Catholic Scouting Updates

The purpose of the Ad Altare Dei (to the altar of God) religious emblem program is to help Catholic youth (especially those in Scouting) to develop a fully Christian way of life in the faith community. The program is organized in chapters based on the seven Sacraments. The seven Sacraments are a primary means toward spiritual growth. Catholic scouting leaders are offering an opportunity for all Catholic youth (ages 13-14) in Scouting America (including troops, venturing and sea scouts) to earn this emblem this fall. Youth ages 11-17 in grades 7-12 can also work on this emblem.

For general information about the emblem, click the button below. If there is interest in being a part of the opportunity to earn the emblem, please email Colleen Trevisani here or call her at 585-672-5568.

Thursday, August 27 - 8:30 pm ET | 5:30 pm PT

Join the National Catholic Committee for Girl Scouts and Camp Fire (NCCGSCF) this August for a meeting to learn more about faith-based programs, religious recognition opportunities, and training resources. This is a great chance to discover how NCCGSCF can support your parish ministry, meet regional representatives and fellow Catholic leaders in Girl Scouts and Camp Fire, and ask questions and explore ways to get involved. To join the meeting, click the button below.

The latest edition of the Bridge Newsletter, the official newsletter of the National Catholic Committee on Scouting (NCCS) is here! In this issue, NCCS invites you to join the Prayer for America initiative, commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Ad Altare Dei emblem, meet this year’s scholarship recipients, and learn more about Catholic Scouting’s ministry at Philmont. You will also find highlights from the Catholic Scouting Summit, reflections from our national leaders, and encouraging news from diocesan Scouting programs. Click the button below to view the newsletter!

As you may know, the Office of Evangelization & Catechesis has hosted an annual diocesan Catholic Scouting recognition ceremony in the past. More recently, the Office has shifted from recognizing scouts at a diocesan ceremony to awarding the emblem at the end of a weekend Mass at the scout’s parish. Families have really appreciated the personal attention and it is a wonderful way to educate the greater parish community about Catholic Scouting. Below are the names of scouts who have earned emblems and been recognized over the last several months. Congratulations!

The National Catholic Committee for Girl Scouts and Camp Fire (NCCGSCF) is a constitutive member of the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry (NFCYM). The members of the committee represent the 14 regions of the NFCYM, Girl Scouts, and Camp Fire. Each region has a regional representative.

Kari Kurtz, a parish minister in the Diocese of Albany, serves as the NCCGSCF regional representative for Region 2 (New York State). She has extensive experience in helping bring the Catholic faith into the Girl Scout experience. If you would like to reach out to Kari, email her here.

Scouts (entering grades 9-12 in Fall 2026) are personally invited to participate in Youth LEAD! Youth LEAD is a weekend for high school youth to learn how to be leaders in their faith. The weekend will share practical skills and a clear vision of leadership that will allow youth to follow the call of our Church to be the Body of Christ in the world. More information can be found by clicking the button below. Youth considering participating in Youth LEAD 2026 can email Mark at Mark.Capellazzi@dor.org with their name and parish.

I would like to express my sincere gratitude for the blessing of our scouts and scouting leaders in the Diocese of Rochester. While the many ways in which those involved in Scouting enrich our communities may not always be easily measured, the impact of their servant leadership is clear. The Office of Evangelization & Catechesis continues to provide helpful resources for bringing faith into Scouting. I encourage you to explore the materials available below and consider how they may support your ministry. Please know that I am always here to assist you in your work. Thank you for the dedication and faith-filled leadership you bring to Scouting.

Mark R. Capellazzi

Project Coordinator for Youth & Young Adult Ministry

Diocesan Liaison for Catholic Scouting

Email: Mark.Capellazzi@dor.org

Phone: (585) 328-3210

The Rochester Diocesan Catholic Committee on Scouting (RDCCS) is a diocesan committee affiliated with the Diocese of Rochester’s Office of Evangelization & Catechesis. The RDCCS consists of adults registered with the Girl Scout and Scouting America programs. RDCCS members represent the three Scouting America Councils and two Girl Scout Councils within our Diocese. We hope that we can help you find the information and resources that will make your efforts fruitful.