by President Bush as the Chairman of the United States Parole Commission, presented Father Don Hummel with a United States flag that was flown over the U.S. Capital on September 11, 2002 especially for NCCS, to be placed in the Catholic Chapel at Philmont Scout Ranch. A highlight of the evening was the presentation of the Silver Antelope award to Cardinal Keeler. Fred Faber, Northeast Region Executive Board member opened the National Court of Honor and was assisted by Larry Otto, Director, Northeast Region, BSA. Cardinal Keeler spoke of his years as a Scout and the values he learned that carried him through life and are consistent with our Catholic teachings. Members of the Baltimore Area Council and other, including Council President John Pearson and his wife, Christine, incoming president Jay Lenrow, Henry Rosenberg, who also serves as the National Vice President of the Boy Scouts of America, and his wife, Dorothy, along with Scout Executive John Maxwell were in attendance in honor of His Eminence, where he also serves as a member of the Executive Board.. Throughout the evening, entertainment was provided by the National Symphony Orchestra Youth Fellowship members. A string quartet played during the reception, a harpist during dinner and the nationally renowned violinist, Holly Hamilton, and her protégé provided after dinner entertainment to the delight of the audience. Derek Gordon, Vice President of The Kennedy Center, spoke about the many youth programs sponsored throughout the country and the relationship of Scouting and The Kennedy Center in its commitment to youth. The evening concluded with a view of Washington, D.C. at night from the roof terrace of the Kennedy Center. Also in attendance from the NCCS were Father Dennis O Rourke, Past National Chaplain, Father Roger LaChance, Associate National Chaplain, Past National Chair Frank Rossomondo and his wife, Jeanne, Don York, Director of the BSA Relationships Division and his wife, Sherry, and Bray Barnes, Finance Vice Chair. NCCS asks for help In locating past minutes by Frank Rossomondo At the 2002 Tucson meetings the NCCS Advisory Board was asked to prepare a compendium of all past NCCS business documents so that current leaders could more easily refer to them in conducting their current business. A close look at our file holdings in Irving, Texas, reveals that the following minutes (see below) of our Executive Board and Executive Committee meetings are missing. The Advisory Board requests that all NCCS members review their personal holdings and send a copy of the missing minutes to our Administrative Secretary: Barbara Nestel Boy Scouts of America P.O. Box Irving, TX Nccs@netbsa.org Once we have filled most of the gaps in the minutes a full listing of all past NCCS business dealings will be made available for all to use. Thanks for your help on this matter. Any questions may be addressed to: Frank Rossomondo Chair, NCCS Advisory Board Ashley Drive Rockville, MD fross2@juno.com Missing Minutes All Executive Board and Committee meetings, 1988 and earlier. Executive Board and Committee meetings, Spring, 1991 Executive Board and Committee meetings, Opreyland, Tenn., Fall, 1991 Executive Board and Committee meetings, Opreyland, Tenn., Spring, 1992 Executive Board and Committee meetings, Spring, 1993 Executive Board and Committee meetings, Spring, 1999 Executive Committee meeting, Spring 1999 Executive Committee meeting, Fall 1999

4 Six members of the National Catholic Committee on Scouting attended the 2002 meeting and investiture of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George in Washington, D.C. From the left: Sammie Reggie, Father Donald Hummel, Father Kevin Smith, Bray Barnes, Truman Stacey and John J. Halloran Jr. New Religious Emblems video available from P.R.A.Y. Programs of Religious Activities with Youth (P.R.A.Y.) is working with the BSA National Relationships Division in distributing the new religious emblems video entitled, Promoting Duty to God (Religious Emblems), No Although the Relationships Division will provide two videos to every council this fall, additional videos will be available from P.R.A.Y. Videos may be downloaded from the P.R.A.Y. web site at or they may be purchased at a price of $6.00. The religious emblems video is an interfaith resource promoting the religious emblems of ALL faiths. It is 7½ minutes long and is designed to be used in council and district training events and in presentations to individual units. Several resources to be used in conjunction with this new video are also available from P.R.A.Y. at Promoting Religious Emblems: Round Table Presentation (10 minutes) Promoting Religious Emblems: A Council / District Training Syllabus (50 Minutes) Religious Emblems Presentation Script: A Presentation by Unit Leaders to Scouts and their Parents Increasing Membership through Religious Emblems Video Order Form (quantity of videos) x $6.00 = (total amount due) Name Street City, State, Zip Please provide your address if you wish to be added to our mailing list to receive future news releases: address All orders must be sent with payment in full by check, money order, Mastercard or Visa (if credit card, please provide the following information) Cardholder's Name Acct # Expiration Date: Billing Address Day telephone Signature Send to: P.R.A.Y., 8520 Mackenzie Road, Ste. 3, St. Louis, MO (Continued from page 2) late to participate. This will be a 90 minute meeting over lunch that day so it will be easy to attend. Making it even easier to participate is the creation of other satellite sites in the council being available to those not living near the council headquarters. Please contact your local Scout executive for information on where the video conference will be held and how you can attend and participate. This is a natural alliance for us as the primary objective of the video conference is to provide a nationwide emphasis on organizing new traditional units. Part of the presentation will be from our national organization and the remaining portion will be from local Scouting leaders. This collaborative program gives the Catholic committees an opportunity to team with the local Scouting organization to achieve our goals of more Catholic sponsored units and more Catholic youth in the program. Recognition programs are available using the Duty to God patches and the Golden Bow certificate and/or patch. Please consider these in your planning as they have been used by a number of committees and have been enthusiastically received. The beauty of these items is exceptional and the pricing is appealing. We must make certain the people who serve our (Continued on page 10)

5 From the Desk of the Chairman By E.P. Gargiulo NCCS Chairman The Executive Committee met in Irving, Texas on the weekend of October 12 for its regularly scheduled Fall meeting. Regional Issues Fast Start: The Training Sub- Committee has prepared a series of Fast Start documents and processes for orientation training of Regional and Diocesan Chairs and Chaplains. This series needs further review before issue for general use. Quality Diocesan Committees: A program was introduced this year to set criteria and award recognition for high quality diocesan committee performance. The Executive Committee approved a Quality Dioceses patch design and that certain quantitative requirements be relaxed in the future to allow credit for maintaining a high level of performance where growth may not be possible. Saint George Trek: By all accounts the trek this summer was successful. Bishop Gettelfinger again hiked with the participants, but he spent some time on the trail with every crew rather than with a single crew. Father Kevin Smith and Austin Cannon have agreed to continue their leadership of this event into Tom Nishikubo will conduct a survey of past trek participants and their diocesan Scout committees to seek more information about participant experiences and local support. Philmont Training Conference: The staff for July 6-12, 2003 will be Bray Barnes, Director; Father Roger LaChance, Chaplain; and Ed Martin and Dave Moskal. International Trek Philmont 2003: Father Dennis O Rourke outlined the plans for the 2003 International Trek. Most advisors have been recruited and twenty youth will be accepted. Participants will arrive in Albuquerque on July 9 and leave on July 24. NFCYM: Ed Gargiulo and Father Don Hummel are scheduled to present a workshop, Boy Scouting Relationship to Comprehensive Youth Ministry, at the NFCYM meeting in December and will man a BSA-NCCS booth with George Sparks. Tom Nishikubo will represent the NCCS at the NFCYM Membership Meeting in January. Religious Emblems Pricing: Price increases, from $6.50 to $7.00, for Light of Christ and Parvuli Dei medals were approved effective January 1, The committee also approved a price increase for the Ad Altare Dei Counselor Guide from $2.75 to $4.00 effective in Standing Committee and Executive Board Meeting: The next Standing Committee and Executive Board Meeting will be held in Memphis, Tenn., on April 22-26, These meetings are open to all NCCS members, and invitations are sent to Executive Board and known Standing Committee members. If you wish to attend, call Barb Nestel for registration materials Biennial Meeting: The Executive Committee approved acceptance of a proposal from the St. Louis Sheraton for the 2004 Biennial Meeting. The Executive Committee presented the St. George Emblem voted for Don Oblander in April to Lorena Oblander on October 12. Scott Oblander and members of the BSA Relationships Division were also present. Father Don Hummel and Ed Gargiulo represented the NCCS at the BSA Relationships Committee meeting in Irving on October 15, 2002 and made a formal presentation describing the Catholic Membership Initiative. Several members of the NCCS were also