MISSION STATEMENT

MISSION STATEMENT
For
The Allentown Diocese Catholic Committee on Scouting

In order to put forth a meaningful Mission Statement, one must first understand the organization that this diocesan committee will be drawn from, and that is the National Catholic Committee on Scouting.

The National Catholic Committee on Scouting® (NCCS) is a church committee of concerned Catholic lay people and clergy who see as their mission the constructive use of the program of the Boy Scouts of America as a viable form of youth ministry with the Catholic youth of our nation. The committee, which is advisory to the Boy Scouts of America, seeks to sustain and strengthen the relationship between BSA and the Catholic Church in the United States. Through interaction and dialogue with the Secretariat on the Laity and Family Life (the formal connection between youth ministry in the United States and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops), NCCS works cooperatively with various other groups involved in youth ministry in the United States.

NCCS Mission
The National Catholic Committee on Scouting® (NCCS) exists to utilize and ensure the constructive use of the program of the BSA as a viable form of youth ministry with Catholic youth of our nation.

Authority
The National Catholic Committee on Scouting® (NCCS) is a church committee of concerned Catholic Laity and Clergy which is advisory to the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) and relates to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) through its USCCS Episcopal Liaison.

Purpose
The purpose of the NCCS is to utilize and ensure the constructive use of the program of the BSA as a viable form of youth ministry with the Catholic Youth of our nation. The NCCS seeks to sustain and strengthen the relationship between the BSA and the Catholic Church and to work cooperatively with the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry (NFCYM) and various other groups involved in youth ministry in the United States.

The Allentown Diocese Catholic Committee of the Minsi Trails Council (ACCSMT) on Scouting will share the same mission and values as the National Catholic Committee on Scouting with following localized focus:

The purpose of the ACCSMT is to give guidance, vitality and leadership in the spiritual phase of Scouting to all Catholic Scouts and Scouters of the diocese located within the Minsi Trails Council, BSA.

The committee endeavors to make the entire Scouting program available to increasing numbers of youths in parish units and in units operated by Catholic organizations located within the Minis Trails Council, BSA.

The agenda of the Catholic committee supplements the program of the Boy Scouts of America, with special instructions and activities, in the spiritual phase of Scouting as it relates to Catholics.

Having this as the mission of the committee, the following goals are set forth to support and fulfill the mission:

  • Create the appropriate officers and sub-committees to address the goals and concerns of the committee, which will include: Religious Emblems, Religious Activities, Training, Communications, Vocations and Membership.
  • Develop, schedule and carry out a youth ministry program for all Scouting units within the Catholic Church, which complements other BSA council or district activities as well as those of the parish and diocese.
  • Through publicity and other means of contact, strive to reach all Catholic youths and Scouters in units not chartered to Catholic organizations to permit them to participate in activities conducted by the committee.
  • Schedule regular meetings, preferably monthly, to carry out diocesan and national programs and activities.
  • Advise BSA councils within the diocese on all matters relating to Scouting among Catholics.

Having these general goals for the committee, some specific topics which may be included as goals both short and long term:
  • Develop, plan, schedule, and carry out an annual retreat for Boy Scouts to act as part of the requirement for the AAD & Pope Pius awards.
  • Develop, plan, schedule, and carry out an annual Day of Recollection/Reflection for Cub Scouts to act as reinforcement for their Light of Christ and Parvuli Dei awards.
  • Develop, plan, schedule, and carry out an annual awards ceremony for the recipients of religious emblems.
  • Develop, plan, schedule, and carry out an annual Scouters Development training for all adults to help them reach the spiritual level, which will assist them as counselors and religious emblems coordinators.
  • Offer counselor training at least annually at a retreat or committee meeting, and also at the University of Scouting.
  • Promote the religious emblems program to ALL units within the diocese/council area using all means available.
  • Develop, plan, schedule, and carry out an annual good turn service project for all Catholic units to participate in.
  • Provide vocational support by providing chaplain service for council, district, and committee events.
  • Communicate the events and works of the committee through various means which can include, council newsletters, diocesan newspaper, brochure & flyers, committee website, presentations at Roundtables, University of Scouting, Jamborees, Scoutorees, council and/or district dinners and events, church bulletins, etc.
  • Promote an annual recognition for adult awards that affirms Scouters’ and adult’s efforts for the program.
  • Develop, plan, schedule, and carry out an annual awards/recognition dinner for the committee.