The Diocese of Dodge City Catholic Committee on Scouting has created a scout patch to commemorate the Year of the Eucharist recently declared by Pope John Paul II.

The purpose of this religious patch program is to assist scouts in better understanding Jesus’ presence in the Eucharist, the Mass as his sacrifice, and the importance of Eucharistic adoration.

The patch is available to all scouts and scouters. There are different requirements for scouts in first through fifth grades, sixth through 12th grades, and adult leaders.

This religious patch program is self-administered. The requirements, checked by adult leaders or parents, should be completed before ordering patches.

Requirements must be completed before the end of October. Number of patches may be limited, please reserve patches prior to undertaking the requirements by calling Tim Wenzl at (620) 227-1556.

Patches can be ordered by writing: Year of the Eucharist Scout Patch, Diocese of Dodge City, PO Box 137, Dodge City, KS 67801. Patches cost $3 each. Checks should be payable to the Catholic Committee on Scouting.

Look up the definitions of the following words in a dictionary, and write the definition out. Eucharist, Chalice, Tabernacle, Ciborium, Monstrance, and PyxmPlus, do at least three (3) of the following:

1. Recite the Rosary using the Luminous Mysteries (if you did this already as a requirement for the Luminous Mysteries patch, recite the Rosary a second time).

2. With your parent or guardian, spend an hour in prayer during a time of adoration when the Blessed Sacrament is exposed in your parish church or before the tabernacle in your parish church or at a church in the diocese that has perpetual adoration.

3. Write a short prayer of thanksgiving that a child like you could repeat from memory while kneeling in the pew after receiving Holy Communion.

4. Explain to your parent or guardian what happens during the Consecration of the Mass.

5. Receive Communion during a Scout Mass either in your parish church or at Scout Camp.

Read "Ecclesia de Eucharistia," Pope John Paul II’s encyclical on the Eucharist, on The Holy See website: www.vatican.va. Click on Year of the Eucharist. Plus, do at least three (3) of the following:

1. Recite the Rosary using the Luminous Mysteries (if you did this already as a requirement for the Luminous Mystery patch, recite the Rosary a second time).

2. Either alone or with a parent or guardian, spend an hour in prayer during a time of adoration when the Blessed Sacrament is exposed in your parish church or before the tabernacle in your parish church or at a church in the diocese that has perpetual adoration.

3. Learn the meaning of Corpus Christi. When does the Church celebrate this feast?

4. Make a list of the words and phases you’ve heard used by the Church to identify the Eucharist.

5. Receive Communion during a Scout Mass either in your parish church or at Scout Camp.

Read "Ecclesia de Eucharistia," Pope John Paul II’s encyclical on the Eucharist, on The Holy See website: www.vatican.va. Click on Year of the Eucharist.

Plus, complete requirements one through five in those required for 6th through 12 grades. (Number 5 is optional if not possible)

And, help at least one scout earn the Year of the Eucharist scout patch.