Catholic Scout

Thursday night Bible Study

2010-02-25T16:14:00.000-08:00

Scouting, Faith and more...

2010-02-19T07:11:00.001-08:00

Lenten Opportunities

2010-02-18T16:06:00.001-08:00

Wednesday Evenings 7PM-9PM Faith GPS; (Can be accessed here)

Thursday Evenings 8PM-9PM Online Bible Study (www.livestream.com/joyandhopeonline)

100 years of BSA!

2010-02-02T14:21:00.001-08:00

Monday Question

2009-11-09T04:42:00.000-08:00

"Do you not know that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?" (from 1Cor 3:16)

(Didn't even have to create a question. St. Paul gives us a pretty good question already!)

Daily Question

2009-11-09T04:41:00.001-08:00

Sundays through Fridays, a question based on the scripture readings of the day will be posted. This is meant to give just a brief thought of the day that you are invited to reflect on as you go about the day to day of life.

2009 Diocese of Fall River Scout Mass

2009-10-05T15:41:00.000-07:00

Video clips from the 2009 Diocese of Fall River Scout Mass

Annual Scout Mass

2009-08-23T06:42:00.000-07:00

All are invited to St. Mary's Cathedral in Fall River for the Annual Scout Mass. The Catholic Church has a long history of utilizing the scouting program in its ministry to youth. This is an opportunity to celebrate that relationship as we gather as a scouting family to praise God. There couldn't be a better way to kick off the programming year!!

Scouting units are invited to chose a member to carry in their flag as part of the procession at the beginning of Mass. Flagbearers should be at the Cathedral (with their flag and flag stand) by 2:30PM.

All scouts, their families, adult scouters and supporters of scouting are invited to join us in this very special celebration. Contact the Catholic Scouting Office for more info. (508-737-6842 or catholiccommittee@gmail.com)

Summer Reflection: Preparing for September

2009-08-20T06:21:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,

It is hard to believe that summer is almost over! Soon the beaches and playgrounds will be a lost quieter during the day as the sound of school buses and school bells are heard once again. Teachers are well into their planning for the opening of school, as our parishes and organizations, like Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts. The same is true for the us on the Catholic Committee on Scouting. Before we know it we will be in the thick of religious emblems, retreat planning, etc.

As these preparations begin to increase as we approach Labor Day, I invite you to take a moment to reflect with me why we do what we do.

The parish I live at, St. Francis Xavier in Hyannis, was the location of the funeral for Eunice Kennedy Shriver. The Kennedy family has a long history here and at Our Lady of Victory in Centerville. It was amazing to see the turn out at the wake and funeral, as well as the crowds that showed up outside the church the day of the funeral.

Mrs. Shriver was a fascinating person who accomplished so much in her lifetime and her children have continued her work. Her Catholic Faith was very important to her and was a source of inspiration, encouragement and strength for her.

Her life of service and most importantly her faith serves as an inspiration to all of us. She believed that each person is special and has something to offer the world. She worked not only to protect the dignity and rights of others, but to ensure that they had opportunities to contribute to their community.

Scouting seeks to build up the leadership skills of our youth, to provide opportunities to learn about themselves, to take pride in who they are, and to put their gifts and talents to work to change the world. The values and skills they learn in Scouting are infused with another important principle in Scouting: Duty to God.

The Catholic Church has a long history of using scouting as part of its ministry to youth. The Catholic Committee on Scouting seeks to help scouts and adult volunteers to use the skills they are learning in building up the Kingdom of God and a just society.

Let us all draw inspiration from Eunice Shriver and above all draw strength from the same well of Faith as she did, our faith in Jesus Christ. This inspiration and strength will be needed as we follow the Lord's command to put our skills to work in changing our world.

The Ascension and Scouting

2009-05-23T06:13:00.000-07:00

The first reading from the Ascension this past Thursday came from chapter one of the Acts of the Apostles. The apostles have just seen an incredible sight. Jesus has just gone up into the sky out of their sight. This is a pretty spectacular thing. There wasn't a helicopter or plane or glider. I think any of us would be so filled with awe at what we had just seen that we would probably be standing there for a few moments just looking up at the sky trying to comprehend what we have just seen. This trance is interupted by the two angels who in verse 11 call out to them: "why are you standing there looking up into the sky?"

In the account of the finding of the empty tomb in Luke's gospel, the angel greets the women with a similar question, "why do you seek the living among the dead?". If more of the conversation was recorded we may hear the angels use the line, "Why are you still here?". There is an urgency in the proclamation of the gospel, and this proclamation has been entrusted to all of us. We as Christians are called to make the Lord's love and presence known to all people. They are to meet the risen Christ in their interactions with us.

