Kate Girskis works on the Light of Christ religious emblem for Cub Scouts.
By Anne Marie Amacher
The Catholic Messenger
Brian Girskis describes scouting as “youth ministry. It’s God, family and country — in that order.” Girskis is the religious emblems coordinator for the Illowa Boy Scouts of America and member of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Bettendorf.
He said Catholic youths involved in Cub Scouts and Scouts BSA can start religious emblems work at any time. Cub Scouts still have time to earn their emblems before the diocesan scouting Mass in January. Scouts BSA members can also start the process, but will not be able to complete it in time for the Mass. Here are the emblem details:
Cub Scouts
Tiger and Wolf scouts (first and second grade, ages 6-7) can earn the Light of Christ and Bear and Webelos scouts (third-fifth grade, ages 8-10) can earn Parvuli Dei (Children of God). Scouts complete these awards at home with family and at their own pace. “It’s only a few hours overall,” Girskis said. He said he schedules time before den meetings with the den he is involved with at Lourdes. That allows time for the scout and parent(s) and space in which to work. He is also available for questions.
The Catholic Church’s parishes no longer charter Cub Scout packs, which may meet on parish grounds if sponsored by another entity. The first step to earn religious emblems requires purchase of a booklet available at most Boy Scouts of America shops or by ordering through the National Catholic Council on Scouting at https://catholicscouting.com/religious-emblems-and-activities/
The next step is to contact your parish’s pastor, Girskis said. “This is an important step. He should be aware of work on the emblem. He may have input on the emblem process. And he will need to sign off (for the scout) to earn the award.”
Cub scouts may drop off the completed booklet at the Davenport Diocese’s St. Vincent Center in Davenport for processing. There is a cost for the emblem, he noted.
Scouts BSA
Ad Altare Dei (to the altar of God) is designed for scouts ages 13-14, but older youths may also earn this emblem. Youths must have completed sixth grade. The Pope Pius XII emblem is designed for scouts ages 15-16. All high school students registered as Scouts BSA can earn the emblem up to age 18 and Venturers and Sea Scouts before age 21.
Scouts BSA emblems are done in groups of at least five. The first step is to find other interested Catholic scouts. Boys and girls may participate in the groups together. Scouts from multiple parishes may get together to earn the emblem.
The Ad Altare Dei emblem can take 6-8 months to complete and the Pope Pius XII up to 18 months. Girskis said not to panic over the timeframe. As scouts get older, it can take time to get the groups together.
Scouts unable to find other Catholic scouts to work with may contact the diocesan offices (see information below), which will relay information to Girskis. He will work with troops to find nearby scouts, as possible.
The diocesan scouting Mass is scheduled for Jan. 26 at 2 p.m. at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Davenport. Scouts wanting to receive their emblem(s) at Mass must complete work by Dec. 20. The Mass is open to all scouts from Boy Scouts of America, Girl Scouts USA and American Heritage Girls.
For more information on Catholic scouting emblems (for Cub Scouts and Scouts BSA), visit the national website or www.
davenportdiocese.org/scouting or contact Tim Brown, diocesan Catholic committee on scouting at dccs@diodav.org, Deacon John Jacobsen at jacobsenj@diodav.org or Trevor Pullinger, director of faith formation and catechesis coordinator, at pullinger@davenportdiocese.org
