Ketchikan and Craig scouts earn religious emblems, grow in the faith

Ketchikan and Craig scouts learned more about their faith, participated in the sacramental life of the Church, and carried out service, earning Religious Emblems just in time for the 100th anniversary of Boy Scouts of America’s “Ad Altare Dei” (to the altar of God) emblem.

Rennan Fullerton of Boy Scout Troop 4 in Ketchikan, age 15 and Jack Conatser of Boy Scout Group 1206 in Craig, age 15, received the “Ad Altare Dei” emblem. Madison Conatser of Girl Scout Troop 4197 in Craig, age 16, earned the equivalent Girl Scout emblem, “The Spirit Alive.” 

All the families of the emblem recipients were very excited for the scouts to complete the requirements and receive their religious emblems. 

The “Ad Altare Dei” is awarded to boys 13 and older who have completed sixth grade. It was first awarded in 1926 by the former Diocese of Los Angeles-San Diego. “The Spirit Alive” emblem is awarded to girls in grades 9-12. Both require scouts to complete workbooks and activities. 

Fullerton says the activity that moved him most was when he and his youth group “went to a lady’s house who was homebound. We shoveled snow for her and celebrated Communion with her.” 

Fullerton poses with his emblem. (Courtesy of Trish Conatser)

Fullerton received the sacrament of Confirmation before receiving the award. He says pursuing it “reaffirmed all the lessons I had learned in that process.” He hopes his brother and other scouts will pursue the award in the future. 

All three scouts say the process of earning their emblems nourished their faith. 

Madison says, “It gave me a chance to connect deeper with my faith. I loved learning new things about our faith and teaching other people. I was moved learning about different saints who I could connect with and see how they dealt with the situations I have.” 

Madison poses with her emblem. Courtesy of Trish Conatser)

“My religious emblem,” Madison says, “means a lot to me. Earning it is a great way to embrace all the different aspects of the faith.”

Jack was skeptical at first: “When I looked at my religious emblem book and worksheets, I thought ‘This is too hard; there is no way.’ But after talking with my parents and mentor, I prayed about it, just kind of meditating a little. Looking back, I see it as a time for growing in my faith.” 

Jack poses with his emblem (Courtesy of Trish Conatser)

Jack says he was relieved when he finished the process and happy that he had “learned to give God more time in my day and to be more silent during prayer.”