Catholic Scouting

This month, formal classes of study will begin for all Boy Scouts of Catholic faith ages 13 and up who are interested in earning the Ad Altare Dei or the Pope Pius XII award for Scouts.

Any Catholic Scout age 13 and over can work toward the Ad Altare Dei award. Scouts of high school age, 15 and over, can attain the Pope Pius XII award. The program helps a Scout to gain a better understanding and appreciation of his faith, as well as to understand the relationship between his faith and his involvement as a Scout.

It is expected that interested Scouts will be faithful and prompt in their attendance at the sessions, be attentive and participate fully in the group discussions. A full Class ‘A’ uniform is required during classes as well as a good attitude. Permission of the Scout’s unit leader and parish priest is also required of each participant. Participation in a retreat sponsored by the course instructor staff is also a prerequisite for successful completion of the program.

Many Catholic Scouts through the years have taken part in the program and earned their medal, which is awarded following a Board of Review at the end of the program in the spring by the Bishop of the Worcester Diocese at a special Mass and ceremony at St. Paul’s Cathedral.

Scouts should have a personal desire to earn this award, not simply be ‘compelled’ by their parents to do so. Interested Scouts should contact John Atlas, Vice-Chairman of the Diocesan Catholic Committee on Scouting, for further details. Be aware that the first session for the program is being held Tuesday, October 17th beginning at 7:00 PM at St. Christopher’s Roman Catholic Church, 950 West Boylston Street in Worcester. For further info and questions, or to convey a Scout’s intentions to participate in the program, please email Mr. Atlas at [email protected] or call 508-856-0303.

Catholic Scouts and adults throughout the Worcester Diocese received recognition as the Bishop of Worcester hosted a special Mass at the Cathedral of St. Paul.

The Diocesan Catholic Committee on Scouting (DCCS) consists of Catholic Scouters who are registered in one or more of the many Scouting programs of the Diocese of Worcester. These include the BSA, American Heritage Girls and Girl Scouts of Central/Western Massachusetts among parts or all of four Councils and service areas. Adjunct members of the committee include the Chartered Organization Representatives of all Scouting units which are sponsored by the Catholic parishes within the Worcester Diocese.
 
The DCCS is overseen by the Bishop of Worcester, the Very Rev. Robert J. McManus, through the Office of Youth Ministry. Our responsibilities include the administration of the Catholic Scouting emblem program, including the certification of all instructors of the many emblem programs. In addition, our committee’s tasks encompass all areas of Catholic Scouting such as religious activities, Catholic youth and adult membership development, new unit sponsorship and training in the various Scouting programs within the Diocese and more.
 
Please check out our most recent events and activities on Facebook at @WorcesterDCCS
For questions regarding any of the above or to express interest in other areas of related involvement in our committee’s work please contact DCCS Chairman Robert Ryan at [email protected]


For more information on the Diocesan Catholic Committee on Scouting's mission, work, and offerings, click on the lin below for our tri-fold brochure.

Diocesan Catholic Committee on Scouting Informational Brochure

Any scout actively working on their Catholic religious emblem award needs to submit their completed workbook forms to the Diocese of Worcester.

DCCS
c/o John Atlas
800 Main St., Suite 185
Holden, MA   01520

If you'd like to make a donation to support our emblem program, please click here!

Diocesan Catholic Committee on Scouting Chair  Robert Ryan - email: [email protected]

Scouting Episcopal Liason Deacon Ed Meilus - [email protected]

for Girl Scouts: Linda Brink [email protected]

for Boy Scouts: John Atlas -  phone: (508) 856-0303

for American Heritage Girls located at Our Lady of Loreto - Karen Rezkalla - [email protected]

Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry: Tim Messenger [email protected] 508-929-4360

* Catholic Scouting - www.catholicscouting.com

* For more information on Boy Scout Religious Emblem program check out   

*For more information on the Girl Scout Religious Recognition program go to http://www.nfcym.org/patches

*For an easy to read brochure of the different religious awards offered through Girl Scouts, click on this  link http://www.nfcym.org/patches

* Information on American Heritage Girls go to https://www.americanheritagegirls.org/

*John Atlas, Awards Program Chairman -for those interested in Ad Altare Dei and Pope Pius XII medal programs in the Diocese of Worcester geographical area, email John at [email protected]