Office of Catholic Scouting

Our Ministry is to bring the message of Jesus Christ to youth and adults involved in Scouting through faith formation programs and retreats. We reach beyond just those in Scouting and offer some of our programs to all youth! (More...).

New American Saint Added- Our Lady of Guadalupe

Footsteps of American Saints - Our Lady of Guadalupe

The goal of this activity is to honor Mary, the Mother of God. The Church calendar for the United States includes nineteen different Marian feasts or commemorations. By focusing on these different Marian feasts, the activities and patches in this series will shed light on how and why the Church has honored the humble Virgin of Nazareth for more than 2,000 years.

How to start

Read about Our Lady of Guadalupe. You can find the answers to these questions on www.newadvent.org. Feel free to use other resources.
1st - 5th Grades - Complete 3 requirements and 2 of the activities.
6th - 12th Grades - Complete 4 requirements and 3 of the activities.
Adults - See flyer

Requirements

In 1531 miracles began to happen. Who appeared to humble Juan Diego?
When is the feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe?
Fill in the blank: Our Lady of Guadalupe is Patroness of the _____________________.
What three miraculous signs convinced the Mexican people that the Catholic faith was true?
What was God's purpose in choosing Mary to appear to Juan?

Activities

Draw a picture of Our Lady of Guadalupe and share this picture with your family and friends.
Attend a Spanish-speaking Mass and interview some of those who attend regularly about what Our Lady of Guadalupe means to them.
Within a short time, six million Native Mexicans were baptized as Catholics because of what they witnessed and heard about Our Lady of Guadalupe. Attend a Baptism. What does Baptism do? Why is it important to be baptized? (see Catechism of the Catholic Church #1213)
Create a poster showing the three miracles that happened to Juan Diego. Display this poster in your home or community for all to see.

Requirements for Adults

Assist the youth with this Footsteps of American Saints activity
Share your thoughts with the youth about this Saint.
Review the responses to the requirements of each youth participant to confirm his accuracy and to insure his understanding.
Fill out the application for this Marian activity and send it along with the fee to NCCS.

For more information about this Saint, check out the websites below.

The answers to the requirements can be found here.

Answers to Requirements

For more information on the Footsteps of American Saints program, please visit this page!

Catholic Identity Patch Program

The National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry has announced a new patch program called the "Catholic Identity Patch Program." The Catholic Identity program is a religious activity program intended for girls grades 1 through 12 (but is open to all youth) and encourages them to learn more about their faith, to serve their community, and to grow in holiness.

There are two different patch series: The "Women in Scripture" series focuses 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. And the "Models of Faith" series- 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.

Notes: Each patch is earned by youth completing four of the outlined activities. To participate, download the PDF activity sheet for the patch desired below. Once the activities are completed and the patch earned, purchase the patch through our online store or at our office. Girls may place this patch on the back of their sash or vest.

UPDATE: The Catholic Identity patches will soon be available from the Office of Catholic Scouting. Order them online or in the office today, and we will get them to you as soon as possible!

Women in Scripture

Models of Faith

Catholic Adventure Week- Queen's Quest

Here is the latest on next summer’s fun at Swift Explorer Base with the return of: Catholic Adventure Week Camp Save the date!! July 14-20, 2013 at Swift Base of the S-f Scout Ranch Catholic Adventure Week – July 14-20, 2013 at Swift Explorer Base

Catholic Adventure Week, offered at the Swift Base of the S-F Scout Ranch, is sponsored by the Greater St. Louis Area Council of the BSA, the Office of Catholic Scouting, and the Catholic Committee on Scouting, BSA.

Our goal in providing this week for our Catholic Scouts is to give them an experience of living their faith, growing in their faith, and loving their faith within the Scouting movement and especially out in the wonders of God’s creation.

While at Swift for CAW, Scouts will be camping with their individual troops, under their particular adult leadership. Since a number of our participants are attending this camp in addition to their troop’s summer camp, there will be cases where a Scout from a troop does not have a leader present at camp. A “provisional troop” will be made for one of the camp sites, with leadership being provided by members of the Catholic Committee on Scouting, BSA. In the past this system has worked very well, and Scouts seem to mix easily with other Scouts, without the tension that can be experienced at a normal summer camp.

While at CAW, Scouts will be exposed to the entire High Adventure program offered at Swift. Intertwined with the outstanding program offered by the Swift staff, merit badge program time, and there will be opportunities for prayer, religious instruction, and reflection. Meals are in the dining hall, a t-shirt is provided as a memento, and Mass on Friday. Program manuals will be made available in March. The cost for the week is $260 per Scout or $250 if paid in full by May 1.

We will be offering again the “Voyageur program” for new Scouts. To enroll your Troop and/or individual Scouts for this special summer camp week, turn in a Troop reservation form (if your Troop plans to attend with adult leadership) and turn in individual Scout forms, see link, for those Scouts wishing to be in the provisional Troop. A $25 reservation fee is required to hold individual Scout spots. Contact Tom Kroenung for more information at tkroenung@stlbsa.org

2 attachments

Audition dates announced for Fr. William Scheid Players summer performance of "The Music Man"

Submitted by ocs on Fri, 05/17/2013 - 3:15pm

The Catholic Youth Apostolate is excited to announce that the Fr. William Scheid Players will open their 34th season with the musical comedy, The Music Man. Five audition dates are scheduled for the production which will be performed at the Florissant Civic Center on August 23, 24, and 25.

