By Karen Dix, JDCCS Committee Member
Catholic Scouts throughout the diocese gathered at Holy Family Church and School on Jan. 27 for the Joliet Catholic Committee on Scouting (JDCCS) Day of Reflection Retreat. The annual retreat is an opportunity for girls and boys in grades K-12 to deepen their faith and make progress on their various recognitions within their respective scouting programs. This year 17 Scouts attended, representing scouts from the Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts of America, and Girl Scouts of the USA.
The day began with a flag ceremony and blessing from Father Stephen Eickhoff, scout Chaplain, and Eagle Scout Father Joshua Miller, from St. Charles Borromeo in Bensenville. Then, scouts separated into two age groups.
Father Miller met with the older scouts and gave a presentation on sacramentality and vocations, with plenty of time for fun questions and answers about the priesthood and himself. Who knew Father Miller played some of the same video games the boys did?
Father Miller met with the older scouts and gave a presentation on sacramentality and vocations, with plenty of time for fun questions and answers about the priesthood and himself. Who knew Father Miller played some of the same video games the boys did?
The day of reflection is organized annually by the JDCCS and has been coordinated by Mike Mikos, JDCCS committee member, for the past three years.
“It’s a great event to help scouts connect with their spirituality and kick start younger Scouts to pursue their own religious recognitions,” he said. The day also included a Mass with Father Miller presiding. Retreat attendees served as lectors and servers.
The day concluded with a pizza lunch and a formal board of review for scouts who had now completed all requirements for their recognition. The JDCCS proudly announced the completion of four Ad Altare Dei emblems and one Marian medal. All recognition recipients will be honored formally on April 7 at the Annual Religious Recognition Mass at the Cathedral of St. Raymond Nonnatus in Joliet.
If you have a child in scouting and would like to learn more about the religious recognitions available through American Heritage Girls, Boy Scouts of America, Camp Fire, Catholic Youth Ministry, Girl Scouts of the USA, or Junior Catholic Daughters of the Americas, please visit the JDCCS website at www.dioceseofjoliet.org/scouting.
