Diocese of Joliet Catholic Committee on Scouting (JDCCS)
Adviser Information for:
God Is Love Family of God I Live My Faith Mary, the First Disciple Spirit Alive
These Religious Recognition Programs May be Utilized by Members of The Groups That Fall Under the Auspices of the JDCCS:
Girl Scouts of the USA Camp Fire USA Boy Scouts of America American Heritage Girls
Revised 10.3.2015
Table of Contents
General Information 3
Religious Recognition Programs for Youth 4
Group Meetings 5
Recordkeeping 6
Sample Bulletin Announcement 7
Overview of the Joliet Diocese Catholic Committee 8 on Scouting
Scouting and Catholic Youth Ministry 9
Suggested Guidelines for Adult Religious Recognitions 10 - 12
Sample Adult Religious Recognition Nomination Form 13 - 14
Pedigree Chart (for FOG & ILMF) 15
Marian Shrines in the Area List 16
(for MM – Samples Not All Inclusive)
Nuptial Blessing (for MM) 17 - 18
Making a Knotted Cord/Twine Rosary (for MM) 19 - 20
Misc Tips on Each Program from Experienced Advisers 21 - 23
GENERAL INFORMATION
• TRAINING: The Joliet Diocese Catholic Committee on Scouting (JDCCS) requires advisers to be trained by the JDCCS before advising for the medals. Advisers must be at least 18 years old and a practicing Catholic. A list of trained advisers will be maintained by the Committee.
• NOTIFY THE PASTOR: Notify your Pastor before starting with your group. Ask who on the parish staff may be called on as a consultant or to interview the youth with their books when the program work is completed. This is very important!
• BOOKS AND MEDALS: Books are available through the National Catholic Committee for Girl Scouts USA and Camp Fire USA www.nccgscf.org (see NFCYM Online Store in the upper right comer of the webpage). All sales of medals and patches are handled through the Youth Ministry Office of the Diocese of Joliet. Our current policy requires a mailed-in form with check payable to JDCCS. We cannot accommodate walk-in or pick-up orders. Please see our website www.dioceseofioliet.org/scouting for the current price list and order form.
• ADULT AWARDS: Applications for the adult awards, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton and St. Anne, are to be sent to the JDCCS c/o the Youth Ministry Office by February 1st of each year. Please mark the envelope "Adult Religious Awards."
• PRESENTATION OF MEDALS: An Annual Religious Recognitions Mass & Ceremony is usually held in the Spring and at a Diocesan parish (check the website at www.dioceseofioliet.org/scouting for this year’s ceremony). The medals are blessed and presented by the Bishop (if available). If the youth are not able to attend the Mass & Ceremony, the medals should be blessed and presented in a meaningful ceremony held in your parish church by a priest or deacon (Girl Scout Sunday is a good day!). We print a program listing all of the youth who have earned awards in the year since the last ceremony. Please check our website for the current year's deadline for receipt of applications for inclusion in the program. The more times it is presented, the better, as more youth will see that these are available!
• PROGRAM STRUCTURE: All workbooks and medals can be worked on individually or as a group. Everyone must have their own workbook. In addition, all who partake in any of these programs should be encouraged to keep a spiral notebook for their notes (that will not fit into the book). Remember, ALL Medals need an Adviser to sign off on them.