present as observers at this meeting. Bray Barnes and Ed Gargiulo have been appointed to an ad hoc committee to review the status of the Hafer endowment that provides for Chaplains vehicles at Philmont. Bray Barnes chaired an NCCS dinner to honor the bishops who give special support to Catholic Scouting programs at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC, on November 10, At this event Larry Otto and Fred Faber, of the BSA Northeast Region, convened a court of honor to present the Silver Antelope to Cardinal Keeler announced in New Orleans in June. Bishop Gettelfinger hosted our annual breakfast for the bishops at the USCCB annual meeting on November 11. The National Chaplains Father Don Hummel, Father Roger LaChance, and Father Dennis O Rourke presented the programs of the NCCS. Ed Gargiulo, Bray Barnes, and Don York were also present to assist. Letter From The Chair This is a time of gifts and gift giving. How should we count our gifts? I have an impressive list of tangible gifts from the NCCS: a new Pope Paul XII program, a St. George Trek, Scouting in the Catholic Church Philmont Conference, endowment of the new Saint George Fund, a Membership Initiative planned and beginning delivery, a great Biennial Conference, meeting the bishops at the USCCB breakfast, a strong Catholic chaplaincy at Philmont and hundreds of local Scout camps, and countless friends in Scouting. I can also count on dedicated volunteers and professional Scouters and local committees that reach out to youth with vibrant religious emblems programs, service projects, and spiritual formation programs. We are successful in realizing our goal to use Scouting as a ministry to Catholic youth. Year 2003 will be a year of commitment for the NCCS. Each of our diocesan committees will be asked to set membership goals. But we are called individually to commitment. What will you do this year to advance Catholic Scouting as a ministry to youth? God is ever present to us: calling us, trusting us to be priest, prophet and king. This is the greatest gift that we celebrate. God loves us and trusts us to make Jesus Christ present to Scouts and Scouters today. I know He is present to me through you. May you find joy in this season and in all you do throughout the year.

6 SPOTLIGHTS Salesians host the New York Archdiocese Scout Retreat at the Marian Shrine by Jerry Scanlan For the 25th time, the Salesians hosted a Scout retreat for the Archdiocese of New York, on the beautiful grounds of their Marian Shrine in Haverstraw, N.Y. More than 150 Scouts and Scouters gathered on the weekend of September 27-29, 2002 to gain a greater understanding of what it really means, on a personal basis, to be Catholic Scouts and Scouters. This year the retreat included 14 Girl Scouts and six of their leaders. The boys and their leaders camped in tents, but because of a rainy start and the location planned for the Girl Scouts to camp, the girls were able to stay in the youth center dorm. Friday night started out with a song-fest and a cracker barrel where all got to know one another and familiarize themselves with the program and facilities. After a delicious breakfast on Saturday morning, the attendees were broken up into smaller groups. The adults who were not helping to chaperone attended either an emblems training program or the Scouter Development, Lay Apostolate formation program. The 100 Scouts were divided into four groups. The high school age Scouts were treated to three very inspirational talks/discussions led by youth from the St. Augustine Youth Ministry Venture Crew in New City. The younger Scouts were divided into groups who rotated through three great talks led by youth from Star of the Sea Venture Crew from Staten Island. By breaking up the Scouts by age groups, talks could be tuned to the different age groups and discussions were much richer. On Saturday after lunch, Father Jim LeBarr, the chief exorcist of the Archdiocese, and a member of NCCS, gave a talk and led a discussion for all on the reality of the devil and shared some of his experiences with exorcisms. Both youth and adults greatly enjoyed his presentation. During the afternoon a break was taken for a camp-wide game and all had the opportunity to participate in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. After dinner a smudge pot rosary was laid out in front of the magnificent shrine of Our Lady and all participated in the rosary as each smudge pot was lit. Perhaps the highlight of the weekend was our closing Mass at the outdoor shrine of Mary Help of Christians offered by our newly ordained Bishop Tony Logenegro, an Eagle Scout and long time member of his Council s Executive Board. His Scouting experience and interest in youth made his homily particularly relevant to all attendees. Plans are already underway for our next Diocesan Retreat in 2004, as well as Council Catholic Committee retreats in Region 3 completes