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Catholic Scouting Wire | May 14, 2026
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May 14, 2026
_________________________________________________________________________________________The Catholic Scouting Wire newsletter is sent to local and regional Catholic Scouting leaders and supporters every month. We hope you find it useful! Please share your feedback with us at [email protected]. Make sure to note Catholic Scouting Wire in the subject line. And please share this email with other Scouters you think would find it valuable – just forward the email and ask people to subscribe using the Subscribe to the Catholic Scouting Wire button at the bottom of this email. Rebrand to Catholic Scouting America
While we remain legally known as the National Catholic Committee on Scouting (NCCS), we are moving forward with a name that puts our mission and identity front and center: Catholic Scouting America!
Why the Change?
This transition is all about clarity and accessibility. We want to ensure that every parish, bishop, and new family can easily find us and understand exactly who we are: a national movement grounded in faith, service, and leadership. By moving away from "insider" acronyms, we are opening our doors wider to the next generation of Scouts and their families.
What This Means for You- New Digital Home: Visit us at our new, easy-to-find website: CatholicScoutingAmerica.org. The new identity also aligns the organization more closely with its primary public-facing digital resource, CatholicScouting.com, ensuring brand consistency across all platforms.
- Same Mission: While our look is updating to be more family-friendly, our core remains unchanged. We continue our 100-year legacy of leading young people to the Altar of God through the trail of Scouting.
- Greater Growth: This new identity positions us as a leader in faith-based Scouting, making it easier than ever to share our witness on social media and in our local communities.
We invite you to celebrate this new chapter with us. Explore the Catholic Scouting America website, share the news with your units, and help us show the world that Catholic Scouting is stronger and more focused than everJoin in Praying for America
Catholic Scouting America has launched "Prayer for America"—a nationwide novena for the 250th anniversary of the United States. This July, as our nation celebrates its 250th anniversary, Catholic Scouts across the United States will come together in a powerful novena to honor America and seek the intercession of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of the Americas. United by faith, we invite Scouts, their leaders and their families to join in this special prayer for our country, asking for blessings, healing, and guidance as we celebrate our nation’s history and future.
Why We Pray
This novena is a prayerful tribute to our country and a heartfelt thank you to every person who has worked to build, better, and safeguard our nation. As Catholic Scouters we are called to be living disciples of Christ. By seeking the intercession of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of the Americas, we ask for the Holy Spirit to guide our leaders, heal our divisions, and kindle compassion for the vulnerable. This novena is more than just a sequence of prayers; it is a commitment to building a nation rooted in truth, justice, and love.
How You Can Lead
As Key 3 leaders, committee members, and counselors, your influence reaches into the heart of our parishes and units. We ask for your help in the following ways:- Commit to the Novena: Join us in nine days of prayer, focusing on daily intentions ranging from National Unity and Renewal to Care for God’s Creation. Register now to join Catholic Scouting America in prayer and receive daily prayer intentions directly to your inbox!
- Mobilize Your Unit: Share the Daily Prayer Intentions with your Scouts and their families. Encourage them to see these prayers as an extension of the Scout Oath and Law.
- Engage Your Parish: Work with your pastors to include these intentions in parish bulletins or after-Mass announcements.
- Spread the Word: Share the Signup Link with friends, family, and fellow Scouters so they can register to show their support and receive the daily intentions this July.
A Call to Action
Our nation’s future depends on the character and holiness of its citizens. By participating in this novena, we fulfill our duty to be "trustworthy, loyal, helpful, and reverent" in the most fundamental way: through prayer.
Please visit the Catholic Scouting website to sign up for daily intentions, request prayer cards, and find resources to help your unit participate in this historic celebration of faith and freedom.
Faith, Fellowship, and a New Identity: Recapping the 2026 Catholic Scouting Summit
The 2026 Catholic Scouting Summit recently concluded in Wichita, Kansas, marking a historic turning point for the organization. Bringing together 144 Scouters from 34 states and across the globe, the four-day event was filled with prayerful reflection, strategic planning, and a bold vision for the future.