• PROGRAM TIME ESTIMATES
God Is Love Designed for Grades K – 1 6 weeks to 3 months Family of God Designed for Grades 2 – 3 6 weeks to 3 months I Live My Faith Designed for Grades 4 – 6 2 to 6 months Mary, the First Disciple Designed for Grades 7 – 10 9 to 18 months Spirit Alive Designed for Grades 9 – 12 As needed Religious Recognition Programs for Youth
Grades Grades Program Description Designed Allowed God Is Love The God Is Love program helps students discover an Booklet includes a K - 1 K – 1 appreciation that God created, cares for, and loves guide for adults us all. Family of God is a bilingual activity series developed to complement the catechetical efforts of the parish Family of God adults and families with children in the second and Booklet includes a 2 - 3 1 - 3 third grades. Revised and transliterated into guide for adults Spanish in July 2004, the program helps children discover the presence of God in their daily lives as members of their family and parish. The completely revised I Live My Faith program for children in grades 4-6, is structured on the Catechism of the Catholic Church with the themes I Live My Faith (chapters) of: Belief, Sacraments, Catholic Christian Booklet contains a 4 - 6 3 – 6 Living, and Prayer. Each theme provides a variety of guide for adults opportunities for young people to explore the Catholic faith, including art, technology, research, drama, and prayer. The Marian Medal program is written for young Catholics to enable them to "proclaim the greatness of the Lord." This is accomplished by actively Mary, the First involving the participants in an understanding of Disciple 7 – 10 Mary as a model of openness and spirituality-a A separate guide (thru age 7 + woman of the church. Through various projects, 20 if for adult Advisers Venturer) discussions, and liturgical celebrations over a period is available. of months, the participants are provided with a unique opportunity to develop new insights into their personalities, friends, parents, and the world around them. This program is designed for young Catholics in high school. It assists them in discovering how the Holy The Spirit Alive Spirit moves in their lives, calling them to greater A separate guide 9 – 12 participation in the church's ministry. Activities are for adult Advisers (thru age 9 + 20 if an integral part of The Spirit Alive process. Because is available. Venturer) different people have different learning styles, there
are four categories of activities to choose from: written, artistic, interactive, and digital. Group Meetings
• We encourage a parent meeting before the program begins (or at the first meeting) in which information about the program, your expectations, rules and requirements pertaining to the completion of projects and absenteeism are clarified at the meeting. It is important to have parental co-operation. A letter addressed to the parents explaining your program can be sent to those unable to attend.
• The meeting place should be private to your group, whether it is in a home, church, or school. Your group will do a great deal of sharing and praying together so interruptions should be kept to a minimum.
• Meeting time and frequency will depend upon your individual group and their extracurricular activities and responsibilities. Priority should be given to the most convenient time for you. You may need a great deal of flexibility to schedule an appropriate time for all, especially for the Mary, the First Disciple and Spirit Alive programs.
• God Is Love, Family of God, and I Live My Faith meetings should be kept to one hour so the children will maintain a focus on what they are doing.
• Attendance at meetings is required, and anyone who is absent is required to make up the projects or work missed. Frequent absences often indicate a lack of interest and should be discussed privately with the individual and parent. Allow a child to voluntarily end her/his participation in the program if she/he wishes.
Recordkeeping
• Each participant must have her/his own program booklet. The booklet will be used to record the work done for the program. For the upper-level programs, an additional notebook or journal will be needed. The notebook will become a wonderful reminder of the program experience. There are also worksheets available that can be used to record information (where the book does not leave enough room for writing) for the Marian Medal and The Spirit Alive programs. Those can be found at: http://www.dioceseofjoliet.org/scouting/subsectioncontent.php?secid=5&subsecid=11
• The Adviser needs to review the participant's booklet and/or notebook and make appropriate comments. Praise good work. The Adviser will find it helpful to keep a record of completed projects as well for each participant, thus making it easier to be sure all the requirements for the medal are met.
• The application for each award is near the end of the program booklet. An original application must be returned to the Diocese of Joliet Youth Ministry Office for each participant. Please make sure that all information is printed legibly and that all necessary signatures have been obtained. Incomplete applications will be returned.
• Upon completion of the program, only the Adviser may place the order for the medals/patches for the participants.
o See the JDCCS website: http://www.dioceseofjoliet.org/scouting/subsectioncontent.php?secid=5&subsecid=4 for the current order form. It is in both PDF and MS-Word formats.
For the Bulletin
Sample announcements for your parish bulletin
Youth Religious Awards
Volunteer advisers are planning to offer a religious award program, entitled ( ...... ) for youth in grades ( ...... ) beginning ( date ). This class will begin at ( time ) and end promptly at ( time ) and will run for ( ?? weeks/months ).
