A Call to Grow in Love as We Celebrate Scouts

By Bishop Paul S. Loverde
Herald Columnist
(From the issue of 2/15/07)

This past Saturday, I had the opportunity to recognize many young men and women in our diocese at a Scout Appreciation Mass and awards ceremony at the Cathedral of St. Thomas More.
I never fail to be encouraged by the enthusiastic presence of these young people who so faithfully serve their fellow brothers and sisters through the Church and their scouting organizations. How fortunate we are in our diocese to have over 15,000 teens participating in parish-based youth ministry activities. And again, how fortunate we are to have more than 6,000 Catholic youth participating in scouting activities throughout the diocese. Scouting is present in about one in three parishes nationwide. I too was a scout, and I know firsthand of the tremendous commitment so many Scouts make to serving others.
Scouts are no strangers to heroism. Just last summer, two Boy Scouts from Nebraska spotted a baby girl floating in the Platte River near Omaha when they were on a camping trip. The small child was floating with her face down in the water. The two boys reached out and pulled her to safety with the help of one of their adult chaperones while other boys in the troop called 911. Rescue workers said the scouts saved her life, especially because there appeared to be no one else further down the bank of the river. Because of these brave young boys, the girl received the medical assistance she needed and was reunited with her parents.
Another example of heroism in defense of life is that of Theresa Hanntz from the Diocese of Metuchen in New Jersey. Theresa was honored with a Pro-Vita Award from her diocese in January for the chastity education program she organized through her Catholic high school to earn her Girl Scouts Gold Award. Initially her “controversial” project was rejected. In the end, Theresa received her Gold Award. Her faith required her to take a stand, and she took it.
These stories serve simply as two examples among many of the wonderful deeds Scouts demonstrate each day and the important place they hold in our hearts. Yet it does not necessarily take heroic acts such as these to be considered a great scout. As Pope Benedict XVI recently said, “[Y]ou should stimulate, with your enthusiasm and charity, the activities of the parishes, the communities, the ecclesial movements and the youth groups to which you belong. Be attentive in your concern for the welfare of others, faithful to the commitments you have made” (World Youth Day Message, 2007).
I am proud of the young men and women who take part in Catholic Scouting throughout our diocese. I bring them in prayer to our Blessed Lord, along with their leaders, asking that they become more like Jesus in their daily lives, so that through them His transforming presence may be experienced everywhere.

(c) Copyright 2007 by Arlington Catholic Herald