Scouting seeks to help youth to identify the leadership skills they possess and to build up others so that they will be responsible and productive citizens in our world. These skills are needed to build up the kingdom of God as well. These skills need to be put to use now. Scouts have the ability to bring the gospel to their peers and communities in ways that adults cannot. The Catholic Committee on Scouting attempts to assist scouts in applying what they learn in scouting to practical use in terms of faith. For this to work, scouts need to take the initiative and use the resources being made available to them. The committee does not do the work, it seeks to enable scouts to use the skills they have acquired and are learning.

Chosen

2009-05-14T05:37:00.000-07:00

Today is the feast of St. Mathias, the one chosen by the Apostles to replace Judas Iscariot, who had betrayed Jesus. Read the account of how Mathias was chosen:

So they proposed two, Joseph called Barsabbas,who was also known as Justus, and Matthias.Then they prayed,"You, Lord, who know the hearts of all,show which one of these two you have chosento take the place in this apostolic ministryfrom which Judas turned away to go to his own place."Then they gave lots to them, and the lot fell upon Matthias,and he was counted with the Eleven Apostles. (Acts 1:23-26)

How much things have changed! I spent five years in the seminary before I was ordained, Mathias just had to win the lottery!

While the process has changed quite a bit, the reality hasn't: Jesus has chosen us to a specific service. Each of us, whether we are called to be a priest, religious, married person, single person are needed and wanted by the Lord. He has chosen us to help build up the kingdom of God in a way that only we can.

Scouting is a way that we come to realize that we have been called and have special gifts and talents that can be put to use, not only to make the world a better place, but to make God's love known to others. That is why the Church has a long history of utilizing scouting in her overall ministry to youth and why so many dedicated people work to make religious emblems, activities and prayer opportunities available to our young scouts. It is why we also need to provide opportunities for our adult scouters to grow in faith as well.

Peace,
Fr. David

Hello Again

2009-04-18T05:56:00.001-07:00

Greetings once again! It has been a long time since I have written, and a lot has happened. Last summer we launched our new website, www.catholicscout.com. It has taken a lot longer than expected for updates to occur, but I am told that this is being addressed. This blog will be appearing on that site as well.

Next Tuesday morning I have an early flight to Texas where I will be attending meetings of the National Catholic Committee on Scouting. Last December I was in Cleveland for the National Catholic Youth Ministers Conference, where the National Catholic Committee for Girl Scouts and Campfire met. December's meeting was a very enthusiastic gathering and I anticipate a successful week in Galveston.

While it appears not much has happened in terms of Catholic Scouting within our own Diocese, much has occurred in laying the foundation for the future. The changes in leadership provided an opportunity to assess and plan.

The Boy Scout Committee has been rebuilding according to the recommendations of the NCCS. The Cape Cod Council Committee has been meeting and growing and soon, we will be announcing the establishment of a Council committee in Annawon (about 2/3 of our boy scouts and Venturers are from this council!). Work is progressing with the Narragansett Council. I will be part of a meeting when I return from Galveston with members of the Cachalot membership committee with the hopes of possibly establishing three to six new units!

The Girl Scout Committee has been adjusting to the new Council structure after the new merger. We were all saddened at the loss of Mary Powers beloved husband, Bob. Please keep the Powers family in your prayers.

I have had a few meetings with the retreat team advisors. The Team is being assembled and will soon begin planning for next year's retreat. Pencil in the dates: April 30, may1, May 2, 2010.

Also, the Scout Mass will take place on October 4, 2009 at 3pM at St. Mary's Cathedral in Fall River. Unfortunately, the Bishop will not be able to attend, but will send a message to be read at the mass. Invitations will be sent out to all the Diocesan Clergy and Catholic Chartered Units. In addition, we will be inviting all our scouts in the diocese, regardless of where there unit is chartered.

Finally, There are still spots available for scouts who would like to participate in the CHristian Leadership Institute offered by the Diocese of Fall River this June. The Catholic Committee will sponsor up to four scouts. Please contact me for more information.

This year marks the 75th anniversary of the NCCS, but we all know that the relationship goes back even further than that. The Church has always sought to build up the kingdom of God, but teaching the faith to our children and building up the skills they need to be repsonsible disciples and leaders in the Church and Society. You have contributed greatly to a most noble effort and for this I thank you. We also all know that much work remains. Let us pray for one another as we continue this great work.

