Catholic Scouting Updates

Pope Francis declared 2025 a Jubilee Year in 2022 after the COVID pandemic. He wanted to give us hope for the future: “We must fan the flame of hope that has been given us and help everyone to gain new strength and certainty by looking to the future with an open spirit, a trusting heart and far-sighted vision. The forthcoming Jubilee can contribute greatly to restoring a climate of hope and trust as a prelude to the renewal and rebirth that we so urgently desire..."

The new activity asks participants to pray the Jubilee Prayer, learn about the logo and also learn what a Jubilee Year is and how often it can be proclaimed and other requirements. The activity patch will only be available until January 6, 2026, when the Jubilee Year ends. In addition to the activity patch, Scouts and Scouters are encouraged to find out if their local diocese/archdiocese or eparchy is holding any special Jubilee activities throughout the year. To learn more about this activity, click the button below.

The National Catholic Committee on Scouting (NCCS) and the National Catholic Committee for Girl Scouts and Camp Fire (NCCGSCF) provide several opportunities to recognize adult scouting leaders for their outstanding contributions to helping Scouts grow in their Catholic faith. Why not give the gift of nominating an adult for one of these recognitions this Christmas. To learn more about these recognitions and to nominate someone, click the button below! NOTE: Please disregard the deadline listed on the website.

The latest edition of the Bridge Newsletter, the official newsletter of the National Catholic Committee on Scouting (NCCS) is here! This edition features an article about the recent ICCS World Conference held in Cairo, innovative retreat ideas, We are also celebrating a significant milestone: the NCCS Scholarship Program has turned 20! Reflections on two decades of empowering Scouts and fostering educational opportunities through the NCCS Scholarship Program. Click the button below to view the newsletter!

This is your big chance to support the St. George Trek: a vocation retreat at 12,000 feet—and wear some really fancy footwear all at the same time! Here are the details:

• Adult Socks created by Sock Religious- one size fits:
• Men's shoe sizes 5-11
• Women's shoe sizes 7-12
• 35% cotton, 35% polyester, 28% nylon, 2% spandex

All proceeds from the sale of these socks go to fund scholarships for St. George Trek participants. Step into adventure with St. George socks: your trusted companion on every Scouting journey!

On May 7, the Boy Scouts of America announced that it will rebrand and become Scouting America. The rebrand reflects the organization’s ongoing commitment to welcome every youth and family in America to experience the benefits of Scouting. The change will go into effect on February 8, 2025, the organization’s 115th anniversary. The Diocese of Rochester's Catholic Scouting site at Catholic Scouting | Evangelization and Catechesis (dor.org) has undergone some updates so that images/language will be in line with the rebranding.

As you may know, the Office of Evangelization & Catechesis has hosted an annual diocesan Catholic Scouting recognition ceremony in the past. More recently, the Office has shifted from recognizing scouts at a diocesan ceremony to awarding the emblem at the end of a weekend Mass at the scout’s parish. Families have really appreciated the personal attention and it is a wonderful way to educate the greater parish community about Catholic Scouting. Below are the names of scouts who have earned emblems and been recognized over the last several months. Congratulations!

In support of the National Eucharistic Revival, the National Catholic Committee on Scouting has initiated a Eucharistic Revival Award. The goal of this award is to find a way for all Catholics, young and old, to revive their faith and love of Jesus through prayer and the sacraments, especially the Eucharist. This award has a main central patch and an opportunity to earn eight auxiliary patches, five of which can be worn surrounding the central patch. Hopefully, while earning the main patch and auxiliary patches, everyone will grow in knowledge of the Eucharist and, more importantly, grow in a desire to have a personal experience of Jesus in the Eucharist.

To earn the central patch and any of the auxiliary patches, there is only one requirement for each. For the main patch, the requirement is: Attend Sunday Mass and receive the Eucharist (if made First Communion and have no moral impediment) for 12 weeks, preferably consecutively. For more information, read the letter below.

For all girl scout troops affiliated with a parish or school in the Diocese of Rochester. A Troop Affiliation Agreement must be completed. For a copy of the agreement, click the files below. For more information contact Mark Capellazzi at Mark.Capellazzi@dor.org.

As we enter into Jubliee 2025, a holy year declared by Pope Francis with the theme of "Pilgrims of Hope", I want to express the hope that I find in the scouts and scouting leaders in the Diocese of Rochester. That hope is found in celebrating the highest ranks in scouting, recognizing scouts who take the time to incorporate faith into their scouting experience through completing religious emblems, and hearing about how all those involved in scouting are servant leaders. The Office of Evangelization & Catechesis continues to provide helpful resources for bringing faith into scouting. I encourage you to check out the resources available below. Please know I am always here to assist you in your work!

Mark R. Capellazzi

Project Coordinator for Youth & Young Adult Ministry

Diocesan Liaison for Catholic Scouting

Email: Mark.Capellazzi@dor.org

Phone: (585) 328-3210

The Rochester Diocesan Catholic Committee on Scouting (RDCCS) is a diocesan committee affiliated with the Diocese of Rochester’s Office of Evangelization & Catechesis. The RDCCS consists of adults registered with the Girl Scout and Scouting America programs. RDCCS members represent the five Scouting America Councils and two Girl Scout Councils within our Diocese. We hope that we can help you find the information and resources that will make your efforts fruitful.