CATHOLIC GIRL SCOUT COMMITTEE PROGRAM UPDATE January 2017

Thanks for your help throughout the year. You make it possible for the Catholic Girl Scout Committee to bring Jesus and His Church to the Catholic girls of our scouting community. Please notify the Catholic Scouting Office (516-678-5800, ext. 245 or [email protected]) of any changes in your status. (Availability, address, telephone number)

GIRL SCOUT SUNDAY - Sunday, March 12, 2017 is Girl Scout Sunday. Does your parish have a special Mass to celebrate Girl Scout Sunday? If not, check with your Pastor to see if you can schedule one. Ideas about what takes place at a Girl Scout Sunday Mass are available from the Catholic Scouting Office. The Catholic Girl Scout Committee has created a special multicolored ecumenical Girl Scout Sunday/Girl Scout Sabbath Patch. It can be given to Girl Scouts and their leaders who attend a religious service (Mass or Prayer Service) on that day. Supplies are limited and pre-ordering is suggested. Cost - $ 1.75. Call the Catholic Scouting Office (516-678-5800, ext. 245 or email at [email protected] ) for information.

DAISY AWARD – The Jesus Loves Me award is offered to first grade Daisies. The girl works with her parent over a period of two to four months to earn the award. Her book is then reviewed by the Parish Coordinator. The Application for the award, found at the back of the book, is sent to the Catholic Scouting Office with the award fee.

BROWNIE AWARDS - The Ave Maria and Family of God Awards are offered to a Brownie in the second or third grade. She works on the required activities with the help and guidance of her parents or guardian. When completed, her work is presented to the Parish Coordinator for final review. The completed Application from the back of the book is then sent to the Catholic Scouting office with the appropriate fees. Both the Daisy and Brownie awards are presented in the parish with the approval of the Pastor. Books and assistance are available from the Catholic Scouting Office. THESE AWARDS ARE OFTEN PRESENTED ON GIRL SCOUT SUNDAY BUT THEY CAN BE COMPLETED AND PRESENTED IN YOUR PARISH THROUGHOUT THE YEAR INCLUDING THE SUMMER.

GIRL SCOUT CONVOCATION – Awards for Juniors, Cadettes, Seniors, and Ambassadors will be presented at the annual Girl Scout Convocation on May 7, 2017 at St. Agnes Cathedral. The award application deadline is March 1, 2017 for I Live My Faith and Regina Coeli and February 1, 2017 for the Marian, St. Agnes, and Spirit Alive Awards.

MARIAN ENCOUNTER - The Marian Encounter is required for all girls who will receive the Marian Award at the Girl Scout Convocation in May. The 2017 Encounter will be held on Sunday, April 2, 2017 at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Massapequa Park. Each girl will be notified with exact details upon submission (DEADLINE - FEBRUARY 1) of her completed application and Marian Book. Each candidate should be reminded that her book must be done neatly and EVERY question or requirement must be completed. A MINIMUM of one full year (12 months) is required to complete this award.

GIRL SCOUT BISHOP’S TROOP - The Bishop’s Troop is sponsored by the Catholic Committee for Girl Scouting of the Diocese of Rockville Centre. It is designed to recognize a scout’s achievement in Catholic Girl Scouting and offer her the opportunity to serve others in the activities of the Catholic Committee. She is expected to assist at the Girl Scout PRAY AND PLAY DAY and the Annual Girl Scout Convocation. (Attendance at planning meetings is required.) To be considered for the troop, the scout must be recommended by her leader, coordinator, parish, school or a member of the Catholic Committee. For further information or an application, please contact the Bishop’s Troop Coordinator, Joan Monastero ([email protected] or 516-783-8567) or the Catholic Scouting Office. (516 –678-5800, ext. 245). COMPLETED APPLICATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED ON OR BEFORE March 1, 2017.

BOOK PRICE LIST: Jesus Loves Me Book (1st grade Daisy)….$2.75 I Live M Faith Book (Junior)...... $5.75 Ave Maria Book (Brownie)………...... $ 2.75 Marian Book (Cadette, Senior)……………..$6.25 Family of God Book (Brownie)…...... $5.75 Saint Agnes Book (Senior, Ambassador )….$3.00 Regina Coeli Booklet (Junior) ...... $2.75 Spirit Alive Book (Senior, Ambassador )…. $6.25 For mail orders, add postage. Call for amount.

HELP - Help and information are available from the Catholic Scouting Office. Call 516-678-5800, ext. 245 any weekday between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm. The Catholic Scouting Office has “Voice Mail.” Messages, questions, etc. can be received when the office is closed or no one is available. Call 516-678-5800 after 4:30 p.m. and on weekends. When you hear the message about the office being closed, DIAL 245. You will then be connected. Please give date, time and your message. Further information is available at www.gsdrvc.org.

E-MAIL - Contact the Catholic Scouting Office by e-mail: [email protected]

2017 Girl Scout PRAY AND PLAY DAY - SAVE THE DATE and PLAN TO BE THERE! Saturday, September 30, 2017 – Shrine of Our Lady of the Island - Eastport, New York

Our Sixth Annual GIRL SCOUT MASS will be held on October 15, 2017.