By Joe Dickinson, DCCS Secretary, Special to The Message
The Catholic Center was again the venue of the Scout/Venturer Retreat the weekend of Feb. 28 through March 2. The retreat has been hosted annually for decades by the Diocesan Catholic Committee on Scouting (DCCS) under the direction of the Diocesan Scout Chaplain, currently Deacon Tony Schapker. The theme of the 2025 retreat was the current World Youth Day theme, “Those who hope in the Lord … will run and not be weary” (Isaiah 40:31). Talks and activities were related to the theme. Scouts and leaders who attended represented five troops or crews sponsored by the following parishes: St. Joseph Parish in Jasper, Precious Blood Parish in Jasper, St. Ferdinand in Ferdinand, St. Benedict Cathedral Parish in Evansville and St. John the Baptist Parish in Newburgh.
Talks related to the theme were given by seminarians Nathan Folz, Jack Martin and Jacob Schneider, followed by discussion groups. Saturday morning Mass was celebrated by Father Lowell Will, and Sunday morning Mass on March 2 was celebrated by Father Jim Koressel. Throughout the weekend, prayers included the Angelus and the Liturgy of the Hours. On Saturday evening, there was a candlelight procession with the Monstrance, leading to Adoration followed by Benediction with Deacon Schapker. During Adoration, Reconciliation was available with Father Jason Gries and Father Ambrose Wanyonyi.
Other activities for the youth included a talk about “Running to Salvation” by DCCS Chair Bill Noll, who has also run the Boston Marathon several times. Stations of the Cross were outside of the Sarto Retreat Center, while there was also encouragement to the scouts to do them at one of the designated pilgrimage churches for the Jubilee Year. Also, there were various games related to the theme and free time with other activities available. A training program for leaders on Saturday promoted the leader’s role as Youth Minister in the Catholic Church.
After the closing Mass by Father Koressel, there was a brief awards ceremony. Receiving the sash of the Order of St. Dominic Savio was Ethan Ripke, a scout of St. John the Baptist Parish in Newburgh. This involves studying vocations in several ways, and active participation in planning and leading various aspects of the retreat. Deirdre Munday of St. Pius V Parish in Tell City was recognized with the Adult Emblem, the Bronze Pelican, for her contribution as a Youth Minister and activity in her unit at St. Ferdinand.