Geneva Boy Scouts earn religious awards
The Rockford Diocese Catholic Committee on Scouting has announced the boys in Pack 138 from Western Avenue Elementary and Pack 237 from Heartland Elementary have earned religious awards during the 2016-17 academic year.
The Light of Christ Medal, the first religious medal that can be earned by a Cub Scout. The purpose is to help the Cub Scout develop a personal relationship with Jesus. The timing on earning this medal is aligned with the year the boys are preparing to receive both the Sacrament of Reconciliation and First Holy Communion. It is awarded to Aaron Medina.
The Parvuli Dei Medal (Children of God) helps young Cub Scouts explore a wide range of activities in order to discover the presence of God in their daily lives as members of their families and parishes, and also to develop a good, positive self-image through the contributions they can make to the group or community. It is awarded to James Cooper, Nicholas Medina, Benjamin Wagner and Andrew Wendt.
Likewise, Boy Scouts in sixth to 12th grade have similar opportunities to earn religious emblems of their Catholic faith. On Feb. 5 at the cathedral in Rockford, several parishioners from local Boy Scout Troops earned their respective awards.
The Ad Altare Dei Medal program is to help Catholic youth of the Roman Rite develop a fully Christian way of life in the faith community. The program is organized in chapters based on the seven sacraments. The seven Sacraments are a primary means toward spiritual growth. The most important aspect of the program is that the Scout grows in his spiritual experience of his relationship to God and the Church. It is awarded to Troop 36's Devin Wise and Sean Chalmers, and Troop 37's Adam Coats, Sam DiNovo, AJ Johnson and Lucas Moore.
The Pope Pius XII Medal is Catholic Scouting's church-related ministries and vocation program. The program deals with different life choices (single, married, religious, ordained), occupations and ministries in the church as calls from God. It includes youth led discussions on current issues facing the church and society, which are normally included as part of a Pius XII retreat or day of recollection. It is awarded to Troop 13's Eric Boyce, Scott Boyce, Matthew Dutton and Grant Peterson; Troop 36's Riley Wise; and Troop 37's Jacob Ishaq and Clayton Wagner.
The Pillars of Faith program provides a special recognition to those Boy Scouts who have earned all four of the Catholic religious emblems. For every 100 boys who join Scouting, only four percent reach the rank of Eagle. Even fewer Scouts earn a religious emblem, so to earn all four is a monumental feat. The Pillars of Faith-Duty to God pin recognizes these Scouts. The name and design of the award represent the fact that the four religious emblems are like pillars, supporting the Scout's development in and appreciation of his Catholic faith. The religious emblems are the pillars, not the roof, for no one is ever done growing in faith. The design also includes the Church, Bible, and cross, other essential elements in faith. It is awarded to Troop 36's Riley Wise.