Catholic Scouts hold annual recognition ceremony

Friday, Feb. 12, 2016

SALT LAKE CITY — The annual Scout Religious Emblems ceremony for the Diocese of Salt Lake City was celebrated Jan. 30 in the Cathedral of the Madeleine.

The presider was Father James Blaine, diocesan Scout chaplain and pastor of Saint Peter Catholic Church.

Thirteen Girl Scouts received the “God is Love” or “Marian Medal” emblems, while dozens of Boy Scouts were presented with the “Light of Christ,” “Parvuli Dei,” “Ad Altare Dei” or “Pope Pius XII” emblems.

In addition, four adult leaders were recognized with the Bronze Pelican Award, which affirms the work of those  at the diocesan level who help youth develop their spiritual lives within the context of Scouting.

Terri Tucker, the pack committee chair of Pack  4030 at Saint Olaf Parish, was one of the awardees. 

Tucker “is very involved with youth ministry programs,” said her nomination for the award. In her leadership in scouting positions she has been a leader for dens for boys from Tiger Scouts to Webelo Scouts. In addition, at her parish she has taught second-grade CCD for five years and is responsible for preparing children for their First Communion. She also makes candles for the communion and confirmation ceremonies, and she is a member of the Council of Women.

Since 1978, Mark A. Mickiewicz has been the Troop 282 Scout Master with the Utah National Parks Council. He is a parishioner at Notre Dame de Lourdes Catholic Church in Price.

“Mark has created a living, dynamic Scout troop focused on Christian ideals. … He lives his faith and Catholic values,” reads his nomination for the award.  

In addition, Mickiewicz has been a lector and a extraordinary minister of Holy Communion  for more than 30 years. 

Freeman Robbins  is Scout Master Troop 293 Trapper Trails Council, sponsored by Saint James the Just Parish. He began as a member of the troop’s committee in 2008 and became the Scout Master in 2013. 

“Under his leadership the troop has doubled in size, growing  from  six to 12 active Scouts, four of which have earned their Eagle Scout Award, and four boys have earned religious emblems (three Ad Altare Dei and one Pope Pius XII award),” said his nomination for the award.

Under Robbins, the Scouts in his troop developed a “Boy Led” program that includes a monthly hike or overnight camp,  a weeklong summer  camp at a Council camp, community service projects, including those that support the parish and Knights of Columbus activities, Courts of Honor, Patrol Leader Council meetings, and many other activities. This has led to Troop 293 earning the Gold Journey to Excellence Unit Award for the last three years.

The other leader to receive the Bronze Pelican award at the ceremony was Nathan Painter of Troop 1966, who started his Boy Scout journey when he was 14 years old.

“Now as a father of two boys and one girl, he shares his love of scouting with them. He started out simply attending and co-leading Cub Scout meetings with his oldest son, and soon became heavily involved with troop activities,” reads in his nomination.

 “He has been an avid supporter of the religious emblem program, even purchasing extra Ad Alteri Dei books for the group this past year. As proof of his commitment all three of his children received religious emblems” at the Jan. 30 ceremony, reads his nomination.