Catholic Scouting

All   youth and adults—Scouts or non-Scouts, Catholic or non-Catholic, male or female—are welcome to participate in the Religious Activity Programs.

The following Patch requirements and ordering may be found at the National Catholic Committee for Girl Scouts USA and Camp Fire USA.

Women in Scripture
The Women in Scripture series focus on individuals who lived lives of courage and faithfulness. These women often fanned the flame of faith in their families and communities and were the backbone of the church and faith since the very beginning of Jesus’ ministry. Learn more about these strong faith-filled women.

Models of Faith
Throughout the long tradition of the Catholic Church, women and men have been inspired by the Holy Spirit to stand up for the faith in the midst of great trials and at deep personal  risk. Learn more about these great Models of Faith.

The following Patch requirements and ordering may be found at the National Catholic Committee on Scouting.

The Rosary Series
The Rosary Series will focus on a different set of Mysteries of the Holy Rosary and an activity describing how to pray the rosary. This is an opportunity for the youth and adults alike to learn more about their faith.  There are 5 activities in all. They are the Joyful Mysteries, Luminous  Mysteries, Sorrowful Mysteries, Glorious Mysteries and Pray the  Rosary. A beautiful 5″ diameter patch is available with each  activity.

The Footsteps of American Saints
The Footsteps of American Saints program is a series of religious activities that encourages youth to learn about several individuals who have shaped the landscape of Catholicism in America. Through a knowledge of the lives of these Saints and Blesseds it is hoped that participants will be inspired to imitate their heroic virtues and follow in their footsteps.  A patch with the saint’s likeness is available for each activity.

The Marian Activity Series
Each activity in this series examines one of the nineteen Marian Feasts Commemorated in the United States, focusing on how and why the Church has honored Mary for more than 2,000 years.

International Catholic Awareness
This activity is being offered by The International Catholic Conference of Scouting (ICCS) in recognition of demonstrated awareness of Scouting in the Catholic Church throughout the world.   It contributes to the complete education of young people through Scouting from the perspective of the Catholic faith. It develops and enhances the spiritual dimension of Scouting in the World Scout Movement. Depending on age, the Scout may earn a pin or medallion.

Religious programs are available to Catholic youth. Age appropriate activities are done from workbooks, with the guidance of a religious program counselor.  The activities help young people grow in their faith, and allow them to explore their role in their family life, parish community and local communities.  A scout may participate in one or more religious program during their scouting/Camp Fire career.

GETTING STARTED
All young people who are interested in participating in a religious program can follow the guidelines below.

1. Decide which program is appropriate.  See the descriptions of the programs below.
2. Purchase the workbook for the program.  Each participant will require his/her own workbook. Workbooks may NOT be copied.
3. Contact the CCS member listed below for further assistance in the programs.  Some programs require that the participant work with a registered religious program counselor. Parents and Leaders may apply as counselor.
4. Complete all requirements in the workbook by the deadline to qualify for the recognition ceremony. Emblems for BSA/Venture/Explorers may also require completing a board of review.
5. The Cub Scout and younger Girl Scout/Camp Fire/AHG programs typically take 3-4 months to complete.  The Scouts BSA and older Girl Scout/Camp Fire/AHG programs can take from 5-6 months to complete.
6. Complete the application form in the workbook, which requires the signatures of the participant, a parent, and the pastor.  Send the completed application form, and the required fees for the medals, to the contact person listed below.  The contact person will know the current cost of the medals.
7. There is a diocesan fee for each applicant.  This fee covers all Religious Medals, Religious Program Patches, certificate, and ceremony.  Contact the CCS member listed below for current fee. Program booklets fees are the responsibility of each applicant.

Who to contact regarding Scouting in the Diocese of San Jose
For more information on Catholic Scouting programs for members of Boy Scouts of America, please contact Ann Resch.
For more information on Catholic Scouting programs for members of Girl Scouts, American Heritage Girls, Camp Fire and other youth serving organizations, please contact Moira Delumpa.

CATHOLIC EMBLEMS FOR MEMBERS OF BSA 

GOD IS LOVE (Lion Cubs) Students discover an appreciation that God created, cares for, and loves us all.  (NOTE:  GOD IS LOVE Activity Books must be purchased at the NFCYM Online Store.)

LIGHT OF CHRIST
(Tiger Cubs & Wolf Cub Scouts)
This program helps younger boys and girls develop a personal relationship with Jesus. He comes to see Jesus as a person and his friend.

PARVULI DEI
(Bear Cub Scouts & Webelos Scouts)
Young boys and girls explore a wide range of activities in which they discover the presence of God in their daily lives as members of their families and parishes. Parvuli Dei is latin for Children of God.

