Catholic Committee on ScoutingDiocese of Jackson

2009

Eligibility: the Scout Application/Approval form signed A registered Boy Scout of Catholic faith 13 and 14 years old Active member of Troop for 6 months Completed 6th grade before starting the

program

Eligibility: the Counselor Program Intent form signed and submitted to local

CCoS A registered member of BSA in good standing Be of the Catholic faith Completed the Diocesan program

“Protecting God’s Children”http://www.jacksondiocese.org/ follow links for Protection of Youth and Protecting God’s Children

Completed BSA Youth Protection traininghttp://www.scouting.org/myscouting/elearning.aspx

INTERESTED UNDERSTANDING OPEN FLEXIBLE AND

CREATIVE LIKEABLE SENSE OF HUMOR

KNOWLEDGEABLE COMMUNICATE SPIRITUAL SENSITIVE OBSERVANT

Counselor attributes

Purpose of the award Help Catholic Scouts of the Roman Rite

develop a fully Christian way of life in the faith community

Program is organized in chapters based on the seven Sacraments which are a primary means toward spiritual growth

Program Requirements Use of a Catholic Bible is required St. Joseph version of New American Bible used in program preparation

Scout should be advancing in Scouting (not mandatory)

Regular participation in Sunday worship Involved in formal religious education program Complete ALL requirements in AAD manual All sections must be completed and signed off Attend annual Catholic Scout Retreat Weekend

(last weekend in April)

Successfully complete AAD Board of ReviewProgram designed to be completed in 6-8 months

[start beginning of school year]

Board of Review Does he have a better understanding of his Christian

commitment? Has he learned to understand, support, and apply Christian

principles to the problems of our day? Has he thought about his vocation in life: a vocation to the

priesthood, religious life, marriage, or single life? How has his relationship with his Church grown? What is his attitude toward Scouting and the ideals of the

program? How does his relationship between Scouting and the Church

compare? Has the Scout grown in his understanding and living out of

his faith? (faith growth)

Award Presentation The religious emblem will be presented to

theScout at the annual Youth Recognition Ceremony

Sunday after Mother’s Day in May

The religious knot or device should be presented at a Troop Court of Honor

Counselor’s role: Delivering the Program Use the AAD Counselor Guide Facilitate (keep moving and on track) the

general discussions Review the chapters prior to meeting Anticipate questions or stumbling areas Hold regular meetings & schedule projects Use of a check-off worksheet helps keep

track of progress Review progress of each chapter & sign off

Counselor’s role: Guiding the Scout Help the Scout experience Christ’s deep

love for them as individuals (not dependent on their behavior)

Help the Scout go beyond the surface answers of childhood

Encourage greater participation of Catholic Scouts in the religious programs of the Church

Promote the Spiritual component of Scouting within the parish and unit. (A Scout is Reverent)

Help create an atmosphere conducive to the development of religious vocations.

Scout’s Roles and Responsibilities: Attend regular meetings. If Scout misses

more than two meetings…….. Work through the AAD Scout Manual with

Counselor using a Bible where appropriate

Stay on task and schedule Make the program a priority Be prepared to share experiences at BOR Attend Catholic Scout Retreat

Parent’s Role Support the Religious Emblems Counselor

in her/his role Support your son as he shares lessons with

the family Make the program a priority

Sections Section 1: Introduction

Chapter 1: Sacraments and Sacraments in Our Daily Life

Section 2: The Sacraments of Initiation Chapter 2: Baptism Chapter 3: Confirmation Chapter 4: Eucharist

Sections Section 3: Sacraments of Healing

Chapter 5: Reconciliation Chapter 6: Anointing of the Sick

Section 4: Sacraments of Service (Commitment)

Chapter 7: Holy Orders Chapter 8: Marriage

AAD Chapter make-up:A. Life Experiences

Focus on experiences within the life of the Scout and begins to examine them

B. Activity Interrelate Sacraments with life experience and

faith knowledgeC. Faith Response

Application and summary – experiences leading to growth of faith

Scoutmaster sign-off Scout keeping the SM up-to-date on his

personal growth – more than one chapter at a time is permitted

No changes permitted Additional requirements may not be added

Puzzles – don’t allow Scouts to skip ahead – they are part of the chapter material

Open “The Good Book” Internet sites with Scripture passages for the day

– sometimes with reflections www.dailygospel.org www.ewtn.com www.usccb.org www.daily-word-of-life.com www.wau.org www.wordofgod.ca

Column A1) Exodus 20:1-17 (OT or NT)2) Genesis 5:1-24 (OT or NT)3) Luke 15:11-31 (OT or NT)4) Acts 6:1-7 (OT or NT)

Column Ba. Historyb. Poetryc. Genealogyd. Lawe. parable

Exodus 20:1-17

ChapterBook Verses

Now match a numbered Column A ‘Scripture Passage’ with a Column B ‘Literary Form’, plus is the Scripture Passage from the Old Testament (OT) or from the New Testament (NT)

Chapter 1: Sacraments and Sacramentals in our daily life Goal: recognize the signs of faith and their

importance Question: What is a Sacrament and why

should it be important to me?A. Life Experience:

Scouting symbols & signs Common life symbols & signs Symbols of our Christian life

Sacraments: celebrating / encountering Jesus through symbols and words

Sacraments originated with Jesus’ words and actions

Chapter 1. Sacramentals

Objects: pictures, statues, ……. Actions: genuflections, ….. Places: Rome, …… Practices: Retreats, ….