conference by Tim Brennan On Sunday, September 8, 2002, during the opening dinner of the NCCS Region 3 Conference, Father Lawrence Gross was honored for over 42 years as the Scout Chaplain for the Diocese of Harrisburg, Penn. Father Gross earned his Eagle Scout rank in 1949, his OA membership in 1956, received the St. George Emblem in 1973, Wood Badge in 1975, Silver Beaver in 1975, Gold Ad Altare Emblem in 1995 and the James E. West Fellowship in He was also registered with the Girl Scouts, serving on the Penn Laurel Girl Scouts Council. Even though Father Gross has now retired, he is still an active Scouter as a registered merit badge counselor for water skiing. Father Gross was presented with letters from Pennsylvania Governor Mark Schwieker, U.S. Senator Arlen Spector, Cardinal William Keeler (Archbishop of Baltimore and a classmate with Father Gross at the seminary), former President George Bush, Archbishop Gabriel Montalvo Apostolic Nuncio, Ed Gargiulo (NCCS Chairman) and Father Donald Hummel (NCCS Chaplain). Father Gross was also presented a Father Lawrence Gross (middle) receives recognition from Father Donald Hummel, NCCS Chaplain (left) and Fred Shetter, Chairman of the Diocese of Harrisburg Catholic Committee on Scouting. copy of the Norman Rockwell painting A Scout Is Reverent, a hiking staff (all good shepherds need a staff) and a Kente Cloth neckerchief which comes from West Africa. The word kente means royalty in the Asanti language.

7 May you and your family enjoy a peaceful and blessed holiday. Thank you for all your efforts ministering to youth. Catholic Scouting is alive and well by Bishop Thomas J. Tobin, Diocese of Youngstown, OH. (reprinted from The Catholic Exponent with permission) The close connection between the Catholic Church and Scouting shouldn t come as a surprise. The ideals and expectations of the Boy Scouts of America for membership and leadership coincide very nicely with the ideals and expectations of the Church. Both require personal conduct consistent with their stated values. It s important to note, however, that while the fundamental values and expectations espoused by Scouting have remained consistent over the years, its specific programs continue to evolve in a way that helps children and young people respond to the difficult challenges they encounter today. Information from the BSA describes its Faces of the Future platform. It explains, Scouting is more than a camping club. Scouting is a program of character education and leadership development based on the values found in the Scout Oath and Law. The material goes on to say that Every day, parents and teachers confront issues such as lack of positive role models for children, declining social values, poor test scores and illiteracy, school violence, sedentary lifestyles, and constantly changing communities where neighborhoods rarely remain constant. Not only do these issues pose immediate challenges for children and parents alike, they can also be detrimental as a child grows into adulthood. What then are some of the expectations and values promoted by Scouting today? The Faces of the Future program highlights the following. Building Character: We have the duty to teach the importance of values and responsibility to our children, not only right from wrong, but values such as fairness, courage, honor, and respect for others with differing views - values that play a critical role in the healthy development of America s youth. Mentoring: Aims at developing positive relationships with community and religious leaders; parents and peers provide youth with quality role models and have a powerful impact on children s lives. Caring individuals help youth from all circumstances succeed by providing support, friendship, advice and mentoring. Healthy Living: Very simply, to get the most out of life, it is important to be healthy, and this Scouting value encourages young people to be both mentally and physically fit through participation in a variety of programs and activities. Faith Traditions: Exploring faith traditions that transcend political, social and economic differences is a cornerstone of the Scouting program. One of the key tenets of Scouting is duty to God. Faith breeds hope, optimism, compassion and a belief in a better tomorrow. Serving Others: Community service is one of the benchmarks we can use to judge how our society is truly performing. When the care of those who need it the most is lacking, it speaks volumes about the direction of our society. Lifelong Learning: Learning is essential to improving our position in life. We live in a society that rewards accomplishment. Today, and in the future, our youth will have to learn new skills and retrain themselves to succeed in different ways during their lifetimes. The Faces of the Future program concludes: Everything in Scouting - from learning to tie knots to the patrol method - can be viewed in the