Girl Scouts encouraged to put their faith into practice
By Holly Jean Dunbar
Correspondent
Girls from throughout the diocese attended the 23rd annual Catholic Girl Scout Gathering at Our Lady of Mount Virgin Church, Middlesex, Nov. 12. Sponsored by the Catholic Girl Scout committee of the diocesan scouting apostolate, the theme for this year’s event was Come to the Water.
With 124 girls attending the gathering, the year’s turnout was the highest to date in recent years, according to Ruth Bielanski, coordinator of the diocesan Girl Scout Ministry.
The Religious Recognition programs offered at the event were designed to reinforce formal religious instruction provided by the parish. These programs, offered by the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry, focused on fostering positive and value-centered programs for Catholic youth.
“This is important, because this is about their faith,” said Sally Robinson, co-leader of junior troop 307, Clinton, whose entire troop elected to attend the gathering. “At this age, you want to get them excited about their faith and motivated to act on their faith and to live their faith.”
After an opening flag ceremony and prayer, the girls broke into groups for special programs geared to their age levels. The Spirit Alive program, for senior scouts in grades 9-12, helped the girls identify how the Holy Spirit moves within their lives, calling them to greater participation in ministry of the Church. The program also featured a variety of activities and exploration of the Scriptures.
The Marian Medal program for cadettes, grades 6 to 9, utilized readings and discussions in order to better familiarize the girls with the life of Mary and help them develop new insights into themselves and the world around them. It also stressed the need to be more responsive to God.
Junior scouts, grades 4 to 6, participated in the I Live My Faith program, designed to help young people become more aware of the place that God and religion hold in everyday life. A series of brief re-enactments of common situations helped the girls to develop self-awareness and illustrated their potential as a person and as a member of their troop, family, nation and community of faith. The girls also completed a service project of making ladybug hand puppets to be given to children in need.
“It’s a good opportunity to let the girls see sisters. And, also to interact with the girls and teach them about their faith,” said St. Francis of the Martyr St. George Sister M. Immaculata Biskner. Several of the sisters served as facilitators at the event. “It’s good for the girls to speak about what they bring that faith to at the everyday level, instead of just church on Sunday.”
This was the fourth year that Sister Immaculata, who teaches at Sacred Heart School, South Amboy, participated in the gathering. “I teach junior high, so I see what happens and there are difficulties at this age. This is to bring Christ into that everyday experience.”
Each girl who attended the event received a patch that can be worn on their uniform. In addition, those that complete the program book before May 1, 2006 will receive a medal presented by the Bishop at the annual Scout Mass held at St. Francis of Assisi Cathedral, Metuchen, in June.
“We thought it was important, so we encouraged them to come,” said Suzanne Grutta, co-leader of troop 1147 from Everett Academy, Peapack. This was the first time she attended the event, along with eight members of her troop. “This is good. It’s a great turnout, and the girls seem to be enjoying themselves.”
“It’s a good way to bring God into Girl Scouts,” Sister Immaculata said. “I think it’s a great organization.”
A religious recognition program is also available for Brownies, grades 2 and 3. Titled Family of God, this program is taught in the parish over a three-month period. Medals for this program are presented by the parish.
There is a network of advisors and parish coordinators who assist with the Catholic medal programs for Girl Scouts. Additional volunteers are always welcome.
For more information on Religious Recognition programs for Girl Scouts or to volunteer, contact Ruth Bielanski at (908) 874-8714. Inquiries may also be mailed to The Diocese of Metuchen, Catholic Scouting, P.O. Box 191, Metuchen, NJ 08840 or e-mailed to Virginia Cieslarczyk at vcieslarczyk@diometuchen.org.
*The attached/referenced article was originally published in The Catholic Spirit, the official newspaper of the Diocese of Metuchen, and is protected under U.S. and international copyright law