Girl and Boy Scouts receive awards

By Cathy Tilzey

Twenty-seven boys and girls received Scouting awards and participated in Mass at St. Helena Cathedral on Feb. 3 – Scout Sunday in the Diocese of Helena.
Two girls and two boys bore the United States, Vatican and Scouting flags in the procession, and another group carried the gifts of bread and wine to Monsignor Kevin O’Neill, the celebrant, at the offertory.
The big moment for the Scouts came at the end of Mass.
Jim Tucker, director of Catholic Formation Services for the diocese, explained Scout Sunday to parishioners and announced the youngsters’ names and their awards. Monsignor O’Neill put the awards over their heads, then they stood on the steps before the altar, one by one.
Younger Scouts were first, with 7- to 9-year-old girls receiving the “Family of God” medal. It honors them for discovering the presence of God in their daily lives as members of their family and parish.
The recipients were Lena Roquet of Butte Catholic Community North; Rachael Baranek and Keely Morrison, Cathedral of St. Helena; Cassie Barker, Emily Burke, Cassidy Kelly and Mikaela Latka of Our Lady of the Valley, Helena; and Maria Murnane and Brianna Widhalm of St. Joseph Parish, Choteau.
Four Cub Scouts who have reached the Tiger or Wolf rank received the “Light of Christ” award for developing a personal relationship with Jesus as a real person and friend. They were John Duffy and Justin Patten of Cathedral of St. Helena; Aaron Edens of St. Joseph Mission, Florence; and Kevyn Nuebel of St. Mary Catholic Community, Helena.
Six Girl Scouts received the “I Live My Faith Medal”; the program they went through helps them become more aware of the place of God and religion in daily life. They included Jacqulyn Kelly of Our Lady of the Valley Parish, Helena, and Elaina Colussi, Chianne Duffy, Meagan Key, Christine Patten and Teresa Patten of the Cathedral of St. Helena.
Cub Scouts who have attained Bear or Webelos rank received the “Parvuli Dei” award, which helps Scouts develop understanding and appreciation of their personal, family and Catholic identity. The recipients were Preston Downard of St. John the Baptist Parish, Frenchtown; Connor Crary and Gavin McCollom of St. Joseph Parish, Choteau, and Matthew Smillie of Cathedral of St. Helena.
The Marian Award – for understanding Mary as a model of openness to God and woman of the Church – was presented to Girl Scouts from Choteau, Tessa Hanson and Anne Rice. They are in grades 7-10.
Luke Murnane and George Rice, also of Choteau, received the Ad Altare Dei award for boys of junior high age or older. Their study for the award helps them grow in understanding and appreciation of sacramental life of the Church.
The Bronze Pelican Award, the highest diocesan award established by the National Catholic Committee on Scouting, went to Tony Etherington, assistant scout master for Troop 218 in Helena. It is given to adults who have made outstanding contributions to the spiritual development of Catholic youth in Boy Scouting.

Published in The Montana Catholic, Vol. 24, No. 2, February 15, 2008.