On April 23, the Feast Day of St. George, the patron saint of scouts, at Holy Spirit Parish in Uniontown, the Diocesan Catholic Committee on Scouting (DCCOS) bestowed its annual awards to scouts who completed the requirements for two Catholic Boy Scouts of America (BSA) programs. They also recognized select adults.
Scouts Isabelle Seesan, Lucy Hoffer, Zachary Hoffer, William Hoffer and Elijah Krueger received the Ad Altare Dei award. The most important requirement to achieve this religious emblem badge is that the scout grow in their spiritual experience of their relationship to God and the Church as they develop a fully Christian way of life in the faith community. This year’s awardees are involved in the parishes of Holy Spirit in Uniontown, St. Mary Parish in Massillon, and St. Paul Parish in North Canton.
Davis Young, of Christ the Servant parish in Canton, received the Pope Pius XII award. The purpose of the Pope Pius XII emblem program is to help high school-aged Scouts explore vocations (single, married, religious, ordained) and ministries in the Church as calls from God.
Two adults were recognized for their service to Catholic scouting within the diocese with the Bronze Pelican award—Cindee Case, Diocesan Social Media Minister, and Michael Young of Christ the Servant Parish. The St. George Award for 2023, a national recognition of individuals for their significant contributions and many years of support to scouting in the local Catholic community, went to Cathy Frenz of the Basilica of St. John. The Monsignor James R. Kolp award went to Steve Valentine of Holy Spirit Parish. The Leo Koller Lifetime Achievement Award was awarded to Ms. Martha “JoAn” Pratt of St. Paul Parish in North Canton for, her many years of service to the DCCOS.
Deacon Mike Capitina at Holy Spirit Church in Uniontown led afternoon prayer with the assembly. The awards were presented by DCCOS Chairman, Bob Granchie. A small reception was given afterwards in the parish hall.
Chairman Granchie thanked all those who were instrumental in this year’s programs, the 2023 retreat and awards ceremony. He also announced that the Diocese of Youngstown once again received the Quality Award from the National Catholic Committee on Scouting (NCCS), as a program that “truly delivers exceptional programs to youth members at all levels of BSA programs.” Committee members each received a commemorative patch.
The Catholic religious scouting awards are available to all Catholic scouts—Boy Scouts and Girls Scouts, Camp Fire Girls and American Heritage Girls—of all ages and ranks, email Bob Granchie for more information. For general information about the various religious programs, visit https://nccs-bsa.org/religious-emblems/ and https://nfcym.org/programs/nccgscf/religious-recognition-programs-patches/.
Congratulations to all award recipients!
