In today’s popular vernacular, the term "sleeper" is used to describe something that starts out almost unnoticed, builds quietly and consistently, and ultimately results in being a highly successful or powerful entity. This is the term we might assign to the diocese’s Catholic girl scout program.

In all the years that The Catholic Spirit, and before that, The Monitor, had covered the Church’s official recognition program for Catholic scouts, it had never struck me as being particularly extraordinary, or as having any long-lasting value. But taken as a whole over the course of its history, the religious emblem program, under the direction of our diocesan Catholic Girl Scout Committee, has been a consistent opportunity for formation and faith development for young girls in these four counties.

For the last 21 years, as long as there has been a diocese in fact, the program has been offered to girl scouts from the brownie level right through to the seniors. Originally under the direction of dedicated and long-standing volunteers Ida Cariste and Alice Tully, as well as chaplain Msgr. Michael J. Corona, the program has consistently delivered to all participants a challenge to make a difference in their world and an opportunity to grow in their knowledge of the faith and themselves.

Beginning either with an annual diocesan gathering (see story, page 13), or for brownies in the parishes, the girls are directed through a series of activities, reading and writing assignments, arts and crafts and discussions, all with the objective of helping them to recognize in all they do the opportunities for living their faith.

Of the four levels, the Marian Medal program is the oldest, having been established in 1956. In the program booklet, the goal is described as "inspiring Catholic young people to become stronger members of their faith and to see Mary as a model for all stages of their lives – as a teen, single person, parent, and as a follower of her son, Jesus."

While other programs and events receive a great deal more attention and support, this less known diocesan program, with little fanfare and few requirements, has brought to more than 100 girl scouts each year (including brownies) an exposure to vocations, an understanding of the fundamentals of their faith and a mandate to go out and live it.

We are all blessed by the continued dedication and hard work of our diocesan girl scout committee, and by all those who assist the girls as they undertake the project work to earn their medals.

On another note, if readers will forgive me for talking about Halloween yet again (and at the end of November no less) I recently learned of another program that I think deserves some recognition.

In the ongoing struggle to keep Halloween from becoming a celebration of violence and gore, many schools and parish organizations attempt to put some limits on Halloween costumes, and create a safe and family-based way to celebrate the holiday.

But one school decided to make the holiday a celebration of faith. According to religion teacher Claire Delaney, the middle school students of

St. Mary School, South Amboy, celebrated Oct. 31st by presenting the religion curriculum of each grade. She reported that the observance began with a prayer service and blessing of pumpkins, after which students delivered their reports.

In full costume, the sixth graders reported on the Old Testament characters they are studying. Reporting on the New Testament, seventh graders included some of the parables and miracles they were learning about. Eighth graders depicted the seven sacraments, presenting information on the sacrament’s history in the early Church, and how it is celebrated today. This is a great way to give our children alternatives to what Halloween has become. We congratulate St. Mary School and urge more schools and religious education programs to develop ways to keep our kids more focused on Christ.