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NATIONAL CATHOLIC COMMITTEE ON SCOUTING VOLUME 14, NO. 2—SEPTEMBER 2005 2005 Philmont Training Conference From August 7-13, Catholic Scouters convened at Cimarron, New Mexico to Also in this issue: attend the 31st annual Philmont Training Conference, “Scouting in the Catholic • Chaplain’s Corner Church.” The twenty-four participants and four faculty members from 18 states • Saint George Trek represented all Scouting programs from Cub Scouting through Venturing. Two • Chairman’s Message • Eagle Scout, Scouter, Priest attendees were new diocesan chaplains who had been appointed within the year • NCCS Endowment Fund for ICCS and at least one participant had been involved in Scouting for fifty years. Most • Rome in 2007 • ICCS History Available Reverend Michael J. Sheehan, Archbishop of Santa Fe; Bishop Gerald A. • Membership Recruitment Recognition Gettelfinger, Episcopal Liaison to NCCS; Father Roger LaChance; and Father • Clergy Emphasize Need for Vocations at 16th National Scout Jamboree Don Hummel visited the conference and were recruited to participate. Conference • NCCS at the Jamboree Director Gordon Stiefel, Chaplain Father Ray Fecteau, and faculty members • Scouts Busy at World Youth Day • Golden AAD Presented to Pope John Paul II Susan Barriball and Ed Gargiulo were the guides for the week-long intensive • National Boy Scout Jamboree Produces journey aimed at helping the participants fully appreciate how Scouting may be Worthwhile Experience • Msgr. Brady Still Seeks to Follow God’s Call used to minister to our youth. • Spotlight on Scouting • Father Dennis O’Rourke Celebrates 25 Years (Continued on page 2) See more pictures of what you will experience at Philmont Training Center on pages 14 and 15. left for family time and explorations of nearby sights. Participants hiked (a few every evening), toured the Villa or the museums, and visited Cimarron, Raton, Eagle Nest or even Taos. (Continued from page 1) days, the BSA staff of Don York, Family programs were available, Scouters came together with an Dave Richardson, and George Sparks, staffed by some of the best young expectation of sharing experiences of assisted by volunteers Ken Stanton people in the country, to take spouses Scouting and faith to discover the and Bob Freemon, were very anxious and children on extraordinary dimensions of Scouting that can be adventures including tours, handicraft opened when the relationship between projects, pony and horse riding, field- the Church and Scouting is fully sports, and age appropriate hiking and developed. Participants expecting a camping experiences, even COPE routine of classroom presentations courses. Others chose to avail about retreats, religious emblems, and themselves of quiet time on the NCCS programs were surprised. The greensward. Evening programs saw an conference material was fully revised Indian Dance exhibition, Western in 2004 and now provides well Night (barbeque, games and dancing), integrated experiences of faith to have a week of relaxation in the and family oriented campfires. formation, explorations of Catholic beauty of the Sangre de Cristo high belief from the catechism, sharing the plains. They, and the PTC staff principles and goals of Catholic youth directed by Brian Gray, were well ministry, and setting goals for the prepared to support the five operation of a diocesan Scouting concurrent division conferences, and committee. to the participants’ great relief, the This year’s conference was held weather was cooler than expected, during week 10 of the Philmont encouraging participation and Training program and sponsored by diversionary explorations. the Relationships Division. Following As was planned into the the National Jamboree by only a few conference schedule, Wednesday was Chaplain’s Corner SAINT GEORGE TREK chartered bus travel after arrival in by Father Roger LaChance Philmont 2006 Albuquerque. The Arch/diocese is July 11 thru July 26, 2006 encouraged to underwrite registration “Youth is not made for pleasure, but The National Catholic costs for participants. Financial for heroism.” Paul Claudel Committee on Scouting is pleased to assistance is available. Contact the announce its high adventure course director, Father Kevin Smith, The mountains of Philmont and leadership program for older Catholic for details. the “Philmont experience” are Boy Scouts and Venture Crew The Saint George Trek is funded positive proof of the truth of these members at Philmont Scout Ranch in by the National Catholic Committee words for both crews and staff. Young northeastern New Mexico from July on Scouting, and the United States people come from all parts of our 11 through July 26, 2006. Delegation of the Sacred Military country with some apprehension, but Designed to develop Constantinian Order of Saint George. also enthusiasm. They come to organizational and relational