Peace,
Fr. David

Help Wanted!!!

2008-05-23T05:15:00.001-07:00

The Catholic Committee on Scouting is seeking help for its work in Catholic Scouting.

The following are areas of need (as of today-more to come soon!):

Subcommittees for the Joint Committee (both Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts):

Scout Mass: This annual event celebrates Scouting as Youth Ministry and awards the older Scout religious emblems as well as adult recognitions and National recognitions. The Committee will need to begin work for the 2009 Mass.

Marketing/Publicity: This committee is responsible for the Quarterly newsletter, regular communications of the Catholic Committee and marketing efforts.

Boy Scout Catholic Committee sub-committees:

100 Yrs of Scouting Celebration Committee

Religious Activities

Religious Emblems

Vocations

Membership

If interested, please contact the Catholic Scouting Office at 508-362-8122 or dfrccs@aol.com

Louisville con't....

2008-04-02T13:14:00.001-07:00

I only have a few minutes to post something quick. The Mass last evening was celebrated at the Cathedral of the Assumption which is a couple of blocks from the Hotel (how about that, we share a similar named cathedral). Bishop Gettlefinger (who is referred to as "Padre" was the celebrant. Padre is the episcopal liason the NCCS. The Regional meeting was informative as we were introduced to some of the new regional leadership and some "previews" of what is to be presented this week were presented.

Today began with breakfast on the restaurant on the top of the hotel. The restaurant revolves so you have a continually changing view of Louisville during your meal. I took some pictures, but don't have a cord to the camera I used. I was planning on taking pictures with my cell phone, but left the charger back home--and here isn't a cell phone store nearby. oh, well.

This afternoon was the first General Session and the topic was the NCCS self study. If you go to www.nccs-bsa.org you will find posted the report and a summary report. This is phase one of the study. Phase 2 will begin after the meeting and will look at internal structures.

The meeting was spent addressing some of the recommendations presented in the report. There will be further work and discussions tomorrow. Any type of process like this is very demanding and at times tense. It was a good meeting and there was some progress, but it was a long and tiring afternoon.

Right now, we are headed to the Cathedral for a Mass celebrated by Archbishop Kurtz of the Archdiocese of Louisville, followed by a relaxing evening of southern hospitality.

More to come...

By the way, some news for you: the Region I conference will be held on October 4 at Camp Carpenter in Manchester New Hampshire. We were notified with the date late Monday night. Details will be coming in a couple of months. Art and I want to see if we can implement some of the recommendations for these regional events that were based on diocesan feedback.

Arrived!

2008-04-01T10:34:00.000-07:00

Good Afternoon!

Arrived in Louisville at 11AM this morning. It was a bumpy ride, but I've made it in one piece. It is good to see the many committed Catholic Committee members and volunteers from around the country--I've spent the last couple of hours reconnecting with many people. I'm off to my first meeting: Regional Chair/Chaplains and Diocesan Chair/Chaplains--a two hour meeting to get updated by the Executive Committee and hear what has been happening in Catholic Scouting throughout the country. I'll give a more complete update this evening. Off to the meeting!

Off to Louisville!!!

2008-03-31T04:26:00.001-07:00

The 2008 Biennial Conference is this week. This is an opportunity for Scouters from across the country to come together, share new ideas, meet new people, reconnect with old friends and celebrate the special relationship between The Catholic Church and BSA. In addition, there will be meetings of the various committees and leadership of the National Catholic Committee on Scouting.

I will post here throughout the week from Louisville (I fly out tomorrow morning). Please keep the NCCS and those travelling in your prayers.

2008-03-16T06:12:00.000-07:00

Bishop Coleman prepares to distribute religious emblems to scouts.

Thank you to all who were a part of our annual scouting mass. Scouting and the Catholic Church have had a long and fruitful relationship. It was nice to be able to celebrate the accomplishments of our scouts who earned religious emblems, as well as to recognize the work that has been done by adult volunteers in scouting and those who serve on the Catholic Committee on Scouting. Now work begins for the future!

2008 Diocesan Scout Mass

2008-02-24T13:05:00.000-08:00

The 2008 Diocesan Scout Mass will be held next Sunday, March 2, 2008 at 4:30PM at St. Mary's Cathedral in Fall River. The Most Rev. George Coleman will be the principal celebrant and homilest.

This annual event celebrates the relationship between the Catholic Church and Scouting, the achievements of our Catholic Scouts in their parishes and communities, and honoring those who have earned religious emblems.

