Scouts Complete Weather-shortened Annual Retreat
The annual Boy Scout/Venturing Retreat sponsored by the Diocesan Catholic Committee on Scouting was held this year at the Catholic Center in Evansville. In addition to this new venue, the weather necessitated some other changes. Originally scheduled for the weekend, Feb. 28-March 2, the Retreat ended on Saturday night after Mass, so everybody, especially troops from the northern part of the diocese, could get home safely before the ice and snowstorm that was forecast. The principal loss in curtailing the schedule was the Mass with Bishop Thompson to close the Retreat on Sunday morning. However those in attendance made use of the time and good weather on Saturday to learn about their faith, participate in liturgies, and play some interesting games.
The theme for the Retreat was that of the 2014 World Youth Day—“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” – Matthew 5:3. In attendance were 154 youth and adults representing 13 troops and crews. Scouts with their adult leaders slept in the gym while female venturers with their leaders stayed at St. Theresa Parish. Delicious and plentiful meals were prepared by some of the adult leaders of Troop 393 from St. Wendel’s Parish.
Father John Breidenbach and seminarians John Pfister and Jerry Pratt gave talks relevant to the theme. Unfortunately, the talk by seminarian Tyler Tenbarge, scheduled for Sunday morning had to be cancelled.
After each talk, the retreatants broke into small groups by age to discuss what had been said. In the afternoon, there were outside activities or “spiritual exercises” such as making a balloon rosary, stations of the cross, and an Indiana Jones Adventure—Quest for Heaven as well as standard games of dodge ball, ultimate Frisbee, and basketball. While the youth were involved in these activities, adults new to scouting as a youth ministry participated in a course of spiritual formation.
Throughout the retreat there was a variety of prayers, songs, and liturgy. The Angelus and parts of the Liturgy of the Hours were prayed at appropriate times. These prayers and the songs with instrumental music were led by members of the Order of St. Dominic Savio—older scouts and venturers who have made extra study about their faith as it relates to scouting. Father Breidenbach celebrated Mass on Saturday morning; and when the Bishop’s Sunday Mass had to be cancelled, Father Jason Gries offered a closing Mass on Saturday night. Father Jason pointed out that he had attended his first Scout Retreat as a young scout about 25 years ago, and he hoped that in 25 years some of those in attendance might be in his place.
Prior to the closing there was a candlelight procession of the Blessed Sacrament followed by Adoration and Benediction led by Deacon and Scout Chaplain Charles Koressel. During Adoration, the Sacrament of Reconciliation was available to all through the grateful assistance of Fathers Breidenbach, Gries, Bernie Etienne, Zach Etienne, and Jeff Read.
A Recognition Ceremony usually presided over by the Bishop after the Sunday Mass was held on Saturday evening. Recognized as new members of the Order of St. Dominic Savio were: Cameron Egler, St. Mary, Ireland; Reece Beckman, Precious Blood; David Thompson, St. John the Baptist, Newburgh; Frank Simutis III, St. Matthew; Nathan Sterling, St. Thomas the Apostle; Alan Donovan, St. Philip; Patrick Payne, St. Benedict; and Rachel Goedde, St. Wendel.
Adult emblems were given to Jerry Weber, formerly of Resurrection Parish and now in Immaculate Conception Parish in Union City, Tenn., and Jane Kremer of St. Theresa. Jerry received the Bronze Pelican, a diocesan recognition for beginning service to scouting leadership in youth ministry. Jane received the St. George emblem, a National Catholic Committee on Scouting emblem for continued service in promoting Catholic scouting.
In addition to the clergy and seminarians who participated and made the shortened retreat a success, the DCCS also appreciates the cooperation of the Catholic Center staff who worked before and during the retreat with the DCCS subcommittee that planned and carried out this annual youth ministry event.
NOTE – The Message thanks Joe Dickinson, secretary of the Diocesan Catholic Committee on Scouting, for this information.