A New Identity for a Modern Mission
The Summit opened with an energized address from National Chair Bill Guglielmi, who highlighted the successes of the past year before unveiling a significant shift in the organization’s public identity.
"While we will legally remain the National Catholic Committee on Scouting, we are moving forward publicly with a new name that matches our mission," Guglielmi announced. "Starting today, we are Catholic Scouting America! This change is about clarity... ensuring every bishop, parish, and family knows exactly who we are: a national movement grounded in faith, service, and leadership."
Prayer for the Nation and Local Heroes
In a powerful moment of unity, the Summit announced the Novena Prayer for America 250, an initiative expected to bring thousands of Scouts and their families together in prayer for our country. (View related article above.)
Spirituality remained at the heart of the gathering as Fr. Mark Carr S.J., National Chaplain, celebrated Mass at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. Following the liturgy, over 150 attendees gathered at the tomb of the Venerable Father Emil Kapaun, the heroic Korean War Army chaplain and POW. It was a profound opportunity for Scouters to honor a local saint-in-the-making whose life of selfless service serves as the ultimate model for Catholic youth.
Equipping Leaders for the Future
The summit was more than just a celebration; it was a workshop for growth. Across four general sessions and various committee meetings, leaders collaborated on the path forward. A major highlight was the introduction of the new training program, "Catholic Scouting in the Unit and Parish," specifically designed to equip Catholic "Key 3" leaders and volunteers with the tools to foster authentic ministry at the local level.
An Inspiring Conclusion
The event wrapped up on a high note with a lighthearted yet deeply inspiring keynote by Ricky Mason, Chair-Elect of Scouting America. His words served as a reminder of the vital partnership between faith and the scouting movement, leaving attendees ready to return to their dioceses with renewed vigor.
From the announcement of Catholic Scouting America to the hallowed halls of Wichita’s Cathedral, the 2026 Summit proved that the future of Catholic Scouting is not only bright but more focused than ever on building disciples for Christ.
Save the Date
The 2027 Catholic Scouting Summit will be held April 8 – 11, 2027 in St. Louis, Missouri.Enroll Now in Scouting in the Catholic Church - July 12-18
Join us for a great week of faith, family, adventure and fun, at our Scouting in the Catholic Church Conference at the Philmont Training Center near Cimarron, New Mexico. The conference is July 12-18, 2026.
There is no better place to experience the beauty of God’s creation and make new friends than at Philmont! Is God calling you? Youth ministers, clergy, Scout leaders, families—all are welcome to come for a faith-filled, informative and fun week.
A course highlight will be learning to incorporate the new USCCB document “Listen, Teach, Send” into Catholic Scouting. Religious Emblems Counselor training will also be offered.
To register visit the Philmont Training Center webpage. The first 25 registrants will receive a $100 gift card from the Tooth of Time Traders for use during the class.
Questions? Contact Training Chair Tom Jansen at 410-474-3965.New Fortin Education for Service Scholarship Announced
Announcing the new $3,500 Fortin Education for Service Scholarship, which will be awarded for the first time in 2027. Established in 2026 by Herve Derek Fortin, this scholarship reflects his belief in the power of education to inspire a life of service.
Mr. Fortin exemplifies this commitment through his 42 years as a Professional Scouter with the Boy Scouts of America, serving local councils around the world. Now living in the Texas Hill Country, he remains active in his community and continues to champion the values that shaped his career. He often reflects on the lasting impact of Scouting: “At home, at work, and at play, Scouting’s lessons last a lifetime.”
Catholic Scouting America is deeply grateful for Mr. Fortin’s generosity and his belief in the mission of our scholarship program. Find out more about NCCS scholarships.
