Scouts from across the Diocese of Charlotte received their religious emblems at the end of Mass at the 43rd annual Catholic Camporee at Camp Grimes in Nebo April 7. (Patricia L. Guilfoyle | Catholic News Herald)NEBO — More than 200 Scouts concluded the Diocese of Charlotte’s 43rd annual Catholic Camporee with Mass celebrated by Bishop Peter Jugis April 7.
The annual Catholic Camporee, held at Camp Grimes, showcased the ministry of Holy Angels in Belmont and featured the theme “Caring for God’s Children.” Scouters of all ages enjoyed a weekend of fun Scouting activities, food and fellowship at Camp Grimes, the Mecklenburg Scout Reservation run by the Mecklenburg County Council of the Boy Scouts of America.
Dennis Kuhn from Holy Angels gave a keynote presentation on Holy Angels mission and care of persons with intellectual developmental disabilities at the camporee. He used magic by taking a piece of rope cutting it in two and magically restoring it to illustrate the “disappearance” of the disability; then he ran a large needle through a balloon to illustrate accomplishing the seemingly impossible in working with those with developmental disabilities. The Scouts were taught how to take three different-sized pieces of rope, making all three equal size pieces to illustrate the power of three in the Holy Trinity, the Sign of the Cross, and how differences disappear and unity and teamwork prevail.
Kuhn explained that it is incumbent on us to break down barriers that isolate or separate the “differently-abled.” All of us are children of God, including the differently-abled, he said, and the differently-abled should be loved and need to be loved – just like anyone else.
“The diocesan Scouting committee is grateful for the support of all those who played a role in making the event a success,” noted Mike Nielsen, singling out the Camporee cubmaster, Steve Hughes, and the Camporee scoutmaster, Richard Cashman, who planned and developed the Camporee program.
The Mass to conclude the Catholic Camporee was celebrated in Camp Grimes’ new dining hall, built to replace the 40-year-old dining hall that burned down in 2016.
In his homily, Bishop Jugis encouraged the young people to seek the “healing graces” of God’s mercy through the sacrament of confession, highlighted in the Gospel passage of the day, John 12:1-8, which tells of the encounter of the adulterous woman with Jesus. Jesus forgives the woman and then tells her to “go and sin no more” – words Catholics repeat when they pray the Act of Contrition, Bishop Jugis noted.
The intention to avoid sin and to embrace holiness is a resolution we should make anew every day, he suggested.
There is “an urgent need” for reconciliation in today’s chaotic and angry world, Bishop Jugis said. Reconciliation brings freedom and peace, and it unites us to Jesus on the cross – something particularly important to remember as we prepare for the Resurrection at Easter.
“What a tremendous healing comes to us as the result of the forgiveness of sins,” he said.
Jesus gave His life to reconcile us to God the Father – a reconciliation which we could not accomplish for ourselves – and “it is the greatest gift we have received from the Lord,” he said.
The “healing power” of confession, in which we turn away from sin and turn towards God, gives us the opportunity to receive His gift of “a new life of grace, peace and holiness.”
“Jesus is here for the healing of our souls,” he said. “It’s up to us to accept His offer and to experience that new life that He gives us through His gracious kindness.”
Assisting at Mass was Deacon Martin Ricart, spiritual advisor of the Charlotte Diocese Catholic Committee on Scouting. St. Joseph College seminarians Matthew Harrison and Nicholas Kramer, both Eagle Scouts (from Troop 5 in Concord and Troop 61 in Arden, respectively), served at the Mass.
After Mass, religious emblems exemplifying the Catholic ideals of Scouting were awarded, including the Light of Christ, Parvuli Dei and Ad Altare Dei awards.
The highest national adult recognition in Catholic Scouting, the St. George Emblem, was awarded to Dan Burns of Troop 8 at St. Matthew Church in Charlotte.
Four Scout leaders received the Bronze Pelican emblem, the highest adult honor given locally in Catholic Scouting: E.J. Pezold and Jerry Smith of St. Matthew Troop 8 in Charlotte; Octavius Carter of Our Lady of Consolation Troop 172 in Charlotte; and Deacon Martin Ricart, chaplain of the Charlotte Diocese Catholic Committee on Scouting.
— Patricia L. Guilfoyle, editor