Classes will be held at ( location ). Program workbooks cost ( $ ), and each participant must have a workbook. A supply list will be distributed at the parent meeting. The parent meeting will be held on ( date, time, and location ).
For further information, please contact: ( your name, phone number, and email address ) before ( date ).
Joliet Diocese Catholic Committee on Scouting
• Our Mission is: Assist all Catholic youth and institutions to make effective use of Scouting Programs for spiritual development and youth ministry.
• The JDCCS is a part of the Youth Ministry Office of the Diocese of Joliet. The Committee members are volunteers who are involved in American Heritage Girls, Boy Scouts, Camp Fire, and Girl Scouts throughout the Diocese. The Committee Chaplain and Committee Chair are appointed by the Bishop.
• The Committee currently meets August through May on the third Wednesday of the month. We meet at the Blanchette Catholic Center 16555 Weber Road, Crest Hill
• We hold an annual retreat each year for youth and adults. We also offer a summer overnight retreat and camp out in August called the Ros-a-Ree. Dates are available on our website.
• We also organize and conduct the annual Religious Recognitions mass & ceremony usually held at Diocesan parish to honor all of the boys and girls who have completed work on a religious award during the year. The Committee is responsible for the administration of the awards presented to adults at the ceremony.
• We are responsible for the training of adult advisers for the youth programs. These trainings are held in the fall and spring of each year.
• We welcome new members to the Committee. If you would like more information about the Committee, please contact us.
(815) 834-4012
CATHOLIC SCOUTING
Scouting and Catholic Youth Ministry
Ministering to young people is a vital aspect of the Catholic Church's life and mission. In their pastoral framework on youth ministry, the U.S. Bishops state: "Ministry with adolescents (is) a concern for the entire church community, especially for leaders in parishes, schools, and dioceses."
The Church endeavors to minister to young people in a variety of ways, among which are: Catholic education and religious formation, youth ministry, and boys and girls scouting programs. All of these are excellent opportunities for the Church to pass on the Gospel of Jesus Christ to children and youth through her life and rich tradition of faith, morals, leadership development, pastoral care, prayer and worship, and service. Over the years, the Catholic youth ministry community and scouting programs have enjoyed a shared mission and a collaborative relationship, one that continues to this day.
There are various Catholic organizations and committees that work with scouting and that provide resources for parishes, parents, and young people in the Church.
At the national level, these include the following:
National Catholic Committee on Scouting (Boy Scouts of America) http://www.nccs-bsa.org/
National Catholic Committee for Girl Scouts and Camp Fire http://www.nccgscf.org/index.htm
American Heritage Girls National Catholic Committee http://ahgonline.org/catholiccommittee
National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry (NFCYM) http://www.nfcym.org/
Various scouting arrangements have developed over the past century, all with the purpose of forming and empowering young people as they mature. Within the Catholic Church, each diocesan bishop oversees arrangements with scouting organizations in his diocese.
For more information about scouting in your local area, please contact your diocese, parish, and/or organization listed above.
This page is from www.usccb.org
NATIONAL CATHOLIC COMMITTEE FOR GIRL SCOUTS AND CAMP FIRE
SUGGESTED GUIDELINES FOR ADULT RELIGIOUS RECOGNITIONS
In February 1982, the National Subcommittee on Girls Organizations (predecessor to NCCGSCF) developed the guidelines and sample form contained here. They are not national requirements; rather, they are offered for your consideration in a spirit of service to diocesan committees and leaders. Feel free to reproduce the material presented here according to your diocesan situation. These suggestions pertain to the two national adult recognitions, the St. Anne and St. Elizabeth Ann Seton medals.
AIMS AND PURPOSES
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton The St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Award was created by the Department of Education, USCC (now USCCB), in 1980 to recognize the significant contributions of persons serving the spiritual needs of Catholic members in organizations serving girls. It is offered to those dioceses that choose to use it, subject to the approval of the local ordinary. It is intended to recognize notable contributions to this field of youth ministry, although the St. Anne Medal remains the highest national award.