C. Faith response Homilies – tough to complete, you may

want to read Gospel at end of meeting then remind them to make a note or two about homily

Scoutmaster minutes – skits

Chapter 2. Baptism Goal: Baptism is the start of his life in

Christ and a covenant of union with God Question: How does Baptism relate to my

daily life? What does it mean to be initiated into a

group? Scouts’ expectations and responsibilities Christians’ expectations and responsibilities Scout discovers that many of the responsibilities

accepted at Baptism are fulfilled in Scouting

Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Confirmation, & Eucharist

Baptism Signs and symbols – Water

Hebrews cross Jordan river Crossing desert (death – sin) into promised land (life)

Death: Noah’s flood, Pharaoh’s army, typhoon Life: Water from rock, rain for crops, drink

Is your Faith in God an active part of your daily life – visible to others as a guiding light.

Bible practice [C] Prayer Service (pg 16, Counselor’s Guide)

Chapter 3. Confirmation Goal: Discover the role of the Holy Spirit in

his daily Christian life Questions: What is the Spirit? How should

the Spirit affect our daily life? Confirmation: sign of one’s total openness

to the Spirit of God – it’s action through his life

A. Examine: The presence, power, effect of team and Scouting

spirit Spirit in the early Church Power of the Holy Spirit within the Church and

their daily lives

Confirmation First Class Scout Confirmed

CatholicTeach younger ScoutsSkills – give a good example - Live the Scout Spirit

Take leadership roleteach others aboutChrist – give good exampleLive the Christian Spirit

>B4: Find an Eagle Scout – important witness!>Service Project: Scout lists gifts and talents – use these to help others – not meant to be overburdening, but not busy work.>Prayer Service: C2, page 24 (pg 20 in Counselor’s guide)

Chapter 4. Eucharist Goal: explore how Eucharist unites Christian

past, strengthens him for present and future Questions: How does the Eucharist give me

strength? Do you feel it is easy to follow Christ? To live as He would want you to do?

Do not focus on Mass – focus on sacrificial meal

Example: ‘family’ gatherings Last Supper

Eucharist B1: Feeding Miracles: not extraordinary

occurrences, ordinary occurrences that became extraordinary

Experience different Eucharist or meal settings

They have the power within themselves to make the Eucharist meal more enjoyable, meaningful, and personal

Chapter 5. Reconciliation Goal: grow in understanding God’s

unconditional love. Questions: Counselor's guide pg 28 Need to present positive view of

Sacrament Sin: no such thing as a private sin –

not just God vs Me – all sin effects my personal attitude towards others

Sacraments of healing: Reconciliation & Anointing of the Sick

Reconciliation Forgiveness in our lives:

How does it compare to the Bible stories of ‘the Good Thief’ or ‘the Prodigal Son’

“Our Father” skit Reconciliation (penance) – of a nature to

promote healing and change (reform) in the sinner

B4: Private discussion with Counselor Prayer Service: celebration of God’s

forgiving nature

Chapter 6. Anointing the Sick Goal: grow in understanding the Church’s

ministry to the sick, and the Christian attitude toward suffering and illness

Questions: Why do you think God permits sickness & injury? How do we as a Faith community experience this Sacrament?

Example: Scout reflects on sickness and injury. How did Jesus minister to sick?

Anointing the Sick Attend healing service, an anointing of

the sick Assumes the presence of a praying

community

Service project: one month helping others – should be some personal interaction

*** All Sacraments are Community Events ***

Chapter 7. Holy Orders Goal: how ordination helps individuals

grow in holiness and witness God’s love Examine:

Scout Slogan, “Do a Good Turn Daily,” and someone who lives it

Call, selection, and mission of apostles

Interview a bishop, priest, or deacon (scheduling!)

Could do as a group Suggest that questions are prepared prior to

meeting Serra Club can provide contacts with

seminarians

Sacraments of Service (Commitment):Marriage and Holy Orders

Chapter 8. Marriage Goal: Investigate how marriage helps

spouses to grow in holiness and witness Christ’s love

Scout example: Concept of teamwork Biblical foundations of marriage

Interview married couple (parents)

St Paul frequently parallels relationships husband and wife to relationship between Christ and His Church

National Catholic Committee on Scoutinghttp://www.nccs-bsa.org

Diocese of Jacksonhttp://www.jacksondiocese.org

P.R.A.Y.http://www.praypub.org

Congratulations!

_______________________has completed the Ad Altare Dei AwardCounselor Training

Date: ________________________________Catholic Committee on Scouting

Diocese of Jackson