skills for Application forms are available challenge themselves, to find leadership, as well as nourishing the on the National Catholic Committee’s strengths they did not know they had, Scout’s spirituality, the program will Website: www.nccs-bsa.org or by to be surprised at their growth into bring high school youth from around contacting Austin Cannon. adulthood, to rub shoulders with other the country together with selected kindred spirits in their crew, and even priests, seminarians and religious for Questions on the program may be to be frustrated when the “thorns” eight days of backpacking on the trail addressed to: seem to be more than the “roses” on and three days of intensive leadership Father Kevin M. Smith, Pastor the trail. training at a back country base camp. Saint Francis de Sales Church I asked the crew members, once Three days will be spent at the 7 Amity Street they had returned from their hiking Madonna Retreat House in Patchogue, NY 11772 experience, if they would like to come Albuquerque, New Mexico preparing 631-475-0161 back. Hearing a resounding “YES” for the trek. [email protected] confirms to me the validity of the In its entirety the program program here at Philmont. encourages the integration of morality Questions on logistics may be Generous young adults come and values, spirituality and faith, and addressed to: here not just for a job, but to give of scripture with the responsibilities of Austin E. Cannon themselves to their younger brothers Christian leadership and vocations. 105 Haff Avenue and sisters in service. I believe they Participants will be asked to carry this No. Bellmore, NY 11710 are unsung heroes! Giving up the meaningful experience home with (H) 516-221-7186 creature comforts of home, they live them and become effective peer (B) 516-678-5800, ext. 245 and work with peers in the rustic leaders in their diocese. [email protected] Philmont environment. These role Each Arch/diocese is encouraged models demonstrate the Lord’s call to to conduct a search and send two top- Space is limited! Make your be of service to others. Staffers, both notch Scouts to the Trek. Selection selection and reservations as soon as young and old, contribute to the should be made on the basis of possible. Send a completed youth growth of our young people and of demonstrated leadership potential, participant application and a check one another. In one sense we are all reception of Scouting’s religious for $ 75.00 for each participant to “mere youths” as Jeremiah says, to emblems, and involvement in church, Mrs. Barb Nestel, NCCS, Boy Scouts heed God’s call and be beloved school and community activities. of America, P.O. Box 152079, Irving children of God! Catholic Boy Scouts and Venturers TX, 75015-2079. An arch/diocesan This “rookie” chaplain is proud who will be fifteen years of age on or reply/approval must accompany the to have been in the midst of these before July 11, 2006 and in High youth application. people if even for a short time. May School in the fall of 2006 are eligible NOTE: Philmont has a policy the Lord bless you all. to apply. NO exceptions can be made. that all fees are non-refundable. Upon Girls in Venturing have been a part of reasonable notice of cancellation, REMEMBER! the past four treks and an all girl crew NCCS will refund all fees if it is able is planned for 2006. to fill the vacancy with another The fee for the Saint George participant. Religious Emblem costs are Trek is $600. In addition, participants increasing effective January, 2006. will have to pay the cost of transportation to and from See the June 2005 issue of Albuquerque, New Mexico and The Bridge for the new costs or normal personal expenses. The $600 check the NCCS website at fee covers all Philmont Scout Ranch www.nccs-bsa.org fees and all other lodging, food and CHAIRMAN’S MESSAGE by Bray Barnes Eagle Scout, Scouter, Priest Upon returning from the 2005 BSA Steven Robert Hoffer packed Jamboree, I reflected on how proud I am to be your his bags preparing to return to the Chairman. Philmont Scout Ranch in June 2005. The events occurring in the first days of the He had been to the ranch many times Jamboree resulted in our chaplains working under some very in the past, but this time he returned difficult conditions. All of our 22 Catholic chaplains were as Father Steve, Chaplain. Ordained a called upon to provide grief counseling and spiritual priest in the Diocese of Las Vegas in guidance to many Scouts and Scouters struck by the tragic May 2005 and awaiting his parish loss of the Alaska Scouters. assignment in July, Father Steve More than 300 Scouts were taken to the hospital the looked forward to his time in the back following day, many overcome by high temperatures and humidity. Once again country. our chaplains rose to the occasion, spending long hours at the hospital to insure As a Cub Scout, Father Steve every Scout was not without help.