AD ALTARE DEI
(Scouts BSA 7th grade and older; young men and women in Venturing program)
This program studies the Sacraments.  Scouts grow to recognize that sacramental encounters with Christ help them to develop a fuller Christian way of life. Ad Altare Dei is latin for to the altar of God.

POPE PIUS XII
(High School age Scouts BSA; young men and women in Venturing program)
Participants examine Christian daily life and are challenged to explore church ministries and vocations.  Young adults are encouraged to share their faith with peers through discussion and reflection. During World War II, 1939—45, and for nearly twenty years after, Pope Pius XII was almost universally regarded as a saintly man, a scholar, a man of peace, a tower of strength, and a compassionate defender and protector of all victims of the war and genocide that had drowned Europe in blood for six years. At the end of the war Western nations paid tribute to his steadfast efforts on behalf of the oppressed. Jews heaped praise on him for his help in their darkest hour and, at his death thirteen years later, they were among the first to express sorrow and gratitude for his solicitude for Jews during the Holocaust.

Activity Books for the above may be purchased at your local BSA store or online at www.scoutshop.org.

CATHOLIC EMBLEMS FOR MEMBERS OF GIRL SCOUTS, CAMP FIRE BOYS & GIRLS, LITTLE FLOWERS, OTHER YOUTH SERVING ORGANIZATIONS, & PARISH GROUPS

GOD IS LOVE (Kinder & 1st grades) 
Students discover an appreciation that God created, cares for, and loves us all.

FAMILY OF GOD  (2nd & 3rd grades) 
Children explore a wide range of family and parish activities in order to discover the presence of God in their daily lives.

I LIVE MY FAITH  (Grade 4-6)
This program focuses activities around the participant’s developing awareness of her/his growth as a person, friend, family member, citizen and believer of faith.

MARIAN MEDAL  (Grade 7-10)
Program participants gain an understanding of Mary as the model of openness and spirituality.  The program helps young people develop a Christian spirit of hope and faith through projects, discussion and liturgical celebrations.

SPIRIT ALIVE  (Grade 9-12)
This program assists participants in discovering how the Holy Spirit moves in their lives, calling them to greater participating in Church ministry.

MISSIO  (Grade 11-12)
This program invites young people to explore discipleship and their own religious identity.

Activity Books for the above may be purchased at the NFCYM Online Store.

CATHOLIC EMBLEMS FOR MEMBERS OF AMERICAN HERITAGE GIRLS

Deus et familia Mea (God and My Family) Tenderheart Level

The God and My Family book guides Catholic Tenderhearts through an awareness of who they are as children of God in the family of the Catholic Church. Girls will learn about the Holy Mass, sacraments, traditions and history of the Catholic Church with fun hands-on activities. Tenderhearts are encouraged to explore and perform works of charity for their families and neighbors.

Deus et Patria Mea (God and My Country) Explorer Level

The God and My Country book allows Catholic Explorers to learn more about the various saints representing the United States of America. Explorers enrich their faith by exploring Catholic elements that are most important to those saints, including the Eucharist, Corporal Works of Mercy, and missionary work. The program is thought-provoking, hands-on, and will foster a desire in Explorers to serve Jesus Christ through His Holy Church.

Deus et Civitas Mea (God and My Community) Pioneer Level

The God and My Country book guides Catholic Pioneers to examine service in their community through the Sacred Scripture and Church Tradition. Girls learn the importance of preparing to serve through prayer and learning about people who exemplified service in their lives. Pioneers put what they have learned into practice by serving others and by reflecting on the impact of their service.

Femina Integritatis (Women of Integrity) Patriot Level

The Woman of Integrity book encourages Catholic Patriots to internalize and immerse themselves in what it means to be a Catholic Woman of Integrity through prayer and discussion with opportunities for outings and engaging speakers. Through study and the Holy Scripture of the Mass, Our Blessed Mother, the lives of the saints, and the sacraments, Patriot’s discern God’s call for their lives after high school.

