ALLOUEZ — With the cancellation of Vacation Bible Schools (VBS) and Camp Tekakwitha events this summer, the diocesan Families and Schools of Discipleship Mission Team is offering an alternative for families.
Children in grades 1-12 can grow in their faith and earn patches while participating in summer activities.
“Earning patches, badges and emblems has long been a part of scouting, but many people aren’t aware that many of these activities are open to non-Scout families as well,” said Maximus Cabey, children and youth faith formation director.
The activities and patches are offered through the National Catholic Committee on Scouting (NCCS) and the National Federation of Catholic Youth Ministry (NFCYM). Patches may be ordered directly from those organizations, and the average cost per patch will be $3-$4 plus postage.
There are a variety of topics covered, but most of them involve learning about saints and those in the process of being declared saints. The NCCS offers patch activities for modern saints (Chiara Luce Badano, Faustina Kowalska, John Paul II, Maximilian Kolbe and Mother Teresa); for saints who have impacted the Catholic faith in America (Damian of Molokai, Elizabeth Ann Seton, Isaac Jogues, John Neumann, Juan Diego, Junipero Serra, Kateri Tekakwitha, Katharine Drexel, Michael McGivney, Miguel Pro, Marianne Cope, Pierre Toussaint, Rose Philippine Duchesne, George and Solanus Casey); a Marian series (Our Lady of Good Help, of Lourdes, of Guadalupe, of Sorrows, of the Miraculous Medal of Mount Carmel and the Immaculate Conception), as well as a faith series (Bishop as Shepherd, Divine Mercy, Works of Mercy and Eucharistic Adoration).
In addition, the NFCYM also offers patch activities related to saints, including series on Women in Faith, Models of Faith and special patches for the Blessed Mother.
There is a set of age/grade appropriate activity requirements that must be met in order to earn the corresponding patch. Parents, grandparents and older siblings are encouraged to assist students in their activities to learn about the topic and use what they’ve learned to grow in their own faith as well.
Anyone interested in learning more about the “Earn a Patch Family Faith Activity” can visit gbresources.org and click on “At-Home Resources.” These are ongoing programs, not limited to summer. For more information, email: [email protected] or call the Families and Schools of Discipleship Mission Team at (920) 272-8309.