The Fr. Scheid Players are looking to recreate the entire River City population, and roles are available for all people ages 10 years and up. No cuts are made, which means that everyone interested in being "on stage" will be in the show. Volunteers are also needed to work backstage, build scenery, work in the tech booth or in the house on performance days.

If you are interested in being a part of this show, auditions will be held at the following places and times:

Monday, May 20, 2013
7pm – 9 pm
St. Margaret Mary Alacoque Parish
4900 Ringer Rd., 63129 (Mehlville)
Auditions will be held in the music room of the school.

Wednesday, May 22, 2013
7 pm – 9 pm
Holy Spirit Parish
3130 Parkwood, 63043 (Maryland Heights)
Auditions held in the parish hall – please enter through the main door

Wednesday, May 29, 3013
7 pm – 9 pm
Msgr. Meyer Center
4354 South Kingshighway, 63109 (St. Louis)
Auditions held in Msgr. Sullivan Room

Thursday, May 30, 2013
7:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Sacred Heart Parish - Florissant
751 North Jefferson, 63031
Auditions held in parish hall, Rm. #3
Enter from St. Louis or St. Denis Street

Sunday, June 2, 2013
2 pm – 4 pm
Msgr. Meyer Center
4354 S. Kingshighway, 63109 (St. Louis)
Auditions held in Msgr. Sullivan Room

For more information about auditions for The Music Man or if you have any questions about the show, please email Mike Kalist at mkalist@archstl.org. All proceeds from performances benefit the many youth programs of the Catholic Youth Apostolate.

Girl's Encounter Weekend

A weeknend of Fun, Faith, Friends,Live Music and plenty of time to Relax in the Beautiful outdoors!

2013 Catholic Girls Encounter Weekend

“Sherlock Holmes: Discovering Your Faith!”

Who: All girls 7th - 8th grade during the 2013-2014 school year and All High School Girls!

What: A weekend to have fun with your faith and friends! We will be faclitating a program called Endow throughour the weekend. We have seperate program for grade school and High School girls.

When: August 16 - 18, 2013 Check in Friday 6:00pm - 7:00pm. Ends Sunday at Noon with a Family Mass!

Where: Camp Fiddlecreek located in Gray Summit, Missouri

Cost: Early Bird Registration (July 15, 2013) is $50. After July 15, cost is $55. Price includes lodging, meals, T-Shirt, and a great leadership experience

High School Staff: This is a great opportunity to use your leadership skills! Sign up as staff and be part of the planning committe and help facilitate the retreat!

Adult Staff: We need adults to help throughout the weekend. All adults must be in compliance with the Archdiocesan requirements. $40 per person to cover lodging, meals, and T-Shirt

Interested in being on Staff: contact Jennifertrousdale@archstl.org and we will let you know when the planning meeting are scheduled.

Sherlock Holmes name and photo used with copyright permission

4 attachments

Encounter Weekend

Come join us for the Encounter Weekned Retreat!

Episode XIII
May His force be with you!
Coming to a galaxy near you....

Save the date!!!

Catholic Day Retreat- Faith and Friends

Are you ready for the Catholic Day Retreat for Girls?

When: Saturday, October 19, 2013; RAIN OR SHINE we will hold the retreat!

Time: Check in at 8:30 a.m. Program runs from 9:00 a.m. through 3:30 p.m.

Where: Black Madonna Shrine and Grotto in Eureka, Missouri.

Who: For Girl's 9 – 11 years of age or 4^th through 6^th grade.

What to expect: A day of outdoor fun and faith building activities with friends.

Did You Know: As an option, the girls can start working on the “I Live My Faith” Faith-

Building Program. Some of the requirements can be met by participating in

this retreat. There is no need to bring the project books to the retreat.

Sponsor & Contact: Catholic Youth Apostolate | Office of Catholic Scouting

Phone Numbers: 314-792-7608 | 314-792-7613

Email: annlederman@archstl.org,Website: catholicscoutingstl.org

Catholic Committee on Girl Scouts: Kathy Bochantin, @ 314.894.8270.

What to Bring: Sack lunch (Beverages and snacks are provided).

Optional: Money for gift shop. Items range from $.50 to $10.00. Appropriate

clothing (closed toe shoes and socks are required) for outdoor fun and

weather.

Cost: $10.00 per person.

Covers snack, materials, and patch. Payable to Catholic Youth Apostolate

Preferred Due date is October 1, 2013!

Registrations still accepted after October 1^st – if there are spots still available.

Optional Booklet Cost: $6.00 – If you would like to use this day as a jumping off point to begin working on the “I Live My Faith” Faith-Building Program, you can purchase the book now and we will have it for you on the day of the retreat. If you are not sure at this time, books will be available for purchase on the day of the retreat.

Registration/Payment: October 1, 2013 – Please complete a Registration Form for each participant.

Make check payable to Catholic Youth Apostolate

Sorry, no refunds after October 1^st.

ONLINE REGISTRATION is available @ http://registration.stlyouth.org

You may also register with the form, attatched below.

Confirmation: You will be notified by email after October 7, 2013.

CYC Game Conflicts: CYC soccer and volleyball games on October 12, 2013 will not be scheduled or will be rescheduled for the retreat participants if the following registration form is received no later than October 1^st. Registration & Payment. Complete the section on the registration form.

SPACE IS LIMITED! Don’t miss out! Get your reservation in AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!

Click here to watch the slideshow from 2011...