Activity Books for the above may be purchased at American Heritage Girls online store

Adult and Group Recognition Forms must be submitted to Ann Resch by February 10, 2023

The Bronze Pelican Award
The Catholic Committee on Scouting for the Diocese of San Jose provides the Bronze Pelican Award to men and women as recognition for contributing directly to the spiritual nourishment of Catholic boys and girls in the Scouting movement.  The Pelican has been used as a liturgical symbol since the early days of Christianity.  It denotes the tender care of the young by the parent and by the Church.  As such, it is an appropriate symbol for those who give of themselves to the spiritual development of boys and girls in the formation as Christian leaders. | Nomination Form

The St. George Emblem
The St. George Emblem is awarded to members of the laity and clergy, Scouters and non-Scouters alike, who have made significant and outstanding contributions to the spiritual development of Catholic  youths through Scouting. | Nomination Form

The Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Award
The St. Elizabeth Ann  Seton recognition  was inaugurated in  1980 to recognize  the meritorious  contributions of adults  who serve Catholic  youth through Girl  Scouts and Camp Fire.  This medal affirms  the work of those who  help youth develop  their spiritual lives  within the context of  these organizations. It is ordinarily received  before the St. Anne Medal is earned, but is not a  requirement for receiving the St. Anne Medal. | Nomination Form

The Saint Anne Medal
The St. Anne Medal is  the highest national  recognition for adults  who serve Catholic  youth through Girl  Scouts and Camp  Fire. The recognition  was inaugurated in  1957. The purposes  of the St. Anne  recognition are to  honor the outstanding  services of adults who contribute to the spiritual  development of Catholic young people in these  organizations and to further Catholic adult  leadership in youth ministry through these  national youth-serving organizations. | Nomination Form

The National Catholic Unit Excellence Award
Cooperation, development, and program are the key words in the recognition of BSA Catholic chartered units in earning the National Catholic Unit Excellence Award – Pope Paul VI. The adult leadership responds to training not only in Scouting lores, but training in Catholic Scouter Development, and religious counseling. The Scouts in each Pack, Troop, Team, and Crew/Ship respond by participating in the religious emblems program respective of their status in Scouting. | Nomination Form

1. National Catholic Committee on Scouting
2. National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry
3. NFCYM Online Store
4. Scout Stuff
5. P.R.A.Y Programs of Religious Activities with Youth

Who we are
We support and promote Catholic youth ministry in Scouting and Youth Organizations such as, but not limited to BSA, Girl Scouts, American Heritage Girls, and Little Flowers.  We primarily serve Troops and Dens within the Santa Clara County. Our group organizes the annual Catholic awards recognition ceremony, and co-sponsors the annual Retreat-O-Ree.  We also provide training and fellowship for leaders, counselors and youth ministers.

The committee meets at St. Joseph’s in Cupertino, Stevens Creek and De Anza Blvd.
4th Monday of January, March, May, August, and October
7:00pm

Membership
Rev. Paul Soukup, SJ
Committee Chaplain
psoukup@scu.edu

Ann Resch
Committee Chairman
a.resch@att.net

Catherine Murphy
BSA Religious Emblems Advisor, Cub Scouts
cmshearley@yahoo.com

Patricia Cuadros
BSA Religious Emblems Advisor, Boy Scout/Venturing
patricia-c@usa.net

Moira Delumpa
Girl Scouts Religious Emblems Advisor
Webmaster
moiraann64@gmail.com

Bill Jennings
bill@farmx.co

Bret Ganoung
bganoung@gmail.com

Thien Nguyen
SVMBC Religious Advisor, Coyote Creek District
thsquare@yahoo.com

Joan Schenck
SVMBC Religious Advisor, Pioneer District
jcschenck@att.net

Bob Wedig
SVMBC Religious Advisor, Polaris District
bob@wedig.com

Claudia Schussman
American Heritage Girl Religious Emblems Advisor
Claudia.olop@gmail.com

Members at Large
Diana Cu
dianadcu@yahoo.com

David Donnelly
davids.donnelly@gmail.com

Floyd Okada
floydokada@aol.com

Angela Michael
angelateri@sbcglobal.net

Frank Diaz
frankmdiaz@gmail.com

Greg Schussman
greg.schussman@gmail.com

If you have any interest in serving on the Catholic Committee on Scouting, we would love to have you!  Please contact Ann Resch for more information.

The Catholic Committee on Scouting has a patch available for Catholic scouts and leaders in the Diocese of San Jose. The purpose of this patch is to promote religious program participation. The 3” round patch features the diocesan crest centered on a Jerusalem cross. The logos of the Girls Scouts and Boy Scouts are placed on the outer ring.

No special requirements are needed to purchase this patch. Patch segments that can be sewn around the main patch are also available. The segments represent the religious award that the scout has completed.

To order the patch, please (CLICK HERE) print and complete order form and send a check for $3.00 per patch payable to Diocese of San Jose – CCS to: Thien Nguyen, CCS Patch, 2051 Piedmont Rd, San Jose, CA 95132. Contact Thien Nguyen for more information.