context of at least one of these six themes. Essentially, these themes provide a way of looking beyond seemingly simple activities. The key is to view an activity in terms of its outcome. The outdoor component of Scouting is a strong and valuable part of our program and our heritage, but the outcomes of the Scouting program are what make a true difference in the lives of young people. We can readily see, then, how the work of Scouting supports and complements the fundamental ministry of the Church, particularly its service to children and youth. In Renewing the Vision, the Statement of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops on youth ministry, we read this challenge: The Church and the world need the faith, gifts, energy, and fresh ideas of young people. The entire Church, and in a special way the ministry with adolescents, must empower young people for their mission in the world... All of our efforts to promote an active Christian discipleship and growth in Catholic identity must lead toward mission. This is our special responsibility to the young generation. Scouting helps the Church to fulfill that responsibility; it energizes young people, develops their unique potential, and prepares them to fulfill their mission of being good citizens, serving others and building a better world. Did You Know? The Bridge can now be Webmaster: Tony Madonia Webmaster@nccs-bsa.org

8 (Arch)Diocese City and State Committee Chair Committee Chaplain A National Quality (Arch)Diocesan Committee must achieve at least 7 of the 12 objectives to qualify. Starred (*) items are required. Recognition will be: Special pocket patch for (Arch)Diocesan Chair and Chaplain. Additional patches may be purchased for committee members. A certificate. Achieved 2002 Quality Objectives: Yes No Approvals: (Arch)Diocesan Chair (Arch)Diocesan Chaplain Professional Staff Advisor Regional Chair WORKSHEET 2002 QUALITY DIOCESAN COMMITTEE National Standards Yes No *1. Functional (Arch)Diocesan Committee that meets at least four times per year and has annual plan. *2. Record a gain in number of Catholic sponsored units over the previous year. *3. Reduce the number of dropped units over the previous year. 4. Hold a conference with the head of each Catholic chartered organization annually. *5. Record an increase in total youth religious emblems over the previous year. 6. Submit at least one Gold Medallion application to Region Chair. 7. Conduct an annual youth retreat. *8. Conduct an annual religious emblems counselor training. 9. Record an increase in the number of units qualifying for the Pope Paul VI unit recognition award over the previous year. 10. Send out at least twice annually a(n) (Arch) Diocesan newsletter. 11. Submit at least one article annually to the Church Diocesan newspaper/publication promoting Scouting in the Church. 12. Conduct at least one new unit impact luncheon or Bishop s dinner annually. Once obtained, forward to Regional Chair NCCS welcomes Don York to BSA Relationship Division The Relation-ships Division of the Boy Scouts of America is pleased to announce the appointment by Roy L. Williams, Chief Scout Executive, of Donald L. York to the position of director, Relationships Division, Relationships/Publishing Group, effective October 1, In this position, Don will be responsible for providing the leadership and motivation to establish and maintain cooperative relationships with religious and community organizations at the national level for the purpose of making a quality Scouting program available to all youth. He will coordinate the creation and sharing of tools and methods that will assist councils in the development of cooperative relationships with local community-based organizations and groups, leading toward their becoming chartered users of the Scouting program. Don will also provide the opportunity for staff professional development and volunteer training. Don began his professional Scouting career in 1970 as district executive in Santa Ana, Calif., where he was promoted to district executivemultiple person in In 1976, he was hired as field director in Pasadena, Calif., where he was promoted to endowment director in In 1983, Don became director, support services, in Costa Mesa, Calif. In 1988, he was hired as associate regional director for the Western Region and in 1989, he became Scout executive in Reno, Nev. Since October 2000, Don served successfully as director of field service in the Greater New York Council, New York, N.Y.. Don received his Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from San Fernando Valley State College. Don and his wife, Sherry, have three grown children, Timothy, Anne, and Philip. Forward to NCCS Secretary, BSA, P.O. Box , Irving, Texas