St. Anne The St. Anne Medal for adults working with Catholic members of national organizations serving girls is an award of the Department of Education, USCC. It was inaugurated at the Sixth National Conference on Catholic Youth Work in Philadelphia in November 1957, and it was redesigned in 1980. It is offered to those dioceses, which choose to use it, subject to the approval of the local ordinary. It is the highest national award in this field. The purpose of the award is to honor the outstanding service of adults contributing to the spiritual development of Catholic members of organizations for girls, and to further Catholic adult leadership in youth ministry through those organizations.
SELECTION PROCESS
• Nominations and recommendations may be made by anyone, using the official nomination forms obtained from the diocesan Catholic committee, youth director, or chaplain of the above organizations. Persons who were nominated in a previous year but were not selected may be renominated if still eligible.
• Each diocese should set the number of awards to be given in each year, placing emphasis on selectivity and genuine achievement. The optimum number of awards might be based on a number proportionate to diocesan size, but this does not mean that the entire quota must be awarded each year. No honorary awards should be made.
• A local diocesan selection committee should determine recipients of the awards. It is suggested that the committee be composed of five to seven members, including the diocesan youth director, and/or diocesan chaplain. If possible, the committee should include previous recipients of the St. Anne Award. Selections made by the committee and approved by the diocesan youth director and/or chaplain will be final. The committee should be appointed and activated at least sixty days before the date of presentation.
CANDIDATE QUALIFICATIONS
• The kind of person sought as a recipient of a national adult recognition should be one of excellent character and exemplary in every way.
• Recipients should be adults currently active with the organizations served (ideally, registered members).
• There are no national restrictions regarding recipients. Awards may be given to clergy, religious, non-Catholics, lay men or women.
• Catholic recipients should be exemplary Catholics, with the support of their parish community and their respective pastors. Non-Catholic recipients should also be supported by their congregations and clergy.
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
The Nominee:
(1) has given a minimum of three years of active service to youth as an adult member. (2) participates in activities which contribute to the spiritual development of Catholic members of national organizations serving girls; e.g., retreat weekends, days of recollection, Girl Scout/Camp Fire Sunday observances, etc. (3) promotes the religious recognition programs available to Catholic members in the diocese and/or serves as a counselor. (4) participates actively in adult spiritual motivation days. (5) is responsible for Catholic members fulfilling their responsibility to Mass while camping. (6) encourages the true spirit of ecumenism as well as parochial responsibility and Catholic leadership within the girls' organization served. (7) contributes other service to the parish and community.
St. Anne
The Nominee:
(1) has given a minimum of seven years of active service to youth as an adult member. (2) promotes the religious recognition programs for Catholic members and/or serves as a counselor. Encourages non-Catholic members to participate in the religious recognitions of their faith. (3) gives notable service in promoting Catholic activities and service projects for the church and shows a willingness to serve on like committees. (4) participates actively in the adult spiritual motivation program, retreats, or days of recollection. Is instrumental in having others participate. (5) gives outstanding service in promoting and participating in Girl Scout/Camp Fire Sunday observances. (6) gives notable service in extending the national organizations to more members under Catholic auspices. (7) assists parishes and Catholic organizations in recruiting adults for key leadership positions. (8) is fully trained in the skills of the organization and is outstanding for his/her sense of responsibility, humility, and good example. (9) is responsible for Catholic members being transported to Mass at camporees and summer camps and provides for spiritual needs of the non-Catholics within these groups. (10) creates a better understanding of the aims and ideals of the organizations by the clergy and laity through the Catholic press and other communications media (11) is instrumental in organizing and promoting these programs for all members regardless of race or creed and gives leadership. (12) encourages the true spirit of ecumenism as well as parochial responsibility and Catholic leadership within the girls' organizations served. (13) fosters good relationship with the council and is capable of interpreting Catholic programs to council members.
