SALT LAKE CITY — The Most Rev. John C. Wester, bishop of the Diocese of Salt Lake City remembered his encounter with a scout member outside a mall after doing some Christmas shopping. The scout, he said, offered to open the door for him. He will always remember this day because he was very grateful for the scout’s help and because it was the first time he realized he was getting older, said Bishop Wester jokingly during the Catholic Scouting Religious Emblems Award Ceremony at the Cathedral of the Madeleine in Salt Lake City March 7. "Scouts have respect for their church, their country, and for one another," said Bishop Wester. The scout ceremony reminded the bishop of the scripture that says, "And Jesus grew in wisdom, age, and grace." Scouts who received their religious emblems follow Jesus’ example. They grow in age, taking time to become solid Christians and solid citizens of our country, Bishop Wester said. "It took work and time to get the religious emblems; and I commend you for that. It took patience." They also grow in wisdom, which takes perception. "You need to open your eyes and ears, and to look beyond our limited world. You need to listen to adults: parents, teachers, and counselors," said Bishop Wester. Wisdom requires us to be humble and accept that we do not know everything, he said. Finally, the scouts grow in grace "recognizing that everything is a gift." The scouts worked hard for their religious emblems and deserved them, but they were still a gift because they used their talents, given by God, to get them, said Bishop Wester. "Every day we have something for which to be thankful," he said. Then, he told the story of a mailman who had the same route for years, but who said, "Every day I am going to discover one new thing on my route." And he did. Bishop Wester invited everyone to do what the mailman did and to say every day, "God, I’m so grateful for," and then fill in the blank. He then blessed the religious emblems. Outstanding scout leaders were recognized and thanked for their service. "I was totally surprised by it," said Deb Templin, scout leader at Saint Vincent de Paul Parish, Salt Lake City. Templin received the Bronze Pelican Award for her service to the spiritual development of Catholic youth in the Boys Scouts of America program. Boys in the Wolf Cub rank received the Light of Christ emblem, for which they had to successfully finish a program that they usually take along with First Communion preparation, said Templin. Those in the Bear rank received the Parvuli Dei (Children of God) emblem, which requires in-depth family involvement, she said. Scouts who have completed sixth grade and who have finished the Ad Altare Dei (to the altar of God) program received the Ad Altare Dei emblem. Brownies and Girl Scouts from Christ Prince of Peace Catholic Community at Hill Air Force Base and St. Vincent de Paul Parish received the I Live My Faith emblem. To receive this emblem, the girls participated in action-oriented activities that focus on developing awareness within the individual as a growing person, friend, family member, citizen, and a participant in the community of faith. Hannah Pavlisin, a member of Christ Prince of Peace Parish, received the Marian Medal, which enables her to "proclaim the greatness of the Lord" and understand Mary as a model of openness and spirituality. "One thing about our church is that you never stop learning," said Father James E. Blaine, diocesan assistant scout chaplain and Region XIII NCCS chaplain, during the ceremony. "…We encourage you to continue to grow and learn because you still have a lot to learn, live, and do."
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