Scouting For Knights

As your chairman for Catholic Scouting in the state, it has been a productive year. So far two new units have been formed with plans to build two more in the near future. A long time scouter, 26 years experience, I am excited about the many possibilities for youth ministries that lay before us through the sponsorship of scouting units. The LDS church uses this program in all of their congregations and for many good reasons; reasons that merit our own consideration.

I want to begin by saying that there are many Catholic Scouts and Scouters world-wide. What we don’t have are a large number of units sponsored by our Church or supporting groups. As I indicated earlier there are many good reasons for our churches to sponsor units directly:
Scout membership is just $10 per year and that comes with One million dollar liability insurance with proper documentation for each registered youth. Every church youth group should consider this as an option.

• For $12 per youth more, they get a subscription to Boy’s Life Magazine. Here is an opportunity to promote literacy with a wholesome, family oriented publication delivered to your house.

• The Boy Scouts of America have vast property holdings world-wide that in many cases are free, or virtually free for camping uses. Talk about trips and places for your kids to see the country, this is definitely an option.

• Religious emblems program. Through the National Catholic Committee on Scouting, our youth would get more exposure to these programs through church sponsored programs, as it is, it is currently up to the scout in most cases to seek these opportunities out for themselves. As a people of faith, we do not do a particularly good job here, as we trail behind other religious groups in the number of kids who earn these type of awards.

• A source of membership. If as members of the order, we want to see more youth involved; then we have to take the first steps. When dealing with kids in today’s culture it is all about time. If we don’t invest time, they may end up doing time.

• A new scouting opportunity—Venturing Scouting is a co-ed Boy Scout Sponsored program for young adults 14-21. This is an excellent program that holds promise for our youth who are at the greatest risk to social problems.

There are many more reasons why you or your council should consider sponsoring a scout program. These reasons benefit the church, the council, the youth. I am also in the process of having a patch designed for presentation to councils, scouters, and scouts. If you would like to be a part of this project, please feel free to contact me:

Dr. Thomas Sisk

12680 Briarwood Derive

Foley, Al 36535

Inside this issue:

Pope Appoints Supreme Knight Anderson to Pontifical Council

State Deputy Remarks

Scouting For Knights

State Pro-Life Report

Keep Christ in Christmas

State Treasurer Remarks

Pope’s Spiritual Pilgrimage

From The State Advocate

Squires Advancement Program