MARIAN SHRINES IN THE AREA
Basilica of Our Lady of Sorrows Basilica of Queen of All Saints 3121 W. Jackson Blvd. 6380 N. Sauganash Chicago, IL Chicago, IL 773-638-0159 773-736-6060
Shrine of Our Lady of Good Counsel Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto 3528 S. Hermitage St. Joseph Church Chicago, IL 207 Main St, 773-523-3917 Manteno, IL 60950 815-468-3403 Our Lady of Sorrows Priory 5900 147th St. Mary of the Lake Seminary Oak Forest, IL 1000 E. Maple Ave. 708-687-2877 Mundelein, IL 847-566-6401 National Shrine of Mary Immaculate of the Universe (St. Pius X Church) Our Lady of Pompeii 1025 E. Madison 1224 W. Lexington St. Lombard, IL Chicago, IL 630-627-4526 312-421-3757
Mother of Mothers Shrine Our Lady of the Forest Mater Christi Church St. James at the Sag 2431 S. 10th Ave. 10600 S. Archer Ave. N. Riverside, II Lemont, IL 708-447-1840 630-257-7000
Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa Salvadorian Lourdes Grotto Fathers Monastery Annunciation Church 5755 Pennsylvania St. 1820 Church Rd. Merrillville, IN 46410 Aurora, IL 219-884-0714 630-851-1436
Our Lady of Peace Our Lady of the Wayside Church 709 Plainfield Rd. 432 W. Park St. Darien, IL Arlington Heights, IL 60005 630-323-4333 847-253-5353
The Grotto Greccio Cave Sacred Heart Monastery St. Francis of the Woods 1910 Maple Ave. 9201 St. Francis Rd. Frankfort, IL 60453 Lisle, IL 815-464-3848 630-725-6000
Nuptial Blessing
After the Our Father, the prayer Deliver us is omitted. The Priest, standing and facing the bride and bridegroom, invokes upon them God's blessing, and this is never omitted.
In the invitation, if one or both of the spouses will not be receiving Communion, the words in parentheses are omitted. In the prayer, the words in parentheses may be It if it seems that circumstances suggest it, for example, if the bride and bridegroom are advanced in years.
The bride and bridegroom approach the altar or, if appropriate, they remain at their place and kneel.
The Priest, with hands joined, calls upon those present to pray, saying:
Option A
Dear brothers and sisters, let us humbly pray to the Lord that on these his servants, now married in Christ, he may mercifully pour out the blessing of his grace and make of one heart in love (by the Sacrament of Christ's Body and Blood) those he has joined by a holy covenant.
And all pray in silence for a while. Then the Priest, with hands extended over the bride and bridegroom, continues:
O God, who by your mighty power created all things out of nothing, and, when you had set in place the beginnings of the universe, formed man and woman in your own image, making the woman an inseparable helpmate to the man, that they might no longer be two, but one flesh, and taught that what you were pleased to make one must never be divided;
O God, who consecrated the bond of Marriage by so great a mystery that in the wedding covenant you foreshadowed the Sacrament of Christ and his Church;
O God, by whom woman is joined to man and the companionship they had, in the beginning, is endowed with the one blessing not forfeited by original sin nor washed away by the flood.
Look now with favor on these your servants, joined together in Marriage, who ask to be strengthened by your blessing. Send down on them the grace of the Holy Spirit and pour your love into their hearts, that they may remain faithful in the Marriage covenant.
May the grace of love and peace abide in your daughter N., and let her always follow the example of those holy women whose praises are sung in the Scriptures. May her husband entrust his heart to her, so that, acknowledging her as his equal and his joint heir to the life of grace, he may show her due honor and cherish her always with the love that Christ has for his Church.
And now, Lord, we implore you: may these your servants hold fast to the faith and keep your commandments; made one in the flesh, may they be blameless in all they do; and with the strength that comes from the Gospel, may they bear true witness to Christ before all; (may they be blessed with children, and prove themselves virtuous parents, who live to see their children's children).
And grant that, reaching at last together the fullness of years for which they hope, they may come to the life of the blessed in the Kingdom of Heaven. Through Christ our Lord.
