Year of the Eucharist scout patch yields
‘tremendous spiritual activity’
Tim Wenzl and volunteer Caley Temaat prepare 2,500 scout patches for mailing to 35 states.
Aaron Neidhart, Ross Schaffer become Eagle Scouts
DODGE CITY — Two Boy Scouts from the Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish recently became Eagle Scouts. At top, Duane Nietling, former Scoutmaster of Troop 162, presented the Eagle Scout Award to Aaron Neidhart, son of Robert and Marty Neidhart, on Sept. 25. At bottom, Dave Snapp, current Scoutmaster, presented the Eagle Scout Award to Ross Schaffer, son of Rick and Joann Schaffer on Oct. 1. The Eagle is the highest recognition that Scouting offers to scouts. It is earned through an advancement program, and only a small percentage of boys who begin in Scouting receive this honor. The wearer of the Eagle award is the epitome of Scouting’s best efforts and beliefs. Troop 162 in Dodge City is sponsored by Knights of Columbus Council 2955.
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Special to the Register
More than 2,500 scouts in 35 states throughout the country participated in the Year of the Eucharist religious activity program initiated by the Diocese of Dodge City Catholic Committee on Scouting earlier this year.
"This religious activity program was started as a way scouts in the Diocese of Dodge City could commemorate the Year of the Eucharist," said Tim Wenzl, diocesan coordinator. "We shared an article with the diocesan newspapers in Kansas and then with the Catholic News Service. That is when this program went from being just local to national.
"The wide appeal of this program is evidence of the benefits of Catholic scouting. Scouts were eager to participate and work towards earning this patch. We really saw an increase of interest after the death of Pope John Paul II. I think the tremendous response to this program is a tribute to the legacy of the late Holy Father."
To earn the Year of the Eucharist patch, scouts in different age groups and adult leaders were required to complete specific religious activities.
Younger scouts in grades first through fifth were asked to define the words Eucharist, Chalice, Tabernacle, Ciborium, Monstrance, and Pyx, and learn how these sacred vessels are used. The scouts then had a choice of completing three other requirements that included: reciting the rosary using the Luminous Mysteries; spending an hour in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament; writing a short prayer of thanksgiving for meditation after communion; explaining what occurs during the Consecration of the Mass; and receiving communion during a scout Mass or during summer camp.
Older scouts in sixth through 12th grades were asked to read one of the three apostolic documents written by Pope John Paul II for the Year of the Eucharist. These scouts also had a choice of completing three requirements that included: reciting the Rosary; spending an hour in adoration; learning the meaning of the Feast of Corpus Christi; making a list of words and phrases used by the Church to identify the Eucharist; and receiving communion during a scout Mass.
Adult leaders were asked to read Pope John Paul II’s encyclical letter "Ecclesia De Eucharistia," complete the same requirements for the older scouts, and help a younger scout with the requirements for this religious activity program.
"The comments we received throughout the year were very rewarding," stated Wenzl. "We had scout leaders and parents thanking us for creating this program and sharing it with scouts outside our diocese. We heard from many troops who spent an hour in adoration and recited the rosary as a group. Some groups actually used the requirements of this program as the basis for scout retreats in their diocese.
"Parents wrote to compliment us on the attractive patch and to let us know their scouts are now proudly wearing them. This just seemed to be a program that scouts were ready to embrace. The response is an obvious indication that there is a real hunger out there for religious activity programs of this type."
The Diocese of Dodge City Catholic Committee On Scouting is accepting letters of nomination for adults who have provided exceptional service as an adult leader in Catholic Scouting ministry or other groups serving youth that have contributed to the spiritual development of Catholic young people. Although these awards are given by the Catholic Church, the recipients do not need to be Catholic or a registered Scout leader.
The deadline for submitting nominations is Jan. 15, 2006. All nominations, except for the St. George Emblem, may be in the form of a letter submitted to the Diocese Catholic Committee On Scouting, Diocese of Dodge City, P. O. Box 137, Dodge City, KS 67801.
The recognition and presentation of the awards will occur at the conclusion of the Diocese of Dodge City’s Scout QUEST 2006 retreat Feb. 19, 2006 at the Dodge City Community College.
The following is a summary of the adult awards that can be awarded by the Diocese of Dodge City.
1. The Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Award - This award recognizes the meritorious contributions of adults who serve youth through girls’ organizations on a parish or unit level. The applicant must have a minimum of three years active service to youth as an adult to be considered for this award.
2. The Saint Anne Medal - This medal honors the outstanding service of adults contributing to the spiritual development of Catholic members in the Girl Scout movement and to further, promote adult leadership in youth ministry. The applicant must have a minimum of seven years active service to youth as an adult member to be considered for this award.
3. The Bronze Pelican - This award recognizes the contributions of adults who serve Boy Scouting organizations on the parish or unit level. The recipient must have demonstrated good example as a Christian and influenced boys to live a good Christian life.
4. The Saint George Emblem - This emblem is the highest national recognition for adults who have made a significant contribution to the spiritual development of Catholic youth involved in Cub/Boy Scouting organizations at the diocese level. The Diocese of Dodge City is permitted to present one emblem per year. An application for this emblem is required and can be obtained by calling Dave Geist at (620) 225-0161.
For further information about the awards or to obtain an application for the St. George Emblem, contact Dave Geist, Chairperson of the Diocese Catholic Committee On Scouting at (620) 225-0161, or email at daveg@starrtech.net.