For The Catholic Messenger
Father Mark Spring of Holy Family Parish in Fort Madison received the St. George Award June 14.
The honorary award is presented to adults active in supporting and fostering the growth and development of Catholic youths under the auspices of the Boy Scouts of America and the Catholic Church. St. George is the patron saint of Boy Scouts.
It is the highest adult Catholic recognition award in scouting. Recipients must be exemplary adults and members in good standing in scouting and their faith communities. Nominees must demonstrate commitment in advancing the Catholic faith through scouting.
The Diocesan Catholic Committee on Scouting approves all recognitions and presents them to adults working in the Boy Scout program, including clergy and laity, who have made outstanding contributions to the spiritual development of Catholic youths through Boy Scouts of America.
Fr. Spring joined Boy Scouts in 1959. He became a member of Troop 7 sponsored by Sacred Heart Parish in Fort Madison. He received his Eagle Scout award in 1963. He currently serves as Chartered Organization Representative of Cub Scout Pack and Boy Scout Troop 7 chartered to Holy Family Parish in Fort Madison. Father also serves as a member of the Executive Board of the Mississippi Valley Council of the Boy Scouts.
Fr. Spring has served as Catholic chaplain at eight National Jamborees, most recently at the 2013 national Jamboree in West Virginia. He plans to serve as a chaplain at the National Order of the Arrow Conference in Michigan this August.
Deacon Bob Glaser presented the award to Fr. Spring in Burlington. Deacon Glaser is the father of an Eagle Scout and a St George Award recipient in 2004.