Please join us for this special celebration!

Help Wanted!

2008-02-03T10:50:00.000-08:00

The Diocesan Catholic Committee on Scouting is looking for members! The committee seeks to promote scouting to the youth of our diocese and to provide opportunities (such as retreats, religious emblems, patches, etc.) to help the youth learn more about their Catholic Faith through Scouting. Volunteers are needed for both our boy scout committee and girl scout committee to help with: religious emblems, activities, publicity, and training. For further information, please contact Fr. David Frederici, Diocesan Scout Chaplain at 508-362-8122 or dfrccs@aol.com

Catholic Committee Vice-Chair Named

2007-11-18T06:34:00.000-08:00

The Catholic Committee on Scouting is happy to announce that Kathy Harmon has accepted an invitation to serve as the Vice-Chair to the Diocesan Catholic Committee on Scouting. Kathy has been very involved in scouting and has served as Chair of the Cape Cod Council Committee for the past three years. Kathy's duties will include providing leadership for the establishment and achieving of goals of the Committee, promoting scouting in our parishes and overseeing communication with our parishes, councils and units. She will also be directing our committee's preparations for the first of the upcoming centennial celebrations, BSA's 100th. Please keep Kathy in your prayers as she embarks on this new position in Catholic Scouting!

New Leadership

2007-11-12T07:40:00.000-08:00

As was announced in September in the Anchor, Fr. David Frederici was named the new Diocesan Chaplain to Catholic Scouting. Fr. David is taking the reigns from Fr. Stephen Salvador, who began as Associate National Chaplain for the National Catholic Committee on Scouting.

Also in September, Paul Parente, the longtime Boy Scout Chair for the Diocesan Catholic Committee on Scouting resigned. Mr. Donald Levesque was named the new Chair. Don and his wife are parishioners at Holy Trinity Parish in Fall River. He has been involved in Scouting for many years and has also served on the Catholic Committee on Scouting for about 30 years.

November Update

2007-11-12T07:36:00.000-08:00

A new quarterly newsletter has been established to keep Catholic Scouters and Catholic chartered units and parishes aware of what is happening in the diocese. Catholic Scouting can be received electronically or by mail. Simply send an email to dfrccs@aol.com to receive a copy.

The next meeting of the full Catholic Committee on Scouting is in January. If you are interested in helping in the work of the committee, let us know. Annual events that we need help with are the September retreat and the Scout Mass in March. Help is also needed with Religious Emblems (promoting the program, training counselors, etc.), communications and future programming.

2007 Diocesan Scout Retreat

2007-09-30T13:47:00.001-07:00

With a closing ceremony this morning at the camp sites, the 2007 Diocesan Scout Retreat came to a close. We'll have some pictures posted here soon. Our thanks to the retreat team from the Manchester NH Catholic Committee on Scouting under the leadership of Andy Paul for their efforts. 128 Webelos, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and Venturers participated. Plans are already underway for next year's retreat and other events to be announced! Keep checking back here for more!

TV news commentary on Boy Scouts of America

2007-09-30T13:45:00.001-07:00

This interview was passed along by John Ribar, a Vice-President of the National Catholic Committee on Scouting. Click on the link!

http://cbs11tv.com/video/?id=21240@ktvt.dayport.com&cid=7

Information night for Catholic Scouting on Cape Cod

2007-09-24T06:38:00.000-07:00

Are you a Catholic Adult involved in Girl or Boy Scouting on Cape Cod? Or, are you a Catholic Adult who would like to become involved in Catholic Scouting on Cape Cod? If so, please join members of the Cape Cod Catholic Committee on Scouting for an informative meeting on October 11th at 7:00 p.m. at Our Lady of Victory Church in Centerville. Meet members of the Cape Cod Community already involved in the diocesan Scouting program, learn how you can become a teacher in the National Medal Award system, and help plan a bright Catholic program for Cape Cod girls and boys at all levels, in the future. If you have any questions please contact Alice Bowen at afbowen2@hotmail.com for Girls Scouts or Kathy Harmon @ 4carrottops@comcast.com. for Boy Scouts.

Help!!!

2007-09-18T14:37:00.000-07:00

We are seeking to identify Catholic scouts and scouters within the Diocese of Fall River. The Catholic Committee has many resources and programs available to you, we need help in getting the word out. If you would like to be in our database, please email us at dfrccs@aol.com. We will keep you up to date with activities and events for Catholic scouts and scouters. Please check back here for information as well.