By Kelley Kepler
Catholic Herald

Bishop Fliss presents Scouting awards

SUPERIOR -- Scouts throughout the Diocese of Superior were honored for their accomplishments in Scouting on May 18. They gathered in Superior to receive religious recognition awards from Bishop Raphael M. Fliss, who presided over the 10th annual Scout Recognition Sunday ceremony held at the Cathedral of Christ the King.

The ceremony began with songs and Scripture readings. In his homily, Fliss spoke about a recent trip to Rome and a special audience with Pope John Paul II.

He recalled that after the Mass, as the Holy Father was leaving the church, on the mobile platform that he uses to get around, he stopped the in the middle of a group of young children. The children ran up to the pope to give him hugs and kisses. The pope hugged and kissed the children back.

Fliss said that experience reminded him of the Gospel reading (Mark 10:13-16), in which Jesus welcomed a group of children and showed affection and great love for them.

Fliss also reminded the audience that it was the pope's 83rd birthday, and that they should pray for him. Every time there is a Mass in the diocese, two people are always prayed for -- the pope and the bishop -- Fliss joked. Just as all members of the diocese pray for him, Fliss said, he is constantly praying for the entire diocese and all of the church.

The bishop also spoke about the importance of Scouting, saying: "I think the whole idea of Scouting is a wonderful idea for the church." Scouting came into being as a teaching project that would help young people learn and grow. Scouting is always about building, he said, building character "to help (Scouts) become better human beings, concerned not only about themselves, but about others, about their relationship with God and their relationship with all of creation," he said.

Fliss also spoke about the adults involved in Scouting. In order to make Scouting worthwhile, he said, they must be good teachers that help Scouts develop virtue, character and personality. In addition, they must also be witnesses of Christ and good role models for the Scouts, he said.

"What we want is a world that is full of peace; we don't want war," Fliss said.

"That's why Christ came into the world, to make this a better place, a better world." Scouting, he explained, emphasizes justice, love, liberty, friendship and values that help young people grow into good human beings who seek peace and a better world.

Following the homily, Fliss blessed the awards and then, with assistance from members of the Diocesan Committee on Scouting, he presented awards to all of the winners present. A total of 100 youth Scouting awards were presented, and three adults received awards. In addition, 10 students and three adults received the Millennium Patch.

The members of the Catholic Committee on Scouting also received awards for their dedication to Scouting.

The committee introduced two new awards that will be presented next year to individuals who promote religious Scouting awards. The Trainer Patch will be awarded to those adults who complete the Religious Recognition Awards Program. Scouts and adult Scouters who promote membership in Catholic Scouting units or promote activity within the Religious Recognition Awards Program are eligible to receive the Recruiter Patch.

Following the ceremony, attendees were invited to a reception downstairs in Kress Hall, where they could obtain more information about Scouting. Fliss also attended the reception and was available to have pictures taken with the Scouts, their leaders and parents.

Editor's note: For more information about Scouting and religious recognition awards contact Chris Newkirk, Bishop Hammes Center, PO Box 280, Haugen, WI 54841, 715-234-5044.

Scout Recognition Awards

Ad Altare Dei
Chris Mann
Kevin Mc Cusker
Eric Muench
Travis Muench
Jordon Neeck
Logan Relford
Mark Ruff
Johnathan Slayton
Chris Steinburg

Family of God
Sara Balcer
Stephanie Baribeau
Victoria Bauman
Holly Bayless
Kara Becker
Krissy Becker
Makayla Burdick
Erin Carlson
Bridget Case
Ellen Darst
Angela Derousseau
Breanna Ellstrom
Shelby Golden
Teygaen Hartman
Arianna Jago
Victoria Johnson
Nora Johnston
Renee Johnston
Sarah Langer
Jenna Klos
Anna Krueger
Kelsey Mc Cracken
Jaclyn Meagher
Jessica Meagher
Katrina Monson
Jullete Nagy
Katelyn Nelson
Emily Oestreich
Jenna Orr
Claire Peterson
Kelsey Reder
Alexa Roberts
Leah Ross
Jacki Scoles
Olivia Stephens
Nicole Stodola
Tess Swanson
Rebekah Uhren
Ann VonHirsch
Emily Wasko
Alexandra Welsh
Kailey Westerdahl

Light of Christ
Brady Anderson
Kevan Berg
Connor Edling
Mike Erlitz
Emmitt Foster
James Garriga
John Garriga
Ryan Gartmann
Jacob Jubie
Nicholas Jubie
Robert LeRoy
Charles Peterson
Nicholas Rogalla
Billy Schmitt
Jake Shaw
Nicholas Van Ert
Joey Weeks

Pope Pius XII
Allan Baltes
Mike Beauto
Nathan Minor
Chris Nye
Benjamin Sorensen
Paul Swartz

I Live My Faith
Melanie Bertelsen
Lauren Gidley
Cassie Johnson
Michelle Loretz
Sarah Mann
Sara Peters
Paige Pluemer
Aurora Stanke
Valerie Thomzik

Paravuli Dei
Ryan Bayless
Nolan Breitzman
Anthony Ewing
Matthew Friedel
Gavin Germain
Zachary Holden
Peter Schmitt
Colton Simpson
Timothy Sislo
Sean Smith
Levi Stephens
Tyler Tschanz

Marian
Megan Anderson
Jessica Brown
Stephanie Hinrichs
Kaitlin Tschanz

Millennium Patch

1st - 5th Grade
Charles Peterson
Timothy Sislo
Olivia Stephens
Nathan Van Ert
Nicholas Van Ert
Joey Weeks

6th - 12th Grade
Alex Peterson
Brenda Richter
Chiara Richter
Marlene Richter

Adult Scouts
Ann Richter
Marion Shaw
Anne Stephens

St. Anne
Denise Guerra

Bronze Pelican
Joe Baye
Chris Newkirk

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© Superior Catholic Herald, 2003