9 Start making your plans now! Standing Committees, Advisory Board, and Executive Committee Meetings by Father Tom Cronin The historic and beautiful city of Memphis, Tenn., will be the location for the meetings of the NCCS Standing committees, Advisory Board and Executive Board from April 21 through April 27, Remember to register early and save! We will be staying at the Memphis Marriott East Hotel and the Conference committee has several trips available so that you have the opportunity to enjoy some of the many sights as well as attend the meetings. Our host, the Diocese of Memphis, is under the leadership of Chuck Schadrack, Father Wayne Arnold and Catherine Mensi. Reservation packets will be mailed starting in mid-december to all members on standing committees, regional chairs/ chaplains, advisory and executive board. Most people think of Elvis Presley and Graceland when they think of Memphis, but Memphis has much more to offer. Do you know about the Pink Palace, Millionaires Row, Sun Records or Gibson Guitars? There is also a Civil Rights Museum where you can see the motel room which Martin Luther King was staying in when he was assassinated. See the story of the civil rights movement and the struggles to make equality a lived reality. See a sample of the first supermarket and see the house that Piggly Wiggly built but never lived in. Watch the ducks march through the hotel lobby as they return to their penthouse suite at the end of the day. Other interesting facts about Memphis to whet your appetite: Memphis is named for its Egyptian sister city on the Nile. Michael Kosiba, Conference Committee Advisor, stands with Kim Warren from the Memphis Convention and Visitors Bureau in front of a pictorial representation of the gates to Graceland, the home of the late Elvis Presley. With a metro population of more than 1 million people, Memphis is the largest city in Tennessee and 18th largest in the nation. Memphis is ranked sixth in the nation in the number of properties on the National Register of Historic Places, with more listings per capita than any city in America. Graceland is the second-most-visited house in the country. Cotton made Memphis a major port on the Mississippi River. The Memphis Cotton Exchange still handles approximately one-third of the entire American cotton crop each year. New NCCS patch available Don t miss your opportunity to include this new Jacket/Back Patch to your collection! Order Today! Fully embroidered 7-color patch. Patch Pricing: 1 to 9 $7.50 each 10 or $6.50 each Make checks payable to: National Catholic Committee on Scouting. Print your name and address on a sheet of paper headed with NCCS patch order. Mail order to: National Catholic Committee On Scouting Boy Scouts of America P.O. Box Irving, Texas Father Edwin Palka, Chaplain of Region 4B participates in the annual Boy Scout retreat hosted by the DCCS of St. Petersburg, Fla., at Our Lady of Good Counsel diocesan camp in Floral City.

10 The Bridge is published quarterly by the National Catholic Committee on Scouting. Editor Chris Hoelle can be reached at (Continued from page 4) youth and units are recognized and thanked. Please review these programs if you haven't done so. One of the rituals of spring is the Webelos transition ceremony. Many of you have Packs who are feeder units for Troops throughout your area. Perhaps your church doesn't have a troop. Please consider using these new Scouts as a basis for starting a Troop at your church. Conversely, you may want to start a pack as a feeder for YOUR Troop. Think of the benefits for the boys as well as your parish. Catholic Scouting certainly has the spiritual means to attract and develop youth to show how "Scouting as Youth Ministry" really works. Finally, with all the resources the Venturing program has available it only seems natural that all Catholic organizations should take a look at the Calendar of upcoming events 2002 Dec. 5-8 Denver NCCYM Dec 28-Jan 8 Thailand World Jamboree # Jan Salt Lake City NFCYM Membership Feb 4 Irving, Texas BSA Relationships April 20 Easter April Memphis, Tenn. Standing Committee and Board Meeting May Philadelphia BSA National Meeting July 6-12 Philmont, N.M. Scouting in the Catholic Church July 9-23 Philmont, N.M. Inter-Americas Trek October 14 Irving, Texas BSA Relationships Meeting October (ten.) Baltimore Executive Committee Meeting November 10 Washington D.C. Bishops Breakfast December Houston NCYC - Youth program and advantages available. Since this program is coed, many youth in this age-group would have an enlightened experience as a member of an active Crew. Many of our successful Crew leaders are highly enthused with the results a Venturing program can give to members. Talk to one of them and find out how it is done and why you need to work on a Crew in your parish or organization. There are many misconceptions as to how the program is a resource for a youth group. Find out the facts and pursue the formation of a new unit. Please contact me at ribarrr@aol.com or if you have any questions, problems or want to pass on a success story. GOOD LUCK!!!