The announcement of our 2026 scholarship winners is coming soon. Watch for the announcement on the Catholic Scouting America website and in the Catholic Scouting Wire.Pope Leo XIV and Algerian Scouts Plant Olive Tree for Peace
Pope Leo XIV met with young people and volunteers from the Algerian Muslim Scouts (SMA) during an official state visit in April to the coastal city of Annaba, where he planted an olive tree as a symbol of peace and unity.
The tree-planting event, held at the ancient archaeological site of Hippo, brought together young people and adult leaders from Islamic and Catholic communities. It offered a moment to reflect on the importance of interreligious dialogue, shared values, and service to others.
Read the full story on the World Scouting website.Ad Altare Dei 100th Anniversary Photo Contest Winners
Congratulations to Nicholas Powell, Matt Maranto, and Father Weber for winning our photo contest. They will receive a Limited Edition 100th Anniversary Ad Altare Dei neckerchief.
Nicholas’ winning photo reflected the celebration of Scout Sunday 2026 at Saint Anne of the Sunset Church in San Francisco. Scouts BSA Troop 15 celebrated 86 years with Saint Anne as their only sponsor for their entire duration. As Nicholas wrote in his photo submission, "Since 1938, we've been great! Troop 15, by the Golden Gate!"Celebrating 100 Years of Faith and Scouting!
Commemorate a century of faith and dedication with this Limited Edition Ad Altare Dei 100th Anniversary Neckerchief and Patch. Featuring the historic emblem first established in 1926, this high-quality neckerchief is a prestigious tribute to the oldest Catholic religious emblem program in Scouting.
Whether you are celebrating a Scout’s recent achievement or looking for the perfect “thank you” for a Religious Emblems Counselor who guided the way, this neckerchief and patch make a timeless gift. It serves as a lasting reminder of a Scout’s commitment to their “Duty to God” and their service at the Altar of God. Order today!Order Your 2026 National Jamboree Catholic Scouting Neckerchief Today!
Elevate your Scouting spirit with the 2026 National Jamboree Catholic Scouting Neckerchief. This limited-edition commemorative piece is designed specifically for the 2026 National Jamboree, blending faith and adventure in one iconic keepsake. The design proudly incorporates the official 2026 National Jamboree “Elevate” logo at the bottom, marking this historic gathering.
This neckerchief is more than just uniform wear; it’s a symbol of a Scout’s “Duty to God” on a national stage. It makes an exceptional gift for:- Scouts and Scouters attending the 2026 Jamboree
- Supporters of Catholic Scouting America
- Memorabilia Collectors looking for a unique, limited-run piece
Order today because when they’re gone, they’re gone!Catholic Scouting Spotlight: First All Girl Troop Established in Diocese of Charlotte
St. Gabriel Parish has established the first all-girl Scouting America troop in the Diocese of Charlotte, North Carolina.
Troop 1174 is chartered by St. Gabriel Parish in Charlotte and has attracted 12 members in less than two months. The troop meets weekly. It hosts monthly camping trips and will participate in council-sponsored events throughout the year. The troop serves girls aged 11-17, providing a path in Scouting for girls as they advance from Cub Scout packs as well as welcoming girls who are brand new to Scouting.
Read the full story in the Catholic News Herald.
Share your Catholic Scouting Spotlight idea!
Do you know of a Catholic Scout Scouter who has done something outstanding? Has your Catholic Scouting unit or diocesan/eparchial committee engaged in an activity that could be emulated by other units or committees?
If so, please submit information and a photo to [email protected] and be sure to include Catholic Scouting Spotlight in the subject line.Key Dates July 1-16 - 2026 St. George Trek - find out more
July 12-18 - Scouting in the Catholic Church - find out more
July 22 - 31 - 2026 Jamboree at Summit Bechtel Reserve - find out more
September 1 - NCCS College Scholarship application opens - find out more
April 8 -11, 2027 - 2027 Catholic Scouting Summit in St. Louis, Missouri