Response: Amen.
See Additional Options at: http://catholicweddinghelp.com/topics/text-nuptial-blessing.htm
Misc Tips on Each Program from Experienced Advisers
All Programs
Whenever possible when it says to choose an activity, you as a counselor should choose it – especially for the younger programs (GIL, FOG, & ILMF). For the older programs (MM & SA) allow the youth more freedom to choose but if you can facilitate a group activity (i.e., organizing an outing to see a shrine, etc…), you should as time permits for you.
Make sure the parents are involved (especially) with the younger programs. It is HIGHLY recommended that the 1st meeting (or a separate meeting before the 1st meeting) is held with the parents and they understand the commitment needed to earn the medal. They should also sign the workbook if it is asked for.
Some advisers recommend starting the classes in the Spring, as youth tend to be busy during the school year with Sports and Other School Activities.
God Is Love
Program is not available yet
Family of God
The leader guide is in the back of this book.
There are 6 chapters with 3 activities in each. It is recommended to do this one 6 weeks in a row to keep them focused.
It is hard to keep the younger ones focused so send them home with homework each week
START with Chapter 5 and YOU choose the chores (if left up to the youth it may not get done)
Do Chapter 3 second and the rest of the chapters as you see fit
The Pedigree Chart is located in this training packet and can also be found at: http://www.dioceseofjoliet.org/scouting/subsectioncontent.php?secid=5&subsecid=11
I Live My Faith
The leader guide is in the back of this book.
Remember that there are ALL MUST activities in each chapter and the activities that the youth can choose as well.
With this one, the youth start to work more on their own, and the adviser reviews what they have done.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) is a hard read for 4th & 5th graders. A better choice is The Essential Catholic Catechism by Alan Schreck. It should be available through your local library.
The Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth is a good book to use as a guide. It should be available through your local library.
Two Feet of Love can be found at http://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/what-we- believe/catholic-social-teaching/two-feet-of-love-in-action.cfm
Deus Caritas Est can be found at: http://www.ewtn.com/library/doctrine/sumdeuscarit.htm
Caritas in Veritate can be found at http://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/who-we- teach/adults/caritas-in-veritate-resource-material.cfm
Mary, the First Disciple
Start on Page 48 and make sure the Parents sign off (during the Parent Meeting).
Formal classes should start with the Rosary chapters which start on Page 22. The first 4 meetings should all be about the rosary (one meeting for each mystery).
If starting in the Spring try to time the Chapter on Pentecost to coincide with when Pentecost is celebrated that year. This makes it fresher in the youth mind.
Making a Knotted Cord/Twine Rosary, the Nuptial Blessing, and the Marian Shrines in the Area are all located in this training packet and can also be found at: http://www.dioceseofjoliet.org/scouting/subsectioncontent.php?secid=5&subsecid=11
If working on the Service Project (Page 8), the youth can work with other groups such as a Right to Life group in their church or community.
Workbooks for the Marian Medal (with space provided for answers) are available at: http://www.dioceseofjoliet.org/scouting/subsectioncontent.php?secid=5&subsecid=11
The Spirit Alive
Always start with the parents meeting (use Page 25 as a guide)
Do Appendixes A, B, and D before you start anything else in the program.
Do Appendix G as you work through each chapter.
There are only 4 chapters, but the youth must do 3 activities per chapter.
Only 3 activities need to be done from the four sections, but all 3 activities cannot be from the same section.
Most activities can be done as a group, but some are for individuals only. As the adviser you can help facilitate the group activities as your time allows (i.e. Visit a non-Catholic Church)
Journal questions are to be answered individually.
Chapter 4’s activities should be done individually by the youth. They are given TWO options and must choose one. Option 1 is more writing, and Option 2 is more about service.
The Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth is a good resource.
Workbooks for the Spirit Alive (with space provided for answers) are available at: http://www.dioceseofjoliet.org/scouting/subsectioncontent.php?secid=5&subsecid=11